Hi Rhonda, I just had my 5 year anniversary of my Ross Procedure with Dr. Stelzer, like you (#567!) and I'm checking in, reading my journal and others', and ...Read more
Hi Rhonda, I just had my 5 year anniversary of my Ross Procedure with Dr. Stelzer, like you (#567!) and I'm checking in, reading my journal and others', and feeling the gratitude. Congratulations on your IronMan accomplishment! You are inspiring me to set some new race goals in 2020 other than running (although I think I'll start with a sprint tri!) I'm running the NYC Half in March this year and thought of you - any chance you are doing it this year again? I'd love to meet up, if you do any NY-area races. Have a heart-healthy new year!
Whhaaaa?????? First Ironman 20 just months after surgery????
Again... Whhaaaaaa?????
As Wayne and Garth from Wayne's World used to chant, "We're not worthy! ...Read more
Whhaaaa?????? First Ironman 20 just months after surgery????
Again... Whhaaaaaa?????
As Wayne and Garth from Wayne's World used to chant, "We're not worthy! We're not worthy!"
But seriously... That is BEYOND IMPRESSIVE!!!! Thanks for sharing Rhonda!!! You are a rockstar Iron Woman!!!!
Rhonda Williams Thanks Adam! I give the credit to God, He's my strength and my motivator. With Him, NOTHING is imposs ... Read more
Rhonda Williams Thanks Adam! I give the credit to God, He's my strength and my motivator. With Him, NOTHING is impossible!
Rhonda Williams Thanks Adam! I give the credit to God, He's my strength and my motivator. With Him, NOTHING is imposs ... Read more
Rhonda Williams Thanks Adam! I give the credit to God, He's my strength and my motivator. With Him, NOTHING is impossible!
Rhonda Williams Thanks Adam! I give the credit to God, He's my strength and my motivator. With Him, NOTHING is imposs ... Read more
Rhonda Williams Thanks Adam! I give the credit to God, He's my strength and my motivator. With Him, NOTHING is impossible!
Rhonda, I had my Ross Procedure with Dr. Stelzer three years ago today! You are in good hands. Let go and let God. :). Please reach out to me if I can help ...Read more
Rhonda, I had my Ross Procedure with Dr. Stelzer three years ago today! You are in good hands. Let go and let God. :). Please reach out to me if I can help in any way. I live in the NY area and work not far from the hospital, if you'd like to meet and talk while you're here. Since my surgery, I've gotten my 5K race times down to about 25 minutes, and have completed the Berlin and Vermont Marathons (although I had an achilles injury, my heart was fine.) The Ross is a great option if you want to continue to have an active lifestyle. I was not a triathlete like you, but you should be back competing in no time.
All my best to you, you've made a great decision choosing Dr. Stelzer as your surgeon!
Rhonda Williams Hello Kathleen! Sorry it has taken me so long to reply to your post. My new goal is to run the NYC Ha ... Read more
Rhonda Williams Hello Kathleen! Sorry it has taken me so long to reply to your post. My new goal is to run the NYC Half Marathon in March 2019. It runs right in front of Mount Sinai and finishes in Central Park. That just seems appropriate! Have you ever run it?
Kathleen F. What a great and meaningful idea! It's a new course this year, so I haven't. But I am signed up to ... Read more
Kathleen F. What a great and meaningful idea! It's a new course this year, so I haven't. But I am signed up to run a half marathon this Sunday that runs past Mount Sinai in Central Park, will you still be here? I may also run the NYC Marathon in November, which also passes the hospital on Fifth Avenue, around mile 23. I'm loving that I can still run. It will be the 20th anniversary of the first time I ran the NY Marathon, in 1998, and also, the third decade that I've run it (in my 20s, 30s, and 40s). But it's even more meaningful now, running past the hospital and looking up at the windows of 7 West, well, you get it! It is so much better on this side. If you're still here on Sunday, maybe we can meet up in Central Park; it's supposed to be 50 degrees. Let me know! E-mail me at y2kfay@aol.com and I'll send you my cell #. All my best for a great recovery, and enjoy your time in New York!
Rhonda Williams Sorry it took me so long to see this. I've been a little ditsy since surgery. Hoping that wears off s ... Read more
Rhonda Williams Sorry it took me so long to see this. I've been a little ditsy since surgery. Hoping that wears off soon. I'm blaming it on being anemic! I'm at home in Alabama now. We got home on the 22nd of January. I can't believe that I'm already 3 weeks post-op! The time has gone by faster than I expected and I'm grateful. Maybe we can get back up to NYC before March, 2019 and we could meet up then. I would love to go back and see more museums. Good luck with your HM!
Kathleen F. Congratulations, you've had a great recovery! Please reach out if you're ever in the NY area again a ... Read more
Kathleen F. Congratulations, you've had a great recovery! Please reach out if you're ever in the NY area again and want to go for a run together on the loop of Central Park, past our the hospital windows! I hope you're having an active and enjoyable summer.
Hi Rhonda, My valve had reached critical stage and I still had no symptons, so they referred me to the surgeon to begin the surgery setup process. Even at critical, ...Read more
Hi Rhonda, My valve had reached critical stage and I still had no symptons, so they referred me to the surgeon to begin the surgery setup process. Even at critical, because I had no symptoms they still didnt rush the surgery and let me pick the date.
There are so many contributing factors and they like to do the surgery, especially if you are starting to get symptoms because they dont want to stress or damage your heart any more than they have to.
Sounds like you are in good condition and will do fine, be positive, that always helps, do lots of walking, the operation reduces your lung capacity significantly, and drink lots of water, dehydration brings on symptons 👍
Patty Garrard Best wishes Rhonda. I too had no significant symptoms. The surgeon watched and waited until we all ag ... Read more
Patty Garrard Best wishes Rhonda. I too had no significant symptoms. The surgeon watched and waited until we all agreed the time was right. I have had two AVR replacements in the past 5 years. My surgery was in April and I am now feeling very well without issues so I truly have a grateful heart!
Hi Rhonda. I too have aortic stenosis which is said to be moderate/severe, more severe than moderate
My cardiologist who I have only seen once, has referred ...Read more
Hi Rhonda. I too have aortic stenosis which is said to be moderate/severe, more severe than moderate
My cardiologist who I have only seen once, has referred me to valve specialists am my first appt is on Tuesday.
Like you I find it hard to believe I'm so serious and yet have so few symptoms.
I'm not sure whether I should just be watch and wait.
Good luck and I wonder what type of surgery you will have.
The recovery and me feeling more ill than I do now at first is bothering me a little.
Susan
Hey Rhonda, good luck with your surgery next week. I went through the same type of surgery May 31st and almost 4 months after surgery I feel almost back to ...Read more
Hey Rhonda, good luck with your surgery next week. I went through the same type of surgery May 31st and almost 4 months after surgery I feel almost back to where I was 6 months ago. Are you getting a mechanical valve? that is what I went with and although I have to take Warfarin the rest of my life, I'm very please.
You'll do great and I've got you in my prayers!