First and foremost, a BIG THANK YOU!!!

In the past 24 hours I have been so overwhelmed by messages, phone calls and even a telegram--first one I have received in years and years!!!!--from people wishing me well, offering to come down and stay with me and/or just to wish me the best.



I have heard from people who have gone through open heart surgery telling me the positives and negatives and from those who have had relatives and friends who have gone through it successfully--of course I haven't heard from the ones who haven't been successful but that's understandable!!! LOL

I've gone through a bunch of emotions since I received the news and won't deny that a lot have been negative revolving around whether I even want to go through with the surgery. My main thought is the quality of life if I have it done (which does involve the risk of death) and/or if I don't have it done which will definitely lead to death but, maybe, on my own terms.

After reading the booklet pictured above, the letter from someone who cares (which I have decided to post as my next blog) and speaking to Allen who has been through it (which I didn't know!!!) and doing some research I called the surgeon to set a date--more about that in another blog of which I plan to do a series "The journey on the way to open heart surgery" or something like that.

I would really like to hear from people who have had their aorta valve replaced telling me the negatives AND positives--what happened after the surgery, length of time in hospital and length of time of recovery.

For those of you who offered to come and stay with me, those who wanted me to stay with them, who sent their love and support, well wishes or expressing the thoughts like I am to ornery to die, etc, I give my heart felt (even with a bad aorta valve!) thanks and send my love in return.

A TELEGRAM?!?!?!? I didn't even know Western Union was still in business!!!