My Mom is having open-heart surgery tomorrow to have her aortic valve replaced. It's my Dad's 90 Birthday, too. My mother embraces life like no one else I have known and she appreciates! She's been through a lot and is the strongest person I know, indeed. Thankyou for listening.

All the best to your mom, Laurie. And happy birthday to your Dad too. Good thoughts and love from across the country to your whole family.

Thankyou, John.

We wish your mom well, and happy birthday to your dad.

Sending supportive thoughts to you and your family Laurie.

-Mary Mowder

Good health to all Laurie.

Wishing you and your family well Laurie. Your Mom, being a 'positive and strong person'...certainly works in her favor.

I wish the best for your parents!

My best to both of your parents, Laurie, and to you, as well.

Enjoy your family now while you can. I lost my brother Friday.

Laurie, I am praying for your Mom. Happy birthday to your Dad! My Dad died 4 months before his 90th. You are blessed to have both of your parents! Keep in touch!

Doug

I'm sorry for your loss, Dennis.

Saw Mom today and she's doing very well, they say. Was up walking- TWICE yesterday and TWICE today.

Mom was admitted Monday at the Ottawa Heart Institute and Tracey picked me up at Algonquin College campus on her way home. We managed to see Dad briefly Tuesday morning on our way back to Ottawa. Surgery went very well Tuesday and Tracey and I saw Mom for a few minutes in ICU about an hour post-op.

We were planning to see her and bring her glasses to her yesterday but the events in the downtown of Ottawa made it seem unsafe and the hospital wasn't sure if they'd be going into lockdown. All injured at the site had been brought to the Civic Hospital which is connected directly to the Heart Institute.

Tuesday we'd been there all day, and Wednesday we were afraid to go near the place.

I didn't think Mom would want us heading toward something like that instead of away from it. The college sent out an email telling people not to travel, but when the power went out I knew we weren't staying here when we have somewhere else to go. Tracey agreed. No one really knew what was going on. What do you do?

People take so much for granted.

And I'm not sure what to say about it, but I think the standard responses are cliché and false, and we're hearing a lot of them. I'll say that much.

Glad you Mom is doing better Laurie.

I'm sure your Mom is glad she raised a sensible family that takes danger into account in their decisions.

Hopefully things will get much better now that she's getting a steady flow from the heart.

-Mary

Thankyou, Mary. I could see a distinct difference in her colour yesterday- lips and fingertips and nail beds a nice healthy pink- and I pointed that out to her. She agreed that's a change for the better, indeed.

Goods news, Laurie. Glad to hear that your mom is improving. I hope your city returns to sense of normalcy soon. I couldn't imagine such a thing happening in my town.

Thankyou very much, Michael.

Laurie, wishing a prompt recovery for your Mom.
pablo

Thankyou very much, pablo.

Hi Laurie,
I just saw this post so apologies for the delayed response. I'm happy to hear your mom is feeling better and Belated wishes to your dad. Bet you make both parents proud.
Take Care!