It's 10:30 on Tuesday night. At 5 am tomorrow morning we will report to Catholic Medical Center here in NH to begin a very long day. It will end with my heart ...Read more
It's 10:30 on Tuesday night. At 5 am tomorrow morning we will report to Catholic Medical Center here in NH to begin a very long day. It will end with my heart being "fixed," and I will have started on journey to recovery. My 2 daughters arrived safely this afternoon. We had a great lunch of New England seafood. Tonight our pastor came over for a family devotion and a time of prayer. Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement. There will probably not be an update until after I leave ICU I(Thursday).
Ned Lopez You will be fine kept positive thoughts.
Lewis Garlisi Great that your family is able to be with you. Sounds like you've done the best thing for yourself to ... Read more
Lewis Garlisi Great that your family is able to be with you. Sounds like you've done the best thing for yourself today. Best wishes for tomorrow. Try to rest.
It's late Saturday night -- almost Easter morning. To all of you in this group who celebrate this glorious, joy-filled day --- Christ has risen; He has risen ...Read more
It's late Saturday night -- almost Easter morning. To all of you in this group who celebrate this glorious, joy-filled day --- Christ has risen; He has risen indeed!
This year Easter also begins my "Surgery Week," as it does for several others in this community. Next week at this time, we should be planning my return home. But for now, our focus is on Wednesday morning at 5 am, when I'll check in for my AVR and triple by-pass.
Thursday night I had a chance to talk with two friends at church who had valve surgery at the same hospital (one by the same surgeon!). They were so encouraging! And so many of our friends at church told me they were praying for me. We also found out that one of our church members works in the cardiac rehab program at "my" hospital.
So we continue moving confidently ahead to my surgery. We have confidence in our surgeon. Yes, there is uncertainty and some anxiety, but I know I'm as prepared as I can be. Now I need to put this whole "adventure" into His hands.
Thanks for all the encouragement, advice, and prayers for everyone here. And now it actually is Easter -- Christ the Lord has risen today -- Hallelujah!
Cheryl Batzing He is risen indeed, Henry! Glad to meet you on this site. I had MVR in December and am recovering wel ... Read more
Cheryl Batzing He is risen indeed, Henry! Glad to meet you on this site. I had MVR in December and am recovering well. It's all a journey, but faith in your surgeon, plus prayers go a long way! I'll add you to my prayer list. Blessings.
Bob M Amen! Because of your words, I immediately thought about Matt Maher's song, "Because He Lives (Amen)" ... Read more
Bob M Amen! Because of your words, I immediately thought about Matt Maher's song, "Because He Lives (Amen)" and my favorite verses:
"Amen, Amen
I’m alive, I’m alive
Because He lives
Amen, Amen
Let my song join the one that never ends
Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
Every fear is gone
I know He holds my life my future in His hands"
Nancy D Amen!! Your way has been prepared well, and you are in the hands of the gifted and talented. You do n ... Read more
Nancy D Amen!! Your way has been prepared well, and you are in the hands of the gifted and talented. You do not face this alone for He is with you, lighting the way, holding you close. We join your family, and church family in prayers for your surgical success, ease of recovery and return to good health! Take good care!
It's Thursday 3/26. Two weeks from today I should be 1 day post-op and beginning my whole recovery journey. I can sense the tension building in both my wife ...Read more
It's Thursday 3/26. Two weeks from today I should be 1 day post-op and beginning my whole recovery journey. I can sense the tension building in both my wife and I. Fortunately, I am only working 4 days a week, so our weekend begins in less than 20 min.
I first realized this morning that this is the last "full" 4 day week I'll be working for more than two months. Next week I'm taking Tuesday off for my pre-op appointment at the hospital (to include a contrast CT scan, chest X-ray, and some blood tests. And of course, the week of 4/6 I'm only working Monday and possibly a half day on Tuesday.
I'm realizing more and more what a "big deal" this surgery is. Both my daughters will be coming back from Michigan. My step daughter from Georgia is coming to provide extra support and encouragement for my wife. My other step-daughter lives here in NH. I know she's planning on being at the hospital at least the day of the surgery. I guess I'm disrupting as many other lives in the family as is possible.
Hope to hear from some of you who have already traveled this journey, as well as from those of you who will having surgery near my 4/8 date. Thanks -- Henry
Janea Christensen Good luck Henry. The silver lining to your surgery is the outpouring of love and support you will get ... Read more
Janea Christensen Good luck Henry. The silver lining to your surgery is the outpouring of love and support you will get from family and friends. Your surgery impacts all your loved ones and it's good to know they are gathering to help one another get through. It is a journey of epic purportions no doubt. Hoping that you will find and feel goodness from this ordeal along the way. Blessing to you!
Tim Goff Wishing you well Henry. I'm 7 days out from mitral valve repair and a MAZE procedure. Glad to help wi ... Read more
Tim Goff Wishing you well Henry. I'm 7 days out from mitral valve repair and a MAZE procedure. Glad to help with any questions
Nancy D Henry- it is "kind of a big deal" as they say. But you have prepared as well as you can, have your s ... Read more
Nancy D Henry- it is "kind of a big deal" as they say. But you have prepared as well as you can, have your support network in place, and a medical team dedicated to getting you well! Eventually, you have to turn it over, and pick up control after the anesthesia wears off. Just take it all in small steps, and celebrate each tiny milestone- those add up quicker than big ones in my experience, and soon you will be working hard in rehab and getting your life back! With a great insight as to the miracle of life and love you always had, but we don't see it clearly. Wishing and praying for the best outcome and complete healing for you!
LaDonna Mangile Wishing you an uneventful surgery and speedy recovery! This is an excellent site!