The Official New Surgery Date Is Here!

[Ross]

Alright gang, here we go AGAIN.
Maybe this time it will go off without a hitch?

July 22, 2002

My oldest sons birthday and my deceased mothers birthday. :eek:

[Nancy]

Good news Ross. We'll be here for ya. How are you feeling, BTW?

[John Cochran]

Ross,
I'm happy to hear you have a date set. The waiting is no fun, but I hope you can find some fun things to do while you're in the "holding pattern." As my surgery date approached, it seemed strange to me that I got calmer rather than more anxious...the idea of having the "big event" over and done with was pretty appealing. Do try to keep yourself well while you wait with plenty of rest and as much exercise as you can be comfortable with. What hospital will you be having your surgery at?

Hang in there, and feel free to send me a private message if you like.

Best,
--John

[ALCapshaw]

Hello Ross,

Glad to see that the uncertainty has finally come to an end and you can think in more definite terms again. Hope your nasty infection is clearing up.

Best wishes for a successful surgery and recovery!

'AL'

[Ross]

My voice isn't exactly normal yet. I tend to lose it at the end of the day, but my lungs are clear, so on with the project we go. Besides having a almost 0% energy level and being tired all the time, I don't feel all that bad. The heat in Ohio is taking a toll. 90 and rising today. I got the Air Conditioner in the house, now to get it in the window and get it going. Maybe tomorrow morning I can get these boys out of bed before it gets too hot?

Here is the info for the hospital for all those who wanted it and no longer have it.

http://www.aultman.org/

Aultman Hospital
2600 Sixth St. SW
Canton, Ohio 44710
(330)452-9911
Patient Information (330) 452-9911

Here is a link to Dr. Novoa, who is a Cleveland Clinic transplant to Aultman. It's not real informative and he seems to stay very low key and low profiled.

http://www.aultman.org/Physicians/physiciansdetails.asp?key=8331

John, if I can stay awake later this evening a spell, I'll send you a PM.

Thanks to all of you again and again.

[Jennie]

Hey Ross,

Three weeks and counting?? It seems like some folks hit the big bump before they even see it, while the rest of us have LONG hikes up the hill! I hope that all goes well on this try!

Anyway, you're pencilled in my calendar again. Hang in there, don't stress, try to enjoy each day as best as you can, and don't let the coming surgery darken your days!! You can deal with it later, when it comes, and hopefully it won't be half as bad as you might be imagining. Okay??!! :)

prayers,
JEnnie

[Zipper]

Hi Ross,

My surgery was on my deceased brothers birthday and the week of my 24th wedding anniversary...so I take your date as a sign of important days, and in your case, as in mine, will bring a positive outcome! We'll be counting down with you and sending prayers enmasse!!

Zipper *~*

[Bill Hall]

Ross - Good to hear your surgery date is set. Keep yourself busy and the day will be here and gone. Look forward to things you will be doing after surgery.

[Johnny Stephens]

OK, Ross, looks like the countdown has been reset, and all systems are go!

Did you unpack from last time or had you packed yet? ;)

[Peachy]

Hi Ross

Great to hear that you've got a date. Hope there are no hitches this time. Great weather you're getting in Ohio. We've got the opposite here in Scotland. It's supposed to be Summer but it's been raining for the past month. It's supposed to get better in August. Here's hoping.

Best wishes.

[wweir]

Ross,

This is great news. You get to be all fixed up. By the way the 22 of July is my daughter's birthday. She is very blessed and very lucky so I am sure that particular date has wonderful qualities associated with it

You know, of course, that we are all pulling for you. You deserve the best and you will get the best.

While I have only known you a short time I feel a real kin-ship since we are somewhat in the same boat. You have been through a whole lot more than most but you are a true champion and Ross; champions win.


Walter

[hensylee]

L I B!!!! Finally got you pushed over that bump! Now it's onward and forward toward the mountain. Should be clear sailing from now til 7/22 and great after that - I have the hosp info in my 'savers' file and will be sending you an e and checking as much as they will tell. Hang in as it's not going to be as long as it has been. We've all been sweatin this one, Ross, just to get you moving again. Will be supporting you as much as we can - just ask if you need anything. God bless

[sylviayasgur]

hi ross!
glad you have a date set (this can only mean that they think you're well enough to do the surgery, no?).
you'll see, the day will come in no time and before you know it, the whole thing will be behind you and you will be on your way to recovery. you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
stay well in the meantime, rest up, be strong_eat well.
all the best, sylvia

[weekycat]

By the looks of things you've been through more than most of us already! People that aren't in this position wouldn't understand that just getting a surgery date is such a relief! It's not that I ever looked forward to having the surgery, but I was afraid of what might happen if I waited too long, and for some reason it just makes it a lot easier to focus when you have an exact date in mind.

I myself had a surgery date cancelled in April, I was supposed to go in for a hysterectomy, but went to see the cardiologist to get "cleared" for it- well that didn't happen- you know the "rest of the story". And I think I'll call tomorrow to set up my next surgery, even though it probably won't be until Sept. , because it will help me to prepare for it.

Good luck and God Bless Ross, keep yuorself healthy, okay? Jean

P.S. we had 97* today here in MN, but we're supposed to cool off tomorrow, only a high of 88* expected, yippee:rolleyes: ! I'll try to send the "cooler" weather in you direction, okay?:D

[Ross]

Jennie, not to sound down or anything, but hitting bumps before getting to the big one, has been my life story. lol

Zipper, I don't know if dates have anything to do with it, but it is coincidental that the first date fell the week of our anniversary and this date falls on the week of 3 birthdays (My oldest son, My youngest son, and moms) anyway, from what I understand, Dr. Novoa will be gone the entire month of August, so it's pretty important that they get me in before he leaves.

Bill, it's hard to stay busy when you knocked yourself out for the first date. Actually, it makes this a little easier, as far as things that need to be done.

Johnny, I have a secret, I don't pack! If I do, I forget something. It happens every-time. lol

Peachy, the weather here has been something unusual. It was so cold that I was using the furnace right up until the 2nd week of June, then wham, hot hot hot and very little rain. When it does rain here, it doesn't want to stop. Like right now, it's so hot that I can't sleep. 76F and 97% humidity. YUCK! Feels like 80+ and sticky.

Walter, This is what scares me the most. Being through so much before. I expect to have some set backs after surgery. If my lungs don't start bleeding and I don't get pneumonia, it will be a first. I know what I'm walking into, I don't know what the outcome will be. I was teasing one of the nurses that took care of me before in MICU. I asked her if they still had my mailbox at the nurses station. For a while there, it looked as though I were moving in for residency. Only God knows how this is going to turn out.

Hensylee, I've been climbing this mountain for a long time. I must have picked up some defective gear since I seem to keep sliding back down the face of it. Were gettin there. I still read you email from God letter everyday, so don't think that I don't.

Sylvia, Yes, they think I'm as well as I'll get. Voice doesn't count as a means to call off surgery. Lungs are clear, blood seems to be o.k., so here we go.

Weekycat, Do any of us look forward to going to the hospital for anything? I know I don't. I've been there way too many times in the past. Nancy's husband Joe is about the only one that has me beat. But he and I are special people, we have aliens and you guys don't. hehe
We certainly can't depend on the weather forecasters can we. They've been wrong far more then they've been right. I do hope it cools down or at least get this humidity level down. Rain would be nice to clear the air some. Yeah, send some coolness this way, we can use it.

[Zipper]

Hi Ross..can't sleep ???? Me too...still up....Yikes..need to 'chill', huh? !!!!

Zip

[Nancy]

Hey Ross-

Aliens RULE! They just don't want to go away. Maybe you'll get rid of yours, but Joe will still have his. One of the nurses suggested that he entertain his grandchildren with it. LOL

See, you won't be able to do that!:p

[Ross]

I don't know Nancy, I think this will be temporary at best. It's fun to have it in a sense. People sure do give you some strange looks. Dr. Meyerhoeffer, the alien doc, doesn't think anything he does is going to stop it's return. He really hates trying to fix me. He said that my tissues are so bad that he doesn't have anything to sew or anchor things to. He got so frustrated with the inguinal hernia that he sent me to see his teacher at the Cleveland Clinic and have him repair it laporoscopically (sp?). It's holding up just fine now. Watch, I bet he'll do the same thing if this returns again.

[Granbonny]

O.K. I give up, Ross..what is this Alien thing you keep talking about???:confused: Bonnie

[John Cochran]

Weekycat,
Geez, another surgery? Sorry to hear about that, but hysterectomies are much better now than even just a few years ago.

Did you mention in an earlier post that Dr. Northrup was your surgeon for your valve? He was also my son Clay's surgeon for his aortic valve repair last December, and we liked him quite a bit.

I hope that you can enjoy the rest of the summer in spite of this upcoming additional surgery.

Big hugs,
--John

[Ross]

O.K. I give up, Ross..what is this Alien thing you keep talking about???
It is an incisional hernia from my last open heart surgery, just below my diaphragm that sticks out about the size of a canteloupe. If you've seen the movie Aliens and look at my stomach area, you'll soon get the idea. :)

[Nancy]

Joe's is a little different, his is congenital and is a split in the rectus abdominus muscles, called diastasis. Same idea though.

Uh, Where's Sigourney Weaver?

[EVELYN]

HI ROSS.....WAS JUST PERUSING THE FORUMS AND SAW YOURS.....YOU'D BETTER KNOW MY PRAYERS WILL BE WITH YOU ON AND UP TO THE 22.....YOU'VE BEEN A WONDERFUL SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR BOTH ME AND MY HUSBAND, AND WE'RE HERE FOR YOU NO DOUBT......IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN DO BESIDES PRAY, LET US KNOW......EVELYN

[weekycat]

And yes, Dr. Northrup was my surgeon. He is very good at what he does, I had 2 cardio's tell me that if anyone could repair my mitral valve, Northrup could. Then when we went to see him pre-op, he said, "I'm pretty sure I can fix it because.....I usually can."
I thought he sounded pretty confident in himself, which is not all bad.
Mine was not an easy fix either, I had 2 floppy leaflets, not just one as is usually the case, which is why it took a little over 6 hours. When I went to see him post-op, he said the repair should last a lifetime, and to "Get out of here, I don't ever want to see you again!" (I'm sure he meant that in the best possible way.):D

I'm not real worried about the next surgery, the worst thing is, that just about the time I start feeling normal again, and the weight lifting restrictions are dropped etc, I'll facing another surgery with a 6 week recovery time, so I still won't be able to lift more than 10 lbs.
(I work real hard at getting out of work, can't ya tell?) --Jean

[Perrster]

God Bless you Ross.

We'll be thinking about you on that day.

Best regards,

p.s. Your vr.com t-shirt should be done by then! I'm still waiting to see my "proof shirt." Cheerio!

[Ross]

Thanks Perry. I was going to ask you if you got the proof shirt yet. Now, I know. :D

[Granbonny]

Yeah Ross, I hope you get your's by July 22 so you can wear it in the hospital..Do some P.R. work for us:D Bonnie

[mainframe]

Hi Ross,

Glad you date issue has been resolved and you can on with your surgery. I know I was a disappointed whem my surgery slid for a few days, I'm sure it's been tougher on you having to wait much longer.

I'll be thinking of you on July 22 and praying for the best possible result. Take care.

Chris

[Ross]

If I should have the shirts by then, I'll do Hank and VR some real justice. I promise! I've already started on my coumadin clinic people. :D

Chris, how have you been? I'm taking that work has kept you away for awhile?

Evelyn, I can use all the angels and prayers I can get. I thank you and your hubby.

[EVELYN]

HI ROSS.....DON'T WORRY, YOU ARE DEFINITELY IN THEM AS ARE ALL MY OTHER ANGELS FROM VR.COM.....
EV

[McCln]

Don't feel bad, I had to reschedule mine last year. I was to have it in August and was running a low grade fever, so we waited for three weeks also. So you are not alone. Hang in there and do some hobby or other to keep the mind busy. You take care and easy during your wait.

Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve

[jackc]

Congratulations Ross..

I know from my own experiences uncertainty is the worst.
Now you know..you are prepared..you are ready.
Will be counting the days with you buddy..best of luck.

jackc (Welland)

[Don]

Best Wishes Ross. I'm thinking of your as the 22'nd approaches. I know that you will do well and that the results will be splended.
Don
AVR; 4-12-02; CCF; Cosgrove; Bovine Tissue

[Ross]

Caroline, Jackc, and Don

Thanks for the words of encouragement. As the date gets closer, I'm getting a touch more nervous. uncertainty is most definitely the toll taker. :o

[joy]

Wow Ross! Just over a week away! I know it's really scary waiting, and you're like, I JUST WANT IT DONE! And the closer you get to it, the more butterflys start moving around in your stomache and you're like ACK I'm so scared, but i know I will feel so much better afterwards! Just telling you, I understand. Hang in there Ross, I hope you feel better soon, and I will see you on the other side of the mountain!

[Ross]

We're sorry, the person your addressing cannot be found.
Please check the member name and try again.
Thank You.

* As Ross bolts from the planet*
:D

[Ross]

You can't see me. They can't see me. I'm camouflaged! :D

I'm a wee bit nervous. No I'm not. Yes I am.

Stop it! Can't you see everyone is trying to sleep.

[John Cochran]

Hey Ross,
Sounds like you're having some of the same feelings I had as the surgery date drew near. The urge to flee (I was thinking of Mexico...but leaving the planet would be even better) is pretty natural when we're confronted with such a scary event. What helped me in the final week was to think of the surgery as a bridge to a better more healthy life. Jennie gave me some good advice: Take it one day, one hour at a time, and you WILL get through this. Also remember that you have a whole lot of people who will be supporting you with their thoughts and prayers during your surgery. If any one in the world knows this works, I do after surviving a 14 hour surgery. You are going to do just great, Ross, and soon we'll all be cheering you on during your recovery.

All the best buddy,
--John

[Ross]

This week will go by too fast. You know, you never do get everything done, but hey, it'll be here to play with later. I'll just keep being a screwball until around Thursday or Friday, then I'll become a recluse.

[ALCapshaw]

Stay BUSY Ross, and then take that

GIANT LEAP OF FAITH !

We all have to do it and have done it.

That's what separates us survivors from
the great masses that don't have a clue.

Best wishes Ross. We're all pulling for you.

'AL'

[Lorraine]

Hi Ross,

One more week! It will go by fast. Try not to think about it too much. Try to remain calm. I know easier said than done! I know you would like to blink your eyes and it would all be over and you would already be on the other side of the mountain and recuperating. I know that was my thoughts. I wasn't Jeannie though! :D
Just rember to let go, let God! That was what pulled me through it all! I knew it was in my surgeons and Gods hands. When I woke up in ICU I knew I was a survivor! I'll being thinking and praying for you. Think positive thoughts! God Bless!

[Ross]

Hi Al and Lorraine and my favorite quick wit, John Cochran!

I'm not thinking about it constantly, but I am a little bothered that my surgeon is going to be gone the whole month of August. Past experience tells me that I'll have bumps in the road. I'd sure like him to be around for those.

I hear ya, Let go and let God.

[hhardt]

When I was at your point, I looked forward to feeling really bad. That would tell me I'm OK and came back. And I remembered that when I came back on line. By the way, I have an incisional hernia from my gall bladder surgery in the early 70s. It is just below the sternum. Had the same doc at Bethesda that President Johnson did, just a few months later. Pres did not live long enough to see what the doc did to us. I did. Good luck and God be with you. Hugo

[Ross]

Hi Hugo and welcome aboard.

Thanks for your words of encouragement. This body of mine has been through a lot in four decades. It'll take some more beating, but how much is left to be seen.

You have an "Alien" too? Great, 3 of us now. Perhaps we'll dominate the board with aliens soon. :D

[Christina]

Ross,

Will be thinking of you when you go in, and know you'll do fine. Keep us posted, okay?

Christina
AVR's 8/7/00 & 8/18/00
Aortic Stenosis
TMC, Tucson. AZ.
Dr. Gulshan Sethi

[Granbonny]

Hi Rossy, You can run, but you can't hide from us..(Valvers)We are going to bomb you ALL week with good vibes.:D :D :D I forget, what Forum and what thread was your hospital address:confused: Bonnie

[Nancy]

HI Ross-

Haven't had much time to post, but I have been thinking about your upcoming surgery and saw your recent posts.

In order to get through what we've gone through in the past few years, I have to trick my mind. In the first place, you can't have two different thoughts in your mind at the same time. So I ask myself, "Is it really necessary for me to worry about this thing right now, this very minute, nothing's happening now, so I can put this on the back burner for a little while. I'll worry about it later, right now, I'll think of something nice, or something that has to get done." And I do my very best to blank it out of my mind. I keep on that way as long as I can, and I set a goal for myself, such as, "I give myself permission to worry about this a day before, an hour before, etc."

I have also developed the ability to self hypnotize. I do it the best in the dentist's office where I can really go into a trance. I imagine some nice place where I have been. For me, it's the beach, when I was little. I can feel the sand, smell the ocean, remember playing in the surf and feel the warm sun. I can transport myself there. It took a lot of practice, but if you try, it's possible.

Another way that I handle it is to project beyond the surgery, and concentrate on what has to be done afterward. I sort of skip over the difficult days in my mind and think about the recovery phase.

If I do all that, I hardly have to worry about it much before the fact.

Well, anyway, it works for me.

Wishing you the best.

[Ross]

I forget, what Forum and what thread was your hospital address Bonnie
This thread, page one, 5th post down. hehe

[John Cochran]

Ross,
Don't sweat the fact that your surgeon will be gone in August. As I quickly found out after the surgery is over, almost all problems are handled by other specialists. Also, the success of your surgeon will be evident quickly...any problems with the surgery itself would likely be handled quickly. I think lots of people here haven't seen their surgeons since they were released from the hospital. Also, when surgeons go on vacation or travel, they always have someone competent to fill in for them. My daughter has a needlepoint picture hanging in her room that her grandmother made for her; it says:
"Worry must work, because 90 percent of the things I worry about never happen."

Read Nancy's post again. She is one wise lady.

Cheers,
--John

[Jennie]

Hey Ross!

Permit me to insert some fresh perspective on this whole surgery scenario, if I may be so bold:

I hate to fly. I would rather be on the ground. People are not meant to be thousands of feet in the air, moving at high speeds in little metal bubbles. But I fly all the time. And I find that I actually look forward to it, because all the prep and rushing and packing are done, and I can settle back for a NICE LONG NAP in the MIDDLE OF THE DAY!!! Whoever heard of such a thing? When do we ever get to do that? It's preposterous!!

Likewise, I hate to get sliced open. I would rather be in one piece. People are not meant to be sprinkled with Old Bay and cracked open like a Maryland crab. But, ah, imagine the fantastic nappy-poo this opportunity affords!! With a money-back guarantee of actual, deep, insomnia-free SLEEP!! And with flowers and cards and stuff when you wake up! And room service, breakfast in bed, total control of the remote. Not to mention a new valve job.... :D

So what I'm saying is, well, I'm not sure what I'm saying.... I think what I'm saying is, put them sunglasses on, the future is starting to get bright! :cool:

still praying for you,
Jennie

[Mb]

Dear Ross:

Just one week away. Hooray! Finally! Yipeee!

Think of the good things:
1. It will FINALLY be over.
2. You will be able to sleep through the night.
3. No more camaflouge outfits...Out of style now anyway.
4. You will have a zipper!
5. You get to take a lot of new medications!
6. The nurses are pretty in the ICU~
7. You get to eat all of the ice you want! Sometimes.....
8. You get to hug a comfy pillow!
9. You get to order off a checklist, of what you want to eat tomorrow!
10. You get 100% oxygen!
11. Your wife and friends will come to visit you. Beware, when you are in the ICU, you may think they are sicker than you are. There faces will go white! Some of them might faint!
12. You will get to brag a lot.
13. You won't have to help with the house work for weeks!
14. You will have more stories to tell!
15. You will get a lot of messages from us!
16. After some weeks, you will actually feel better than you do today!


God Bless Ross..................We are all pulling for you!
Marybeth

[Ross]

2. You will be able to sleep through the night. We'll see, I have a history of not sleeping well.

3. No more camaflouge outfits...Out of style now anyway. Maybe out of style, but I still need it to hide from the wife.

4. You will have a zipper! I already have one. Does this mean I get two?

6. The nurses are pretty in the ICU~ Oh how I hope your right.

11. Your wife and friends will come to visit you. Beware, when you are in the ICU, you may think they are sicker than you are. There faces will go white! Some of them might faint! The wife has been through this before. She's tough :D ! My sister-in-law, on the other hand, did get sick and nearly fainted last time around. :eek:


:cool:

[EVELYN]

HEY ROSS.....MAYBE AFTER TSHIRTS, WE SHOULD GO INTO CAMMOPILLOWS AS A FUNDRAISER????? THAT WAY YOU WOULDN'T BE FAR FROM IT AND YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO HIDE IT FROM YOUR WIFE!!! JUST A THOUGHT!!! FEEL WELL MY FRIEND, YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS.....EVELYN AND TYCE (WHO IS PRESENTLY NAPPING)

[JJGo]

Ross,

Just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you with just a week to go.

You put so much effort into helping others here, I'm sure your good energy will come back to you tenfold to help you through your surgery.

If I can get my hands on a computer while (if, at this point) I'm in the hospital, I'll be following your progress. If not, I'll catch up on your speedy recovery when I get out.

You'll be in my thoughts as I go through this and you quickly follow.

Thanks for all your support to the new gal on the block.

[Mara]

Ross-
Good Luck! I hope you cruise through in record time. THen you can get home, start recuperating and having a great rest of the summer.
Maybe your family will bring you all kinds of delicious Dairy Queen treats while you are recovering. I know that Peanut Buster Parfaits and Blizzards have special healing properties.

It's so exciting! You'll do fine.
-Mara

[hensylee]

Here's the info again:

http://www.aultman.com/

Aultman Hospital
2600 Sixth St. SW
Canton, Ohio 44710
(330)452-9911
Patient Information (330) 452-9911


If we can put it around in several places, everybody can find it.

[Granbonny]

Hensyle. I'm planning on calling Wed. A.m. Will post what I know. Have discussed this with Ross..Maybe he can even chat with me but I will post on Valvereplacement.comwhat I find out ..he will probably be chasing the nurses around the station by then. Bonnie

[ILoVeNY25]

Hi Ross, Just wanted to see if you made any plans for this weekend, I know you're probably so busy getting ready for the big day. But try to enjoy the weekend, I suggest going out to dinner at your favorite restaurant and having a nice big meal. That was my only request before surgery...Especially since I didn't have much of an appetite afterwards. It will all be over soon but again have yourself a great weekend and do things that you enjoy and try to stay relaxed. We're all here for you :D
Take Care and God Bless!

[Ross]

My weekend plans....hmm......let me think here a bit. I know, I'll sit here and drive you all nut's! :D

Actually, I'm going to relax, find a big fat juicy steak and make it on the grill during a thunderstorm and try not to continually think of Monday. There is still cleaning to be done, but guess what? It isn't happening now.

The funny thing is, when I leave this computer, all I do is sit and think about all of you here at VR. I find myself coming back and checking on you when I should be doing other things.

[Zipper]

LOL! OK..you are a screwball..LOL! Keep up that great sense of humor and enjoy that steak! We'll be thinking of you and sending positive vibes your way. We'll look foward to your return and speedy recovery, Ross. Zipper *~*

[Perrster]

You silly goose, it's our turn to be thinking about YOU! Best of luck to you. One heck of a way to start off the week, huh?

Your t-shirt and sweatshirt will be in your mailbox to greet you when you get home. They'll likely throw you out by Saturday, so you shouldn't miss too many cartoons.

God bless. You'll be in our thoughts and prayers.

Please ask your better half to post messages on Monday and Tuesday so we know you're doing.

[joy]

Good Luck Ross! You'll be on the other side very soon. Try not to think about your surgery. HA HA! Not likely to happen. All of us here at VR.com will be waiting to hear of an update on you! See, now you've gotten 5 pages of positive vibes. It just goes to show that we love ya here, and go get em tiger!

[hensylee]

Ross, if your thunderstorms are anything like our thunderstorms, you won't have to worry about Monday!

[Ross]

I hate Mondays. Now that that's out of the way......

Thunderstorms-What a disappointment. There all developing just South of our house. Doesn't look like I'll get obliged that way today. Oh well, were supposed to have more Monday-Go figure!

[Jennie]

Hey Rosso!

I think we here will all be in withdrawal while you are off on your vacation for the week. What will we do without your smiling face here?? Thankfully we have old posts to look at....!

Ah, forget the dumb surgery! Take your lovely wife to the movies - something funny - and get your mind off all this! And forget the cleaning! It'll be a mess in a couple days anyway. And isn't that what your kids are for??

Looking forward to hearing how everything goes on Monday. Wishing you all the best. We (me, anyway) will be praying all day and holding my breath until I hear some good news.

bye 4 now,
Jennie

[Ross]

Jennie, is the following "we here" supposed to be a link? If so, it's not working. Just wondering. Or am I being to computer stupid to realize that it's changed font colored and underlined? I'm losing it I tell ya.
:o

[Jennie]

Rosso,

It's called EMPHASIS!! Ah, what I have to put up with here....! :rolleyes: I fixed it for you. Is that better? And the "EMPHASIS" here is NOT, I repeat, NOT a link either. But no worries. I see the pumpheadedness is setting in already.... :(

Aren't you supposed to be at the moovies?? ;)

-Jennie

[John Cochran]

Ross,
How well I remember those last few days before surgery! Kind of an adventure in emotional extremes! But, I suspect that you, like many others (and me), will experience a growing calm in the next few days. You've planned this thoroughly, you've done your homework, and you've touched the lives of many many people who will be cheering you on through the whole thing.

Do try to have some fun this weekend, and know that we are all holding you close in our thoughts and prayers.

--John

[Ross]

A shucks, thanks Jennie, The bad part, I figured it out while I was typing, the good part, I got to talk to you again. :p

John, thank you for your thoughts and prayers also. I still haven't PM'd you like I thought I would. The more I think about it, the more I think I'll wait until this is over. Don't take that in a strange way. I have some things that I wanted to talk to you about in your experience because I have a strong feeling that you and I went through something. I'm curious to see if my feeling is right.

I will talk to you soon. :)

[Granbonny]

Anyone who gets 68 replies is more popular than the Queen of England. I don't even know 68 people....Hank needs to post this for a record. Hip Hip Hooray for our Ross...:D :D :D And the very best to him on Monday..We all love you Ross. Bonnie

[Ross]

To set the record straight. I'm not trying to turn this into a popularity contest. I enjoy all of you. Nothing more, nothing less. I sometimes feel that maybe I should back off and watch more, post less.

Granbonny, I know you don't mean anything by it. I just wanted to clear that up for anyone that may feel that is what is happening.

From a friend at another forum that I help at in computer security:

SPECIAL HEARTS

Special are the hearts
That bring our children here
Special are the hearts
That hold our children dear
For these are special children
Who rest within these walls
The Doctors and the Nurses
Special are they all
For Christopher and others
This fight for life goes on
That is why I pause
To sit and write this down
I pray for all who enter
This special place of need
For all within are blessed
In these hours of need

I wrote that when my son was on the table during his first open heart surgery. That was 15 years ago.
We look forward to seeing you back on the boards in a couple of weeks blebs, no excuses accepted.

Your in our thoughts
Chris & Splash

[Zipper]

Ross,

That's a good example of what you bring here. It's your turn for us to try to return the caring you show to everyone. Sorry...but you just are well liked here..such a deal!!! You deserve it, my friend.

Zip *~*