John & Joann
Well-known member
My wife of 49+ years (Joann) will celebrate her 37th year of double mechanical valves on Dec. 10th. (She weighed 88 lbs and was in MAJOR heart failure) Throughout these years she has had the celebration of good medical care and success and the frustrations of medical challenges.
I write this message each year (and I hope for many more years) not to just celebrate her miracle, but to give all of you hope that there is life after heart surgery. Among her challenges had been the need to replace the valves after 28 years, a stroke, many TIA'S, atrial fib, 3 bypass, the need for a pacemaker, the challenge to convince doctors that amiodarone was NOT the correct medicine for her, the bag antibiotics prior to dental cleaning, the allergy to Heaperin, High and Low IRN's. depression and frustrations, high blood pressure, and many other issues.
It is interenting to note that the other long life double valve replacement on this site lives within 50 miles of our home. We have common friends, but have never met.
Joann drives a car, attends grandchildren activities, active in church, travels to Florida for 3 months in the RV with a 15 month old dog, an 18 year old cat, and a spouse that sometimes agitates the situation. We have been in 48 states, much of Canada, and most of the Caribbean Islands via cruise ships. Every doctor calls her a miracle and encourages her to enjoy life. Sometimes that is difficult.
I hope that this message gives you all hope that you can "Climb the Mountain", "Enjoy the View", and have hope to reach the "Shining Sea".
Happy Holidays to Everyone.!!!!
P.S. Joann does not do computers, but I will show her this message on Wednesday.
I write this message each year (and I hope for many more years) not to just celebrate her miracle, but to give all of you hope that there is life after heart surgery. Among her challenges had been the need to replace the valves after 28 years, a stroke, many TIA'S, atrial fib, 3 bypass, the need for a pacemaker, the challenge to convince doctors that amiodarone was NOT the correct medicine for her, the bag antibiotics prior to dental cleaning, the allergy to Heaperin, High and Low IRN's. depression and frustrations, high blood pressure, and many other issues.
It is interenting to note that the other long life double valve replacement on this site lives within 50 miles of our home. We have common friends, but have never met.
Joann drives a car, attends grandchildren activities, active in church, travels to Florida for 3 months in the RV with a 15 month old dog, an 18 year old cat, and a spouse that sometimes agitates the situation. We have been in 48 states, much of Canada, and most of the Caribbean Islands via cruise ships. Every doctor calls her a miracle and encourages her to enjoy life. Sometimes that is difficult.
I hope that this message gives you all hope that you can "Climb the Mountain", "Enjoy the View", and have hope to reach the "Shining Sea".
Happy Holidays to Everyone.!!!!
P.S. Joann does not do computers, but I will show her this message on Wednesday.
