John Cochran recovering

[Deb C]

Hi...John Cochran cannot post for himself right now, but he wanted me (I am his wife, Deb) to let everyone know he is recovering...he is at Sister Kinney Institute in Minneapolis. He had multiple strokes following another valve replacement surgery on October 13, 2005. Evidently the CryoLife SynoGraft (homograft) valve just disintegrated and he needed a replacement right away. (He would like everyone who has these valves to keep in close contact with their cardiologists - seriously!) The strokes have impacted several of his gross and fine motor functions, but they are coming back slowly. His memory and other cognitive skills seem to be very good (he is VERY happy about that!). All-in-all, considering where we've been, his prognosis is positive. I know he has made so many friends and has appreciated the support of everyone through this website. We are planning to have him home by Christmas. Deb Cochran

[hensylee]

Oh, Deb, this just makes me cry. John has been with us for such a long time and your are going to hear from all of us that he is (and you, too) in our prayers until he is out of the woods. Thank God that his memory is in good condition and I pray that all the rest will come on back quickly. Never give up on it. My dear Joe had a stroke and his functions came back for a long time. Please tell John that I am so sorry and that he is certainly going to be thought of by VR until he comes right back to us. Hang in, Johnny - we are right here waiting. Blessins........

[Granbonny]

I am so sorry to hear about Johnny..Like, Ann said..he has been a favorite on VR.Com for many years....Yes, he will have many replies to this thread..be sure and print them off and take them to him....Johnny, get better soon. Bonnie

[Nancy]

Thinking of you often, John. I've seen Joe through so many terrible things, and thought sometimes he would never recover, but he did 'cause he's a tough guy. You are too. Little steps at a time, and no giving up. Being home by Christmas will be the greatest gift of all.

Deb, wishing you all the best and please take good care of yourself during this terribly stressful time.

God Bless.

[geebee]

I am so very sorry to hear of John's setback. Thank you, Deb, for letting us know. John was in good condition so, hopefully, that will contribute to a full recovery. Even baby steps are helpful when they keep moving us forward.

Please give him our best and the same to you. Please don't forget to take care of yourself as well.

[rbl1999]

I am with everyone here in wishing John all the best.... And also to you, please take good care of yourself, this must be very difficult for both of you... Rose

[KimC]

Deb,

I'll keep you and John in our prayers! Please let him know that we're thinking of him.

Blessings,

[Phyllis]

So sorry to read of John's troubles, but glad that he is improving and the prognosis is good. Please give him our very best wishes and we hope you have him home soon. Thanks for posting and please remember to take care of yourself as well.

[Ross]

I sent you an email you can share with him when you get to work to get it.

John this is one of the reasons why when I never heard from you, I tried tracking you down. I wanted to keep in touch and keep tabs on ya. I know life moves on and such, but you made a big impact on me during my hard time and well you just made me feel like you were my big brother. You still are! For whatever reason this has all happened, try to remain positive throughout the frustration. I remember having to learn how to walk again, talk again, write again and what it was like to pick up the phone and want to call my wife, but my fingers would not press the numbers I needed to dial. Beleive me, I know about the frustration. Just get well and get home. Please oh please keep in touch from now on.

[Karlynn]

Praying hard for John and for you, Deb. I'm so saddened to hear of his setback and I pray he continues to be positive and courageous.

[Marguerite53]

Hello Deb. Thank you for posting for John. I wish you nothing but continued success as you both work hard on his recovery. We are all thinking of him here!

Best wishes.

Marguerite

[Mb]

Dear Johnny:

I don't post as much as many here, but I've been here for over 4 years now. Saw Deb;s post, and decided I would say hello, and wish you the best in your recovery. Long road. But, at least you are still standing.
Merry Christmas - Marybeth

[Christina L]

Thinking of you and praying for a swift recovery. So sorry to hear of this setback but it sounds as if you are on the mend and quickly! Thanks Deb for posting.

Christina L

[Kathleen]

Please send my get better wishes to John. This is a tough one to handle. I have been with the cardiologists and surgeons at Abbott for 27 years. Sister Kenney is a wonderful place to be when you need them. I will send him good thoughts from just down the road in Shakopee.
Kathy

[bvdr]

Johnny, I'm so sorry you have this to go through. It is one of those sombering events that make us all not only uneasy but also thankful for the extension we were given to our lives by valve replacement. You are in my prayers.

[LUVMyBirman]

Dear Deb,

Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. We are all wishing you a speedy Johhny! Have been out of the loop here for many many months. Was not aware you went in for another surgery.

Take good care. Looking forward to speaking to you soon:)

[Yaps]

Oh how scary, am praying for a speedy recovery.Love the pup

[gijanet]

but I am grateful to hear that Johnny is making good progress. We will certainly keep him in our prayers. Many hugs and thanks for updating us. Janet

[OldManEmu]

I am sorry to hear that John had this set back. I hope he improves as expected and that you can spend Christmas away from the hospital and with his family. :)

[epstns]

Deb,
I'm one of the folks here who are still waiting for our first valve surgeries. Johnny has been an ongoing inspiration to many of us, helping us through the fears and anxieties of our own paths over the mountain. That he has been handed this burden, after all he's been through, is unfathomable. I know, though, that his spirit and will can overcome the issues and that he will again be there -- for you and for all the rest of us.

Thank him, and tell him that our prayers are always with him. We'd sure like to hear from him when he's back home, too!

[Curtsmum]

Sorry to hear such sad news, please wish Johnny a speedy recovery and i pray that he will be home for christmas Paula x

[Glenda]

Deb, I'm so sorry to hear about John but we have to keep the faith that he will get better and this will all be behind him. My prayers for you too. It's so hard on the care taker. You keep well and take care of yourself too. Thank goodness he is going to be home at Christmas. Hugs and prayers are coming your way right now.

[Marty]

Thinking of you John. From the way it sounds you will make full recovery. We'll be interested to know what you have found out about that Cryolife valve.All the best Marty

[Johnny Stephens]

Last week, I was looking through some old VR.com printouts that my wife brought to me in the hospital 3 years ago. John's encouragement came shining through just as it did 3 years ago.

John, I'm sorry to have read about your recent setback, but I feel confident your deep knowledge and research about your condition will pay off big for you now.

Here's to being home for Christmas - you're in my thoughts. Hang in there!

[Ben Smith]

John,

You know that you are & will be in all ofo ur continued prayers.

Take care & stay positive !!

Ben

[Cris N]

John -
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you fight this battle. From what Deb wrote it sounds as though things are looking up,

Deb - take good care of yourself.

Cris

[PJmomrunner]

Maybe it's the season, but I keep thinking of the Abominable Snowman in the old Rudolf the Rednosed Reindeer animated movie as he sings, "Just put one foot in front of the other and soon you'll be walking out the door!" Keep at it John! We're all pulling for you.

[Mary]

John,
You're in my thoughts, and I will keep you in my prayers, as you continue on your road to recovery.
Mary

[Harrybaby666]

What an aweful thing to happen, but I am glad that things will get better for you...Your in my prayers...Harrybaby:D :D :D

[Chrisandgary]

Sorry to hear of the setback - hope all is only upwards from here. Will keep you in my prayers - remember little steps at a time - each week will seem a dramatic improvement.
Chris and Gary

[aussigal]

I want to add my prayers for Johnnie and Deb..

May God get you home for Christmas...

Blessings

[sylviayasgur]

hi deb,
thank you so much for letting us know about johnny...
i remember back when he had his surgery (and wasn't it filmed?)
i'm sorry he (and you) had to go through this setback, but we have faith in him_ he's a good fighter.
please let him know that he is in our thoughts and prayers.
being home for christmas will certainly help, i'm sure.
wishing you both all the best.
take care, sylvia

[Creed3]

I am so sorry to hear about your setback. I am definitely praying for you that your recovery will go well. Hang in there.

Take Care!
Gail

[Rebecca]

Thank you Deb for keeping us posted on John recovery. I will always remember John posting about the time he gave the shirt off his back to the outside workers at your house because they needed some rags to clean up the work site. Thinking of you and praying for a full recovery for John.

[nia]

Deb and John, I am sorry to hear of what happened. I had multiple strokes prior to my MVR. It's been almost 2 years, and fortunately, there are no effects left from the events. Everyone recovers at a different rate, so please take your time. Please take care and have a wonderful holiday season.

[Nan]

Hi Deb and Johnny, just adding my voice to all the others with best wishes for a full recovery....sounds like that is happening. What a lot to go through!

[Ross]

I want to share this with everyone here. Despite Johns long grueling road to recovery from the strokes, he won first place in some Karate games. I know I'm darn PROUD of him!

I'll leave this up only for a short time since I don't know what's going on in his life. John is a very good and dear friend of mine.


John be that guy holding all the trophies on the left. ;)

[Phyllis]

That sure is inspiring, Ross. My congratulations and very best wishes to John.

[Ross]

He looked fluid and pretty dog gone stable in his moves. Not bad for a guy that was told he'd never walk again.

[Karlynn]

Congratulations to John!!!!!!!

What an inspiration!

[WayneGM]

That is excellent. Very inspirational.

[Nancy]

Oh WOW! Congratulations John! You look terrific! Good for you!

[Jkm7]

Congratulations, John. Sending you all good thoughts.

[aussigal]

Congratulations John....what an inspiration you are...a fabulous recovery story for those who have fears about things going wrong.

Well Done!

[hensylee]

tol ja so!

I just read the first post on this thread. It was mine and I said John should never ever give up. he could come back given time and hard work, as my dear Joe did. And just look at him. I am so tickled my heart just grew some when I saw him standing there smiling and with trophies in his hands. We are so proud. You go, John.

[Curtsmum]

Wow, he looks great, a inspiration to us all. Hope everything is still going so well. Deb and John you are in my prayers.

[srwieland]

Congrats John! I hope you see these messages.

This is great news for me, especially, since I am also about to undergo replacement of my SynerGraft valve like John had to replace which I understand led to his strokes, etc.