A Heart for Christmas | Or Not

The call came at 12:45am. “We have a heart for you,” the voice on the other line said. I was in shock. I had prepared for the call but because it came early Christmas morning and the fact that it was a real call left me speechless and emotional. We had until 2am to get to the hospital. The operation would take place at either 6 or 7am.

I called my parents to meet us at the hospital. They called my siblings to let them know what was going on. Early that night, we had all gathered with the husbands, wives, and kids for our annual Christmas Eve dinner at my parents. It was a great night. We had a special family prayer and the kids acted out the nativity. My wife and daughter left to go home at 11pm. Before putting my 3-year-old daughter to bed we each opened a present. We put her in bed and then Santa came. Then the phone rang.

We arrived at the hospital feeling a great sense of peace and comfort. The time had come and I was ready. Nurses began the preparations. Everyone was extremely positive and saying things like, “Merry Christmas!” and “What a great Christmas gift.”

I received a rather larger IV and a lot of blood was drawn from my already existing picc line for lab work. They had me wash my chest and groin area (where the major arteries are for the heart lung machine) with special medical soap. It was a little cold. Then surgeons came into my room a little before 5am and told my wife and my parents what was expected. He mentioned the “difficulty” of my particular case because of my heart’s anatomy. It would be challenging to get the old heart out. There would be a lot of bleeding. He said, "There is an 80% chance we'll have to go back in later to help stop bleeding." He said chances are I might not make it. Although he had to talk about the downside or the surgery he also mentioned they have an 80-90% success rate with these surgeries on post fontan patients. But, the harsh realities left me a little depressed but I still felt great peace. I had understood the depth of this procedure previously but when you are minutes away from it actually happening life becomes quite sobering.

They came to get me at 5:20am and before the anesthesiologist took me into the operating room I talked briefly with my wife and parents. I kissed Lynnette, told her how much I love her, and then headed down the hallway.

In the cold, brightly lit, O.R., nurses lifted me from my bed onto that firm, narrow, operating table I have become familiar with over the years. I received a dose of versed (Midazolam) for anxiety and preparation. Before I went completely under we were waiting to hear from one of the surgeons, who had gone to harvest the donor heart, if everything was absolutely perfect and good to go. About 30 minutes later the news came. “The new heart had a problem undetected until they looked at it face to face and would not work,” they said. It had an aneurysm which would require some additional surgery on top of everything else we're dealing with.

I didn’t know what to feel. Shock? Relief? Disappointment? I have felt all of those things. Nonetheless, we called it off.

Lynnette and I came home 5 hours later to Christmas morning. My daughter, who had been taken good care of by my sister n’ law, asked if I brought her a sucker from the hospital and things seemed back to normal. I was anxious to experience Santa with my child. One of the gifts from Santa for my daughter was a Fisher Price Medical Kit. She practiced giving shots to me and listened to my heart beat.

I am thankful for the love and support of my family and friends, particularly my sweet wife Lynnette.

This is a roller coaster of emotions. In a way, this experience seems like a brief 2nd opportunity of time before we find out the real outcome of my life’s journey. I am ready for another call but for now I’ll enjoy this weekend with my wife and daughter as we humbly celebrate the birth of the babe in Bethlehem some 2000 years ago.
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Time, precious time
How quickly the leaves fall from the tree.
Time, oh precious time
In a blink of an eye a child grows old.
And in the pursuit of joy and happiness
Lies time
But quickly it fades
And all we have are memories
Precious moments
Remembered in time.
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The Blessings of Christmas

Two months ago all I could do is lay around because doctors were trying to figure out how to get my heart failure under control. I was in need of a serious tune up.

Whether it's a consequence or not, I was humbled to learn that my family, friends, fans of my music, and those I don't even know began praying for me.

I want everyone to know that God is good to me and loves you because for the past two weeks, as we get closer to Christmas I have felt great. Not 100%, but well enough to get out a few ours each day. Well enough, to make gingerbread houses with my kid. Well enough to laugh and enjoy this time of year. And it's because of prayer and the wisdom of my doctors that I am tuned up for a time. And what better time than Christmas!

Prayer is gift. Life is a gift. Family is a gift. And I am more than happy this particular time of year to celebrate the Birth of our Lord.

Ridin' The Hoverround in Costco!

Man, I can't believe how much fun it is to drive a Hoverround scooter all over Costco! I had seen how much fun the folks were having in those commercials during my daily watching of "The Price is Right" but I never new it was true. The other thing that amazes me is that you can scoot around Costco in less than 20 minutes and still spend almost $500.

On a serious note; and in regards to my PLE (Protein Losing Enteropathy), I finally learned the importance of avoiding fat food. The more fat I eat the more protein I lose from my system. I am also losing a lot of blood in my intestinal tract too. This is also another contributor to my anemia. I am greatly motivated to eat less fat and continue eating a ton of protein.

At Costco I bought protein bars and shakes for my diet. I am also eating a lot of meat, eggs, and anything else with protein. Of course, it is still difficult to avoid some fat.

Overall, it's been a good week. I'm stable and have been fortunate to ride a scooter in Costco for a few hours and go to Church for an hour. Life is good!!

106 days on the list. 15 weeks. All is Well.

106 days on the list. 15 weeks. Any predictions?

Despite the minor physical anxieties of waiting for a heart, always wearing oxygen, taking a bazillion pills, giving myself shots twice a day, and carrying around a bag of medication going directly into a permanent IV in my right arm, I have the larger anxieties experienced by those who are sick for a long time and happily married. Keep in mind that I am too tired to stay busy so all you have to do all day is think and reflect. Above all, you hope your wife, the love of your life, is happy, fulfilled, and appreciated because of her sacrifice, service, and love.

My dad is a journalist and once interviewed one of my hero's Howard Hunter, a former spiritual leader of the LDS church and community giant. The man was soft spoken and humble despite his enormous list of credentials and accomplishments. In the interview my dad asked about all the years that Pres. Hunter tenderly cared for his sick wife who later died in a rest home. "How where you able to do that all those years?" my dad asked. President Hunter with some emotion and pause in his voice said, "She would of done the same thing for me."

I'm also reminded of another time that I was at Bryner Clinic in Salt Lake to see my family doctor. While waiting I observed a feeble old woman waiting for the pharmacist to complete her prescription. She was with her husband. They were both very old, petite and weak. She sat in a wheel chair and was so tired that her head kept falling backward. And I watched this husband, who stood by her side, hold her head up, even though his hands shook and they had to wait for some time. I think he held her head for 20 minutes.

I also remember while serving a mission for my LDS church I was responsible for several missionaries of which were an old couple serving in a small mining town in California. Like all of our missionaries they were responsible to knock on doors and share a message of love about Jesus Christ. The wife had really bad arthritis and knees. At many times she couldn't use her legs because of the pain. But, she didn't want to give up. Her husband drove them in the car from house to house. He would get out and knock on the door while his wife waited. If people said yes to letting them he'd go to the car, open the door, pick up his wife and carry her into the home so they could do what they loved to do most which was bring hope to people through their message.

These several experiences that I observed are always on my mind. And I hope I get the chance to show the same expression of love and service for my wife who has so kindly sacrificed, served, and loved me through this experience. It is much easier to serve than to be served.

Happy Thanksgiving!

At this time of year I am extremely thankful to all of you for your thoughts, prayers, and fasting. I am at peace with my health and look forward to living the next chapter of my life. But, I'm so happy to be feeling better than I was several weeks ago when all I was doing was laying down on the couch, in bed, or in the hospital.

This time of year is very meaningful to all of us and I am happy to have most of my family in town to help them enjoy my favorite meal; Cooked Turkey wings or legs, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Stuffing, Veggies, and Pumpkin Pie.

God is so good to us even if we are going through difficult times. Incidentally, I was able to go to my Church this past weekend. After not attending for several months I forgot how special the feeling is when I go there. The warmth of people who love God and their love and friendship for each other is something I wish everyone could enjoy. I know God loves us and we can feel that peace from Him during our trials if we work within ourselves to let Him in. From my experience it's expressing and focusing on our pure gratitude and thanksgiving of all the things in our lives regardless of our difficult circumstances that brings His love.

My Health is Steady | 90 days on the List

My health has been steady the past two weeks since the heart cath. And I realized I've been on the "waiting list" since August 20th. That's somewhere around 90 days. I'm sure I've got 90 to go or more until I get a call. There's no doubt this holiday season will be very special for our family.

I found something fun on NOVA's website. Now you can perform your very own Heart Transplant in 19 steps. Of course, my operation will be extremely more complicated that this normal procedure. But, good luck! CLICK HERE
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Also, sitting at home I have had a lot of time to reflect. And I remembered a video I've shown at my concerts that comprises some old film footage of me as a child with my sisters and little brother. Very Nostalgic. The tune is called Sacred Nature II from my Faithful album. My family has always been the rock of my life. They continue to sacrifice their time and energy to help my wife and I with our daughter and countless other things. I wish everyone could have this comfort in his or her lives.


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Cabin Fever. . .

Anyone ever felt this?

Cabin fever

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the psychological condition. For other uses, see Cabin fever (disambiguation).

Cabin fever is a slang term for a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group is isolated and/or shut in, for an extended period. Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, forgetfulness, and excessive sleeping.^[1]

The origin of the term is unknown, but was first recorded in 1918.^[2] The term may originate from the United States during the time when settlers would be snowed into their log cabins in winter and would have to wait for the spring thaw in order to travel to town.^[3] The phrase may also be associated with ocean-crossing sailing ships in which passengers had to endure weeks and months of slow travel while living in cabins below deck.

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I have cabin fever... like a person stuck on an island...I am able to move around the house but it's hard going anywhere. I spend my day listening to music, sleeping, listening to my daughter play (which is my favorite part of the day), watching The Price is Right and 24 hour news, reading the Book of Mormon, and watching the clock...

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Getting Out!

I was finally able to get out and do something other than travel to a hospital which felt really good. I went and voted early and then hit the drive through of "Crown Burger" with a friend. In addition, I went with my wife and daughter to my sister's home so Eden could trick or treat with her cousins. For a little girl who is always wearing princess dress ups she wanted to go as a spider. It was cute.

I saw my cardiologist Angela Yetman today and things looked stable. I'm giving myself lovanox shots twice a day to help me absorb protein.

I'm wearing oxygen 24/7 at 3 liters and I carry around the milrinone medication pumping into my arm through my picc line (there are 2 pictures to the right of the picc).

It is difficult to shower. But, I am grateful that these things are giving me more time while we wait for my heart.

Incidentally, I was moved up on the list to a status 1B. What does that mean? You're either a status 7, status 2, status 1B, or status 1A (I guess because they can't count from 1 to 4). To my understanding, and I might be wrong, a 7 is a person who has a hard time qualifying for a heart because of other disease, infection, weight, and more. A 2 is a person who needs a heart but they're at home and able to go to work or they are somewhat stable at home. A 1-B is in and out of the hospital, receiving medication through a picc full time, and other difficult issues. The 1-A's are in the hospital and don't have vey long. So, it certainly is an unusual situation because there are plenty of people who need a transplant of some kind. There is a great web-site with data about the list and those waiting or donating. CLICK HERE

Heart Cath & Stent Done

I'm home after Monday's heart cath where they also put a stent in the right pulmonary artery. I feel much better. They were not however able to upgrade the use of my pacemaker. Oh Well. I'm home!!! I'm still a little tired and in bed most of the day but I am with Eden & Lynnette.

Home for the Weekend| Back to the Hospital on Monday

After a difficult week of being in the hospital to help me with my exhaustion my cardiologist pulled some strings to get me home for the weekend. My daughter has been sleeping at my parents home and also at my sister n' laws home. My wife has been working. So, I am happy to be with them for this short weekend. Tomorrow, after church and a nap my wife will work a night shift. I'll be with my daughter at my parents overnight before I go back to the hospital on Monday for several more days of procedures and minor surgery. I will have another Heart Cath and they will put a stent in. They may also change my pacemaker. Then I'll recover for a few days.

While in the hospital they inserted a pick line (mid line) so I could be on a new medication. I am also taking lovenex shots twice a day. In addition, and the most difficult thing is that I am wearing a defibrillator life vest 24 hours a day in the event I have a horrible arrhythmia or heart attack. It is like sleeping on 4 rocks and a think hard cover book. Because of these and other issues I was moved up on the list.

I am sick. It's sometimes difficult and frustrating having no mobile freedom. I am not allowed to drive with the vest. And I rely heavily on my wife and family for support. But, I know God has blessed me. Though there is suffering, I know that He cares for all those hurting. We feel His love and strength through the service of others. It's so important to strengthen our family relationships. There will come a time when you will need them. I am grateful for mine. I wish everyone had the support I do. But, sadly many do not and it breaks my heart. We need to reach out to those in need.

On a spiritual note; there were a couple things this week that helped me greatly. One, prayer. There were nights in the hospital where I felt like I wouldn't be able to make it through the night. But, it was the prayer with my wife, and on another night, my mother, and on another night my father. I felt peace and comfort from that simple principle of opening up your heart to God and thanking Him for all that is good in our lives. The other thing that helped me is a beautiful message on "HOPE" by a man I greatly admire Dieter F. Uchtdorf. Read his discourse.

Back In The Hospital. . .

I've been in the hospital all week and this is the first time I've had a chance to write. I became so weak that they admitted me. Much of my care has been transferred to a children's hospital because most of the experts that have worked with me once a week through a clinic in another hospital could manage my care more closely because they're always here.

I am anxious to get home. On Monday I'm scheduled for a couple of minor procedures; a heart cath, possibly a stint to help get more blood to my lungs, and maybe a new pace-maker. Lucky me!

I'll try to write later and keep you posted! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

The Deseret News Story

Feature editor and my friend Carma Wadley wrote a beautiful article that was in last Sunday's Deseret News Life section. I hope you enjoy her story.

Life-giving expressions: Pianist Paul Cardall celebrates life as he awaits heart transplant

Read the article

(Picture by Stuart Johnson, Deseret News)

"I've never done a whole CD that is so personal," pianist Paul Cardall says of his new autobiographical album, "Living for Eden."

My Glorious Medications!

I take all of this candy throughout the day. A few of them I take twice. We're trying to be weaned off a few of them.

3 Day Stay at the IMC Hotel

When they started me on the steroids two weeks ago my blood sugar shot up from 100 to 450. Very dangerous. My stomach and legs blew up with fluids from all parts of my body. I went home today after being in the hospital now for 3 days with IV diuretics to get rid of all the excess water along with protein infusions. It has been wild. They're slowly taking me off the steroids because they're not working to solve a serious issue of my body not being able to absorb protein ifor my body. The biggest concern of my doctors has been the Protein losing enteropathy (PLE). That would be my leading cause of death if it worsens before the heart arrives. A new heart would cure me of this disease.

Incidentally, I went in weighing 155 lbs (8 above my normal weight) and left home today at 132 lbs.

Here is a youtube video that reminds me of my experience.

I'd like to add that the new Intermountain Medical Center where I do my clinics and stayed for the past 3 days is remarkable. Those who care for me are some of the finest people in our Salt Lake community. The hospital is a non-profit organization and their interest is the patient. They are true professionals and that's why I call it the IMC Hotel (5 Stars).

Thanks for your continued prayers and support!

YOUR HEART vs. MY HEART

So what is normal?

To the right is a a picture of a normal heart and an imperfect version of my own. (You can make it bigger by clicking on it).

You'll notice I have no right ventricle. Oh well. So to my understanding, the non-oxygenated blood comes from the body into the homemade right atrium. The non-oxygenated blood swirls around like a round about and goes and flows, hopefully, into the left ventricle. (There are usually two valves or doors for the blood to flow in but my "tricuspid valve" is not there.) Thus, my congenital heart defect properly titled, "Tricuspid Atresia." Oh yea, my main arteries were reversed at birth giving me the other titled, "Transposition of the greater arteries or TGA."

WEEK 5
Since I was listed I had been feeling ok, laying around, most of the time. Last week doctors turned up my pacemaker, upped my dose of synthroid, and gave me a large dose of Steroids. It was like night and day. I felt great for a few days and had a lot of strength. Plus, I watch more baseball. But, the side effect now is more swelling in my legs and stomach.

THANKS
I want to thank everyone for all their prayers and fasting on my behalf. I can literally feel the arms of God around me through your prayers, service, and love. There is great power in prayer and they are answered. I'm overwhelmed by the support we have received. We love you all!

Still Waiting for a Heart!

Why couldn't I be back on the North Shore waiting for a heart. Of, course I wouldn't make it if they paged me. Darn it!

Week 4 - Crank that Pacemaker!

Today my congenital heart doctor Angela Yetman had my pace-maker cranked up! I went there exhausted. Tonight, I was able to attend a Church service project. So knock on wood. . . Regardless, I am still listed. I basically need a tune up to be strong enough for the surgery. Oh yea, I carry that pager everywhere. . . They also ordered some steroids to help me since my body won't break down protein. And I'm not even competing in the Tour De' France.

Life is good! My 2 year old daughter Eden is very imaginative these days. She is in the princess stage. She wears these outfits that she refuses to take off. And the kid says to me, "You wear your oxygen." Or, "Lie down Daddy." How cool is that? She's a doll.

Week 3 - On the List - And some thoughts

I am in my third week waiting for a heart. It could be up to a year so I don't have any anxieties. Both my wife and I continue to feel the comfort and peace we had hoped for in this process.

We've been fortunate not to have Lynnette working for the past 16 months because we've enjoyed the benefits of COBRA insurance. She loves being a stay at home mom and I love having her around. Eden and I are sad to see her going back to work so we have good medical coverage for what lies ahead. Lynnette works in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at the new Inter-mountain Medical Center. I know that if I had a child in the N.I.C.U. I couldn't ask for a better, kinder, more beautiful nurse. She is very good at what she does. And I admire her abilities. It is a difficult job.

We have an incredible family who is going to help us out when Lynnette works. My daughter, with all of her beautiful energy of life, can be tiring and ware you down. But, I think every parent understands this whether you're in heart failure or not. So I look forward to spending a lot of time with Eden before I get the call.

In regards to waiting for a heart and experiencing the symptoms of heart failure, I've known challenges like these throughout my life and I believe it is because of our faith in a loving and understanding God that my family always seems to grow closer together during these difficult times.

You can't know the sweetness in life without tasting the bitterness of life. There is no reason to blame God for what we are subject to. I believe we chose to experience earthly life as part of a three act play in the eternal nature of things. We are in the second act. God knows what's ahead for us in the third and final act. Like any loving parent, he loves seeing us grow and mature from the choices we make. But above all, at times we make poor choices or are hurt by the choices of others, and like the child who falls from a bike and cries for their mother and father, there is a loving Savior who is there to wipe away our tears and heal our wounds.

Watch a Heart Transplanted

It's awesome what you can find on Youtube. Here is heart transplant procedure on a normal heart. Of course, my surgery will be a lot more complicated because of my heart's anatomy.

WATCH A TRANSPLANT

MY BRIEF MEDICAL HISTORY | Potts Shunt, Endocarditis, The Fontan

BRIEF HISTORY

I was born in 1973 with tricuspid atresia and transposition of the greater arteries. I was not getting any oxygen in my blood for the body. I was a blue baby. Within hours of being born my body was rushed to the children’s hospital where Dr. Conrad Jensen (former partner of Russell M. Nelson, M.D.) flew home from a medical conference to perform a Potts shunt when I was 22 hours old. Before going into surgery my parents overhead one of the doctors say, "We're going to lose that kid." The Potts shunt allowed me to enjoy a fun childhood. I played baseball and ran around the neighborhood. But, I would stop to rest. I loved scouts and the outdoors. I was fortunate to get my Eagle before I turned 13.

One week after my eagle award ceremony and in August 1986, before 8th grade began, I developed endocarditis, which doctors could not find for almost a month. I was losing weight and in serious heart failure. After three MRI scans they found the walnut size blister full of staff infection in the section of my heart that Dr. Conrad fixed my heart with the Potts Shunt. (I should include here that the MRI came to Utah 6 months before I got ill. This technology helped save my life). Donald Doty, M.D. opened me up and removed the infection. He performed a new technique, which allowed my life to continue. But, he said within a year I would need a reconstructive heart surgery called the Fontan.

School had begun and I was home-schooled for a month before I could attend. I remember my first day back. Because I still had a poor heart I was pale, blue, and weak. I remembering walking up the stairs to my health class for the first time. I sat in the back. My teacher said, "You ok?" And in front of the class I broke down crying. She took me to the teacher's lounge and gave me some food. She went back up an told the kids about my heart and the word spread through the school. Kids were kind to me. The girls called me "Purple Plum." I didn't mind. And the end of the year the kids elected me student body historian. Summer was coming and that meant the Fontan surgery.

In August of 1987 I went in for the Fontan. It was a difficult procedure. Not only did they have to re-create a right atrium but they had to figure out how to deal with my reversed arteries. It was a difficult surgery. Doctors implanted a pacemaker, which would fail within days, so they moved it to my abdomen because the leads are screwed into the outer walls of the heart muscle since my anatomy won’t allow them to flow in through the arteries. After my recovery I went back to school and life went back to normal. I was no longer "Purple Plum" because there was great coloring in my face and nails. Two months after the surgery I rode my bike from Salt Lake to Draper. It takes 30 minutes to drive there.

Since that time I’ve had 5-6 pacemakers replaced. I came home a month early from serving a 2 year church mission because the battery was very low.

I married my amazing wife who loves the medical field and is a nurse. What a blessing!

Doctors replaced defective leads almost 5 years ago by going into the heart through some ribs below my left breast.

I’ve been in the hospital for endocarditis once more, which I beat after three weeks thanks to great new antibiotics.

I’ve been in for pneumonia and the flu among other minor issues.

But, for the most part I have had an extremely healthy “feel good” type of a life.

Good News!

We got a call this morning from Latoya informing us that I am now listed for a new heart. Man, it is kind of wild. . . sobering. . . and surreal. . .

On Friday I get a pager and if the batteries work they'll contact me at anytime. It might be 2 weeks up to 1 year. The heart needs to come come from at least 50 miles from Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah. When they have a potential great match for my body the pager goes off and I head to the hospital with my 72 hour kit (or things I want to have for recovery). I have one hour to get there. In the meantime a thoracic surgeon travels to where the new heart is and carefully removes it from the donor. He or she will have a good idea from there if it will be a perfect match and if so they prep me for surgery. The thoracic surgeon brings the new heart to the hospital where Dr. John Doty will carefully remove my bad heart. Incidentally, he is the son of Donald Doty who did my 2 previous open heart surgeries where I almost died. So, I know I am in good hands. (The father has worked on the engine and can tell his son what is in there.)

This is a very difficult surgery because of my heart's anatomy. And there will be a lot of scar tissue from the surgeries I had early in my life. Finding the good tissue among the bad will be tough. He has to cut in the right places.

We have every confidence in the transplant team and in Dr. John Doty. He is a man of faith and said to me personally, "We will not lose you!"

Please pray for my wife Lynnette and daughter Eden. Pray for Dr. John Doty and his team who will determine the best heart for me. And most of all pray for the family whose sacrifice and tragedy will bless our family. I may never meet them or know of their loss.

What gives me comfort and peace? The love I feel from my wife, family, and friends. Thanks to all of you we literally feel the arms of God around us.

I also find great comfort in my faith. I know that God lives. Jesus is the Christ. He is my friend. Life is part of a three act play. We are now experiencing the challenges of the 2nd act. In time, all of us will begin act three as we wait for the resurrection made possible by Jesus Christ overcoming death himself. All of us receive that gift.

Some of us may need a physical transplant but we must also, all of us, experience a spiritual transplant. I strive for that every day of my life because I know I am far from perfect in kindness and friendship. But, through faith, repentance, and baptism we may begin the process of having spiritual heart transplant made possible by the suffering of our Savior in Gethsemane and on the Cross.

We all have are own challenges. . . I'm content. I could always be living in the country Georgia with Russians dropping bombs on my home or in Dar-fur with all my family and friends brutally murdered by genocide. . . . etc. etc. or even worse I could be considered a friend of Michael Jackson, Paris Hilton, or Brittany Spears.

Meeting the transplant team

My wife and I, along with my parents, met with Latoya, a coordinator with the heart and lung transplant team. We, went over all of the aspects of being listed and receiving a heart. There is a lot of work put into the process. One is required to be in somewhat good condition so the heart will not be rejected. There are about 30 on the list in Utah. And they have over 90% success rate for the first year.

Later, we had a memorable meeting with John Doty, the son of Donald Doty who performed both of my previous operations. He studied at Georgetown and then John Hopkins. He was so positive and expressed his desire to be the one to do the surgery. He said his Dad wants to be there as well. He said, “We are not going to let anything happen to you.” I know they will do an extremely professional job. He is a great man just like his Dad. (Donald Doty served as a general authority Seventy and was a surgical partner with Elder Russell M. Nelson, an apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)

On Tuesday they will present my case before the board and there will be a vote. I’ll know in a few days if we move forward. But, I'm confident it will go through. Since my first meeting with Dr. Renlund (also a area seventy) I have had various tests and a lot of blood work. These things don’t bother me.

I have received nothing but support from family and friends. People are so good to us. And I thank everyone for their faith and prayers on my behalf. Also pray for the family whose tragedy and sacrifice will create new life and another chance for me and my family.

Possible Heart Transplant

Hi family & friends,

A little more boring news "all about me" . . but, I want you to know what is going on and encourage you to keep most of all my wife Lynnette, daughter Eden, and me in your prayers (along with everyone else in the world that needs our prayers). We could really use the help.

After reviewing my tests from last week's procedure which was difficult to recover from doctors told us today what needs to happen. . Transplant if I qualify. This Thursday I will meet with the heart & lung transplant team to begin further testing and discussion to determine if I do qualify for the heart transplant. There are a lot of details. Most of the doctors in our community familiar with my case believe I should have the transplant as soon as possible because of how damaged my right atrium is. Blood is just swirling around in there like and having a hard time leaving to the lungs for oxygen. There is another more difficult option but it was ruled out because my body is not strong enough. Regardless by the end of the year I may be having major open heart surgery. . . If I get a transplant there are good chances of living a little longer and enjoying all of you.

A little wild! This is very sobering for us at this time but we have hope and faith in God's great plan of happiness. Leaving the hospital everything outside seemed more beautiful and the music on the radio felt more alive. All is well in Zion!! Pray for our little family.

WE LOVE ALL OF YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP & LOVE!!!

paul


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"Dearly dearly has he loved.
And we must love him to.
And trust in his redeeming blood
And try his works to do."
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My Heart Defect

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to write to let everyone know that I am feeling well and thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Our family is really blessed! And we feel it from you. We will find out on Tuesday what the doctor’s plan is for me and my future after they study through the test results of my Heart Catheterization. I've had them several times and usually it's like going to the dentist for a root canal. No big deal. But this one was a little wild.

They put me completely under for the procedure paralyzing my muscles temporarily so I would not move. Then they thread a small tube up through an artery on my left leg. The shot some type of dye and were able to map out my heart and view things they can never see externally. They learned that the left side of my heart is functioning really well and was miraculously in sinus rhythm (normal heart rhythm). But, the other side of my heart, where the right atrium has been blowing up over the years like a balloon full of blood that swirls around, is having a hard time finding where it is supposed to go. It’s cutting off blood flow to my lungs and I get less oxygen to my body.

Waking up from the procedure was uncomfortable. My body was put completely under. They give you a little something to help your body start up again and pulled a tube from my throat which was helping my lungs expand so I could breath. But we ran into a problem and for almost 2 hours my lungs struggled to take over the breathing process. I felt like I was drowning or had a bag over my head and just trying to grab on to something to try and get a good long breath of air. It was not fun. But, I’m glad it’s over and they have great information to evaluate my case.

I've been blessed my whole life to have this heart defect. I am far from perfect and needed this in my life to teach me things I could have never learned without it. I want to live a long time and enjoy my family and the life I've been blessed with. With every struggle I continue to be reminded by a sweet feeling of peace that our Savior, and Messiah Jesus, his atonement, & resurrection, are real truths. God is my friend. And I know everything works out according to His plan of happiness and purpose for living.

So again, I will find out Tuesday what they would like to do. All the prayers and fasting will undoubtedly influence their decision. Thanks for everything . . . Let us also know if any of you are having some challenges that we should pray for.

All the best,

Paul