Oct 24, 2017

Heart Surgery Update




Had heart surgery on Friday, October 13th up at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN. The surgeon cut out of piece of my heart that was too thick and blocking blood flow, and also did some work inside the left atrium of the heart. The purpose of the surgery was to increase the amount of oxygen in my lungs so that I am no longer short of breath, have more stamina, and can up my stamping game!  It is also supposed to delay or prevent the onset of arrhythmias. Oh, and the internal defibrillator I had was removed. Amen to that.

The best part about having the surgery is that I'm no longer debating whether to have it. That amount of anxiety will wear you down. Time will tell whether the surgery was successful but I am already at peace with it.

Now recovery begins. I am very pleased at how far I've come already and hope to be back in my craft room in the next month or so. Thanks for reading this -- my blogging has been intermittent and I am always happy to see that I have folks who are still here.

MOOD WHEN DONE = Grateful for the best husband ever.



51 comments:

cm said...

So great to know you're doing well! May your road to recovery be smooth and quickly traveled! Once you're feeling better, I hope you and your best husband ever (I have one of those, too) celebrate with joy and gusto. We are here...have been and will continue to be.
Hugs~carol

Anonymous said...

Joan, Thankful that your surgery went well and I hope your recovery will go well too. Many positive thoughts for you. I didn't realize you were/are at Rochester Mayo. Folks there helped my husband when he was in pretty bad shape - they do good stuff!
Hope you'll be feeling better and back in the stamping studio soon.
Judy

H. said...

So glad to see this good report! Sending get well wishes from Chicago (I always say this in comments but I'm the govt lawyer who bought used stamps from you when in D.C. for work when your mom was living with you). My husband says tell your imaginary friend Joan get well, too! :-)

LauraJane:) said...

YAY! Praying for a SPEEDY recovery..Good husbands are THE BEST:)))

Beth said...

Glad to hear you are recovering from surgery. Thank you for the update. I enjoy your blog and your stamping.

judy said...

Joan, I have checked your blog over the last few weeks hoping for an update. Glad to hear that the surgery is over and you are recovering! Sending healing thoughts to you. Looking forward to updates on your health and more of your lovely creations.

MyLittleBlueDog said...

Excellent news indeed! Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Hannelie said...

So glad you are recovering so well !
Hugs to you ♡♡♡

Anonymous said...

Joan, I was so happy to see your post today! Wishing you an uncomplicated and speedy recovery. Do the rehab the doctors suggest. Don't be too hard on Mike. ;-)

MA said...

Happy to hear the good news. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
MA in CT

brandco2450@gmail.com said...

Pleased to see your blog today, and I am happy to know your are on the mend.
Take it easy and do what the Docs say!

I Card Everyone said...

I love seeing they didn't remove the fun-loving part of your heart, J.B.! What a great graphic ... what great news!
Of course we're here, and will patiently await your return to the craft room - always worth the wait! a hug for you, and that wonderful husband enclosed...
=]

Suzanne Russell said...

So glad to hear that you are recovering and at peace with your decision and progress. I'm grateful too for an amazing husband and especially happy for you that yours will be there as you recuperate. Best wishes, you will remain in my thoughts and prayers. Looking forward to seeing your next card!

luvhymns said...

Thank You, Heavenly Father for surgery, best hubby, and a better outlook on stamping!!!

Debbie Olson said...

So glad that it is over and you are recovering, Joan!

Diana K said...

Gentle hugs to you, Joan. So happy to hear an update. Hoping and praying for a quick recovery. A good husband is one of life's best blessings.

Ginger said...

Praying for strength, grace and peace as you heal. Please be gentle with yourself. Take time to be silent so that you can listen to what your heart is telling you. Looking forward to your next post.

Helen said...

I am delighted to hear that surgery went well.

Lisa Silver said...

I'm so glad to hear all went well and you are now on the mend! I've been thinking and praying for you!

Unknown said...

I too am very happy that your surgery is behind you and that all went well! Take time for yourself and your recovery. We will all look forward to your next post!

Trish said...

Thank you for the good news that you are RECOVERING from your surgery and at peace with your decision making. I send prayers for your health and comfort! Be well

Dorie said...

Thanks for taking the time to let us know about the surgery. Remember to take it easy, you're lucky to have a hubby that can help get you back to your wonderful self. Mine is such a help, too! Sending you "purple power". It's what old ladies do for each other! LOL!

Cheryl Robertson said...

Joan, so glad you had the surgery and everything went well. I’ve been thinking about you so much the last month and I’m glad you were able to let us know how you are doing. Big hugs!

Jeanne H said...

Adding my best wishes for a good and speedy recovery. Glad you were at the best, the Mayo Clinic in my state! I too had bee thinking of you; thanks for letting us know how you are doing. Cyber hugs to you.

Pat said...

Joan, so glad to read you are recovering well following your surgery. Had to be a scary time & now you can move forward. Take care & don't overdo- it will come. Hugs & well wishes to you.

LaurieJ said...

Hello Joan, thank you for the update. It is wonderful to hear that you have had your surgery and are on the road to recovery. Here's hoping that road is a smooth one. You have been in my thoughts and will continue to be. Hugs to you.

sparkling stamper said...

Very happy to hear your surgery went well. Now you can concentrate on your recovery. Hope to see you in the craft room soon. Start out with short stints, you will be tickled with how much better you feel when you are creating again.

GeeCee said...

So happy to hear surgery went well. Praying for a healthy recovery. Be good to yourself...

Marcia P said...

Very glad to hear that you've had the surgery and can focus on your recovery. And buying more stamps and using more stamps! The world would be a less shiny and sparkly place without your sense of humor and your beautiful cards.

Karen @ Misplaced Mojo said...

So glad to hear good news in this update! I totally understand and appreciate the sentiment of no longer debating whether to have the procedure, or worrying about it after having deciding to do it. Now you can just rest, heal... and do a little online retail therapy buying some new stamps and dies until such time as you can get back to the craft room to actually use them ;-) Wishing you peace, strength, and continued healing in the coming weeks!

Susan said...

Happy to hear that your surgery went well. Take care of yourself.

JanetB said...

I was happy to see DEAR PAPERLICIOUS in my mailbox, today. AND glad to know you are doing well. That anticipation is so hard, glad you are done with that! You are brave, you are strong, you are loved:)

Patt H. said...

So glad to hear that the surgery is over & you are doing well! Your positive attitude & delightful sense of humor will help a lot on your road to recovery. Will keep you in my prayers.

Margarita Navarro-Rivera said...

So glad to hear that your surgery went well. Prayers for a every speedy recovery!

vdoyle8 said...

Wow Joan! I'm so happy for you that your surgery is behind you. Prayers for your speedy and complete recovery.

Teresa Doyle said...

Hi Joan, I'm so very happy that you've had your surgery and that it is a success so far. I am sure that if you are already feeling some improvement, that should be a good sign! I pray for a full recovery for you. All the best!

Janelle said...

What wonderful news, Joan. I'm glad you're feeling positive about the op and how you're recovering. Here's to a fast and full recovery. Big HUGS :)

Meg M. said...

Such wonderful news. I hope you were able to enjoy some of Minnesota's beautiful fall colors while you were here. I also hope that your recovery is smooth and at a pace that works well for you. Sending hugs and gratitude for your wonderful husband and great care team.

Betty said...

hi joan - i have been waiting and praying for this good news ever since the 13th - it all sounds so good for you and now can pray that the healing will continue and soon you will be back in the craft room - when i was recovering this past summer making cards was the best therapy!

Denise said...

Such great news!! Sending you well wishes!!!!

TK said...

Blessings and healing to you, Joan! What a tremendous amount of stress for you, I'm thankful that you can now focus on getting better and getting back to stamping!

Leslie Miller said...

When I didn't hear from you I was pretty sure you'd had the surgery, so I stayed quiet and waited. This sounds like good news to me. There has to be some benefit to removing the thickened obstruction. You'll probably heal up and feel so good you'll be surprised by how long you felt bad. I can imagine how your anxiety has lessened. I've been away for a few days so I'm just now reading this, but now I'm doing the happy dance for you until you're able to do it yourself.

Unknown said...

As always, your wicked sense of humor makes me smile. LOVE the photo with your blog title. Praise be given you made it through and you are on the road of recovery. It is always a good day when I see Dear Paperlicious in my In Box.
Lu C

Sharon said...

Glad your surgery is behind you and went well! Wishing you a speedy recovery!

sue t. said...

I am so happy you have this behind you Joan. I am sure you are ready to get on with your life. You have been very brave throughout this whole ordeal. You have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!!

Tammy said...

I'm so glad to see this update from you, wishing you a complete and speedy recovery.

Sabrina said...

I have been MIA from blogland and just catching up. I hope you are continuing to make a good recovery, and will enjoy a better life without that shortness of breath.

Unknown said...

Sending you big hugs & prayers, my dear! Hoping you feel stronger each day!

Cindy O said...

I enjoy your cards and your writing - Very glad you're in the post-surgery recovery phase. Wishing you strength and rest for your healing.

Marie said...

So glad you are "alive" Joan. It almost sounds like you are lively as well. Miss your blogging; I hope you are back at it soon. I hope you have an especially great Thanksgiving and will be thankful that you made a good decision about your surgery.

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