Jim's Journal

Bonnie Stone-Hope  Hello Jim, Sorry to hear that you are feeling anxious. Not a nice feeling for sure. Of course, it is very important that you share these feelings with your healthcare team, as they have many ways to assess your anxiety level professionally and make changes to your treatment plan.

However, as you have requested suggestions from this site, I will provide a few ideas which may help.

Are you getting your rest? If not, advise your physician that you are not sleeping well. Sleep is SO important to healing, both physically and emotionally.

Yoga and meditation both "teach" how to focus on yourself for that short amount of time you are in class. Many people give so much of themselves that they do not know how to take some time and just relax.

Can you avoid some of the things that might add stress to your life? For example, I do not like to watch the news at night just before bed. Have learned that this is one thing I can avoid if I want a good night's sleep.

Be nice to yourself. Watch an old movie that will make you laugh. Take your dog for a walk (if you have one) Sometimes we feel to emotionally drained to do physical exercise, but if we spend time outdoors with kids or friends or pets, we do feel better.

Hope these few ideas help a bit, but you really should book an appointment with your healthcare team to discuss your emotional health.

Marie Myers  That is all good advice. I also used a lot of calming meditations from U tube. And a little Xanax now and then helped me also. It is all very scary, but you can get through it. Lots of us here can testify. All the best to you on your journey!

Jim Phillips   Thanks so much Bonnie and Marie. Sleep is hard to come by due to the anxiety - but I'm trying over the counter supplements like melatonin and unisom. They seem to help.

Marie Myers  Diphenhydramine ( Benadryl) helps me with sleep as well as the 2 things you mentioned...I usually take 25 mg, but if you are a really big guy, 50 mg may be needed. I try to only take it 1-2 times per week..

LaDonna Mangile  Depression and hopelessness is reported widly. Tell your care takers....share with your trusted family or friend to help you! You are not crazy or ewak ....lts a emotional roller coaster!

Terrie Syvertsen  Sounds great. Thanks for the update. You take care Alicia as this is tough, this waiting! Can't wait to hear he is out and you both can sigh a great big sigh of Yeah, on the other side of THAT! On to healing!

Jim Phillips   Thank you all! Jim is doing really well..he has been out of surgery now a few hours..they took his chest tube out 6 hours earlier than expected, and no heart medication needed at this point, just a lot of tubes and IVs for monitoring and keeping him comfortable..praise Jesus!

Bob M  I pray that your surgery and recovery will be peaceful. Tomorrow will be a new day for you with a fixed heart. God bless and rise up!

Clay Rowe  Jim. It'll be a relief to take a nap, trust that God and the docs will do what you cannot, then wake up with a clear goal...recovery. We're all pulling for you.

Adam Pick  Jim, All the best my man! You can and will do this! My thoughts and prayers beaming to you now, during surgery and in your recovery.

Cheryl Batzing  Jim, will keep you in my prayers for a great surgery at Presby! Have your wife holler if she wants someone to come sit with her, as I'm 10 minutes away!

Edith Dim  Jim, I will be sending good vibes, and prayers for your successful surgery on Monday, and a bumpless recovery road.

Adam Pick  Great idea Jim. Where did you go for dinner? I went to PF Changs. Strangely, when I was out to dinner with Robyn, my wife, an amazing calm came over me about my surgery.

If you're interested, here's a little more about that experience at https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2008/01/29/prayer-before-surgery/.

Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers now and on Tuesday. You are going to do great!

Tammy Pilcher  Thanks Adam for sharing this post! There's a quote I read once (not sure who said it) that I thought was really good: "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings having a human experience."

Jim Phillips   Thanks everyone! We had a great evening at a local steak and seafood place with the best gulf shrimp around! :)

Mark Alafita  Jim, best of luck with your surgery. Glad to hear that you had a good night's sleep finally. That's been a problem I've had, too.

Clay Rowe  I got to the point that I just wanted to check into "the resort", take a nap, then wake up to get on with my life. The waiting in limbo is exhausting. Faith and support makes things a lot easier...you're on a good road.

Adam Pick  Bill, Great to hear you got a good night sleep. So you know, I took some meds before my surgery as well. You need your rest. Now, and after the procedure. All the best. Adam

Paul Swaney  Good luck Jim and God's speed, He is the Ultimate Physician..."I can do all things through Him"....I will be 2 weeks post-op Wednesday...from quadruple bypass open-heart, doing great and encouraging others through Christ our Lord and Savior...just try to relax and you'll be just fine...God bless you and yours!!

Janet R  Jim, thinking about you this evening as I prepare for my surgery tomorrow as well. I am feeling ok about it so far and I find peace in God and I have a very good surgeon.

Clay Rowe  It takes up a LOT of mental space. But like you already know, you're not alone and all the sources of strength you mentioned above are going to ease your brain and get you through. Glad you're here.

Kimberly Biddick  I have found that having an aneurysm puts a unique sense of terror in us. I completely understand with the roller coaster as well. Best of luck to you! It's a very lonely and scary feeling... but you are not alone!!!

Bob M  Amen, heart brother! Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." God bless and rise up!

Cheryl Batzing  Jim, welcome to the heart club! I live about 10 minutes from Presby Dallas. You'll be in good hands. I just had my mitral valve repaired on Dec. 16 and am 6 weeks post op today. Recovering well I think! Will keep you in my prayers.