Walter from the other side of the mountain

[wweir]

Wanted to get something out to Scottie and others as well.

THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF , now fixed, HEART

Yes my wife and daughters are really great and they have totally spoiled me for years. Just don?t think I ever appreciated how much. Without their total involvement and support it could have been quite a different story.

Having now gone through this whole thing and having some time to reflect I can conclude a few things, from my perspective.

? While I knew of this problem since 1999 --
o I had a basic dislike of all Doctor?s and ?pain? that caused me to steer clear of things I did not like or want to deal with.
? I was also not sure who I should tell about my ?physical? condition and all that kind of stupid stuff. I was thinking that telling people was somehow giving in or accepting the condition. But what was really odd was that once I started telling people about my defect, I actually became more confident that things would work out.
? People like Ross, Nancy, Evelyn, Johnny, Amy, Bill, Hensylee, Granbonny and so many more who opened up their private lives for all of us to see.
? My Boss and co-workers who also let me know they cared more about me than anything else.
? My surgeon, Dr. R.Kent Jex and the Nebraska Heart Institute. I need to find better words then outstanding and fantasmagorical.
? Bryan LGH Hospital in Lincoln Nebraska
? This website that gave me the real knowledge I needed to deal with this condition. The care, concern, honesty was just overwhelming. Then on one day I see that my daughters became members. Unreal
? Ross

So what I am saying is that once they wheeled me into pre-op I was really confident that all would work out OK. Fear was gone, The Lord had me in his hands, the doctors were ready, the family was ready and most of all I was ready.

Linda wants me to rest, have not slept all day so got to listen to her. I?ll post more in the next several days as I re-coup.

Again thanks to all of you for making this turn out successful

Walter

 

[Nancy]

Walter-

It's so good to hear your "voice". You sound terrific. Not a trace of "pumpheadedness". Now you can help all the 4 people going through surgery this week. WOW! This place is getting busy.

 

[ALCapshaw]

Congratulations on an exemplary ride through the VR process Walter.

I hereby nominate you for the VR.com Poster Person for 2002 !

You and your wife should be proud for having raised such helpful and considerate daughters. What an outstanding job they did in supporting you and communicating your progress to the group.

WELL DONE, Weir Family !

'AL'

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Walter

What an absolute thrill to hear from you....you "sound" great. I am truly so glad all went well with your surgery....Pam and Amanda were fantastic!!! You're right, you'd BETTER listen to Linda!!!

It really is amazing what a life changing event this is. I know I appreciate our second chance more and more every day. I no longer wake up and not think about the things that are so very important to me....and I definitely think Tyce and I are taking the time to smell the roses. Whatever gets done that day, gets done, but I try not to miss a day to tell him how much I love him and our life together.

Through this list I have seen the love and compassion of people who were complete strangers 3 months ago. Their knowledge, caring and giving is genuine and I honestly don't think our lives will ever be quite the same. I consider myself very blessed to have met you all and to be able to interact in some small way with the many people who visit this site.

I hope only the very best for you. Remember, walk, walk, walk, nap, nap, nap, and breathe, breathe, breathe........Hope to hear lots more from you over the next few weeks.

Evelyn

 

[joy]

Congratulations walter, soon you will be like me, and whenever life reminds you of all the down points, you can breathe in deep and remind yourself, " I have my health, and I am alive" I couldn't have gone through everything I have been through if Kevin wouldn't have been there with me to let me know he cared about me, and hold my hand. It's a great feeling to know that you have family members who love you and care, isn't it?????
Take it easy, and I am so glad you are feeling better!

 

[wlaldridge]

Thank you Walter and your caring FAMILY

As I have said in a couple of other posts, you inspire me and others. I had my heart cath done the same morning you were having your surgery. My confidence to get that step done came in no small part from reading your posts and those of others here at VR.com.

Your daughter's first post about your surgery and start of recovery heartened (these puns seem to come to us all, here) me as much as any news I have heard of late. Keep following the great advice of the others and get fully recovered.

You have friends pulling for you that you don't even know exist. What a great site this is.

Best wishes

 

[JJGo]

Congratulations, Walter!

Congratulations, Walter!

Happy Healing and a speedy recovery to you now that you are through the hard part! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and glad that you have such great support.

Rest and walk and use your spirometer and you'll be feeling strong and healthy in no time! I'm 4.5 weeks post-op and can walk 5 miles at a pretty brisk clip without resting now. Surgery already seems so long ago.

www.caringbridge.com/mn/jymme

 

[ILoVeNY25]

Congrats

Congrats

Congratulations Walter on your successful surgery, and I'm wishing you all the best for a speedy and uneventful recovery. Take Care and God Bless!

 

[Bill Hall]

Walter - I really enjoyed your posting. Just two comments:
1 - I think "who I should tell about my physical condition" is a good pre-surgery question. There is a real gray area between complaining and letting people around you know how you are feeling. I always thought if I told a doctor how I felt, he would start treating me for something, maybe the wrong thing. I'd rather depend on the machine evidence. Being "open" on the internet is a lot easier.
2 - You are one lucky guy. You have a great family and now a fixed heart.
Take it easy and rest and recover.

 

[hensylee]

Walter - so good to have you 'home' again with us. Think we all feel the same feelings you are having. I believe Robthat'sme said it first about a couple yrs ago, but we probably all were thinking it - that after surgery, there is some sort of subtle change in us, in our feelings. they seem to be softer, kinder and we appreciate our lives much more. Nobody seems able to explain it, but there it is. God bless

 

[Scottie]

Hey Walter !!!!

Hey Walter !!!!

Congratulations !...you have become my new hero ...just home and posting already ?...what happened to pumpheadiness?...well truely Walter thanks for posting ..I really do appreciate it ...you make it sound not as bad as you (and me ) feared?...am I right ?...I need brutal honestly LOL.....anyway I just wanted you to know I do appreciate you posting and I am so delighted to see you home safely ...you take care wee man and rest up ..do what the Drs tell you too ....and keep in touch
love and best wishes
Scottie
ps ..if you and your family fancy a holiday in Scotland ..let me know ...I'll put the kettle on

 

[wweir]

Scottie,
The brutal honesty.

? Yes it is scary, but there is really no other option when you come right down to it.
? You have to feel comfortable in knowing that the surgeons are part of a very skilled team. They are well educated, highly trained and true specialists. Everyone on the team is the same way.
? You are also part of the overall equation. As my surgeon said your part is to show up, we?ll take care of the rest. And that Scottie is true.
? Pain, yes but I would classify it more of discomfort. Key is to get up out of bed, move around and work your breathing tube whenever you think of it. Suck and blow as much as you can stand. I now walk 3-5 minutes six times a day. Already made it up and down our stairs (13) today to shower.
? Ask questions, ask questions. There is no such thing as a dumb question.
? I guess that I was on the pump for 60 ? 90 minutes. No effects that I am aware of. I asked about re-used blood, TIA?s and all that. The answer was that the hospital uses the latest equipment.
? I wanted the mechanical (St. Jude) because I only wanted to do this once. I also figured I could deal with the coumadin issues.
? I also wanted to do a valve that the surgeon did a lot of. Not a big issue until you get into the really complicated procedures.

So Scottie. I can?t tell you what to do but I must tell you that while my fears were real they were probably overdone.

As you know I have Scottish heritage, my father grew up in a town called Steppes . My father was also a navel architect educated at the University of Glasgow.

We went back to visit a few years ago and would love to visit again. So I thank you for the kind invitation, but hold the haggis.

Keep me posted as you move forward.

You are in my prayers and thoughts.
Walter

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi walter, pam, amanda, and linda!
i'm so happy to hear that you are doing so unbelievably well! you sound (your tone) terriffic!!
please try and take it easy and wishing you a smooth, uneventful recovery.
hope you can all try and get some rest now... stay well.
so glad to have you back among us, sylvia

 

[John Cochran]

Walter,
Welcome to this side of the mountain! I remember coming home from the hospital and wondering how long it would take to get back to "normal." At 11 weeks out, I'm now far better off than I was before surgery, and in another week my current lifting restriction of 10 lbs. gets increased to 40 lbs. I have discovered that there are lots of mental adjustments that one has to make, like getting used to the scar, the medications, etc., but it is sure great to have this in the past!

You've certainly brought up some wonderful daughters...they were wonderful in keeping us all up-to-date.

Glad to have you back with us!

--John

 

[Simon Gee]

welcome back

welcome back

Hi Walter,

posting again already, that's impressive. I'm delighted to hear that you're doing so well and I look forward to hearing more from you as you progress. It looks like the op was a great success, all you have to do now is recover. Walk as much as you possibly can and you'll soon be feeling better than ever. Oh, and listen to your family and rest lots too!

Best wishes,

Simon

 

[wweir]

John,

You and others have complemented me on several occasions about the girls, as we like to call them. The real person to complement is my wonderful wife Linda. We have been married for 35 years and she is the real reason the girls turned out so well.

Right now I am sitting in my family room recliner and it is 12:45 or so at night. You know the sleep, sweat, bathroom, pills, watch some TV, sleep cycle. Well on the couch right next to me is my oldest daughter Amanda sound asleep. She and Pamela have been taking turns taking care of me so mother can rest and I can be ?watched? as they call it. I just have to move and she is up. In fact, just a minute ago she wanted to know how I got my hands on this laptop. So yes John I am blessed and love my girls more than anything,

I also have to tell you that their husbands (Elliott for Amanda and Tim for Pamela) are also very supportive and caring people. They all live in California, Santa Monica and Redondo Beach, and just wished they were closer to us. What is interesting about them is that while they are four years apart in age they are also different in some ways and alike in others. Amanda for example was born in Texas while Pamela was born in New Jersey. They have both lived in Florida, Texas, Kansas, Virginia and New York. Amanda got married in New York seven years ago and Pamela was married in Las Vegas almost two years ago.

I get yelled at if I brag about them too much or show people their pictures too much but after hearing from you and others the kind words about them, I guess I should feel very proud of what we have done, Thank you all.

OK back to sleep

Walter

 

[Johnny Stephens]

OUTSTANDING!!!

OUTSTANDING!!!

Walter, great to see that you are coming around quickly to your new life on this side of the mountain.

You're a lucky guy with a great family...

This was a great post for me to see upon returning from vacation.

Johnny

 

[Mb]

Dear Walter:

I read your words this morning, and it brought back to me all of the warm and wonderful feelings both Wayne and I had to our employees, family, friends, during those months before and after surgery. You are far more eloquent than I could ever dream of being.

Congratulations on (1) your surgery, (2) your wonderful family, (3) sharing your feelings on this board.

You are quite the guy!

Marybeth

 

[joy]

See Walter, isn't this site great! It brings us together in so many different ways. I sort of feel a connection to you and your family because you know what I am going through and have been through it as a family. I only hope that my sons will be as great as your daughters are. Mine are 1 and 3, still in the age where they understand something is going on, but don't know what. They are always on the go. Ian is watching a video that Kevin made before he left. Well, I better go, but I am very glad to see that you are feeling better! Take it easy, and congratulations on a rather uneventful surgery!

 

[wlaldridge]

Walter,

I see you posting on other threads, but some of us would like to know how YOU are doing. Eleven days post-op, how are you getting along? Just great is my guess, but you ought to keep your "fans" posted.

Thanks for your inspiration.