Expectations and Hopes

Today was another one of those days of little surprises with Larry's recovery process. I wonder if I will ever learn not to have expectations. When I drove to the hospital this morning I was fully expecting to bring Larry home today, but arrived to learn that it wasn't a good night. To top that off, soon after his breakfast was finished and Sherry was given her break from watching over him, he suddenly got nauseated and upchucked his "cookies". Within five minutes of receiving an IV injection for the nausea, and konked out -- sound asleep for the rest of the morning.

About mid-afternoon he konked out again and slept until supper time.

Tomorrow is a new day.

New Mercies Every Morning

Larry is doing much better today than yesterday! Right now he is sleeping peacefully. "We" (he and I) just finished taking a shower together. His nurse came in and said it was time for his shower, and that I could help him if I wanted to, as long as she was in the room. So, while she was changing the sheets on his bed, we succesfully accomplished his first shower. Fun!

Yesterday was another tough day for him, still in quite a bit of pain whenever he went too long without the next pain pill. Last night he went into ä-fib (crazy heart rhythm) that was pretty scary for awhile, and required a bit of quick action. At long last (sometime after midnight) his heart began to settled down, so Jim and I went home. Sherry has been doing bedside vigil every night with her dad, sleeping in the reclining chair beside his bed, so we can get our rest for the daytime needs. He may be sent home tomorrow, depending on whether his heart rate stays stable for 24 hours after his episode last night.

He is beginning to look a little "normal", for which we are so very thankful! God impressed upon my heart this morning that His mercies are new every morning. From this point on, I think Larry and I both will look at each new day as a gift from God.

Oh, and I have to begin a new career as nurse and caretaker for the next couple of months or so. Plus I have to relearn cooking -- heart-healthy meals only, because I do want to keep this wonderful man and best friend around for many more years to come!

God's Goodness is Amazing!

Yesterday was a tough day for all of us, but God brought us through it just fine! God is good!

Friends and pastors surrounded us with loving care and prayer throughout the entire day and evening. We truly felt God's presence through all these precious people who gave up their time to spend with us. Then there were also the many emails, phone calls, and blog comments that brought smiles to us in those moments when we could take a few minutes to check for messages. He used everyone of you as His channel of support, comfort, and encouragement for our times of weariness. Throughout all of these days we have experienced many wonderful little "God-moments" that have lifted our hearts as doctors have cared for Larry's heart.

Speaking of "God-things" and doctors . . .
Larry's anesthesiologist is a Christian -- what a delightful surprise and blessing! He, along with the guy pushing the gurney, came to get Larry for surgery on Saturday morning. Would you believe he prayed with all of us when we got to the operating room? Yup! It was his idea! As we got to the place where they would take Larry through the double doors into the surgery area, and pointed out the waiting room to us, he said, "Let's stop and join hands around Larry, and pray. He led in prayer! It was an awesome moment that I will never forget. That's just one of many amazing God-things that have happened during this time.

Tonight is the first night I have been at home before 10:30. And, even alone actually! I chose to leave my husband in the company of our son and daughter tonight and treat myself to some alone time at home before it gets late. I had phone calls to make to return messages, and blog updating to do, and knew it would do me good to have a little quiet time for awhile. So, I took care of myself, and allowed them the time with their dad.

Larry is doing very well! This afternoon he was released from Cardiac I.C.U., and is back in a regular room on the cardiac care floor. He had quite severe pain off and on until the middle of the afternoon today. But, after they removed the chest tubes, his pain level dropped substantially. He's still on oxygen, and several different medications being dripped in through IVs, but really doing much better tonight.

Thanks again for all of your prayers and well wishes. We love you!

EXPANDED Update (from Jim again...)

Surgery is long since over. I've been waiting to post an update 'til he was awake, but we're still waiting, so here's the latest:

Dr Swanson (the lead surgeon working on dad) came out around 3:15 to let us know that the surgery had been succesful. 5 bypasses were done. Dad did great and everything else was fine. We saw him around 5pm and he looked good considering what he's been through. He also seemed to be responding to our voices. The nurses have decided to keep him out of it for the afternoon and into the evening, but he should be coming out of it soon. We're heading back to visit him again now and get the updates...

Jim

Update (from son, Jim)...

Hi blogging world, this is my first ever post on a blog. Sorry for the circumstances of it... but happy as well as I'm reporting the latest we know.

We received a call from the OR nurse a little before 3 reporting that they successfully did 5 bypasses and are in the process of closing up shop currently. We'll still be an hour before we get to see him and likely longer than that until he's awake, and then a bit longer yet until he's breathing on his own again. Then begins the long road to recovery of 2 to 3 months. At that point he'll be good as new (which is better than he's been for quite a while).

Thanx for your prayers. God is good!

Jim

Surgery Update

Larry is still in surgery. At 12:30 we were informed that he was doing well. They had just finished "harvesting" the veins and arteries to be used in the bypasses. Preliminary expectation at that point was to do 5 bypasses. He was hooked up to the heart-lung machine and the second half of surgery was ready to begin. It was expected to take two more hours, which means he could be done about 2:30 our time. We've had various close friends with us all day so far, which has provided wonderful support, prayer, fun and laughter for all of us.

Please keep praying . . .

Thanks!

No cell phone use

Thanks for your prayers and well wishes -- so much needed and appreciated!

We are spending all of our time at the hospital, and cannot use cell phones on the cardiology floor. So, if you want to contact us, please send an email, since we are allowed to use a computer. Son Jim is passing his computer around for our use.

Larry is currently being prepped for surgery and will be wheeled away within the half hour (soon!). Please keep praying as you think of us.

Thanks so much!

To let you know...

Sorry to inform several of you this way (instead of phone calls), but we're in the hospital and this is the best way to get word out quickly:

Larry has been in the hospital since Thursday evening with heart trouble.

He is having open-heart surgery tomorrow (Saturday) at 10/10:30 A.M. to do multiple by-passes (5-6 possibly). God has been good and we have one of the best open-heart surgeons and team in a well known good cardiac hospital. He is feeling ok. Surgery should last 3 to 4 hours. His hospital stay should be 5-6 days. And his recovery should be 2-3 months. Docs say after that he should be good as new.

Wee Bit O' Wit

Are ya bein' a twit?
Are ya throwin' a fit?
Are ya stuck in a snit?
Then get up 'n git!
Jump outta that pit!
Take a break for a bit.
Find a place you can spit--
See what ya can hit.
Rest your mind while ya sit.
Determine to quit
Squeezin' that zit!

Where did this wee bit o' wit come from? I have absolutely no idea! I was just lounging in my bed, enjoying the cup of coffee my dear husband had brought to me, marveling at the lovely view out my bedroom windows (the full moon still visible in the marbled waves of the light morning sky), when all of sudden this silly rhyme began building itself, unbidden, yet determined to continue forming. Finally, it demanded that I get out of bed and transfer it from a short memory to a hard drive!

Welcoming Autumn

Today was a beautiful first day of autumn!

I awoke from a good night sleep, refreshed and ready for a new day!
The church service was very good!
Lunch out with friends was so enjoyable!
My power nap on the couch was incredibly renewing!
Our long walk in the fresh air (pleasant temperature and quiet, peaceful surroundings) was simply delightful!
The evening snack was tasty, and the book I've just begun reading this evening (Every Living Thing, by James Herriot) is such a satisfying read.

Yes, it has been a very nice day, and God is so good to give us another day to enjoy with Him.

And, now I'm looking forward to starting another new day tomorrow morning.

My Wishes for You

Thanks!

What a delightful day I enjoyed yesterday! Thanks to all who participated in the celebration of my birthday!

A Girl Named Jeannie Annette

Little girl, with eyes of blue
and golden locks with redish hue.

Wonder and trust, in a heart so true,
Ready and willing for a life brand new.

Learning to walk--falling down too,
Learning to talk--though words were few.

Loved and loving was all she knew,
Receiving and giving as she grew.

Growing up was really tough to do,
But God's help was there to see her through.

Receiving His grace and mercy too,
Finding His promises always true.

Looking back on the years--how they flew!
Each day brought challenge and hope anew.

And, through it all, indeed I grew,
As only victories cause one to do.

Growth isn't finished till life is through;
How long I'll live--I haven't a clue!

So, day by day, I'll continue to do
whatever God shows me is right and true.

Once upon a time . . .