T-minus 36 Hours and counting...

[JCDavis81]

Well everybody, the time has finally arrived. After a wonderful thanksgiving with my girlfriend and her family, I'm back in Durham preparing for my little "vacation." I've got pre-op tomorrow and then surgery scheduled for tuesday. My parents arrive tomorrow and my little brother has sent them with a bag full of DVDs that he says will keep me entertained. He's a thoughtful kid.

I'm ready to go...I've accepted it and all that's left to do is laugh at the absurdity of it all. Every now and again I get a little apprehensive, but as long as I keep busy, I'm fine. I think the morning of the surgery will be the hardest part so hopefully the docs will be liberal in their administration of the happy juice

The best way I can describe the way I'm feeling right now is that it's like being on a rollercoaster in those few seconds before the big drop. I feel like I've been climbing this hill of fear for months and now I'm finally at the top gazing down at the drop ahead of me. Let's hope it's a fun ride.

Thank you everyone for your friendship over the past few months -- I couldn't have gotten through this so well without all of you! I'll make sure to have my girlfriend Nita post an update after surgery.

And to all of my other surgery buddies this week, Michael, Kristi, and Rita Ann, good luck and I'll say a little prayer for all of you. I look forward to trading recovery stories with each of you in the next few weeks!

Best,
Joe

 

[Lynlw]

I'll keep you in my prayers, one of my little heart buddies is 3 and had his surgeries there, I'm looking forward to seeing you post after your surgery, lyn

 

[Karlynn]

Joe,
You will be in my prayers. And I am so glad you have someone posting for you after surgery. As I'm sure you know, we don't wait too patiently for word. Ross gets really antsie and tends to send out the hounds after 24 hours.

I know that your surgery will be very successful and we'll be waiting to hear the good news.

 

[BDMc]

Hang On It's Quite A Ride!

Hang On It's Quite A Ride!

Joe, In reality, all my little speed bumps, (Pericarditis, Pneumonia, Hep. exposure...) were just small bumps in a wonderful ride on the road to recovery! Remember that when they wake you, you'll have that gad awful tube down your throat. You won't be able to speak. Don't be alarmed, they'll take it out pretty quickly. When they took mine out, I called my mother to tell her I'd made it. I was still pretty zonked and blissfully happy to be awake! She was thrilled but shocked too. I have four brothers, and one married a girl that worked in hospitals for years. They snuck into the recovery room to see me. Between them and the two great nurses I had, I felt like I had angels watching over me. The rest seems like a long road, but give yourself time. I think you'll pull through fine! I'll be with you in spirit. Brian

 

[Phyllis]

We know you will do just fine and look forward to all good posts from Nita.

 

[jkn2kids]

Joe,
I'm sure you'll be fine.You are at a great hospital with a great surgeon.We look forward to hearing from you after surgery.

 

[Glenda]

Joe, you'll do just fine and before long you'll be back posting letting us know how you are doing. Hugs and prayers are coming your way.

 

[geebee]

Joe,

We will be right there with you. Sure wish I could be right there with you in the VI recovering too. Actually I did my recovery from my second surgery in St. Thomas and I am convinced it made a big difference.

The nice thing about that roller coaster dip is that it is over before you even have time to think about it.

You will be fine and posting again real soon.

Godspeed.

 

[perkicar]

The other thing about that roller coaster ride is the great feeling of exhilaration when you get off the ride. So hang on and enjoy! You'll do fine. Sounds like there are lots of loved ones there to keep an eye on you.
Glad to hear Nita will be keeping us updated.

 

[OldManEmu]

Joe hope all goes well today and look forward to your first post from the other side. It sounds like you are now handing emotional responsibility over to the medical team and are entering that state of resigned calm that many of us do just before surgery. At least you know what it is like however I am sure you were not planning a rerun this soon! I just hope that this time things last a lot longer than your Ross did.

 

[hensylee]

best wishes and prayers for your safe journey up the mountain this week, Joe. We'll be right here waiting for you and your good news. GODSPEED!

 

[Christian]

Best wishes, Joe. We'll keep an eye out for Nita.

 

[Gemma]

Hi Joe,
Sounds like you've got a great attitude - I'm sure that counts for a big part of how things will go. Looking forward to hearing from Nita in a day or two.
See you on the other side of the mountain,
Gemma.

 

[gezzyman]

Getting it over with....

Getting it over with....

good luck ! hope all goes well !! i had a valve, root and arch repaired 2 weeks ago. You'll find the surgery isnt really that bad and it'll feel good getting it over with. You have alot going for you, your age will speed recovery. The first 2 weeks after surgery is a littlerough but after that youll feell better each day........................

 

[catwoman]

Joe:

Bon voyage and enjoy the roller-coaster ride. Please have someone post how the ride, er surgery, went.

 

[Curtsmum]

Goodluck, can't wait to hear about your recovery, hope we get a post soon. take good care of yourself Paula x

 

[Marguerite53]

Best Wishes!

Best Wishes!

Hi Joe. You sound great. Normal and rightfully apprehensive, but ready for the happy juice and the climb!

I'm glad that Nita will be posting for you. We will really appreciate it.

I visited the Duke campus last summer and drove by the hospital. I was so impressed. You are in good hands. The magnificent chapel on campus would be the vision I'd be keeping in my mind, I think. What a calm, grand space.

Good luck!! See you on the other side, as they say!

Marguerite

 

[liza]

Yay! We can't wait to hear from Nita, so hopefully she will post quickly. It's been fun getting to know you these past few months.

See you soon...on the other side of the mountain!

Liza

 

[athul]

Hi Joe,

Its 11/28. I know tomorrow is your big day. I hope you'll be able to get some rest tonight.
I'm all with ya on the Happy juice prior to surgery.
I just had my pre-op meeting today. It didn't really comfort me much...I think tonight I'll take my first sleeping pill. The anxiety is a bit much this late in the game as I'm sure you know.
Lucky you, you'll be home resting by the time I go in.
I'll be thinking about you in my prayers.

I'll be looking for you on the other side of the ride.
Best of luck!!!

andy
PS I am a Reds fan but a bigger Bengals fan. We may actually make playoffs....been a while!

awaiting AVR 12/5 plus a couple other fixes.

 

[Christina L]

Joe -

Joe -

Thoughts and prayers are with you - you're gonna do fine - with that great attitude of yours you just can't go wrong.

Godspeed -

Christina L