Hi Selma - Don’t know if this note will find you - but if so - want you to know I’m thinking of you on our seven year anniversary - what remarkable hearts ...Read more
Hi Selma - Don’t know if this note will find you - but if so - want you to know I’m thinking of you on our seven year anniversary - what remarkable hearts we have !!!
Best wishes always,
Kate Rooney
Selma Kaplan Kate!!! It’s wonderful to hear from you. Believe it or not, I completely spaced out on our annivers ... Read more
Selma Kaplan Kate!!! It’s wonderful to hear from you. Believe it or not, I completely spaced out on our anniversaries. I know the folks just now starting this process would have a hard time believing that!! I’m well and happy and hope the same for you. We DO have remarkable hearts.
Much love,
Selma
Kate Rooney Great to hear you are well, Selma! Here’s to 7 more years without hospital food!
Dear Selma,
Can you believe it? Four years?! I don't know if you will see this, but I want to wish you a happy four year anniversary with your new and improved ...Read more
Dear Selma,
Can you believe it? Four years?! I don't know if you will see this, but I want to wish you a happy four year anniversary with your new and improved heart! How time flies! I hope you have been well, and best wishes for good health and happiness for many, many years to come.
Kind Regards,
Kate Rooney (fellow survivor ...oh what a week that was....)
Hi
My son is getting married August 1st and we have chosen April Waltz for our Mother/Son dance. It is a beautiful piece. I was wondering if there were lyrics ...Read more
Hi
My son is getting married August 1st and we have chosen April Waltz for our Mother/Son dance. It is a beautiful piece. I was wondering if there were lyrics to this song or if you could share your inspiration or what the song means to you.
Thank you so much. My email is marian.jacques@gmail.com
Marian
Hello Selma
greetings from Yorkshire, England
I hope this note finds you in good health
Just a note to express my thanks for your beautiful tune 'April ...Read more
Hello Selma
greetings from Yorkshire, England
I hope this note finds you in good health
Just a note to express my thanks for your beautiful tune 'April Waltz' I was absolutely captivated by this tune when I first heard it played on the fiddle in a music session and now play it regularly as a solo on the Anglo Concertina and also with our band 'Lys St. Georges' ... we play it usually with concertina, bass clarinet, cello and melodeon at our regular English Country Dances.
On a personal note, my heart valves are hopefully fine but I do have chronic pancreatitis and live with constant pain. I have found that I can almost hypnotize myself into a trance and eventually, sleep, by playing a tune repeatedly for an hour or more, with variations in style harmony tempo and the like, and it is a remarkable pain therapy, giving relief at bad times when even the Morphine cannot help. Your tune has often helped me through dark times
Thank you so much
Selma
What a wonderful journal. My intent was to read a few pages tonight. Instead I read the entire journal. You have a warm, funny, engaging style. Loved ...Read more
Selma
What a wonderful journal. My intent was to read a few pages tonight. Instead I read the entire journal. You have a warm, funny, engaging style. Loved the pictures, loved the pets! Well done. And, I could identify with what you were saying up to my current stage 2 weeks after surgery. The rest will connect with as I heal. I think there are physical, emotional and what I would call spiritual elements to this journey for us. I appreciated you sharing your thoughts and hitting on those themes.
It is amazing how each graduating class goes thru together and then re-enters life healed. That is the real value of Adam's site. The community for me has been so helpful.
FYI, I saw your post on billing. I may be back to you for any general tips to handle the billing as they come thru. You seem to have figured out how to manage thru the morass! Thanks so much for dropping by. All the best!
Selma Kaplan The community, indeed. That was the most amazing part of this process for me....the people I met her ... Read more
Selma Kaplan The community, indeed. That was the most amazing part of this process for me....the people I met here at HVJ. I actually knew I was going to have my surgery about 8 months before the day, so I kind of came in just as another "graduating class" was coming down to the wire. By the time I had my turn, I probably could have done the surgery by myself, given long enough arms and a mirror. That's how obsessed I got with the whole thing. I had a fabulous "class" and 3 of us were actually at Mt. Sinai at the same time.
I am watching your group pulling for Rachel and adding my prayers to the chorus. It hits very close to home. We lost one dear member of our group, shortly after her surgery. Her name was Cindy. She was a young mother of 2 from Texas and she and I became particularly close during the lead-up to our surgeries. She had her surgery a few days before I had mine and wrote to wish me luck. When I awoke, I learned she had passed away due to complications. We were all gutted by the news. I guess she must have had underlying issues. I expect you and your surgery siblings are experiencing a lot of feelings over Rachel's condition. Just know there are a whole lot of us out there pulling for her.
Missed your one year anniversary but I\'m sure you\'re still feeling grateful.
I still remember how funny your hospital food posts were! I didn\'t agree ...Read more
Missed your one year anniversary but I\'m sure you\'re still feeling grateful.
I still remember how funny your hospital food posts were! I didn\'t agree with you because I work in a hospital and as an employee the food is pretty good. HOWEVER, as a patient on a low sodium, low fat diet, the food was horrendous! You try to get your appetite back and they serve you a pork chop the consistency and flavor of shoe leather. Not a good time. It\'s a bad time when you look forward to eating applesauce.
Congratulations Selma! I too have found myself reflecting a lot lately. I am sure you\'ll see my anniversary post coming soon.
Have a wonderful day!
Karen ...Read more
Congratulations Selma! I too have found myself reflecting a lot lately. I am sure you\'ll see my anniversary post coming soon.
Have a wonderful day!
Karen Campo
Selma Kaplan Hi, Karen -- I guess anniversaries are like that. It's good to reflect on what we went through, so w ... Read more
Selma Kaplan Hi, Karen -- I guess anniversaries are like that. It's good to reflect on what we went through, so we can be grateful for all we have. Look forward to reading your anniversary post!
I can\'t believe a year has gone by since you left me alone for all those months, and now, you want to do it again! Well, I\'m ok with it because the reasons ...Read more
I can\'t believe a year has gone by since you left me alone for all those months, and now, you want to do it again! Well, I\'m ok with it because the reasons are so joyous this time. I am so happy you feel great and have done so well. I only wish you more happiness and joy than you can even imagine.
Love,
Dona
My dear friend,
So glad to see your note. I hope you are feeling well.
Isn\'t it wild to think it was one year ago? What a huge event for all of us; so ...Read more
My dear friend,
So glad to see your note. I hope you are feeling well.
Isn\'t it wild to think it was one year ago? What a huge event for all of us; so terrifying. So very glad it is well behind us!!
Best wishes for a beautiful summer. We plan to trek up your way at some point (my 8 year old wants to move to Lake George), and when we do I will try to give you advance notice. I would love to see you again .. preferably with clean hair and without multiple tubes sticking out of my hospital gown...
Best wishes always!
Kate R
My dear friend,
So glad to see your note. I hope you are feeling well.
Isn\'t it wild to think it was one year ago? What a huge event for all of us; so ...Read more
My dear friend,
So glad to see your note. I hope you are feeling well.
Isn\'t it wild to think it was one year ago? What a huge event for all of us; so terrifying. So very glad it is well behind us!!
Best wishes for a beautiful summer. We plan to trek up your way at some point (my 8 year old wants to move to Lake George), and when we do I will try to give you advance notice. I would love to see you again .. preferably with clean hair and without multiple tubes sticking out of my hospital gown...
Best wishes always!
Kate R
Selma Kaplan So nice to hear from you! Yep, a year ago we were pretty damned miserable! But at least it was over ... Read more
Selma Kaplan So nice to hear from you! Yep, a year ago we were pretty damned miserable! But at least it was over. Oh, I'd love to see you, too, if you're coming upstate. We can compare battle scars. :-)
Hi Selma, I am not on that much and just catching up and saw your post. So glad you are doing so well. Lots of anniversary posts. Time sure does fly! ...Read more
Hi Selma, I am not on that much and just catching up and saw your post. So glad you are doing so well. Lots of anniversary posts. Time sure does fly!
We are all so lucky to have been fixed and had such successful recoveries. I am glad you checked in and glad I saw it!
Be well,
- Mitch Friedman
Hi Selma, good to hear from you! I\'m a little behind in my journal reading but wanted you to know that you were such an inspiration to me during the time ...Read more
Hi Selma, good to hear from you! I\'m a little behind in my journal reading but wanted you to know that you were such an inspiration to me during the time of my surgery. I love your sense of humor and looked forward to your posts! Glad to hear you are doing so well a year later!
Holly P
Selma, you are right about how great it is to read about people\'s success stories! I need that with surgery coming up soon. Thank you for your encouragement. ...Read more
Selma, you are right about how great it is to read about people\'s success stories! I need that with surgery coming up soon. Thank you for your encouragement. Congratulations on your anniversary and many many many more to come! I read journals every day and draw strength from them. Thank you! Amanda Bracken
Amen to that . :) Congrats on your anniversary. I remember all the fine food you had in the hospital lol. On the 19th I will be 6 months out and can\'t believe ...Read more
Amen to that . :) Congrats on your anniversary. I remember all the fine food you had in the hospital lol. On the 19th I will be 6 months out and can\'t believe it. Just seems like yesterday. Life is good
LInda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12
Me too Selma! Just told Jeff, my anniversary is March 13th, I\'ve been thinking a lot about it the last few days and I too checked the HVJ site today. Funny ...Read more
Me too Selma! Just told Jeff, my anniversary is March 13th, I\'ve been thinking a lot about it the last few days and I too checked the HVJ site today. Funny how we seem to just sort of fade away for a whole new \"bunch\" to find each other. But...we will never forget those who held our hands, even though they were stretched from coast to coast, we could feel them supporting us. Glad to hear you are doing well. So am I, no complaints other than just getting older, and then I think....what????? Isn\'t that the whole idea, lol???? Take care and Happy Anniversary!
Linda THE Tiger, aka Linda Dixon, AVR 3/13/12
Selma Kaplan Hi, Linda -- Great to hear from you and glad you are doing so well. As for getting older....well, it ... Read more
Selma Kaplan Hi, Linda -- Great to hear from you and glad you are doing so well. As for getting older....well, it beats the alternative, right? Happy anniversary to YOU, my friend!
Hi Selma,
I find it hard to believe I went through OHS too. I think that\'s why I still visit this site every day. You all meant so much to me prior to my ...Read more
Hi Selma,
I find it hard to believe I went through OHS too. I think that\'s why I still visit this site every day. You all meant so much to me prior to my surgery. I still find it hard to believe that Cindy didn\'t make it. I try to use those less positive experiences to remind me how serious this was and as motivation to keep healthy.
My last response to you I was at Mass General with my mom. She unfortunately did not make it. Another reason to take are of myself now so I can hopefully live a long, healthy life.
take care,
Nancy B
Selma Kaplan Hi, Nancy -- I am so, so sorry to hear about your mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your ... Read more
Selma Kaplan Hi, Nancy -- I am so, so sorry to hear about your mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
S
Selma, wanted to send you a photo of four of us playing \"April Waltz\" last week in joyful amateur fashion. It remains one of our favorite tunes and we think ...Read more
Selma, wanted to send you a photo of four of us playing \"April Waltz\" last week in joyful amateur fashion. It remains one of our favorite tunes and we think of you when we play it. Sounds like your recovery is going very well. Glad to think of you thriving out there. All the best to you.
- Craig (craigwerth at mac dot com)
Selma Kaplan Hi, Craig! I'd love to see the photo! selma at wamc dot org.
Hi Selma!
So good to hear from you and hear you\'re doing well.
I\'m currently at Mass General Hospital in Boston with my mother who had a stroke on Thursday. ...Read more
Hi Selma!
So good to hear from you and hear you\'re doing well.
I\'m currently at Mass General Hospital in Boston with my mother who had a stroke on Thursday. The ICU brings back all the memories of my own hospital experience....not something I necessarily want to relive.
Take care,
Nancy B
Selma Kaplan So sorry to hear about your mom. I can't imagine what you must be going through. Sending good thoug ... Read more
Selma Kaplan So sorry to hear about your mom. I can't imagine what you must be going through. Sending good thoughts your way.
Hey Selma, Good hearing from you again. I agree Valentines Day is special to all of us and the month of Feb. I am wearing red all the time. I\'m doing really ...Read more
Hey Selma, Good hearing from you again. I agree Valentines Day is special to all of us and the month of Feb. I am wearing red all the time. I\'m doing really good also. Just finished up rehab and missing it already. I plan on going to the YMCA or to Just to think of it. Before surgery I wasn\'t allowed to go to any gym, to much stress. Life is good.
Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12
Selma Kaplan Sounds like you're doing great! Keep it up.
Hi Selma,
I am glad to hear you are doing well. What does your doc say about the irregular heart beat - just something you have to live with? I am sure it ...Read more
Hi Selma,
I am glad to hear you are doing well. What does your doc say about the irregular heart beat - just something you have to live with? I am sure it is frustrating for you.
I will be 9 months post op the end of this month. I developed a moderate leak in my valve 1 month after surgery which was quite
devastating, but am coping as best as I can. I have ocassional shortness of breath when I don\'t get my rest which is frustrating. They will not re-operate unless it is a severe leak.
I just take it one day at a time. I will have echos every 6 months with an echo stress test once a year to keep an eye on the regurgitation.
Take care and keep us posted on how you\'re doing. Denise K
You go girl on the cardiac rehab. I am for sure the youngest, actually one other at 45 in our class. I enjoy going 2x a week now, down from 3 when I returned ...Read more
You go girl on the cardiac rehab. I am for sure the youngest, actually one other at 45 in our class. I enjoy going 2x a week now, down from 3 when I returned to work. Definetly the kick I needed to restart my heart and get me back into shape. Enjoy!
Selma Kaplan I really am enjoying it. I'm so sedentary at work, it feels good to actually move my arms and legs. ... Read more
Selma Kaplan I really am enjoying it. I'm so sedentary at work, it feels good to actually move my arms and legs. I got much more exercise when I was recovering at home. And if I lose a couple of pounds.....all the better!!
You\'re gonna like it, you\'re gonna like being strong. -- DVB
Selma Kaplan I like it already. I'm beginning to see that having one's heart working correctly really does make a ... Read more
Selma Kaplan I like it already. I'm beginning to see that having one's heart working correctly really does make a difference in one's energy level. And here, I just thought I was getting old.
Way to go Selma. If the Doc thinks rehab is for you...DO IT. Exercise is good and being the youngster in the class you can show off and piss off the old folks! ...Read more
Way to go Selma. If the Doc thinks rehab is for you...DO IT. Exercise is good and being the youngster in the class you can show off and piss off the old folks!
Every time you lift a weight, just think Dammed Paul, then laugh.....Dammed Paul, then laugh....Your gonna do it I know you will!I\'ll bet after a couple of weight reps you won;t be able to lift anything up without laughing. God I\'m bad.....Now go get \'em.
God Bless Selma....Oh and a real belated Happy Birthday....
Paul G.
Selma Kaplan You again!!! I thought "Damned Paul" every time I sneezed for WEEKS! Your ears must have been burni ... Read more
Selma Kaplan You again!!! I thought "Damned Paul" every time I sneezed for WEEKS! Your ears must have been burning.....thank God *that* particular torture has abated. Exercise IS good, and if I can stick to it, I know I'll be glad I did. I have a ways to go before they'll have me on weights -- right now, I'm doing treadmill, stationary bike, and arm machine. Now, you just watch what you say about old folks. I maybe be the youngest in the group, but I'm still older than YOU!!
Dr. Trento is a world-renowned heart valve surgeon that has performed over 4,000 heart valve repair and replacement operations that include minimally-invasive techniques.
I am from: Woodstock, New York
Much love,
Selma