John's Guestbook

Hi John, please be patient. Give yourself more time to heal. You have had serious surgery--so many procedures on your heart. It is a shock to your heart, your body, and your brain. Think positive! And, you will feel much better as each day goes by. Wishing you all the best!

Hi, John. I had surgery 8 1/2 years ago...Aortic Valve replacement and aneurysm repair. Yes, the operation was stressful and an ordeal....BUT once you are done, you are GOLDEN. I healed up fairly quickly due to good eating and exercise habits. I went into the operation as a WARRIOR. I am happy to say that I have had absolutely NO PROBLEMS SINCE, and I am still going strong! It's like it never happened, and you will feel that way, too! So keep concentrating on good thoughts and healing, and pretty soon this will all be in the rear view mirror and you will be better than ever!

At two weeks post-op from my second aortic valve replacement and aortic graft OHS, I remember using a wheel chair to make it to my surgeon's office for a check up. Two weeks is very early and I still needed help even sitting down and getting up or to reposition myself when lying down. I was still pretty much helpless. Believe me, it gets better, little by little. I'm now 9 weeks post-op and it's remarkable how much I've improved but even still, some days are better than others.

I'm thinking of you and sending prayers your way. Glad you may be moving home soon. Yes, posting is exhausting, so I have laid off most of the time! Just be kind to yourself & take it one day at a time. As Adam said just heal, heal, heal! Bravo!

Hope you are feeling good. The first week was the hardest. I was so nauseous from the surgery meds and I couldn’t stand to smell food but after about a week everything was better. Hated sleeping on my back but after 14 weeks it’s the only way I can sleep. Good luck with your recovery

You did it, John! Praying all day for a great outcome and a short, comfortable recovery. Use the knowledge we all learn about our wandering thoughts while waiting for the surgery to give you patience and strength during your recovery.

Hi John, Yep - the ANXIETY before we have to have "it" - open heart surgery - makes life very hard. My date is Feb 25 here in Sacramento CA at Mercy Hospital where when I was five years old (i'm 67 now) I had emergency tracheotomy (hole in my trachea) to save my life. Then - 30 years ago, I had open-heart surgery to diagnose Cancer. Now - per my cardiologist, the radiation back then impacted my Aortic Heart Valve.....the "good news" for me, now in 2019 there's a brand new way to replace my now non-functioning Aortic Heart Valve. I know you're doing all you can to "hang in there" BEFORE "it" occurs. I pray for both of us that we do well....My husband and I have family in New Jersey. Thankfully - we live in the year 2019 - where doctors have learned much more and have perfected "it"(open heart surgery). My e-mail address: brady.torres@pacbell.net out here in CALIFORNIA - if you need/want to connect again. We are "heart warriors" and I so thank you for sharing what you're going through. I relate. I do NOT want to burden my family....my poor husband etc.

Hi John, I ordered a "peddler" you can put on the floor for about $30. We used a similar one sitting on a table for arm exercise at rehab. Mine was advertised as sturdy with non skid feet. It has a tension control. It is not something that can take rough use or for a large person and works for me without sliding on rug. I sit upright in my chair and at 73 yrs old, after OHS in Nov, I can peddle for an hour while watching tv at night and not scare myself by being out of breath. If you can borrow or rent a bike you can sit on, you would get more resistance as you recover.

Hi John, the waiting time is the worst. I was in watch and wait mode for years. Finally I heard those words “it’s time”. My initial reaction was “no, I’m fine. It can’t possibly be time for OHS”. Five days later I had surgery. Strangely, I felt very peaceful. I realized, I was in good experienced hands and really didn’t have any other reasonable option. “It is what it is “ became my mantra. I had very little pain with my sternotomy. I was off pain meds before I left the Hospital and only took an occasional Tylenol at night. I am three months post op. I feel great. Incision is sensitive to touch but healed beautifully. What I wasn’t prepared for was the anxiety I felt after I came home. Going to Cardiac rehab. Has really helped with that . Also, my family are the best but they need to lighten up. They want to treat me like an invalid - lol. I am working on it with them. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask. We have truly been there, done that and with Gods help recovered and you will too. This heart journey is so worth it on so many levels, not just the physical. Take care, Jen

Hi John, Over ten years ago, I found Adam’s book and logged on to his web site. The seriousness of my heart condition wasn’t known yet but I needed information. Mitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation left me mentally challenged to say the least. My blood pooled back into my lungs and my shortness of breath was diagnosed as pulmonary hypertension. The only cure was to have my mitral valve replaced. Medicines prescribed slowed the Afib and that led to a pace maker. The healing journey you are on will feel very lonely at times. The changes your body under goes will be difficult to explain even to yourself. Try not to be hard on yourself. Regards, Ann Garcia

Hello John, Everything written below is absolutely right. It's natural to instinctively want to protect our bodies from any harm or pain and you are just weighing the option of protecting yourself or saying OK I am perfectly happy with you doing this to me. Be kind to yourself and pull your thoughts back to why you need to do this. The negatives will pop up, but now you can be aware of them and exchange them for reality. I admire your strength. I don't know how many times I said to myself before and after AVR surgery, "at least it's not cancer and they can do something about it". You have fought one of the most feared things known to man and won! You can do this too. I also read about the long search for the perfect hospital, doctor, etc. and know how you feel being given less options. We belong to an HMO and I had very little choice. I met my doctor the night before surgery for the first time for 5 min. I did not meet anyone else on his team except his cardiac nurse practitioner. I am 73 and was weak and deconditioned from aortic valve stenosis over 5 yrs. You are active and younger. My experience in surgery could not have been better and they were all strangers to me. But, from the moment I was in a holding area, I watched how focused and professional they were. You know, like the smartest kids in school. And the cardiologist walks on water. No nonsense or mistakes in his presence. Very reassuring. I listened twice a day (especially before bed) to guided visualization videos on YouTube. They helped so much. Enjoy your trip, listen and read positive stuff to counter act those thoughts of protecting yourself at the price of your future.

Hi John! I had aortic valve replacement surgery about 5 years ago. I had a textbook surgery and recovery. Your question about flying - I flew about a year before surgery and felt a little dizzy and short-breathed when landing, but could have chalked that up to anxiety. Then I flew 6 months AFTER surgery, and noticed no issues (and I was on high self-alert watching for them). And I've heard of people flying home about 10 days after surgery. So it seems that once you've gotten through recovery, you shouldn't feel anything different than a normal flight. I agree with you about people posting long after their surgeries. I don't update my journal much because there's not a lot to say. This year, however, is my 5-year mark and I am planning to write something then, and perhaps include a new picture of me with my heart-birthday cake. The surgery and recovery wasn't easy, but it wasn't as awful as I had imagined. Just take it one step at a time, no need to rush anything. Try to plan something for after surgery with your family, maybe 3-4 months post-op. I had a family reunion to look forward to - we went mountain climbing and horseback riding and rode roller coasters and all kinds of fun things I couldn't have done the five years before surgery. I was so scared too. Not for me, because I wouldn't feel anything. I was scared for my husband and family - how could they POSSIBLY function without me? :) It all worked out. And the vast majority of us come through with no problems/issues/complications. It'll be alright. Meredith Holiday, FL

Merry Christmas to you and yours, John. Don't torture yourself thinking about the upcoming surgery. I know it's easier said than done. Think of all the things that you will do after your surgery and focus on that. And, don't worry--you will wake up! And when you do, the risk will be behind you.

Hi John. I had mitral valve repair 4/15/2017 in Cleveland. I have been in a-fib since 2001 and Dr Gillinov did the maze procedure as well as the valve job! But, it didn't work - I stay in A-fib. There are worse things, but after that many years in a-fib it's hard to tell the heart to beat normally now. I don't have the pace-maker, but don't get discouraged if the maze doesn't work, get the value jobs, and you should be just fine. I understand the fear, the worry, but know what? Honestly, it wasn't bad at all. Best of luck.

Hi John, I agree with Brian and Dan. The waiting is the toughest part. Once you wake up, the risk will be over. Don't be afraid and please get those morbid thoughts out of your mind. I know you can't help it. But think of the road to recovery. You can do it! You did it once with prostate cancer and you can do it again with your heart! We are cheering you on!