I have to say that when we arrived at the hospital I was dreading what was ahead. Then when the Dr. had to go through all the risks and had me sign wavers I was ready to grab my coat and walk out! I so did not want to do this! Then Jeff and I had some time to ourselves and he just held me and prayed with me, and I kept thinking that this is a Children's Hospital, so many children have to be going through much worse trials than this, and God granted me a great peace and answered so many prayers though this!
First, I was able to stay awake (which is what the Dr preferred) during the entire surgery! It lasted 2 hours. I had a MP3 player going in one ear, but that eventually fell out and I was so amazed with everything I wanted to pay attention. They said, "Look at this screen, we're in your heart!" I thought for a moment and said, "Hmmm, I don't feel you in my heart." That was good, because I wasn't suppose to! My hole measured 3/4" and the Dr. showed me the size of the amplatzer before he put it in. The Dr. was teaching another student so I got all the good explanations too! Once it was in he didn't like the positioning so there was a tug of war to put it back in the catheter and readjust it. I felt my stomach getting a bit queasy then, but it was quickly back in place and they were packing up and heading out.
They were quick to feed me in the recovery room and we were there until a little after 3. Prescriptions, and instructions and some pictures to take home and show the kids and we were on our way out.
Jeff and I stayed at a hotel near the hospital that first night, and I'm so thankful I didn't have to ride all the way home! I was exhausted walking to the lobby and fell asleep in the chair. I couldn't walk to our room so he pushed me on a luggage cart right to the bedside where I took a nice long nap. As soon as I sat up and got a drink of water he was at my side from the other room. We ordered room service and enjoyed a nice evening together. Well, I think I dosed through most of it! ;-) We had a leisurely morning, Jeff woke up before I did and had juice and muffins waiting for me. We got home yesterday shortly after noon, to a wonderful welcoming committee! The kids had all sorts of stories to tell.
My heart is throwing fits which they said it would. Like your body tries to push out a sliver that doesn't belong, it's not happy that the plug is there, but it will adjust eventually. I've had to increase my beta blocker which makes me really tired and lethargic, but my heart doesn't hurt so bad, so a trade off I guess. My leg is sore, but everything went really well. Amazing! Now to do nothing for 3 more days! Mercy! After that I can resume exercising and anything else as normal life. I don't even go back to this Dr. for 6 months. I will go back to my other heart Dr. in a week or so to make sure there is nothing else contributing to my problems. So God is good! His mercy and grace is amazing! I can already see so much good that has come from this trial! We've all had a good dose of trust and thankfulness!
Mark 6:50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
Hebrews 13:5 [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
From the Kids
Mom and Dad both called and talked to everybody tonight. Sounds like they are doing well and will be home some time tomorrow morning.
We had a fun, laid-back day here. All of us except Lydia got up at 6 to see them off, and then all of us except Robbie went back to bed. Daniel came to wake up Ben at about 9:30, saying "We saw a pheasant outside and we're going to see if we can scare it!" Ben eagerly climbed out of bed and headed outside. They got about 10 feet away from the rooster before it flew up, and the boys were pretty excited about that.
Grandma came down to stay with us - Grandpa was going to come too but ended up with bronchitis. :(
After lunch I announced nap time, and Ben told Grandma "I didn't sleep very well last night, because Daniel woke me up really early to go look for the pheasant." We all laughed at him. It was fairly dark out at 9:30, so it was a logical mistake for a 4-year-old, but we thought it funny nonetheless.
After naps Lydia was coloring on a piece of paper and handing it to Grandma. Grandma would pretend to read a note - "Dear Grandma, I am going to Australia to see the koala bears. Love, Lydia" and hand the piece of paper back to her. Lydia would giggle, scribble some more, then hand it back. Grandma said "Dear Grandma, I have run away to join the circus. I am going to be a clown. Love, Lydia" Lydia looked at her for a second, then said "Gamm-a!" in a terribly cute tone - as if she was trying to say, 'Come on, you know I'd never do such a thing!' It sounded so grown-up, it was hilarious.
We have been so blessed by all of the wonderful meals that friends have brought - we won't have to cook for the next week, at least!
The other piece of news - Joey lost one of his front teeth tonight. :) He got to call Mom again and tell her all about it. His smile looks so cute!
Have a good night, everyone,
(though I suppose by the time you read this, it will be morning :)
Megan
We had a fun, laid-back day here. All of us except Lydia got up at 6 to see them off, and then all of us except Robbie went back to bed. Daniel came to wake up Ben at about 9:30, saying "We saw a pheasant outside and we're going to see if we can scare it!" Ben eagerly climbed out of bed and headed outside. They got about 10 feet away from the rooster before it flew up, and the boys were pretty excited about that.
Grandma came down to stay with us - Grandpa was going to come too but ended up with bronchitis. :(
After lunch I announced nap time, and Ben told Grandma "I didn't sleep very well last night, because Daniel woke me up really early to go look for the pheasant." We all laughed at him. It was fairly dark out at 9:30, so it was a logical mistake for a 4-year-old, but we thought it funny nonetheless.
After naps Lydia was coloring on a piece of paper and handing it to Grandma. Grandma would pretend to read a note - "Dear Grandma, I am going to Australia to see the koala bears. Love, Lydia" and hand the piece of paper back to her. Lydia would giggle, scribble some more, then hand it back. Grandma said "Dear Grandma, I have run away to join the circus. I am going to be a clown. Love, Lydia" Lydia looked at her for a second, then said "Gamm-a!" in a terribly cute tone - as if she was trying to say, 'Come on, you know I'd never do such a thing!' It sounded so grown-up, it was hilarious.
We have been so blessed by all of the wonderful meals that friends have brought - we won't have to cook for the next week, at least!
The other piece of news - Joey lost one of his front teeth tonight. :) He got to call Mom again and tell her all about it. His smile looks so cute!
Have a good night, everyone,
(though I suppose by the time you read this, it will be morning :)
Megan
Update on Mom
We just heard from the hospital and Mom's surgery went great, everything went as scheduled. They are going to meet with the doctor at 11:30. Thank you all for praying!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Still awake...
Rachel Wissmann wrote this song to encourage her father, and it has greatly encouraged us well.
I Am Your Shield
My child, are you discouraged
by the sorrows of the day?
Does it seem that life is crumbling,
the skies are turned to grey?
Don't forget, I gave you promises
To guide you every hour.
In the moment of your heartbreak,
Let Me show you My great power.
And I will be your shield,
When the battle rages on.
And I will be your light,
When the way ahead is dark.
I will be your strong tower,
To guide you every hour.
Just place your life completely in My hands.
I know it won't be easy,
I never said it would.
But My grace will always be there,
My plans for you are good.
Remember that your weaknesses
Are perfect in My sight.
Only when you yield them to Me,
Can I turn them into might.
And someday you will understand
Why I sent this trial.
And someday you will see the end,
And know it's all worthwhile.
And I will be your shield,
When the battle rages on.
And I will be your light,
When the way ahead is dark.
I will be your strong tower,
To guide you every hour.
Just place your life completely in My hands.
I Am Your Shield
My child, are you discouraged
by the sorrows of the day?
Does it seem that life is crumbling,
the skies are turned to grey?
Don't forget, I gave you promises
To guide you every hour.
In the moment of your heartbreak,
Let Me show you My great power.
And I will be your shield,
When the battle rages on.
And I will be your light,
When the way ahead is dark.
I will be your strong tower,
To guide you every hour.
Just place your life completely in My hands.
I know it won't be easy,
I never said it would.
But My grace will always be there,
My plans for you are good.
Remember that your weaknesses
Are perfect in My sight.
Only when you yield them to Me,
Can I turn them into might.
And someday you will understand
Why I sent this trial.
And someday you will see the end,
And know it's all worthwhile.
And I will be your shield,
When the battle rages on.
And I will be your light,
When the way ahead is dark.
I will be your strong tower,
To guide you every hour.
Just place your life completely in My hands.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Night Before
I should have guessed that sleep was not conducive to the night before surgery. Daniel stayed up a bit with me and we made blueberry muffins for everyone to enjoy in the morning. And before we knew it Megan and Matthew joined us for a condensed version of Phase 10. Everyone else is sound asleep!
So I came across this video that you just HAVE to watch. I know our world is over loaded with these things, but this is my absolute favorite! I have met Chris Klicka before and have watched his health decline over the years as we have seen him at home school conferences. I wish I would have said it myself, but I couldn't have said it better than he did.
Chris just recently passed away. What a hero!
So I came across this video that you just HAVE to watch. I know our world is over loaded with these things, but this is my absolute favorite! I have met Chris Klicka before and have watched his health decline over the years as we have seen him at home school conferences. I wish I would have said it myself, but I couldn't have said it better than he did.
Chris just recently passed away. What a hero!
Rainbow Promises
When we were little, Mom did this craft with us. I remember helping her do this craft with her 2-year-old Sunday School class. Remember trying to see how many fruit loops dipped in the powdered sugar glue we could eat before Mom caught us. :)
Some things never change!
On the back of the paper plate is written, 'God keeps His promises'. And He does - always and forever.
Some things never change!
On the back of the paper plate is written, 'God keeps His promises'. And He does - always and forever.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Ready....Set....
The Dr's office called this morning and we are all set to go for surgery on Tuesday the 27! It should take about 90 minutes and he prefers me to be semi-conscious through it all. I'm not certain I can pull that off, but I'll certainly give it a try. That's a week from tomorrow!
Jeremiah 33:3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'
Jeremiah 33:3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'
Friday, October 16, 2009
Eventful Week
Last Sunday afternoon Jeff had the yonger kids squirrel hunting and I was on the eliptical when my heart started beating out of my chest. Robbie had to take me to the hospital, he was concerned following the speed laws with his permit and getting me there quickly, that was pretty cute actually! By the time I got in all was settled down and checked out fine, 4 hours in the ER and one poke. But I did get it recorded on my heart monitor. I also had a nose bleed and Jeff spent some time on the web searching for something to match my symptoms.
I called my heart Dr. on Monday and he said my monitor showed SVT (Supraventricular tachycardia) where my heart just spins out of control for a bit. We asked if there was a concern for blood clots, we had traveled over the weekend and did a lot of sitting, and I had some trouble with that about 6 years ago. Dr. said a simple blood test would exclude any concern so we went back for another poke, which took two tries. It's called a dedimer test and levels should be under 500, mine were 1209. So after an hour of the blood test the Dr. told us to get to the hospital immediately concerned about a PE (Pulmonary Embolism - blood clot). They did a CAT scan and thankfully all checked out okay. We got home at 3:30 am with 4 more pokes, they had to call in a special IV team to find a vein.
So I've started a beta blocker to control the SVT, and went to see the only Dr. in the state that fixes ASD (Atrial Septal Defect, hole in my top chambers of my heart). He spent about 90 minutes with us explaining what an Amplatzer Septal Occluder is. He said my hole is a half to 3/4 of an inch. His office will call in the next few days to schedule surgery. You can see a non-graphic video of the proceedure here, and www.aboutheartdefects.com has more information, it's absolutely amazing the wisdom God has allowed doctors to have!
If anything my vocabulary is increasing rapidly, and we're talking more and more in abbreviated form! LOL!
Pro 3:5-8 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.
I called my heart Dr. on Monday and he said my monitor showed SVT (Supraventricular tachycardia) where my heart just spins out of control for a bit. We asked if there was a concern for blood clots, we had traveled over the weekend and did a lot of sitting, and I had some trouble with that about 6 years ago. Dr. said a simple blood test would exclude any concern so we went back for another poke, which took two tries. It's called a dedimer test and levels should be under 500, mine were 1209. So after an hour of the blood test the Dr. told us to get to the hospital immediately concerned about a PE (Pulmonary Embolism - blood clot). They did a CAT scan and thankfully all checked out okay. We got home at 3:30 am with 4 more pokes, they had to call in a special IV team to find a vein.
So I've started a beta blocker to control the SVT, and went to see the only Dr. in the state that fixes ASD (Atrial Septal Defect, hole in my top chambers of my heart). He spent about 90 minutes with us explaining what an Amplatzer Septal Occluder is. He said my hole is a half to 3/4 of an inch. His office will call in the next few days to schedule surgery. You can see a non-graphic video of the proceedure here, and www.aboutheartdefects.com has more information, it's absolutely amazing the wisdom God has allowed doctors to have!
If anything my vocabulary is increasing rapidly, and we're talking more and more in abbreviated form! LOL!
Pro 3:5-8 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.
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