Home At Last

Marielos is home via 2 flights from Minnesota and is recovering well in Niceville! It is so great to have the family back together again and with an excellent prognosis for her. She continues to heal. She actually has been in the car with her mother several times just to get out. When she takes her recommended walks, her legs hurt - but not her heart! And the soreness in the legs will dissipate soon we are told. Ergo, she has a near new heart! She will rest for the next 4-6 weeks then we will take it from there. We need to follow up with Mayo Clinic in JAX, but that honestly seems like an awards ceremony for her, as she is recovering so speedily. She will gladly accept the cardiologist's good words! This has truly been an experience of a lifetime, with emotional swings and opportunities for faith or doubt. Our faith of course is strengthened amazingly. We again thank you for your critical part in all this. Your faith has been key in making this happen...more later this week. "Be still, and know for certain that I am God" Ps. 46:10

Sep. 10 - GOING HOME THURSDAY

Marielos did real well in the hotel room resting. She has walked down the halls much better to regain her strength and is eating a little more. We spent 2 hours on the phone making reservation changes (what a complete nightmare) but worked out the return flights. We will be back late Thursday afternoon. 2 of our children went back to our house yesterday and stayed with Marielos' mother, who will stay with her and assist for a week or 2 - which is a wonderful blessing to us all. For now, all is well, and we only expect better life and health for Marielos. She may even be able to ride her 10 speed again in a couple months. Then, medically, there is the issue of the defibrillator that was installed in her chest back in March. The question now is: Does she still need it? She still has the "disease" of HCM, but all the blockage in the heart is now gone, and docs are confident it will not grow back. So, that is a valid question that will be pursued over the next year or so as we monitor her health. Thank you, thank you everyone for your critical part and loving concern for her. She is a walking miracle. "I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations." Ps. 89:1

RELEASED TUESDAY SEP. 09

Marielos was released from Mayo Hospital today about noon...surprisingly! She is still weak, but they stated there was no medical reason to keep her. So she moved across the street to the hotel and is resting somewhat comfortably. We will probably stay 2 days here just in case there are any issues that creep up before we head back to warm Florida. Looks like a Thursday return is in the works. It will be a difficult trip on planes for her but she seems to be up for the challenge (including us actually finding available seats on planes from here)...more later. "Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!" Ps. 147:1

DAY 4 - Monday Sep. 08

Marielos had a much better day today and is dealing with nausea much better. She walked a longer distance down the hall and she was able to be wheeled out to a gorgeous courtyard for some fresh air (supposed to be 39 degrees tonight!). She had an Echo done and an x-ray taken. She had her 4 wire leads, left in her chest from her 4 heart qaudrants, pulled out today as well. So all in all, a better day for her. She might be released Wednesday night and will go across the street to the hotel for a day or 2 before chancing the long flights back. We are playing it by ear. Thanks again for taking time to pray for her. "He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate." Ps. 111:4

Sunday Night Sep. 07

End of Day #3 of post open heart surgery, and Marielos is recovering slowly. She was given meds twice for nausea and they really knocked her out energy-wise all day long. She was uncomfortable most of the day, even though she says that overall general pain is down. So, tomorrow probably holds better health and further progression in her recovery. Initial plans for a return home Tuesday seem to have been too hopeful, but not realistic. So we will wait for a release from the hospital later this week before we reschedule flights. We are increasingly thankful to the saints who have graciously watched, fed, and cared for our 3 children every step of the way...we can't begin to thank you enough. "God will put his angels in charge of you to protect you wherever you go." Ps. 91:11

Sat. Sep. 06 Update

Marielos had her cath and 2 chest drainage tubes removed today, which was great. She is doing increasingly better each day now. With us just over 54 hours or so after surgery, she is a medical miracle. She walked again today about 60' and back, got her first "bath" and then was completely wiped out. She asked for a Coke and was given one...a sure sign of healing. Carol, my sister left today along with Pastor Greg. They, both in their own way, provided a lot of encouragement and support to both of us, and we will not forget the sacrifice. "Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." Jer. 17:14

RECOVERY

Marielos has been moved to recovery and a private room in Mayo just 30 hours after open heart surgery. She is doing well, still in pain, but a little less. She sat up briefly and has spoken a little more today. She ate some jello and a sip or 2 of juice. She hopes her chest tubes will be removed tonight or tomorrow along with the cath. The nurses are excellent. She will probably be in the hospital thru Tuesday or so, although we see Hurricane Ike is making its way up into the gulf now. She needs to stay at least a day after being discharged next week to make sure she can travel and is still doing well with pain maintenance. Thanks again for your concern and love..."The Lord is our Shepherd, we will lack no good thing."

A GOOD LONG DAY

Day is done and all is well...Marielos finally had her breathing tube pulled out about 9p tonight and immediately felt better. About 20' later she was able to whisper some things to us and the nurses. She even smiled as we gave her some ice chips and said, "I love this ice!"

We are grateful for a good day. It is amazing what can transpire in one day. There were other families there that did not have the same good results. She is very hoarse and has a lot of pain. But we are ever thankful, knowing that all your prayers joined ours and Marielos is well on the road to recovery. She is a brave girl and tomorrow will hold even better things for her. Thanks to every single one of you that forced us to recharge our phones twice today to receive the kindness and love.

Post Surgery - Into ICU

Marielos came out of surgery at 11a this morning after 3 hours or so. As far as we know, all was very successful! Thank God! She is now resting in ICU and still sedated. She responded for a few seconds to Andrew and Carol and went back out immediately. She was on the heart and lung machine just for about 30 minutes. They ended up removing more tissue from the septum than anticipated...they described about 3 fingers worth from middle joint to tip, or so. She is on every machine known to medical science it seems now - multiple drips into 4 IV's (2 in the neck), ventilator, cath, fluid drainage from the chest cavity (2 tubes still protruding from inside that will be painful to her), breathing tube and pain meds. Hopefully she will wake up slowly by 5p today or so. Her color looks good and we have spoken with the surgeon who sewed her up (she has 8 stainless wires locking her rib cage back together). They ended up only making one incision below the heart (not additionally from the top aorta) to remove all the tissue. They used an echo to pinpoint how much to remove and feel confident that all went well. God has heard all our prayers and responded with grace...Bless you all.

Thursday's Surgery Time

7:45a Thursday is my surgery time. I have to report there at 5:45a. We literally just walk across the street to the hospital. We are off and running. Surgery might be complete by noon, so we will post info shortly thereafter. Thanks SO much for your continued prayers and support...I really feel them. I am at peace and know that all will be blessed tomorrow. Mg

Land of 10,000 lakes and many more Canadian geese. MN is beautiful but so different than the Emerald Coast of FL. They don't have hurricanes here..................................................

The eternal thoughts we take time to dwell on, if you're anything like me, are few and far between. Do you think about what happens when your life is over? It's kind of weird I know, but eternity awaits us all at some point, right? We should take some time to do that periodically to help us re-focus on what's important in life. I know that God does want us to see how brief our lives are, and how important it is to lead others to an eternal God that will hug us and love us forever. Meanwhile, I know I will lead a much longer life, thanks to the grace of God and medical science.

Labor Day

Labor Day is supposed to be a day of rest...right?? Anyway, we made sure we got here to Rochester MN early, due to the RNC that is in nearby Minneapolis and the crazy airline industry. We are so glad to be here ahead of time and at peace.

This is truly the midwest..."It's aboat 2:30p"...Canadian sounding, eh? Huge international community here due to people coming from around the world to Mayo. All the restaurants boast who has eaten there (Pres. Bush, Bono, kings of countries, etc). So, there are east African restaurants, Greek cafes, mosques and Lutheran churches all together here.

The Mayos were quite the frontier family, starting a hospital here in the middle of nowhere (still is) and because of professionalism, true concern and world renown care are at the top of their game.

I go for tests and appointments all day Tuesday (Sep. 02) beginning at 6:45am thru 4p. There are several different buildings we will travel between with skyways across these old city streets. It is a beautiful, restful day, but I know that tomorrow begins a serious new chapter. "Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing." (Psalm 34:10)

Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic seems like a huge medical center that a city sprung up around. I heard that 75% of the people of Rochester, MN work here in some way. There are dozens of large medical buildings and a huge surgical hospital, St. Mary's. This hospital alone has 60 surgical rooms...only slightly larger than our house!

Here's a pic of the hospital where I will undergo my 6 hour open heart surgery on Thursday, September 04, 2008. I appreciate your prayers...