Jim's Guestbook

Jim, So glad to see you are looking so well! I bet you are glad to be home. I love the drawing of the train! Wishing you continued healing of your healthy heart.

Howdy Jim. The hardest thing going after surgery is that we have to have "Patience" with each day to day "adventure" until we get home and after as well. You are a guy who will probably find this not very easy but it is the best advice one can give to anther heart brother or sister as they continue on the recovery rode and into proper healing. If you have little patience(yes even in the "waiting "moments) you will only aggravate all of the muscles, entire chest wall that has been so thoroughly aggravated and it will take that much longer for you to begin the healing process. Frustration is unavoidable when you have gone through all of the things leading up to and including surgery but by being patient you have less a chance in adding to your recovery. Take care and by the way it is wonderful to have you back online and "visible" again!

Jim, We are all hoping and praying for your continued recovery. Remember first you crawl, then you walk and before long you can run-or climb. Listen to your knowledgeable doctors,your loving partner and your own body. You have many many years to enjoy life and inspire others. Happy days are coming your way! Loving hugs from Michigan. :-)

Hello there Jim and Dan. I know that you don't realize just how many people you touched with all of your kind words, informational posts and abundance of prayers before you headed in for surgery. Even afterwards you began again and my heart brother, as others are trying to tell you and I am chiming in: IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO CONCENTRATE THAT BRILLIANT, LOVING BRAIN AND HEART ON YOURSELF! All you and Dan should focus on is getting you out, making sure you keep as rested as possible, eat when your appetite allows you to and allow your body to tell you what it needs and when. Have faith in rehab. This recovery is a little more challenging for those who have unexpected turns in the road to wellness and we here at the community have been party to the type of character, strength and focus you possess and know that you have all that it requires to follow the Dr.'s orders and slowly, methodically let your body absorb any task put before you so that it can work towards that healing process you are beginning. We are all thinking of you with all of our "HEARTS". Take care Heart Brother. Be Well......Terrie

Jim, I hope each day forward is better for you. I'm sure once you get your strength back things will progress quicker. You've been through a lot and hope there are no more set backs.

Just wanted to let you know that I am thinking about you and Dan and praying for you guys. I am so sorry that this week has been so rough, but hopefully you have turned the corner and are on the mend. Thanks for keeping your heart community updated... you have been such a great source of information and support for us all!!!!

Thinking of you today Jim. Praying you are doing better and have had no further obstacles on your pathway to healing. We are all behind you and wishing you a smooth recovery here on out!

Jim and Dan. Turned the corner-By God you are headed for the Home Stretch!!! Home being the objective here! I hope that all goes as it should now that they have relieved the fluid buildup and you can carry on with "Recovery". Sorry for you and Dan having to face the "bump" you encountered but we all pray for nothing but good results now that you had to go through a second sternotomy. Be good to yourself Brother's. Love and gentle hugs your way!

Had aortic valve replacement on July 16, and am doing very well now. It's a big hill to climb (not your at home hill ☺️) but you will feel better in a few months; and very grateful to your Dr. And God. Will keep you in my prayers and you WILL do good.

Jim, My prayers have join all the others for you tomorrow and in the upcoming days, following your successful surgery. I hope and pray for you and Dan to both rest comfortably tonight,knowing that God and your angels are watching over you. Before long this heart journey will be only a distant memory for you both. I heard my sister, Mia say this week, that her heart journey seems like a long time ago, when we were discussing how happy she was to complete cardiac rehab, and be able to resume her regular workouts at the gym. (She had her mitral valve replaced in July) It won't be long until you too will be able to make that observation also. Your hill will be waiting,when your body has healed. Wishing you a healthy heart and a speedy recovery. Hugs and prayers for you and Dan,

Thinking of you and Dan! I pray that all goes as smoothly as possible tomorrow and that you are back on your feet and better than ever in no time! Look forward to hearing updates when you feel well enough!!

Jim, I wish you the very best tomorrow. Many prayers from your heart brothers and sisters will surround you as you enter into the next chapter of your journey. Blessings to you.

Jim and Dan- Well the waiting is almost over(Happy Valentine's Day)by the way! I have a really good feeling about your upcoming surgery. As you have the love of a good Man by your side to see you through so do you have the love and prayers of many people from our community here at HVS. You have been so supportive of so many along their journeys here on site that there is an overflow of emotion filled love for your success tomorrow and the knowledge that you will be out of the hospital and back sharing your experiences with us and helping others pave their way on their own journeys is a comforting thought, yes?! It is time though to gather all the Faith and Confidence in your team tomorrow as it appears you are ready to get this done and all the good you have done pre-surgery will follow you in as you head for those double doors! I wish you the best and smoothest of surgeries and know just knowing Dan will be waiting for you to start your "Recovery "should give you great comfort. Let Dan know we are also here for him and there are many experienced caregivers here on site ready and willing to give him any support he may need as well. You will do "Excellent". Love and prayers for you both!

Jim, Thanks for your post's. I kind of know what it is like waiting for surgery and hoping symptoms stay static untill the big day. Wishing you well with your journey. I have enjoyed all your post's.

Jim, Thanks for your post. I agree in principle about taking care of the ascending aorto although clearly replacing anything isn't ideal. I'm curious whether Ross will be allowed with aneuryism as well

Jim, I read a question you had for Steve about a tissue valve, longevity and TAVR. I am 51 and had my MV repaired on 12/4 at the Cleveland Clinic. I also expected a replacement of my AV but because of mild aortic insufficiency, my surgeon elected to leave it alone. On the day prior to surgery, I discussed the options and long-term prognosis of the alternatives with my surgeon, Dr. Pettersson. He explained that if I needed the AV replaced and I chose a tissue valve (Edwards bovine AV was my preference), there was a 100% chance that I would require another surgery in 15 years/avg. I said, OK, could I then have a TAVR procedure 15 years down the road? I figured with advancements, this would be the way to go. Dr. Pettersson was skeptical of TAVR as a routine procedure for valve replacement. He likes it as an option for very ill patients but for patients in good health, he suggested that a sewn in valve will provide the best long-term result (assuming that the valve cannot be repaired.) He also advised that in his opinion, all TAVR patients will have to be on Coumadin for life. So, effectively, TAVR would be an unrealistic repair option for me in 15 years because if my AV requires replacement, I would be a better candidate for OHS and a tissue valve for the remainder of my life. Ultimately, I told my surgeon that if the AV needs to be replaced, I would prefer an On-X mechanical valve as that would have likely been my last surgery. Good luck - Jeff