Pillarpaul

[hensylee]

I am going to start your 'best wishes for surgery' thread because I won't be here next week. Trying to catch up before I go.

You are probably approaching the surgery with mixed feelings, but after all you have read here, you know it won't be as bad as you first thought, Right? Doesn't stop the apprehension, tho. While you get ready for your first step on the path up the mountain I just want you to know that I will be thinking of you next week and hope to have great news waiting when I get home. Take all my prayers with you. GODSPEED

 

[Ross]

Sheesh, women are so mushy aren't they and the way she's carrying on, you'd think you were having surgery or something.

On a serious note, (Yes, I can be serious at times!) rest assured that your in my thoughts and prayers as you go on your journey to the shiny new heart factory. I do hope you'll have someone to post on your behalf so that us worry worts will know how you do.

I figure about now, the tension in your body is starting to escalate with each and every passing day. Try to remain as worry free as possible. It doesn't do any good to worry about something that you can't change anyway, so let it go. You know were here for you all the way up till you leave the house for the hospital. If you need to talk, we are all eyes and ears.

 

[Les]

Ross said it...we're all here for you.
_____________________
Les AVR '93 / '95

 

[EVELYN]

Hello Pillarpaul

As Henslyee said, "GOD SPEED!!!'' You will be in our prayers. Please let us know how you're doing---and remember there's a much healthier life on the other side of the mountain.

Evelyn

 

[epstns]

Hey Paul!

Hey Paul!

Paul - I'll hold down this side of the mountain, but will be adding you to our prayer list for a smooth trip to the other side.

Our hearts are with you!

 

[ccrawford]

Ditto

Ditto

Hey Paul - I'll be sittin in the waiting room next to Steve. Good luck, good painkillers, and fast recovery. Chris

 

[Rain]

Ditto Ditto

Ditto Ditto

Best wishes for a speedy recovery Pillarman.

You have to be in good shape by October..... I may need that shot of valium to get on the plane!!

 

[John Cochran]

Paul,
Wishing you an easy journey and a speedy recovery. We'll all be cheering for you!

Best,
--John

 

[Marty]

All will go well!

All will go well!

Paul, Think positively and all will go well. Do you know about Diane Tusek's meditation audiotapes? I found them very helpful post op. They are a handout from my surgeon's office. Also postop, if you are struggling with Coumadin regulation contact me, I may be able to help without interfering with or alienating your own doctors.

 

[chastecl]

We're looking forwarding to welcoming you to the good side of the mountain. You're almost there!

Here's wishing you successful surgery, an uneventful recovery, and all our best wishes.

 

[inventory]

Paul-
I too would like to wish you all the luck in the world. This past Friday was my 8th week post op. I remember being where you were and no one was more apprehensive than me. These great people helped me to no end, and they still are every day that I read all the threads.
I also wish you a successful surgery and will be praying for you.
See you on the other side with everyone else.
al

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Paul

Hi Paul

I know you will be fine..because you are on VR..everyday and have probably read every thread Spend the next 3 days..RELAXING..and going over what you will need when you get home...What time do you need to be there Wed. A.M.? Got to take that shower with that special soap they give you..before you go. then your nurse assigned to you..in Pre-op will give you a good feel shot They let my entire family come back with me..I was soon giggling..My age 33 year old son had tears (he will cry at anything) I told them..Give him a shot A few minutes later. Poof and I was out like a baby....woke up 2 days later. No pain..but I am one of the lucky ones..with a one-on-one Cardiac nurse in ICU. But did get up and start that very important walk....You will be just fine.. Bonnie

 

[pillarpaul]

The Waiting Room Shrinketh

The Waiting Room Shrinketh

Hi everyone and thank you for all the well wishes. I have been remiss in getting back. The last week has been crazy - maybe that's good. Haven't had the time to fret. Will be busy tomorrow then heart cath Monday, pre-op stuff on Tuesady and surgery on Wednesday. Almsot looking forward to that forced rest afterward!

To Steve and Chris, I want to apolgize for leaving you guys in the waiting room. But after all, I DID finish that out-of-date Sports Illustrated (WHAT? The Angels won the World Series?) I've been here six years now so the time has come.

And, Marty, may take you up on that offer re coumadin. Does seem a little overwhelming for now. As for not fretting over the surgery, I have used guided visualization, breathing, Reiki, and prayer (hey, at this stage I am not doubting anything )

I tend to worry about other things - my work (I own a business), my family, etc. I know I need to let go and this may be a blessing in disguise. My employees are so excited to get rid of me they had a cake for me Thursday that was decorated with a band-aid over a heart. Sadly, one of my employees was just diagnosed with advanced cancer, the same type I lost my mom to. Hard to figure out why all these things happen but I've come to the conclusion they just do, probably for reasons we won't know here on this earth. One should not feel "lucky" compared to another person nor "singled out".

Sorry to ramble. I suspect the nearness of the surgery makes our minds race. I want to thank all of you for this wonderful community. I literally thank God that I found this place. I was using another web site that I had stumbled into when Nancy gave me the link to here. How lucky to have this resource! My two friends here in Denver that had the surgery a few years ago have expressed how this would have made such a difference for them before and after surgery.

A good friend of mine will be e-mailing Rain who will in turn be the "poster child" of vr.com to let you know how it goes. By the way, Rain, I'm holding you to your promise to "keep you entertained" while I'm recovering. I have no idea what that means but I assume I will need clearance from my cardio.

All thoughts and prayers are gladly accepted. You're all GREAT!!!

Paul

 

[Granbonny]

Paul

Paul

Heart cath on Monday..You will get some rest You will have to lay still for a few hours after. Pre-op stuff. nothing. Coumadin after..zip..nothing to it.....Now, letting Rain keep us updated is another story Looking forward to her posts. and like I said..You will be fine. Bonnie

 

[ccrawford]

Have a good one

Have a good one

Paul - Steve and I are glad to see you go, but only because you will soon be on the road to recovery on the other side of the mountain. We'll pray there is a sled at the top of the mountain so you'll have a fast and fun trip towards recovery, and in the meantime we'll keep on reading those old magazines. We know you'll do well cause you've had a lot of help from some high powered experts at this site. Chris

 

[Georgia]

The mountain ain't THAT high!

The mountain ain't THAT high!

Congratulations, Paul. Being a newbie here, I had no idea that you'd been waiting so long.

We're all very fortunate to have this group. My recuperation has been relatively uneventful; however, without this frame of reference I wouldn't know it. How lucky for you that you found this prior to surgery. Considering how long you've been waiting, you sure don't need any advice.

You'll be in everyone's prayers and thoughts. Have a REALLY good meal tomorrow before you start all the medical stuff. Champagne and everything. And lots of green, leafy vegetables.

Best wishes. All our hearts are with you.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Paul. All the very best to you.Will be putting a few request's in for you with the big guy! Looking forward to seeing you on top of that mountain. Or was that the John Hancock?. In any case, we will walk Oak Street Beach and celebrate.
Godspeed!
Your 'Windy City' friend

 

[epstns]

Hey, Paul,

Our hearts are truly with you -- all of them, fixed and still waiting. Have a fast, safe trip. We'll be waiting for Rain to post of your progress.

 

[Rain]

Gee Whiz!!

Gee Whiz!!

I only offered my heart buddy, Paul, a little advice on tree trimming and gift wrapping?! The possibilities are endless....

But ... ummm... Paul? Does it make your heart flutter? No more lessons for you!!

Now be nice to me or I?m gonna say mean things about you while you?re gone!!

 

[Lorraine]

Paul

We will all have you in our thoughts and prayers. I'm looking forward to seeing you on the other side of that MOUNTAIN! I wish you a uneventful recovery. Will Meet you on the other side! Or was that the top? Or was it the Sear Tower versus the Hancock! Sorry Gina, couldn't resist. We'll wait to hear from Rain! Wishing you the best!