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.

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!

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.