I wanted to thank everyone so much for all of their love and support throughout this process. All of your calls and emails have truly helped me keep smiling and I feel so  lucky to have such wonderful friends and family.

If I haven’t returned the call or email please forgive me — and know that post-surgery I will have a ton more energy and be able to keep up with everything and everyone!

The Cleveland Clinic asks all of their patients to update a web page to share information and thoughts with family and friends. (They provided me with a template but I’m using this one instead…much easier!)

So here goes….

A little history for those I haven’t spoken with in a while.

My cardiologist at Northwestern told me in November that I needed to have heart surgery to repair a severe leak in my mitral valve. I had not been feeling well for some time but I had no idea it was my heart.

My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, January 8 at the Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute with Dr. Marc A. Gillinov.

The plan is to repair or replace the faulty heart valve.  If you are interested in more information on the procedure or the surgical team — the links to the right have detailed information.

I will be in Cleveland for almost two weeks and I understand in bed for much of it so I would love to hear from you. Please email or call and of course, sign the guest book. Marc will try to update everyone as soon as he can.

I’m looking forward to sharing many more good times with you all and can’t wait for a great 2008! My best to everyone for a healthy and happy new year!

-Jill