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Thursday, January 10, 2008

Heart Day

We finally have a date.....

After what seems like an endless round of tests and consultations, John's mitral valve surgery is scheduled - for Valentine's Day. How perfect is that?

We were fortunate to have a friend hook us up with a surgeon in the Philadelphia area who's doing a new, less invasive type of valve surgery. Rather than opening the chest cavity, they go in through the patient's side. It's still an hours long operation, and still requires the patient be put on a heart-lung machine during the procedure, but the recovery will be easier than with the standard surgery: five days in the hospital instead of seven to ten, and an approximate six week recovery at home instead of eight to ten.

In the meantime, John is doing well on the meds (if more tired than usual) and I'm painting every hour God sends in an effort to catch up a bit before all this happens...

I'm pretty sure we have a friend coming to stay with the menagerie the day of the procedure (Thursday), but any friends in the area willing to come over on Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday to walk the Aussie kids would be greatly appreciated! The hospital is a good hour and a half's drive, which makes frequent trips back and forth difficult.

Many thanks to those of you who've sent messages and emails with prayers and positive thoughts - they're much appreciated, and I'll continue to post post updates as we know anything new. :)

For now, it's back to work on that Witch's pantry I've been promising....

Blessings,
~ Carolee
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11 comments:

  1. Patty BenedictJanuary 10, 2008 at 6:02 AM

    That's stange I left a posting and it disappeared!!

    Take it one day at a time!! I'm sending speedy recovery thoughts your way! If Johns like Gan it will be hard to keep him down. You might have to get Cable TV!

    Hugs
    Patty

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  2. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2008 at 9:29 AM

    Hi Carolee,
    Thanks for the compliments on my pig ornament.
    Am enjoying your blog and website.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kitty ForsethJanuary 10, 2008 at 11:07 AM

    Hi Carolee..

    Best wishes to you and John.. it's good to get some answers isn't it? I wish I lived closer, I would walk your babies for you in a heartbeat!

    Thank you for the comment on my spooky picture.. I printed out an 8x10 of it to frame for the house.

    Please take care, and good luck with the painting!

    We'll all be praying for John and sending him healing thoughts.

    xo Kitty

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  4. UnknownJanuary 10, 2008 at 12:23 PM

    Will be thinking of you both on Valentine's Day... I wish I lived closer, I'd be happy to take care of the dogs!
    Lori

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  5. Kristen Beason January 10, 2008 at 5:51 PM

    Hi Carolee~
    Wishing your husband a speedy recovery. Thinking good thoughts for you and your family and glad you were able to find a good doctor.
    Take care,
    Kristen

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  6. DianieJanuary 11, 2008 at 3:40 AM

    Good morning Carolee,
    I'm sending warm and positive thoughts for you and John.
    Take care,
    ~Diane

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  7. Christopher A. KlinglerJanuary 11, 2008 at 9:26 AM

    Hi Carolee ~ Sending well wishes/prayers your way too. The new less invasive procedure sounds very positive, every little bit helps!

    Can't wait to see the new witch pantry! '-)

    Hugs,
    Chris :)

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  8. LYNDY WARDJanuary 11, 2008 at 8:05 PM

    Hi Carolee, WOW a heart OP for the HEART OP DAY... HMMMMMMMM!!! To me, could not be more perfect!!! To our family we already see John healed & his heart GOOD AS NEW!!! ALL OUR PRAYERS WILL STILL BE FOCUSED FOR A COMPLETE MIRACULOUS HEALING & RECOVERY!!!

    Thank you for your compliments on my award. I was sooooo honored by the International Artists for just submitting my BLOGSITE for perhaps a MERRY CHRISTMAS, JUST COME BY & VISIT, & OMG, I was awarded a beautiful OOAK of ART WORK for my OPEN HOUSE SANTA CLAUS FEST decorations.

    HERMINE KOSTER has only been blogging one year & she has had 100,000 visitors to her Blogsite. WOW! Her art work is beautiful so I can see why.

    XOXOs, Lyndy

    P.S. GIVE EVERYONE HUGS & KISSES FROM ALL OF US!!!

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  9. Johanna ParkerJanuary 11, 2008 at 8:30 PM

    Hugs to you both Carolee.. Thanks for the update.... You weren't kidding when you titled your post "heart day".... My my!... of All days!.. I think that's a good sign :)

    Take care....I'm thinking of you..

    ~ Johanna

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  10. UnknownJanuary 12, 2008 at 12:01 AM

    Carolee, I am proud to present you with this award!

    This little award is called The Daily Dose - and here is all the important info to tell you what it is about and where it came from. This is a tribute to all the blogs that you've discovered that you can't possibly live without. They make you laugh, cry, think and feel connected every time you read a post. They give you a thrill as you see them loading into your browser and you get an equally satisfying thrill when you see that they have commented on your blog". From Xandra: creator, The Daily Dose Award.

    Lori

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  11. CaroleeJanuary 12, 2008 at 3:33 AM

    Thanks so much, all. With worsening symptoms, he's off work now, and as of yesterday afternoon they're talking about moving the surgery date up a bit. We should know more next week, and I'll post an update.

    Hugs,
    ~ Carolee

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