I blogged about Desert Song a few days ago...and well...prepare yourselves for many a blogs about this CD...because it is blessing my socks off! (what does that really mean??)
Hillsong Live. This Is Our God.
Buy it. Put it on repeat and get ready for the Lord to move in your home, car, workout session, whatever...
Was overwhelmed by His Spirit during number 8...just finished dinner...giving the kids a bath...tears welling up...my spirit agreeing with His...
Healer
by Mike Guglielmucci
You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
and heal all my disease
I trust in you
I trust in you
I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands
Enough said.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
MRI Confirms He Has A Brain!
Kevin has continued to have complications in his recovery from the Heart Ablation he had last month. His most frustrating symptoms are his inability to think clearly, and therefore inability to complete thoughts and communicate them. Not that he is a blubbering idiot...not at all...he just loses his place in his thoughts and when he tries to communicate he sometimes forgets exactly what he was trying to say for a few seconds. Groggy...is the word he uses to describe it. Not normal cognitive behavior for our Kevin.
After having more blood work done last week to see if there were any abnormalities, it was found that everything was "normal." So the Doctor felt the next step was to do an MRI to see if there are any abnormalities in his brain. We have had a lot of fun with that one over the past week as we try to keep our heads and hopes high.
"Abnormalities in his brain." Ha.
The MRI was this afternoon. All went well. Thankfully nothing had to go through his wrists as we had previously feared...yuck. Just the normal dye through an IV into the veins and Kevin in a very small tube like thingy...which apparently sounds a lot like a chorus of jack hammers. They took a lot of pictures of his brain. Its official...HE HAS ONE! :) They gave us a CD of the pictures. Since we don't really know what a brain should look like it is not much help...but how many of us have pictures of our brains?? Kevin thinks it is cool; it kind of gives me the heebie jeebies.
We hope to hear the results by Monday or Tuesday of next week. Thank you for your prayers and interest in Kevin's recovery. We are hoping for answers...but more than that, praying for complete healing and restoration: mind, body and spirit!! Thank you for joining us!
After having more blood work done last week to see if there were any abnormalities, it was found that everything was "normal." So the Doctor felt the next step was to do an MRI to see if there are any abnormalities in his brain. We have had a lot of fun with that one over the past week as we try to keep our heads and hopes high.
"Abnormalities in his brain." Ha.
The MRI was this afternoon. All went well. Thankfully nothing had to go through his wrists as we had previously feared...yuck. Just the normal dye through an IV into the veins and Kevin in a very small tube like thingy...which apparently sounds a lot like a chorus of jack hammers. They took a lot of pictures of his brain. Its official...HE HAS ONE! :) They gave us a CD of the pictures. Since we don't really know what a brain should look like it is not much help...but how many of us have pictures of our brains?? Kevin thinks it is cool; it kind of gives me the heebie jeebies.
We hope to hear the results by Monday or Tuesday of next week. Thank you for your prayers and interest in Kevin's recovery. We are hoping for answers...but more than that, praying for complete healing and restoration: mind, body and spirit!! Thank you for joining us!
MRI Today
Kevin is going in for an MRI this afternoon (2:30 pm EST). They had a cancellation and are letting us come earlier.
Hoping for answers.
Will post update this evening.
You know what to do. :)
Hoping for answers.
Will post update this evening.
You know what to do. :)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
A Letter From Grandma
Went to storage today and came across a couple boxes. "Sarah High School" and "Sarah Taylor" were scribbled on the cardboard. Assuming they were full of pictures that should not be in a non-climate controlled unit, we retrieved them. Boxes. Sometimes you can't wait to open them, other times you look at them awhile working up the guts to take a peek. The first box I open with excitement. Purple and gold pom poms (GO TU!)...my daily planner from my freshman year with record of everything I did from homework to social events. I continue digging to find my Jr. High scrap book full of goofy pictures of a more gangley-braces-wearing me. High School cheer leading pictures, friends senior pictures, letters. Most of the letters make me laugh or cringe...but one, makes me cry.
It is a letter from my grandma. Dated Feb. 5, 1992. A short rush of love and sadness goes through my body. Her familiar handwriting warms my heart. This letter was written many years before her mind started to betray her, before her thoughts could no longer be released coherently through a pen. This letter, it was clear and full of wonderful words. Words every granddaughter longs to here. Golden truths. Heartfelt challenges.
"It gets back to grandma, when their children do things that make us proud of them...."
"I believe in you..."
"Consider exposing yourself to a short time mission endeavor, it could change your whole life and direction."
"You are daily remembered before the throng by grandpa and myself..."
"You are loved so much,
Grandma"
Grandma went home to be with Jesus this past September. 77 days after the love of her life, my Grandpa, went home to be with Him too. This fact makes this letter all the more precious to me, and serves as a reminder of who she was and how special she was.
And she was right.
I did take that "short time mission endeavor" in 1994, two years later. And it did change my whole life and direction. I had thought that ministry would be in my future...somehow....but that trip to Trinidad showed me that missions was going to be a part of my life for a long time. It was this heart for missions that was one (of many) confirming factors in my marrying Kevin. It was this trip that ultimately lead Kevin and I to live in New Zealand with YWAM for the first 7 months of our marriage. A time that we believe forever impacted our relationship for the better. It was that trip that then lead us to go on staff with Adventures In Missions to plan and lead "short time missions endeavors" for other young people.
How could she have known? Well, women who spend as much time talking to God has she did tend to know these kinds of things. I am so thankful for her investment in me. For her and my Grandpa's prayers that carried me through many difficult times. I am thankful that she got to see us walking in what she had hoped for me. I am thankful to have such a godly heritage. I am thankful for and missing Grandma.
It is a letter from my grandma. Dated Feb. 5, 1992. A short rush of love and sadness goes through my body. Her familiar handwriting warms my heart. This letter was written many years before her mind started to betray her, before her thoughts could no longer be released coherently through a pen. This letter, it was clear and full of wonderful words. Words every granddaughter longs to here. Golden truths. Heartfelt challenges.
"It gets back to grandma, when their children do things that make us proud of them...."
"I believe in you..."
"Consider exposing yourself to a short time mission endeavor, it could change your whole life and direction."
"You are daily remembered before the throng by grandpa and myself..."
"You are loved so much,
Grandma"
Grandma went home to be with Jesus this past September. 77 days after the love of her life, my Grandpa, went home to be with Him too. This fact makes this letter all the more precious to me, and serves as a reminder of who she was and how special she was.
And she was right.
I did take that "short time mission endeavor" in 1994, two years later. And it did change my whole life and direction. I had thought that ministry would be in my future...somehow....but that trip to Trinidad showed me that missions was going to be a part of my life for a long time. It was this heart for missions that was one (of many) confirming factors in my marrying Kevin. It was this trip that ultimately lead Kevin and I to live in New Zealand with YWAM for the first 7 months of our marriage. A time that we believe forever impacted our relationship for the better. It was that trip that then lead us to go on staff with Adventures In Missions to plan and lead "short time missions endeavors" for other young people.
How could she have known? Well, women who spend as much time talking to God has she did tend to know these kinds of things. I am so thankful for her investment in me. For her and my Grandpa's prayers that carried me through many difficult times. I am thankful that she got to see us walking in what she had hoped for me. I am thankful to have such a godly heritage. I am thankful for and missing Grandma.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Normal
"Normal. Normal. Normal. Almost boring, normal. Actually, really boring"
This is what the Dr. said to Kevin on the phone this evening in referrence to his blood test results. So, on one hand, we are relieved that there are no alarming results from the blood work. But on the other hand, we are still baffeled by all his symptoms..."we" being us AND the Doctor.
So the MRI is our next step. The Dr. will referr us and call us with the appointment hopefully tomorrow. Still praying for answers.
Some words of encouragement have come through friends. Feeling confident that this is a season and that Kevin will get through this just fine...hoping that happens sooner rather than later.
This is what the Dr. said to Kevin on the phone this evening in referrence to his blood test results. So, on one hand, we are relieved that there are no alarming results from the blood work. But on the other hand, we are still baffeled by all his symptoms..."we" being us AND the Doctor.
So the MRI is our next step. The Dr. will referr us and call us with the appointment hopefully tomorrow. Still praying for answers.
Some words of encouragement have come through friends. Feeling confident that this is a season and that Kevin will get through this just fine...hoping that happens sooner rather than later.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Desert Song
Just came across this song and have it on repeat in my stereo...as often as possible.
Desert Song
by Brooke Fraser
(I should be able to put the actual song on here...but that would require me to be tech-ie...and tech-ie I am not. Regardless, the words are ringing in my spirit.)
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame
I will bring praise I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favour and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow
We still have no real update on Kevin. He continues to be hopeful that his symptoms are slowly improving. However, every day he still struggles with dizziness, blurred vision and headaches. We had hoped to receive the results to his latest blood tests on Friday, but they had not come in, so we will wait some more. It looks like an MRI may be in his near future. The Dr. is hoping to see if there is anything wrong with his brain. It makes me smile each time I say that...we all know that something has to be "wrong" with his brain to be as happy and eternally optimistic even in the midst of his struggle. We will give God the glory for that. :)
We have been weary this week. God has been faithful to surround us with people who love us and speak His truth to us and pray it over us. We have needed it!
Desert Song
by Brooke Fraser
(I should be able to put the actual song on here...but that would require me to be tech-ie...and tech-ie I am not. Regardless, the words are ringing in my spirit.)
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame
I will bring praise I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favour and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow
We still have no real update on Kevin. He continues to be hopeful that his symptoms are slowly improving. However, every day he still struggles with dizziness, blurred vision and headaches. We had hoped to receive the results to his latest blood tests on Friday, but they had not come in, so we will wait some more. It looks like an MRI may be in his near future. The Dr. is hoping to see if there is anything wrong with his brain. It makes me smile each time I say that...we all know that something has to be "wrong" with his brain to be as happy and eternally optimistic even in the midst of his struggle. We will give God the glory for that. :)
We have been weary this week. God has been faithful to surround us with people who love us and speak His truth to us and pray it over us. We have needed it!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
16 Random Facts about Sarah
Okay, okay...I'll do it!!! I have been tagged a few times and have been acting like I am not playing...but here we go...
16 Random Facts About Me
1. This type of thing stresses me out.
2. I consider myself “mentally allergic” to any kind of seafood. I have honestly worked myself into a migraine trying to build up the courage to eat it when someone has prepared it for me or taken me to a seafood restaurant.
3. Every time I eat toast without something to drink, it gives me the hiccups.
4. I am a middle child married to a middle child. (We can not decide why we have such a hard time making decisions)
5. I watch MTV ‘reality tv’ sometimes. (GASP!)
6. I love to travel. Dream of going to Greece with Kevin soon!
7. I was a cheerleader from 8th grade through my freshman year of college. (GO ME!)
8. I have never had a cavity. (Hope it stays that way.)
9. I believe that Mexican food is the BEST food on the planet.
10. I do not like the smell of Cucumber Mellon anything…so my husband buys it for me as a joke.
11. Light Blue is currently my perfume of choice.
12. I nap almost everyday.
13. I have never broken a bone.
14. Cleaning is my least favorite part of my ‘job.’
15. I bungee jumped with Kevin in New Zealand. To date: bravest (or stupidest) thing I have done…other than child-birth…now that is BRAVE.
16. I get warm fuzzies when the recycling truck takes my recycling away.
16 Random Facts About Me
1. This type of thing stresses me out.
2. I consider myself “mentally allergic” to any kind of seafood. I have honestly worked myself into a migraine trying to build up the courage to eat it when someone has prepared it for me or taken me to a seafood restaurant.
3. Every time I eat toast without something to drink, it gives me the hiccups.
4. I am a middle child married to a middle child. (We can not decide why we have such a hard time making decisions)
5. I watch MTV ‘reality tv’ sometimes. (GASP!)
6. I love to travel. Dream of going to Greece with Kevin soon!
7. I was a cheerleader from 8th grade through my freshman year of college. (GO ME!)
8. I have never had a cavity. (Hope it stays that way.)
9. I believe that Mexican food is the BEST food on the planet.
10. I do not like the smell of Cucumber Mellon anything…so my husband buys it for me as a joke.
11. Light Blue is currently my perfume of choice.
12. I nap almost everyday.
13. I have never broken a bone.
14. Cleaning is my least favorite part of my ‘job.’
15. I bungee jumped with Kevin in New Zealand. To date: bravest (or stupidest) thing I have done…other than child-birth…now that is BRAVE.
16. I get warm fuzzies when the recycling truck takes my recycling away.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
So apparently not...
So apparently I am not very good at this blog thing...
But I do have a few excuses...over the past several days:
- Kevin...still not back to normal...still dizzy...still has a constant headache...added lower back pain...more blood tests today...doctor recommends getting an MRI...something about magnets...going in through the wrists...can't imagine it.
- Me...Migraine...vomitting 8 times within 4 hours...
- Eli...fever for a couple days...SUPER grumpy
- Chloe...fit as a fiddle...just wanting attention...seeking it mostly in negative ways
- Sampson (the dog)...vomitting and other unmentionables...several days...
- Tiny (the fish)...taking an adventure via the 'magic bowl' to beautiful Lake Lanier
Of course, the biggest issue here is Kevin. We have been referred back to our general practitioner as the heart procedure has been deemed a success. Our general practitioner is not content to wait it out any longer. (His heart procedure was 3 weeks ago.) So we will wait to see the results of today's blood tests (back by Friday) and compare them to a couple weeks ago. If they come back normal, we move onto the MRI...I thought that meant he layed still in tube thingy and they checked out his brain. Not the case...as mentioned before...something about going in through his wrist...magnets...makes me sick thinking about it.
Is this too raw? Probably. But it is what it is. Needing prayer folks.
But I do have a few excuses...over the past several days:
- Kevin...still not back to normal...still dizzy...still has a constant headache...added lower back pain...more blood tests today...doctor recommends getting an MRI...something about magnets...going in through the wrists...can't imagine it.
- Me...Migraine...vomitting 8 times within 4 hours...
- Eli...fever for a couple days...SUPER grumpy
- Chloe...fit as a fiddle...just wanting attention...seeking it mostly in negative ways
- Sampson (the dog)...vomitting and other unmentionables...several days...
- Tiny (the fish)...taking an adventure via the 'magic bowl' to beautiful Lake Lanier
Of course, the biggest issue here is Kevin. We have been referred back to our general practitioner as the heart procedure has been deemed a success. Our general practitioner is not content to wait it out any longer. (His heart procedure was 3 weeks ago.) So we will wait to see the results of today's blood tests (back by Friday) and compare them to a couple weeks ago. If they come back normal, we move onto the MRI...I thought that meant he layed still in tube thingy and they checked out his brain. Not the case...as mentioned before...something about going in through his wrist...magnets...makes me sick thinking about it.
Is this too raw? Probably. But it is what it is. Needing prayer folks.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Update on Kevin's Heart Procedure
UPDATE Jan. 9, 2009
Well, let's just say the recovery has not gone as planned...Kevin's heart still looks great. The procedure was still a success...but he has struggled "bouncing back."
On Wednesday, Dec. 31 he had a very adverse reaction to his prescribed pain meds. Completely knocked out any reserve Kevin had to recover quickly.
He is still feeling some discomfort in the locations that they went in with the caths, has constant dizziness and lightheadedness. None of these are "common side effects" of the procedure. So we have been discouraged and full of questions.
I called the Dr. on Monday, Jan. 4 to talk to someone about his continued symptoms, they told us to come in for another EKG. It looked good. Heart rate was somewhat low...but not dangerously so. (What does that mean exactly??) So they decided to do an ECHO. Once they finished that, the tech told Kevin to go home. He asked, "So what do I do now?" To which she replied, "Well, you go home. If we find anything life-threatening we will call you in 5-7 days." (That quote will probably go down in Williams family history as one of the most RIDICULOUS things anyone has ever said to us.)
Read it again..."if we find anything LIFE-THREATENING we will call you in 5-7 DAYS!!!" geesh.
So in the spirit of playing nice, we went home and waited a couple days. Kevin's symptoms improving slightly but not significantly, I called (ahem...a couple times) and left messages stating that we wanted the results to his ECHO ... TODAY. I finally receive a call from the nurse and she says that the ECHO was fine but that the Dr. wanted to see us first thing in the morning. REALLY??? THE REAL DR.?!?!? THANK YOU, LORD!!
We saw the Dr. this morning. He is a WONDERFUL man. Very thorough and showed sincere interest in Kevin's situation.
The heart again: is strong. Procedure a "success."
The wounds: He is pleased with. The discomfort WILL go away.
The dizziness: A concern. May be related to his body metabolizing the anesthesia they administered to him for the procedure. He wants to do some blood tests and compare them to before the procedure. Will get the results back to us by this evening.
His nurse called us this afternoon to let us know that everything looked great in his blood work except for one test that they ran for his liver. One test showed slightly elevated levels in his liver. Does not necessarily show us anything, but he wants us to get more tests done in a couple weeks.
In the meantime, the Dr. has given us his email and told us to have him paged at the hospital if we continue to have trouble or are given the "run around." Which we thought was super thoughtful.
So, where does that leaves us??
Right where we are. Hopeful that his discomfort will go away. Thankful that the Dr. does not feel that we are missing some big underlying thing. Relieved that Kevin had a low resting heart rate prior to the procedure too. (He is so fit, the Dr. assumed he did bleachers for fun.) :) And a little concerned about the liver levels.
But, we know God is in control. We know nothing gets to us without His permission and that He is watching over us. We know that He is the Perfect Physician...He is the Healer. So we trust Him, because He is faithful and good. We continue to pray for complete restoration to his body, mind and spirit.
Well, let's just say the recovery has not gone as planned...Kevin's heart still looks great. The procedure was still a success...but he has struggled "bouncing back."
On Wednesday, Dec. 31 he had a very adverse reaction to his prescribed pain meds. Completely knocked out any reserve Kevin had to recover quickly.
He is still feeling some discomfort in the locations that they went in with the caths, has constant dizziness and lightheadedness. None of these are "common side effects" of the procedure. So we have been discouraged and full of questions.
I called the Dr. on Monday, Jan. 4 to talk to someone about his continued symptoms, they told us to come in for another EKG. It looked good. Heart rate was somewhat low...but not dangerously so. (What does that mean exactly??) So they decided to do an ECHO. Once they finished that, the tech told Kevin to go home. He asked, "So what do I do now?" To which she replied, "Well, you go home. If we find anything life-threatening we will call you in 5-7 days." (That quote will probably go down in Williams family history as one of the most RIDICULOUS things anyone has ever said to us.)
Read it again..."if we find anything LIFE-THREATENING we will call you in 5-7 DAYS!!!" geesh.
So in the spirit of playing nice, we went home and waited a couple days. Kevin's symptoms improving slightly but not significantly, I called (ahem...a couple times) and left messages stating that we wanted the results to his ECHO ... TODAY. I finally receive a call from the nurse and she says that the ECHO was fine but that the Dr. wanted to see us first thing in the morning. REALLY??? THE REAL DR.?!?!? THANK YOU, LORD!!
We saw the Dr. this morning. He is a WONDERFUL man. Very thorough and showed sincere interest in Kevin's situation.
The heart again: is strong. Procedure a "success."
The wounds: He is pleased with. The discomfort WILL go away.
The dizziness: A concern. May be related to his body metabolizing the anesthesia they administered to him for the procedure. He wants to do some blood tests and compare them to before the procedure. Will get the results back to us by this evening.
His nurse called us this afternoon to let us know that everything looked great in his blood work except for one test that they ran for his liver. One test showed slightly elevated levels in his liver. Does not necessarily show us anything, but he wants us to get more tests done in a couple weeks.
In the meantime, the Dr. has given us his email and told us to have him paged at the hospital if we continue to have trouble or are given the "run around." Which we thought was super thoughtful.
So, where does that leaves us??
Right where we are. Hopeful that his discomfort will go away. Thankful that the Dr. does not feel that we are missing some big underlying thing. Relieved that Kevin had a low resting heart rate prior to the procedure too. (He is so fit, the Dr. assumed he did bleachers for fun.) :) And a little concerned about the liver levels.
But, we know God is in control. We know nothing gets to us without His permission and that He is watching over us. We know that He is the Perfect Physician...He is the Healer. So we trust Him, because He is faithful and good. We continue to pray for complete restoration to his body, mind and spirit.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Way to knock a year out of the park...
I posted the following note on Facebook to let people know about Kevin's heart procedure done on December 29, 2008. Thought I would post it here to:
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for Kevin. I thought this might be an easy way to inform everyone about what is going on.As some of you know, Kevin has had some abnormal heart rhythms since college. His condition went undiagnosed up until recently. In the past year and a half, his elevated heart rates have become more serious and harder for him to "control" and bounce back from. This led us on a journey of finding answers.That journey lead us to an episode in June that allowed Kevin to get a recording of his abnormal heart rhythm, which lead us to a specialist that could give us a name and a few solutions to his problem. Kevin has a condition called SupraVentricular Tachycardia (I feel so smart typing that). The options presented to him were to:1) do nothing but wait for it to get worse 2) take beta blockers for the rest of his life or 3) have a heart ablation done where they weave their way to his heart through a main artery in his leg, map out the electrical impulses of his heart, find out where they were short-circuiting to cause the elevated heart rate, then burn those short-circuit spots and stabilize his heart rhythms.Option 1 did not seem like an acceptable option.Kevin did not want to sign up for medication for the rest of his life. Option 2 out.So that left Option 3. While it is considered a "non-surgical" procedure and low-risk...we were understandably nervous and...well...a little freaked out. They would still be burning spots in his heart for Pete’s sake!!!So after some really hard and precious conversations, much prayer and Godly counsel we decided to proceed with the procedure. He went into the hospital on Monday morning for pre-op and went into surgery around 1:30 pm. The procedure went well. The Dr. was able to find the short-circuit and fix it. He feels very positive about the results and does not expect any further episodes. They kept him overnight in the hospital for observation and now we are home.He is sore and exhausted but otherwise fine. He isn't supposed to pick up anything heavier than 5 pounds...no exercise for a couple weeks. He is trying to tell me the Dr. ordered a 2 hour back rub every night...but that could just be the pain medication talking. So we have made it to the other side of this ordeal and are feeling so grateful to God for so many things! We are thanking Him for protecting Kevin's life in this area and the multitude other areas we are not even aware of. We are praising Him for how intricately He has created the human body. We are in awe of how complex we are and that He knows every fiber of our being. We are grateful that He creates really smart people who can study the human body and learn how to fix parts of it. Grateful for smart techy people who can make machines and computers that can take a look at what He has created and find out where things are sick or going wrong. Nurses who were by Kevin's side the entire time, calling me with updates every hour...or helping with recovery. Feeling blessed that He has surrounded us with Family and Friends who have prayed, laughed and cried with us throughout this process...sat in pre-op rooms, waiting rooms and recovery rooms to let us know we were loved and not alone. God has been amazing and steadfast...He has been strong and ultimately He has been and is GOOD!Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for loving us.
UPDATE:
As of today, Kevin is still experiencing some dizziness and light-headedness...which are not normal for him...so we went to the Dr. today and had another EKG and ECHO done. Should here from the Dr. in the next 5-7 days. You read that right. SHOULD hear from the Dr. in 5-7 DAYS. Please pray with us that it is sooner than that and that the Lord would heal him completely. He is discouraged that he is not "bouncing back" from the procedure as we had hoped he would.
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for Kevin. I thought this might be an easy way to inform everyone about what is going on.As some of you know, Kevin has had some abnormal heart rhythms since college. His condition went undiagnosed up until recently. In the past year and a half, his elevated heart rates have become more serious and harder for him to "control" and bounce back from. This led us on a journey of finding answers.That journey lead us to an episode in June that allowed Kevin to get a recording of his abnormal heart rhythm, which lead us to a specialist that could give us a name and a few solutions to his problem. Kevin has a condition called SupraVentricular Tachycardia (I feel so smart typing that). The options presented to him were to:1) do nothing but wait for it to get worse 2) take beta blockers for the rest of his life or 3) have a heart ablation done where they weave their way to his heart through a main artery in his leg, map out the electrical impulses of his heart, find out where they were short-circuiting to cause the elevated heart rate, then burn those short-circuit spots and stabilize his heart rhythms.Option 1 did not seem like an acceptable option.Kevin did not want to sign up for medication for the rest of his life. Option 2 out.So that left Option 3. While it is considered a "non-surgical" procedure and low-risk...we were understandably nervous and...well...a little freaked out. They would still be burning spots in his heart for Pete’s sake!!!So after some really hard and precious conversations, much prayer and Godly counsel we decided to proceed with the procedure. He went into the hospital on Monday morning for pre-op and went into surgery around 1:30 pm. The procedure went well. The Dr. was able to find the short-circuit and fix it. He feels very positive about the results and does not expect any further episodes. They kept him overnight in the hospital for observation and now we are home.He is sore and exhausted but otherwise fine. He isn't supposed to pick up anything heavier than 5 pounds...no exercise for a couple weeks. He is trying to tell me the Dr. ordered a 2 hour back rub every night...but that could just be the pain medication talking. So we have made it to the other side of this ordeal and are feeling so grateful to God for so many things! We are thanking Him for protecting Kevin's life in this area and the multitude other areas we are not even aware of. We are praising Him for how intricately He has created the human body. We are in awe of how complex we are and that He knows every fiber of our being. We are grateful that He creates really smart people who can study the human body and learn how to fix parts of it. Grateful for smart techy people who can make machines and computers that can take a look at what He has created and find out where things are sick or going wrong. Nurses who were by Kevin's side the entire time, calling me with updates every hour...or helping with recovery. Feeling blessed that He has surrounded us with Family and Friends who have prayed, laughed and cried with us throughout this process...sat in pre-op rooms, waiting rooms and recovery rooms to let us know we were loved and not alone. God has been amazing and steadfast...He has been strong and ultimately He has been and is GOOD!Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for loving us.
UPDATE:
As of today, Kevin is still experiencing some dizziness and light-headedness...which are not normal for him...so we went to the Dr. today and had another EKG and ECHO done. Should here from the Dr. in the next 5-7 days. You read that right. SHOULD hear from the Dr. in 5-7 DAYS. Please pray with us that it is sooner than that and that the Lord would heal him completely. He is discouraged that he is not "bouncing back" from the procedure as we had hoped he would.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Can I do this blog thing??
I have been contemplating becoming a blogger for awhile now... for several reasons...most of which are to have a journal of life with the little ones. My memory seems to be failing me as the days pass by into years. The things I knew I would never forget are ... well ... foggy at best.
So we will give it a shot. We will see together whether or not I have anything worth saying on here or if I can say anything consistently...that could be a challenge...but it will be fun for me...and that is what it is all about right?
Kevin just asked me what I was blogging about, I told him I was blogging about whether I was going to blog...he laughed loudly. What?!?
So we will give it a shot. We will see together whether or not I have anything worth saying on here or if I can say anything consistently...that could be a challenge...but it will be fun for me...and that is what it is all about right?
Kevin just asked me what I was blogging about, I told him I was blogging about whether I was going to blog...he laughed loudly. What?!?
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