Emily Rowley Wow, I am so proud of you Heary Sister ❤ Beaitiful sencery! Love your Heart Shirt, where did you ge ... Read more
Emily Rowley Wow, I am so proud of you Heary Sister ❤ Beaitiful sencery! Love your Heart Shirt, where did you get it from hun? Keep up the great work and rest up too xoxox
Happy Easter and Happy Anniversary 😁
Linda Richards How are you Kate?? You look amazing. I have 2 heart surgery t-shirts .... but you are the real dea ... Read more
Linda Richards How are you Kate?? You look amazing. I have 2 heart surgery t-shirts .... but you are the real deal (I had minimal).
Hi guys, I am 9 months post op, double valve replacement. Here I am today 9 months later on a snorkeling adventure in Belize! It was a bumpy recovery but I ...Read more
Hi guys, I am 9 months post op, double valve replacement. Here I am today 9 months later on a snorkeling adventure in Belize! It was a bumpy recovery but I am so grateful to be physically able to do this trip!
Rita Savelis Kate! So lovely to see you having an adventure in Belize! You look beautiful!
(And the top of your b ... Read more
Rita Savelis Kate! So lovely to see you having an adventure in Belize! You look beautiful!
(And the top of your bathing suit looks perfect for chest scars!)
Ashok Vaid your story is very inspiring....how are you managing INR in travel and diet change
Shannon Gray OH Kate...beautiful! And I'm so happy for you. Way to go!
Kate Watson Thank you guys! Rita and Shannon,
hope you are both doing well. Rita, I searched and searched onli ... Read more
Kate Watson Thank you guys! Rita and Shannon,
hope you are both doing well. Rita, I searched and searched online and finally found a swimsuit that perfectly covered my scar :) Ashok, I'm trying to stay as consistent as possible with my usual diet. I also did splurge on a home testing kit so I can keep an eye on my INR and make sure it doesn't get too crazy.
Catie B Congratulations! And wow, I was just looking at how cool your bathing suit is. I hope you've had a b ... Read more
Catie B Congratulations! And wow, I was just looking at how cool your bathing suit is. I hope you've had a blast!
Linda Richards Kate, How far are the resorts from the airport in Belize? Where are you staying?
Kate Watson Hi Linda, we are staying in a condo on Ambergris Caye, which is an hour and a half boat ride (or 20 m ... Read more
Kate Watson Hi Linda, we are staying in a condo on Ambergris Caye, which is an hour and a half boat ride (or 20 minute plane ride) from Belize City. I'm not really familiar with the mainland which is where I think most of the resorts are. We rented a condo because I have a lot of dietary limitations so need to be able to do a lot of cooking for myself. Are you planning to visit Belize?
Thank you, Catie. And thank you Michael Kors for inventing the best swimsuit top for an open heart surgery patient:-)
Linda Richards We are always looking for a new place to go. We live in Miami now, soon moving to Atlanta. My firs ... Read more
Linda Richards We are always looking for a new place to go. We live in Miami now, soon moving to Atlanta. My first trip after surgery was to Turks and Caicos. We got the insurance that in the end was a waste. I'm healthy over all. Call me Kate 317 679-8254. What are your food limitations? I am trying to be mostly Vegan ...
Emily Rowley Cruizing on the high sea-I like it! I'm glad you are doing well. 🛳 and getting out 'n' about ☺
I'm working on embracing my new scar and being proud of it. It took me a long time to adjust to my first OHS scar, and this scar is much bigger! I am on vacation ...Read more
I'm working on embracing my new scar and being proud of it. It took me a long time to adjust to my first OHS scar, and this scar is much bigger! I am on vacation with my hubby and decided to go for the v-neck dress and show it off.
Catie B You look lovely, Kate! And you have a beautiful smile.
Shannon Gray Beautiful! Proud of you! I feel the same way... Still not able to look in the mirror. You are a great ... Read more
Shannon Gray Beautiful! Proud of you! I feel the same way... Still not able to look in the mirror. You are a great role model!
Denise Campbell Be proud. I am. We have survived and will handle what ever else we need too. You girl are a ... Read more
Denise Campbell Be proud. I am. We have survived and will handle what ever else we need too. You girl are a super hero. You've been down the road two times. Wear it proudly
Wanda Mroz Be proud of it! It's your badge of strength! Glad to see you smiling! 💞
Rita Savelis Bravo Kate! I know how hard that moment is. I still avoid mirrors.... You're a star!
Emily Rowley Wow you look very beautiful Kate 😘 You have shown alot of courage and bravery 💗
Kate Watson Aww thank you guys for the nice comments! My family and friends don't seem to understand how hard it ... Read more
Kate Watson Aww thank you guys for the nice comments! My family and friends don't seem to understand how hard it is to adjust to the new scars. It's always been my plan to get a cool tattoo around my scar, but now that I'm on coumadin I'm not sure that would be a great idea..
Emily Rowley They are all true ☺ It often is hard for others (who haven't had OHS) to understand or relate. Your ... Read more
Emily Rowley They are all true ☺ It often is hard for others (who haven't had OHS) to understand or relate. Your bravery scar shows a journey you have been on 💞 Cool, like a open-heart one? Just becareful it's not in a common place where needles go.. 💔
My first real hike 3 months post op. The picture doesn't capture how steep the incline is. My mechanical valves were definitely working hard, and I took breaks ...Read more
My first real hike 3 months post op. The picture doesn't capture how steep the incline is. My mechanical valves were definitely working hard, and I took breaks along the way but I made it to the top!
Catie B Looks like a challenging trail and so pretty. Way to go!!
Meredith Bray Yay! I hiked a trail in TN at 4 months - I had to sit to wait for my husband to catch *his* breath.
This is my 5 1/2 week scar. My hair is wet because I can't quite style it yet. Lol. But scar is healing nicely.
Denise Campbell It's looks great mine is wider at the top. Are you using anything to fade it. ?
Kate Watson I just starting using Mederma. So I'll see if that works. The bottom of it is much redder and thicke ... Read more
Kate Watson I just starting using Mederma. So I'll see if that works. The bottom of it is much redder and thicker than the top. I think it will keloid unfortunately, like my last did. Are you using anything on yours?
Denise Campbell You do look so pretty and happy. I am using vitamin e. I wasn't sure about the other scar stuf ... Read more
Denise Campbell You do look so pretty and happy. I am using vitamin e. I wasn't sure about the other scar stuff. I read somewhere that when you are taking Coumadin you need to be mindful of topical creams too. I don't know what's in the other stuff so I use vitamin e.
Kate Watson Thank you all!! Denise, oh yikes I didn't think of Coumadin interactions with topical stuff. I better ... Read more
Kate Watson Thank you all!! Denise, oh yikes I didn't think of Coumadin interactions with topical stuff. I better ask them tomorrow at the ACC. Thanks for the reminder.
Mary, Mederma is an over the counter cream that is supposed to improve the appearance of scars and fade them over time. Actually Adam had mentioned it in his book.
Rita Savelis Great scar Kate. Did the 2nd surgeon make the
incision in the same place as the 1st one?
Staying o ... Read more
Rita Savelis Great scar Kate. Did the 2nd surgeon make the
incision in the same place as the 1st one?
Staying out of the sun for the 1st year is my scar recommendation. After that the color will often blend into the color of the rest of your skin.
Petey Bello Kate, you look great & your scar is looking good!
Wanda Mroz Mederma irritated my skin after a few days. My scar is more noticeable at the bottom but no keloid. ... Read more
Wanda Mroz Mederma irritated my skin after a few days. My scar is more noticeable at the bottom but no keloid. I used Mederma while on Coumadin... No restriction as I recall. You look great!
Linda Richards Wonderful picture ... you look amazing!!!
Jean Raber I am impressed that you can get a doctor to stand still long enough to get a picture! My experience w ... Read more
Jean Raber I am impressed that you can get a doctor to stand still long enough to get a picture! My experience with heart surgeons is that they have zippo people skills. He must be a good guy!
Kate Watson Thank you all! And yes, he is a good guy, Jean. I'm so pleased with my choice of surgeons.
Emily Rowley Yay that's lovely 😊 How do you feel going out to eat? 🍴
Kate Watson Emily, I felt good! But I did need to go home, take my Tylenol and rest in my recliner right after. I ... Read more
Kate Watson Emily, I felt good! But I did need to go home, take my Tylenol and rest in my recliner right after. I was very tired after. Debbie- when is your surgery? I really thought I'd still be sleeping constantly and in alot of pain at this point but I have a fair amount of energy considering!
Tonia Earley That's awesome Kate!! Glad you could venture out!!
Kate Watson It's not that bad, I think I will get used to it quickly.
Glad you are home! Hope you are feeling better! Looks like your dog is happy to have you back! :)
Emily Rowley Looking good, it's good to see you resting up with your beautiful dog 🐶 Is the sound of your new v ... Read more
Emily Rowley Looking good, it's good to see you resting up with your beautiful dog 🐶 Is the sound of your new valves high esp with 2 in? What type of mechanical valve do you have? 😊
Wanda Mroz Looking good... Kate AND pup! Dogs are such a comfort. Glad to see you smile.💞
Denise Campbell Hey. I have an. On-x mechanical mitral valve. It's 5 weeks post op for me. I am getting use ... Read more
Denise Campbell Hey. I have an. On-x mechanical mitral valve. It's 5 weeks post op for me. I am getting used to the noise of it. You will too. You look great.
Lilly Black Looking good for 2 weeks post-op. How are you feeling?
Nicola Laker You're looking really well now. So glad you are recovering well.
I have given my furbaby her order ... Read more
Nicola Laker You're looking really well now. So glad you are recovering well.
I have given my furbaby her orders for when I return home from.hospital 😅 xxxx
Tracy Simmons Love the picture and so good to hear you're out of the hospital. Your greyhound looks very content : ... Read more
Tracy Simmons Love the picture and so good to hear you're out of the hospital. Your greyhound looks very content :)
Barry Kanick Glad you are doing well Kate!!! Thanks for your input on my journal too. ,,,,,,hugely appreciated!!!
Joan Summers You look beautiful Kate. And pooch so content.
Kate Watson My greyhound is not a cuddler so she definitely must have missed me! Emily, I have 2 On-x valves. I d ... Read more
Kate Watson My greyhound is not a cuddler so she definitely must have missed me! Emily, I have 2 On-x valves. I don't know if it's any louder because they close at different times but it's pretty loud to me. I've always had a loud heartbeat though so it's the same but different.
Linda Yaff Hi Kate. Glad to see you are up and about. I was curious why you chose mechanical. I am still trying ... Read more
Linda Yaff Hi Kate. Glad to see you are up and about. I was curious why you chose mechanical. I am still trying to decide. Thx. Also - I have concert tix 3 weeks after my surgery and really wondering if I will feel up to it. Thanks in advance for your feedback
Tonia Earley Great picture Kate. Glad you are home. Looks like your dog is glad to have you home too😊
I was freed today from the hospital into the sunshine! I cried the whole way home, tears of happiness- just about the beauty of life, and the love I've felt ...Read more
I was freed today from the hospital into the sunshine! I cried the whole way home, tears of happiness- just about the beauty of life, and the love I've felt along this journey. Lots of love to you fellow heart sisters and brothers!
Emily Rowley Beautiful photo, keep on smiling 😊 Do you feel sad to leave the Hospital? I love your Heart Pillow ... Read more
Emily Rowley Beautiful photo, keep on smiling 😊 Do you feel sad to leave the Hospital? I love your Heart Pillow ❤ We don't get those here.
Take it slow, rest plenty and talk soon xx
Mike Mo Today is going to be beautiful in the NW. Enjoy it as much as you can. Sorry about the extended sta ... Read more
Mike Mo Today is going to be beautiful in the NW. Enjoy it as much as you can. Sorry about the extended stay Kate, glad you're out now and moving forward
Lynee Casper Wonderful! Hope your recovery goes well, and you get stronger each week!
Tabo Nyambe Happy for you kate.it gets beter once you are home.thank God for your recovery
Sophia Ridley Great news. My post op AFib lasted a couple of weeks and then disappeared. First time it was most sca ... Read more
Sophia Ridley Great news. My post op AFib lasted a couple of weeks and then disappeared. First time it was most scariest thing I've experienced and was glad to get to A&E. I had a couple of day bouts and fingers crossed nothing since. Cardiologist thinks as my heart strengthens and the atrium returns to it's normal size then it's unlikely to return. When it happened to me, I was so frustrated as hampered my recovery. Keep strong Kate, it will get better. Keep walking but do any movements slowly as I found it would go like a derailing train otherwise. 90% of post op cases recover without any intervention. Thinking of you.
Kate Watson Thank you guys, it is soo good to be home! Emily, I was not sad at all to leave the hospital, I felt ... Read more
Kate Watson Thank you guys, it is soo good to be home! Emily, I was not sad at all to leave the hospital, I felt I was going crazy there! And thanks Sophia, that's great to hear. It was extremely scary for me too. They have me on meds which they hope I'll be able to wean off of in the next month or so.
Mary Wagner You look so beautiful and healthy in this picture. I still tear up a bit when I read posts. Home wi ... Read more
Mary Wagner You look so beautiful and healthy in this picture. I still tear up a bit when I read posts. Home will be so good now!
Enrique K Great News Kate! There is no place like home! Now recovery time, take it easy and walk, walk, walk, T ... Read more
Enrique K Great News Kate! There is no place like home! Now recovery time, take it easy and walk, walk, walk, Take care!
Emily Rowley That's good you weren't sad. I know what you mean by going crazy with being confined to a room!
Cheryle Bird Great pic Kate & to see you looking so well on discharge from hospital.
This is what 13 days of hell in the hospital looks like. I hardly recognize my own body with all my new battle scars. But I am alive and so excited to get outta ...Read more
This is what 13 days of hell in the hospital looks like. I hardly recognize my own body with all my new battle scars. But I am alive and so excited to get outta this joint today. Thanks for encouraging me on this rough journey!
Steven A Husted god bless you heart sister you are beautiful and it only gets better each and every day some bad days ... Read more
Steven A Husted god bless you heart sister you are beautiful and it only gets better each and every day some bad days but more good days than bad just don't rush it time is a healer not every body is the same some heal faster and some slower take your time a little bit each day if at all possible try cardio rehab phase 2 and phase 3 you really look great your heart brother (POPEYE) steven a husted
Denise Campbell You do look beautiful. I had to be re admitted too. I guess there are bumps. I've a couple. S ... Read more
Denise Campbell You do look beautiful. I had to be re admitted too. I guess there are bumps. I've a couple. So far none this week. Hope u go home and that's it for hospital. rest up and eat. Seems like we lose weight. But not too much. God bless
Emily Rowley They are beautiful bravery scars to show your personal heart journey and how strong you are. Stay pos ... Read more
Emily Rowley They are beautiful bravery scars to show your personal heart journey and how strong you are. Stay positive hun xx
Alina FH They are your badge of honor, Kate! Your eyes look hopeful and fightful. Courage, my friend! It'll al ... Read more
Alina FH They are your badge of honor, Kate! Your eyes look hopeful and fightful. Courage, my friend! It'll all lead to better days. So excited you get to go home!
Barbara Laurie This too shall pass! Soon you'll be stronger than ever! Go Kate! D.
Wanda Mroz Kate! You look great.. Battle scars show that you are a survivor! You have survived and are going ... Read more
Wanda Mroz Kate! You look great.. Battle scars show that you are a survivor! You have survived and are going to get a little stronger everyday! There will be good days and not so good days... Measure your strides in weeks, not days. Hugs! 💞
Emily Rowley Very true Wanda & love your inspiration picture about scars you posted.
Lynee Casper That's your scar of courage! We are proud of you!
Kate Watson Thank you guys! So glad this is all over.
Tracy Simmons You look wonderful. Keep up the good work
Christine Oliva You have a winning smile. Keep it up! Its a process and keep that smile around for any small bumps an ... Read more
Christine Oliva You have a winning smile. Keep it up! Its a process and keep that smile around for any small bumps and I hope they are just that, small. Blessings to you in your recovery.
Kate Watson Thank you all for your kind comments. I feel like I look like the bride of Frankenstein. I got my fir ... Read more
Kate Watson Thank you all for your kind comments. I feel like I look like the bride of Frankenstein. I got my first shower yesterday, which felt amazing, but it was also weird and surrreal because I don't even recognize my own body, it's all bruised and cut up, with various wires coming out plus my new monster incision, of course. It's gonna take some getting used to that. I became proud of my previous scar eventually so I will again, it's just going to take time. It's been quite a trip thus far. Fill you in more when I'm not delusional from pain meds!
Christine Oliva Looks really good. I'm very grateful for surgery but will be glad when my scar is not as noticeable. ... Read more
Christine Oliva Looks really good. I'm very grateful for surgery but will be glad when my scar is not as noticeable. You really have to look to see yours. Thank you for posting and God Bless.
Frances Halley I'm inspired! I'm going to wear red tomorrow and show off my 6 week old scar!
Kate Watson Thank you! And yay Frances- yes, show off your badge of survival!
Emily Rowley Very beautiful ❤ My Pastoral Care Worker asked me "Your favourite colour is red, it is the source o ... Read more
Emily Rowley Very beautiful ❤ My Pastoral Care Worker asked me "Your favourite colour is red, it is the source of your life, yet why don't you wear red more often?".