Celebrate Life Concert Tickets onsale Monday

Tickets to my first public concert event go on-sale Monday morning at 10am (MST). You don't want to miss this special concert in one of the finest venues in the country, Abravanel Hall. There is a limited number of seats. Me and my family, band and full ensemble want to see you there!

The direct link to purchase your tickets tomorrow (Monday, 10am) or to learn more information visit: http://www.arttix.org/tickets/production.aspx?performanceNumber=4692

Thanks!

Paul Cardall
www.paulcardall.com

Building a SnowMan

Eden and me are staying quite busy enjoying the falling snow and another season of our lives. I don’t believe anyone could have thought I’d be home in October building a snowman with my girl. What a miracle.

Photo: Playing in the snow with Eden

Looking back to where our family was last year I read a section from my October 5, 2008 blog entry showing some of the challenges we were faced with. It read:

“After a difficult week of being in the hospital to help 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."

Needless to say, life is now back to normal. My wife still works her nursing shift at the newborn intensive care and I am thankfully able to attend to Eden.

Life could not be better!

Whether I am walking in the morning or riding my brother's bike in the afternoon I am exercising each day.

Most people don't realize a transplanted heart has no connection to the brain. It works independently. I'm amazed.

There are a few minor challenges in adapting to a new organ. I believe I have one of the best organs a recipient could receive because of how my body is responding to exercise. I didn't know this type of energy existed.

The following is a deeper explanation of how my new heart functions.

Photo: Last year at this time with Eden in the hospital trying to get my body stable to endure the waiting process

How your new heart responds to exercise

Healthwise

http://www.revolutionhealth.com

During your transplant surgery, some of the nerves that help control the function of your heart are cut, which results in your heart being slower to respond to exercise. In a normal heart, an increase of cardiac output (the total amount of blood that leaves the heart) is a result of an increase in heart rate as well as stroke volume (amount of blood leaving the heart per beat).

In a transplanted heart, however, this increase in heart rate is delayed, and instead your stroke volume provides the amount of blood that your body needs. Your heart rate will increase if you exercise hard, but only after your stroke volume can no longer provide enough blood to your body.

This is important to know, because it means that your heart rate will not increase when you exercise the way it used to with your old heart. Also, your new heart will have a higher heart rate when you are resting (about 95 to 115 beats per minute bpm]), as well as a lower maximum heart rate when you are exercising (about 150 bpm).

Therefore, measuring your heart rate is not a good way to measure how hard you are exercising. Instead, you may need to monitor other signs such as blood pressure, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and shortness of breath while you are exercising

Your heart rate may be highest right after you finish exercising and will remain high. You will also need to give your new heart longer to cool down afterward.

Due to this delayed heart rate response to exercise and the smaller-than-normal stroke volume, your overall exercise cardiac output may be lower than that of the average person. This means that you may achieve a lower overall cardiovascular fitness level than if you had an original healthy heart.

The Strength to Listen

Each week as I attend my transplant clinic at Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City I run into other families with a child who has a heart defect or is waiting for a heart transplant.

This past week I was fortunate to spend a brief moment with Lucas and his mother. They checked into the hospital in the room next to me shortly before I left home. Lucas needs a heart soon. He is a sweet infant with a beautiful smile who gets the affection of the nurses who cared for me.

In Lucas’s room I could feel God’s love and I know He is deeply involved in their battle. I was honored to be in the presence of Lucas.

Photo: Visiting with Lucas and his mother Kristin while he waits for a heart tranplant

As I was leaving the hospital on the elevator after visiting with Lucas I accidentally got off on the wrong floor. These things are not a coincidence because I was fortunate to run into Briton and his mother Stacee.

I was wearing my green mask since I was in a public environment, which protects me from catching the flu or a cold while my immune system is worse than a newborn child. Unfortunately, my mask frightened young Briton.

I felt bad and offered him my Three Musketeer candy bar I had just purchased. I had a good time talking to them and know God is deeply involved in their lives.

Briton received the Fontan procedure several weeks ago and is doing quite well. He should have a long life ahead of him. The fontan has greatly improved from the time I had received it more than twenty years ago.

As I visited with these two families I again realized that even though I feel a season of victory there are others in the midst of a hard battle.

Often, so many of us are oblivious to what’s happening next door or in our own homes.

I hope I never forget or lose sight of the fact that there are children and adults throughout the world in need of our kindness, love, prayers, and a little help.

My scars are reminders.

Photo: Visiting with Briton and his mother Stacee. He is recovering from the fontan surgery

You and I can only do so much. We can improve the world by choosing to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort.

I believe God will guide us to where we need to be to serve others.

If I've learned anything at all through my experiences it is that I know God is the Father of us all. He loves his children more than we can imagine. We can trust in Him.

No matter how much we do or try to do to help in the end it's the love of God that is going to help ease the pain and suffering of others. I felt His love through the kind acts of others.

Of course we need seasons to celebrate!

However, I’ve learned that even though we are in a state celebration or like we don’t have a care in the world, we should have within each of us the strength to listen to our impressions and be ready to go and do all that is asked of us.

So what can we do today?

Instead of focusing on everyone we know with a trial try selecting one person in need and go and do something about it. Maybe that means offering up a prayer, sending a thoughtful e-mail, making phone call, delivering a kind note, or simply listening to their burdens without saying much. Be a listening ear and enjoy the time you have with that person.

By doing this you’ll find more peace and happiness because you’re thinking of others.

My Special Announcement: CELEBRATE LIFE WITH ME!

A year ago when I was listed for a heart transplant I put my music career on hold because of my extreme fatigue and the unique dilemma. I canceled over 25 performances and asked another record label to release my "Sacred Piano" album. It was hard to be away, but a poignant time for my family.

Now that I’m healthy and have the energy I never knew existed, I'm thrilled to announce my first public concert event in my hometown of Salt Lake City at the elegant

Abravanel Hall on February 15, 2010.

Come celebrate life with me as I share my music and journey accompanied by a full band, string ensemble, and several guest musician friends.

I wish those of you living outside of Utah could join me. Hopefully, I'll be able to come to you soon.

As part of the celebration we will host a silent auction, which will provide “The Living for Eden Educational Scholarship” for a couple of kids with congenital heart disease.

My friend's at the Baron Music group are organizing this wonderful event. They led the effort last year by hosting The Living For Eden benefit concert, which greatly helped our family through a difficult time. Many of you came and witnessed one of the many miracles that takes place as a community gathers around one of its own.

Tickets go on sale November 2 through all ART-TIX locations or by calling 801.355.ARTS or ordering online at www.arttix.org

I hope you’ll spread the word. Feel free to copy and paste the image to your blog or facebook page.

Please join me in walking down memory lane and looking ahead to a bright future. February 15, 2010 will be an evening to remember. Bring your family and friends.

For more information:

http://www.paulcardall.com

Sponsors include; Intermountain Healing Hearts, Intermountain Donor Services, and KSFI FM100.

A Bike and Answers to Prayer

In addition to this new entry please come back on Friday for a very special announcement!

One of the last e-mails I received from my brother Brian who tragically died this past summer wrote to me, “I am excited to see what you accomplish with 100% capacity post transplant! Maybe we should get you a road bike or some skis or something.”

Photo: I'm wearing a mask in public because of the amount of immunosuppressant drugs I am taking to prevent organ rejection. So far all testing shows I have little if any rejection.

In the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) as I recovered from an beautifully orchestrated surgery I noticed I had never felt so alive. Blood was flowing through my body and I could feel it giving new life and energy to my soul. With an ambitious spirit I said to my wife, “I am going to get a bike and ride around like a silly little boy.” Doctors advised me to wait 6-8 weeks for my sternum to heal.

I was anxious to buy a bike but my family kept telling me not to go out and buy one yet because my sister in law Anna had a connection with one of the local bicycle shops. We spoke over the phone. I mentioned to her what Brian had said to me in one of his last e-mails. She said, “I know just what you need and what Brian would have gotten for you.” I trusted her instinct.

As I anxiously awaited word, I set aside some money I had been saving to help pay for my new joy ride.

Photo: Following Eden on a bike ride at sunset

The other night as my family gathered at my parent’s home. It was a beautiful evening with the leaves changing colors. My mom said, “Let’s go outside while the weather is still good.” I said, "I’ll be out in a few minutes." I was transferring some video my dad had taken of Eden and me up the canyon.

I walked outside to find everyone smiling. I looked towards them and saw a beautiful black road bike lying up against a chair on the grass where my sister in law Anna was standing. She had found me a bike.  And this was not your average bike.

I could barely contain myself I was so excited. Then, my heart was overwhelmed with emotion when she told me, “It's Brian’s bike. He used to ride this thing around like a silly little boy going off jumps.” I had no idea my brother had a bike. He never told me about it and there are no photos. Overcome with joy, I asked, "What do I pay you for this?" She was insulted and said, “I’m not going to sell you Brian’s bike. It’s yours. He wants you to have it.” Thank you Anna.

We all miss my brother.

Now that I’m alive and recovered, I think about Brian’s death each day. I remember sobbing like a child over his casket with oxygen tubes in my nose. Many of my tears are buried with him.

Since his tragic death I have asked our Heavenly Father, the creator of all things, in humble prayer, “Why Brian? Why not me? I’m the sick one. He’s thriving. He’s amazing. He has plenty of time to do many many great things.” I carried this with me until the day the call came a heart had become available.

In the quiet moment of night, prior to my life-threatening surgery, came the tender impression from our Father in Heaven, which said to me, “I need him.” Comfort filled the room and my body experienced a powerful sense of peace and solace. My old heart burned and felt empowered. Then I felt another impression say to me, “I need you here.”

I have no doubt, when all is said and done, and I’m finished with what I want to do here, I will join my brother in the afterlife.

Photo: Brian Cardall helping his daughter Ava learn to walk

 Each of us, you and me, has a purpose or destiny. You have talents, gifts, a personality and characteristics, which should enable you to accomplish a lot of good in this world and in the next. We have within us the love, service, and selfless acts of kindness, needed to strengthen our marriages, families, community, and the world.

I know Brian is alive and doing special things. I’m sure he finds time to ride a bike, climb mountains, re-unite with old family, observe the stunning new colors of the flowers and nature, ask a lot of questions, and associate with those he hasn’t seen in many years.

I believe my brother has been with God, felt of His comforting embrace, and heard the song of redeeming love. I believe this is the same for the millions upon millions.

I realize these thoughts and answers are deep or heavy. Where do I get this information and confidence?

Artwork: Lost and Found by Greg Olsen (official link)

According to my LDS faith there is scripture which provides me with a comforting answer regarding this sensitive subject, “Behold, it has been made known unto me (The Prophet Alma) by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil are taken home to that God who gave them life… And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.” (Alma 40:11-12, The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ)

Every time I get on Brian’s bike and ride around like a silly little boy I’ll be reminded of our relationship. It will last beyond this world because life is eternal made possible by Jesus, the Creator of all things. Coming to earth is part of a great plan. We've come to get a body, learn how to control it, overcome addictions, and return home to the God who gave us life to continue in assisting the millions of those who are struggling to find their way back home.

As I regain my strength, I will try to continue to do here what I believe Brian is doing in a world of spirits, which is offering hope to people.

What do people need? They need kindness. They need to know they are not alone. They need to know there are those who love them. They need to know in their hearts our Heavenly Father, the supreme being, knows their names and you can talk to Him in a prayer by yourself in a quiet place in your home or car. He will listen.

When I am at home with my daughter and she's in another room with her eyes closed. She can't see me, but she knows I'm there.

As the saying goes, “A man or woman will never stand taller than when he or she is on their knees” in prayer seeking help, strength, and answers to life’s most challenging questions.

To my dear brother Brian and his beautiful wife Anna, their new baby Bella Aspen and toddler Ava Sky, thank you for the bike! I'll ride it like a silly boy!

In Review: Sharing my Story with CMN Organizers

I was invited by Primary Children's Medical Center to share my story with the folks responsible for organizing The Children's Miracle Network activities, telethons, and getting charitable funds for some families who qualify for financial help. PCMC hosted the national conference in Salt Lake City, Utah at the Marriot. The organization usually hears from a child.

Children’s Miracle Network Speech

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

My name is Paul Cardall.

I’m a husband and father of a young toddler. I’ve lived with a severe congenital heart defect for 36 years. Thanks to a dedicated team of professionals, my parent’s optimism, and the grace of God I've enjoyed quality time with only a single ventricle.

I’ve been in and out of Primary Children’s Medical Center my whole life.

(Photo: Primary Children's Medical Center)

In fact, in August 2008 my heart was failing so severely I was listed for a heart transplant. Because of my enlarged heart and complicated anatomy doctors and statistics suggested I might not survive the surgery. My wife and I were quite discouraged.

Either way, it was a mountain I was willing to climb.

We were faced with an unknown future. You can imagine our conversations that happened late in the night after we tucked our daughter into her bed about the “what if?”

(Photo: Looking out my hospital window. By Jeffery D. Allred, Deseret News)

Other medical centers had little experience in caring for an adult with a rare congenital heart defect. They were well versed in heart failure, various cardiac thoracic procedures, and the usual heart attacks but my unique anatomy required the attention of pediatric thoracic surgeons and specialists. This would not be your typical heart transplant.

As part of this innovative plan, I would be receiving my continued care at Primary Children’s Medical Center here in Utah.

As an adult in a Children’s Hospital my experience allowed me to gain a rare and special perspective into the medical care of a child.

My decline in health has been a challenging year of learning how to adapt to our new situation.

In addition to my health, more stress came this past summer to my family when my younger brother, Brian Cardall, who suffered a severe anxiety episode outside a small Utah town, was tragically killed after being tasered twice by a police officer.

(Photo: My brother Brian holding his daughter Ava)

As I was contemplating my own mortality my brother’s sudden death was extremely ironic. This event fueled my passion and will to live.

My brother was a well-published scientist. He was a mountain climber and understood each of us have mountains to climb. I know he would want me to “never give up!”

Through this ordeal, our family came to understand the hard sacrifice that would be made by another family whose loss would give me a second chance at life. Their loss would give my daughter a father, and my wife a husband.

After a year waiting for a heart, my transplant team urged me to check into the children’s hospital to stay until a heart would become available because my organs were failing and time was running out.

We were hoping a heart would become available. I did this. Immediately, my medical team began feeding me with nutrients and adjusting medications.

Living in a children’s hospital I’d get strange looks by young kids and parents wondering why the old man with oxygen and IV pole was in their hospital. Feeling bad for me my kind nurses put a name-tag on my door with the appropriate title, “Mr. Benjamin Button” in reference to a recent Hollywood movie about an old man who grows young.

If anyone looked at me funny or asked what I was doing there I jokingly told them I was a hospital critic reviewing the children’s hospital and wondered if they had any suggestions.

I think I became an expert critic as I witnessed first hand these kids, these cute little kids in their hospital gowns with IVs, teddy bears, and nurses pulling them around in their wagons to x-ray at 6am each morning.

(Photo: Playing the piano with one of the patients at PCMC. Phot by Jeffery D. Allred, Deseret News)

I was deeply affected by the amount of ill children who I saw fighting for their lives.

When I heard a child cry, naturally as a father, I desperately wanted to know what I could do to help alleviate their pain and fears. Nurses weren’t able to tell me what was going on so I was left to wonder, hope, and pray for that child.

A few are so helpless and hurting. Several are scared and some alone in their new environment.

Most parents who spend time with these kids are also feeling alone. And yet, they find strength in their children who seem to be teaching them principles of hope, faith, patience, and love.

I remember being there myself as a child and having the same emotions.

However, in my own experience I could not think of a better place and a kinder group of folks who selflessly serve and accommodate families without much public recognition. I can play a piece of music and an audience of a thousand applauds. Yet, these nurses tenderly and quietly care for a child and no one knows about it except those involved. It’s beautiful.

These children bring a special feeling to the medical center. They are the angels who walk the halls and their spirits alone create a comforting feeling for those who interact with them.

I remember a small child in a hospital gown in the playroom with her father. She put down her crayons, looked at her dad and said, “Is it ok if I cry?” Her dad looked down and quietly said, “I don’t want you to cry.”

How could I complain about my own situation? These kids have so much to teach us about our own pain and suffering. And yes, it’s ok to cry.

(Photo: Kissing my daughter goodnight before my heart transplant surgery)

I have been blessed with 36 years of memories. I have experienced growing up, attending college, traveling, serving a two year mission for my church, falling in love, getting married, and having a beautiful girl who we named Eden.

After being listed for nearly 400 days on the heart transplant waiting list, the call finally came. A heart had become available! I had until the next morning to prepare for difficult surgery.

My family gathered. We shared memories of the past year and our spoke of our hope in the future. I knew everything would be ok. I was nervous. This experience humbled me and I was prepared for the worst and hoped for the best.

Still, even if I survived the initial surgery because of my enlarged heart, surgeons suggested I would be recovering for months in the pediatric intensive care. Possibly, thanksgiving or Christmas would be my homecoming.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the surgery was beautiful. Chief pediatric thoracic surgeon A.K. Kaza, who is my age I should add, performed a beautifully orchestrated miracle. He took my old heart out, which I compare to an old rusty pick up truck and put in a beautiful new sports car. When he turned to grab the paddles to shock my heart or jump-start it he turned back to see that new heart was pumping a beautiful sinus rhythm as though it was meant to be.

Two weeks later, after a miraculous recovery, I went home to my daughter and wife to enjoy a second chance at life.

Exactly four weeks ago, at this very hour, I was receiving my heart transplant. My family sat in the waiting hoping for the best.

Needless to say, I feel amazing. I recognize blood flowing through me for the first time. I have endurance. I’m rearing to go. Like the sports car inside of me, I’ve got the top down and I love the ride.

All of us in this room are busy climbing mountains. In your efforts to give children a second chance at life, I applaud you. I thank you. I admire your work. You are the angels of the hospital who provide miracles for other children like me who need help to go home to a family or for a family to find comfort during a difficult time of loss.

(Photo: Holding my brother Brian's new daughter Bella Aspen Cardall)

In closing, I don’t know why God gave me a second chance or why my brother and so many others, young people, kids, have gone beyond?

What I do know, is that I see things more clearly now. My soul has been stretched. I am a better man.

I have been blessed to live 36 years with a defect, which has reminded me daily that this life is not forever. We all grow old and should cherish each day we have in this beautiful world.

Our family should always come first. Because in the end all that really matters are the ones you leave behind.

Video from the Hosptial, Transplant, Recovery

These videos are personal. I'm sharing them in an effort to help inspire you during hard times. Having family, and a personal knowledge through prayer that we a loving and kind God who is our Father in Heaven empowers me to endure another battle. He knows you.

Part One: I waited nearly a year at home for a donor heart until Doctors encourage me to check into Primary Children's Medical Center due to my severe heart failure. After four weeks the call came that a donor heart had become available. Although I was in severe heart failure, experiencing extreme fatigue, and exhaustion, I was still able to have a little bit of fun with family, friends, musicians, artists, and more. Featuring, Eden, Lynnette, Ryan Shupe, Peter Breinholt, Charley Jenkins, Sam Payne, Mindy Gledhill, Patricia Christensen, Russell's Ice Cream, Market Street Grill, and more.



Part Two: After four weeks in the Children's Hospital the call came. A heart had become available. Watch our personal journey through the transplant, recovery, and the miracle of going home.



These are images from my childhood showing my parents pretty much set me free to do what-ever I could, given my circumstances. I felt normal. I just had a scar. Someone said once of heart surgery, "Oh, tell the people you're a centerfold and you have the staples to prove it."

Special Announcement: The Blog Lives On!

Now that I am home and enjoying my beautiful family I'm amazed at the amount of energy I am feeling. Wow! This is too good to be true. I feel so alive. I walk in the morning as the sun rises, come home, and I'm ready to go out again.

Because of this new found energy and by your gentle persuasion, I've decided to continue with my blog livingforeden.com

I will be posting once a week. I'm not sure which day but when it happens you'll know that's the day during each week to come see what I have to say.

Thanks for all of your ongoing prayers and support. Life is beautifully ironic and full of joy and sorrow. I'm in a season of pure joy.

Yet, there are still so many who need our faith and prayers. May I suggest praying for the family of Mason Andrew Strickland. I ran into Mason and his mother after my biopsy this past Monday at Primary Children's Medical Center.

Mason and his family need our help. They have a trust fund set up in his name. He has pulmonary vein stenosis and they are struggling to find a happy ending. It breaks my new heart apart. Here I am fresh from a victory over my own congenital heart disease and yet Mason is fighting his own battle.

Never, should we live in our own little worlds because other folks need our love, service, and care.

Dear Strickland family and sweet little Mason, "Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine.  Now multiply that love by an infinite amount—that is the measure of God’s love—for you." -Deiter F. Uchtdorf (October 3, 2009)

If you can contribute to the fund here is a link to Mason's blog: http://miraclemason.blogspot.com/

Finally, as we think about the Stricklands and other families who are struggling to find solutions, healing from grief, and answers to the challenges that lie ahead may we each stop to reflect on the great love God has for each one of us. We are His children. He knows our name. He loves us as though we are His only child. Eventually, we all grow old and go home. 

Some of us, the pure, the lovely, the innocent, go home young because obviously these souls are too good for this world.

Love is on the Move

Last Sunday, after being home from the hospital 4 days, our neighbor dropped off their new convertible BMW. She said, “Here you go. It’s yours for two days.” I’ve always said, “It’s better to be trusted than to be loved.” Of course, we took the car with the top down. In the back of the vehicle, Eden was snug in her car seat with a cute jacket.

With the wind blowing through our hair and faces my wife Lynnette drove us up the nearest canyon by our home. The trees in Little Cottonwood Canyon were changing. The green leaves were a beautiful red, orange, and yellow. A season has come to a end and a new one is beginning.

We pumped up the volume listening to a favorite band called Leeland. As they sang, “Love is on the Move” we headed up to Alta Ski Resort were we parked the neighbors car.

For the first time in 22 years I felt no altitude sickness, which I often had up in the mountains because of my old heart’s anatomy and the fontan procedure. We walked some distance up a small trail off the side of the road. I felt amazing.

Driving home all we could do is cry because of what God has done for our little family. Hundreds of people have prayed. Little children have pleaded with God for Eden’s daddy. Surely the creator orchestrated something beautiful and I hope others may feel our same joy.

I feel “endurance” and recognize blood flowing through my body. Like slowly dipping the tips of your fingers in warm water I can now feel a sensation in my fingers. I’m composing music with more feeling. My nails grow. I used to have to clip my nails every other month. Now, it’s every week. I don’t get winded or lightheaded talking. I can follow Eden around the block as she rides her bike and still feel like going another mile. My appetite is strong. I’m up early walking as the sun rises. Needless to say, I feel alive and vibrant. Is this what it feels like to be normal? If so, count your blessings. You all have been greatly blessed by the Creator.

I had a chance to see and hold my old heart in the lab prior to leaving the hospital. Some of the heart had gone to another lab and a small part of the left atrium and superior vena cava is still in me. What I held in my hands was the size of a football and looked awful and somewhat disgusting. Pacemaker leads were still in the fatty substance on the outer walls. Stitches from previous surgeries were still in place in various locations. My right atrium was a big 4-5 inch balloon with very thin walls. It had been deflated. That’s how Dr. Kaza was able to remove the heart. The left ventricle and left atrium was covered with a thick fatty wall. I observed my only functional valve, the mitral valve, which struggled to pump oxygenated blood to my body for 36 years.

As I held this heavy over-sized heart in both hands I said to the pathologist, “How in the world did I survive all these years on this thing?” He replied with a puzzled smile, “That’s what we’re trying to figure out.”

At that moment for the first time I saw beyond my faith or spiritual hope of a creator or God. I held the physical evidence in my hands. Clearly someone else is breathing life into our bodies. The pump, which sustained my life for 36 years struggling to push blood through my body, leaves experts wondering how is this possible? Surgeons figured a way out. They made it work.

I asked a friend who is a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist about challenging surgeries and the delicate matters of life and death. Why are some taken home to God? Why do some stay? He said, “Sometimes, no matter how hard we work and no matter if we are doing everything correctly the patient for some strange reason passes away. And then there are times where we think to ourselves ‘there is no way this person is going to survive.’ But we go ahead and do the best job we can and the person lives. It’s hard to understand such circumstances. Obviously, someone else is running the show.”

Because of the tender mercy of our Heavenly Father, the Creator preserved my life all of these years. And now, I have a new heart. I am greatly blessed. I don’t know why. I’m humbled and sobered by the miracle that was beautifully orchestrated over the last year. All I know is that God Almighty has breathed life back into my body. He is my friend, your friend, my Father in Heaven, and your Father in Heaven. He is real. He lives. And like the scars in the palm of Jesus hands I have scars to remind me of His love, mercy, and grace.

In conclusion, I have been blessed my whole life with a congenital heart defect. My soul has been stretched. I will continue to search and seek out soul stretching experiences because in this I find joy, wisdom, happiness, and a personal relationship with God. His purpose and plan for each person is real. There is life after death. I do not doubt. We will see our loved ones who’ve passed away. I will enjoy a reunion with my brother. Until then, may we all enjoy our life and find joy in the journey.
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Watch more video at http://www.youtube.com/user/livingforeden
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