Today is my one year anniversary since my surgery. I had dinner with my wife last night, Same place we ate the night before surgery. Thankful for being able ...Read more
Today is my one year anniversary since my surgery. I had dinner with my wife last night, Same place we ate the night before surgery. Thankful for being able to do that, it has been quite a ride. For those of you waiting to get this procedure done, you are going to be fine. Be scared, be anxious, but know that you will soon be on the recovery side of this. Sign up for cardiac rehab, it works! Rest when your body tells you to, practice your breathing, eat well, although your taste buds may not cooperate for a month or so. Love your family, embrace and love your friends. As Adam says, keep on ticking!
Welcome to this huge family of wonderful people who have all been through this! Prayers to you and your families!
Rob Sparling Marc, thank you. This post needs to be printed and framed. It is perfect. ❤️
Rob Sparling Marc, thank you. This post needs to be printed and framed. It is perfect. ❤️
Congrats to you. Congrats to all on the recovery side. Future congrats (and prayers) to all in the waiting room. 🙏
Plan. Investigate. Work hard. It’s worth it (and it takes work, for sure.) Life is not a straight line. What we want we have to fight for and even then it might be elusive. ❤️💪
Make the twinkies and cockroaches scared.
Marc Marelich Awesome Rob! Thanks!! Great words you have shared. Be well!
Mabel Juric SO amazing to be part of a group of true warriors!!! congrats
Mike Roskowinski Great words Marc!! Congrats on the one year anniversary. Hope you guys had a great dinner out.
Joey Hardee Thanks Marc! Taking your words "to heart". The waiting room is nerve wracking. Not sure where my head ... Read more
Joey Hardee Thanks Marc! Taking your words "to heart". The waiting room is nerve wracking. Not sure where my head would be right now without this group of fabulous people. Thanks to you, too, Rob. Wise words as always.
Mabel Juric Yes!!! I am about to make my 6 month mark. WE are truly survivors and can take anything life puts i ... Read more
Mabel Juric Yes!!! I am about to make my 6 month mark. WE are truly survivors and can take anything life puts in our path
Almost a year has passed since OHS for my aortic stenosis and double bypass. For those of you about to go through this, you are doing the right thing.
There ...Read more
Almost a year has passed since OHS for my aortic stenosis and double bypass. For those of you about to go through this, you are doing the right thing.
There will be ups and downs
It is scary, but the alternative is even more frieghtening
Follow your doctors orders
Go To Cardiac Rehab! It helps
You will be fine, you will live!
I am back working, walking, jog a little, run up stairs and get to see my friends and family each day. I am blessed! I send you all healing thoughts and wish you well.
Thank you Adam for this site, it is amazing!
Kevin Bradley Marc, glad you are doing great. Thanks for posting this because it gives me positivity that everythin ... Read more
Kevin Bradley Marc, glad you are doing great. Thanks for posting this because it gives me positivity that everything will turn out fine. My surgery is Wednesday so I am anxiously waiting to be on the recovery side! I can’t wait until I am posting about my recovery to lift others up who are nervous about their surgery.
Marc Marelich Kevin, remember, it’s realy out of your hands now. Your team will take care of you and you will be ... Read more
Marc Marelich Kevin, remember, it’s realy out of your hands now. Your team will take care of you and you will be up walking in no time. Sending some prayers your way!
I have started Cardiac Rehab this past week, I must say it feels good! It is hard to imagine how good you can feel in just one month! I am thankful to Dr. Julia ...Read more
I have started Cardiac Rehab this past week, I must say it feels good! It is hard to imagine how good you can feel in just one month! I am thankful to Dr. Julia Swanson and the entire team at St.Vincents Hospital in Portland. Such an amazing team of people. Thanks to my wife,family and friends for the many hours of support and love, without them I would not be where I am today in recovery!
Michael Eichhorn Great to see this post Marc. I have built as s much anxiety over the past 3 months and ready to get t ... Read more
Michael Eichhorn Great to see this post Marc. I have built as s much anxiety over the past 3 months and ready to get to the recovery side like so many of you.
Marc Marelich Michael, the worst part is the time leading up to the surgery. Stay strong, it really is out of your ... Read more
Marc Marelich Michael, the worst part is the time leading up to the surgery. Stay strong, it really is out of your hands and you have great doctors to make sure all goes well! I look forward to speaking with you after surgery!
Steven Shuman Marc.. I am in that "worse part period" now.. AVR surgery scheduled for Monday May 21st .. 9 days fro ... Read more
Steven Shuman Marc.. I am in that "worse part period" now.. AVR surgery scheduled for Monday May 21st .. 9 days from now !!
All the fears leading up to this surgery were real, all the anxiety, all of the anger sadness, all those feelings! I own it all, it’s part of the journey. ...Read more
All the fears leading up to this surgery were real, all the anxiety, all of the anger sadness, all those feelings! I own it all, it’s part of the journey. I also chose the best doctor and hospital for me, the staff , all of them have been incredible. I owe my life to all of them, truly. I head home tomorrow, after 5 days. Still healing, very thankful to all. To my family, my friends, especially my wife, I am so very moved to be able to live and enjoy life with you all.
Jim Harvey Good to hear Marc! Just got paroled myself this afternoon.
Charlotte Dowd Good for both of you!! Best wishes for continued speedy recovery and renewed energy.
Gina Fiorentino It iS a journey, indeed. Good to hear your headed home soon. FYI: The feelings keep coming- and it's ... Read more
Gina Fiorentino It iS a journey, indeed. Good to hear your headed home soon. FYI: The feelings keep coming- and it's good to keep processing. Stay in gratitude to smooth out the ride.
Mark Wilbur Good news. I'm glad it went well for you, Marc. I can hear the gratitude and relief in your words. ... Read more
Mark Wilbur Good news. I'm glad it went well for you, Marc. I can hear the gratitude and relief in your words. Now for a successful rehab and on with Life!
Barbara Wood Going home is a good feeling! Happy healing to you!
Helen Daw It is a life changing journey, but so worth it. Life is beautiful and I planned on living it fully af ... Read more
Helen Daw It is a life changing journey, but so worth it. Life is beautiful and I planned on living it fully after my OHS. Enjoy every moment and dont take anything for granted. Welcome to the recovery side.
Rita Savelis It's all real Marc. You're real. Take care.
Well, I am in the home stretch. I have kissed and hugged my parents and kids. Told them all I love them. Sent word to my brothers and sister that I love and ...Read more
Well, I am in the home stretch. I have kissed and hugged my parents and kids. Told them all I love them. Sent word to my brothers and sister that I love and care for them as well.
Nervous, anxious, and wanting this to be Done!
My wife, so happy you are here by my side, thank you and know I love you to the moon and back!
I look forward to writing soon from another perspective, till then, be excellent!
Mark Wilbur Go with confidence! We look forward to a good report in a few days! Peace.
Gina Fiorentino Marc, you have done all the preparation and are ready. I know it seems very surreal, but soon you wi ... Read more
Gina Fiorentino Marc, you have done all the preparation and are ready. I know it seems very surreal, but soon you will be surprised to realize that you've made it through and are beginning the healing process. Looking forward to an update after your surgery!
Helen Daw Marc, All the best to you! Been there and done that! Everything will be ok. Can't wait to read about ... Read more
Helen Daw Marc, All the best to you! Been there and done that! Everything will be ok. Can't wait to read about your recovery. Please keep us posted when you can.
Anna Jones Sending positive thoughts and prayers. Let them know at the hospital how anxious you are feeling so ... Read more
Anna Jones Sending positive thoughts and prayers. Let them know at the hospital how anxious you are feeling so they can give you medication to relieve it.
I will give all control up to God and the skilled surgeons and nurses that will deliver me back to my family and friends.
A good friend shared his thoughts ...Read more
I will give all control up to God and the skilled surgeons and nurses that will deliver me back to my family and friends.
A good friend shared his thoughts with me about my anxiety, I have always felt in control of my choices, well, as much as my wife allows me to think! But in this case, after the decision was made to have surgery, it has really been out of my hands.
Great advice and a new perspective that is welcomed and appreciated!
Wow, only 10 more days. Starting to get tired and winded faster these days.
I am anxious, but trying to stay positive and strong. Seeing people whom have recovered ...Read more
Wow, only 10 more days. Starting to get tired and winded faster these days.
I am anxious, but trying to stay positive and strong. Seeing people whom have recovered from this, posting on the site is making this less scary.
Hope to be posting the day before, then a few days after!
Gina Fiorentino Wishing you well Marc. It is normal to be anxious, but you have every reason to feel hopeful for a s ... Read more
Gina Fiorentino Wishing you well Marc. It is normal to be anxious, but you have every reason to feel hopeful for a successful outcome. I just had my surgery just over 3 weeks ago, and by far the anticipation of it was the worst part.
Helen Daw Hi Marc, Totally normal to be anxious. Had my surgery almost 7 weeks ago and feel great. I wish I had ... Read more
Helen Daw Hi Marc, Totally normal to be anxious. Had my surgery almost 7 weeks ago and feel great. I wish I had listened to the people here who told me that it wasn't that bad. Woke up in ICU and heard my boy calling my name was the greatest feeling ever. I knew I had made it to the recovery side safe. Left the hospital with very little pain and I was walking a couple of miles the following week. Mot people here will tell you that the hardest part was the waiting period. Good luck!!
Steven Perrotta HI Marc, I know how you are feeling, 8 days more for me. Good luck on your upcoming surgery!
Bob Fessler Good luck Marc. I slept thru the surgery so it wasn't bad. I had minimal to no pain afterwards. Th ... Read more
Bob Fessler Good luck Marc. I slept thru the surgery so it wasn't bad. I had minimal to no pain afterwards. They really do have pain management down to a science. So don't worry about that. I'd worry more about getting your house in order for the recovery. Meals, sleeping arrangements, animal care, shopping assistance, transportation since you can't drive etc.
Angiogram completed yesterday, and the hits keep coming! Adding a couple bypasses to the mix. I am thankful all this is being found and will be fixed. Anxiety ...Read more
Angiogram completed yesterday, and the hits keep coming! Adding a couple bypasses to the mix. I am thankful all this is being found and will be fixed. Anxiety is there, but family and friends are amazing. Surrounded by the best! Inspired by others everyday in this community!
Jim Harvey Hi Marc, I just learned from my cardiologist last week that the angio also looked for the possible ne ... Read more
Jim Harvey Hi Marc, I just learned from my cardiologist last week that the angio also looked for the possible need for bypass. This is definitely a journey of discovery beyond just "you need valve surgery"!!!
Found out I need my aorta repaired today, Geez. Starting to sound like I am having my 50,000 mile service done.
Feeling determined though, love my family and ...Read more
Found out I need my aorta repaired today, Geez. Starting to sound like I am having my 50,000 mile service done.
Feeling determined though, love my family and friends kind words!
Steven Perrotta I am 28 days out from aortic valve replacement. Best wishes to you.
Rose Madura Funny you say that. I had my surgery 9-1/2 months ago and I often tell people that I went in for a tu ... Read more
Rose Madura Funny you say that. I had my surgery 9-1/2 months ago and I often tell people that I went in for a tune up.
Marc Marelich Thank you Steve! Rose, how are you almost 10 months after?
Civita Fahey I think we have all had a tune up in one way or another.. I had mine just about 11 months ago.. seems ... Read more
Civita Fahey I think we have all had a tune up in one way or another.. I had mine just about 11 months ago.. seems like yesterday but, then at times seems like I never had surgery.. ask any question Marc, this community is great
Rose Madura I'm doing great now! I had complications but got through them all. I feel like I'm healthier than I ... Read more
Rose Madura I'm doing great now! I had complications but got through them all. I feel like I'm healthier than I've ever been.
I read all of these posts, folks sharing their experiences, wisdom. I appreciate all of the information and positivity here. I am about a month out, trying ...Read more
I read all of these posts, folks sharing their experiences, wisdom. I appreciate all of the information and positivity here. I am about a month out, trying to keep the schedule straight and my outlook upbeat! Thanks for all the positive words and posts!
Rose Madura We're all here to help one another. Best wishes on your surgery.
Congrats to you. C ... Read more
Congrats to you. Congrats to all on the recovery side. Future congrats (and prayers) to all in the waiting room. 🙏
Plan. Investigate. Work hard. It’s worth it (and it takes work, for sure.) Life is not a straight line. What we want we have to fight for and even then it might be elusive. ❤️💪
Make the twinkies and cockroaches scared.