Hello & thanks from new member

[Liz]

Hi Everybody -
This is my first post, but I've been browsing this site for the last couple months, since I was diagnosed with severe mitral regurgitation and found this site through a search engine. The MR diagnosis and recommendation to have surgery soon were quite a shock, since I'm only 46 and have always been very healthy and active. I'm heading into surgery tomorrow (Friday, June 30) at Kaiser Hospital in San Francisco. Hoping for a valve repair, but if not I'm going for the tissue valve (porcine is what Kaiser uses).

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I am now part of this community and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here. I have learned so much from this site - truly a treasure trove of practical information, encouragement, and inspiring stories of people who have been through this before me and come out the other side healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. I only know one other person who has had MVR surgery, so without this site I would have been relying just on the 'official' information out there and would still be thinking that for the 3 months I need to take Coumadin I couldn't floss my teeth, shave with a regular razor, or eat my favorite veggies! I have done searches on countless topics (like what to bring to the hospital, what the scar will be like, you name it, I've searched it). I'm the kind of person who feels better the more I know what to expect. So thank you all for your generousity of time and spirit in contributing to these forums - especially those of you who are here frequently, patiently answering questions, providing encouragement, non-judgemental support, and so much humor. You are beautiful!

I'm looking forward to posting after surgery to add my experiences to all the wonderful success stories here (although I'm not looking to beat anybody's record for quick posting so it will probably be at least a week or two, but maybe my husband can post sooner). I look forward to providing encouragement for others, and love knowing that I can tap into the well of encouragement and practical wisdom here when I'm needing it during my recovery. As you all say, See you on the other side of the mountain!

Thanks for being here and I'm happy to be part of this wonderful group!
Liz

 

[Ross]

Oh Liz why did you wait until a day before surgery to start posting? That makes me feel bad. Well I wish you a good journey and no speed bump recovery. Can someone post on your behalf and let us know how your doing? If you've been around that long, you know we worry just like parents.

 

[Georgia]

Liz, welcome to the site, and best of luck tomorrow. Hope you experience the deep calm that washes over many of us prior to surgery, and that you make it through surgery and hospitalization in a routine, boring and uneventful manner.

As Ross said, now that we know you're having surgery tomorrow, we'll worry until we hear the results, so the sooner your hubby can post, the better.

Good thoughts and prayers winging your way.

 

[KMS]

Welcome

Welcome

Liz -

So glad to have you as a member of this wonderful community. You sound like you're in a great place: calm, prepared and ready for tomorrow.

Thanks for letting us know about your surgery. We'll look for a post from you or your husband when it's available.

Now, take a deep breath and know that you'll have a whole group of people sending you good vibes tomorrow morning.

Warm regards,

Kristine

 

[geebee]

Welcome and I hope all goes well tomorrow and with your recovery. Wish we would have had more time to get to know you but, now that you have posted, you are family.
Looking forward to hearing good news after surgery.

 

[aussiemember]

Liz - welcome!! Wish we could have got to know you better beforehand but will be thinking of you with your surgery and look forward to hearing a boring positive report about your journey to the other side of the mountain - take care - Jeanne

 

[Andrew'sMom]

Liz,
Welcome and sending you prayers & good wishes for your surgery on Friday. Looking forward to hearing from you post-op! Good luck!

 

[Nan]

Liz, good luck with your surgery tomorrow. Sending you all kinds of good thoughts! Looking forward to seeing your posts from the other side of the mountain.

 

[Superbob]

Surgery tomorrow?! Liz, you didn't leave us worrywarts much time to worry over your trek over the mountain. But we look forward to your arrival there, and to hearing about your successful journey. Good thoughts and prayers are going with you.

 

[Liz]

Thanks for your kind wishes

Thanks for your kind wishes

Good morning, 4:30 am sitting in a hotel room in San Francisco getting ready to head over to the hospital (have to be there by 5:30). Just wanted to let you know that I read your responses - you are angels sent to administer to the valve community!

I showed my husband how to post a report here on my surgery so hopefully he'll be able to do that in the next couple days. As to why I didn't post sooner, I have asked that myself and I think it was not quite wanting to accept that this was all happening to me, and if I joined a valve surgery website that must mean I actually was going to have a valve surgery. My husband kept asking me when I was going to post because I was always sharing with him information I had read on this site, and I kept telling him that I wasn't quite ready. But now I'm ready.

All day yesterday I felt a quiet excitement, felt like it was radiating from my heart. I am so happy that my problem is going to get fixed and I'll be able to live a normal life again. Except better than normal because I won't take it for granted anymore, and I will have connected with lots of wonderful people, like you!

Hope that you are having a wonderful day and enjoying this beautiful life! Talk to you soon,
Liz

 

[Mary]

Nice to meet you Liz!

I'm going to hold you to your word and expect to hear a post-surgery report from either your husband or yourself.

Talk to you soon--
Mary

 

[susieq14]

Liz,

Hopefully by now your surgery was an uneventful success and you are on the road to a speedy recovery. You have my best wishes and prayers of course to help that happen.

I'll be checking to see you husband's update but even more anxious to hear from you directly.

Take Care and God Bless!
Sue

 

[RandyL]

Well, I'm a little late,hope everything went well. It's Sunday so your prolly already walking around the hospital now. Good Luck