Full Heart- Restored Heart

 I guess I should have written about the heart update sooner, but I have really be struggling with what exactly to write. I feel like I have been given a new lease on this life of mine. I know my sister too, feels this way. She came close to not being here for Thanksgiving, suddenly. We weren't quite prepared for it, and we are all still trying to get over that shock. 

So, the heart surgery to repair the hole was November 17th, going on 2 weeks ago. Everything went great. I feel so much better and everyday I am getting my energy back. That is not the story though, and I would fall short if I did not share the story with y'all. 

See, I was scared! When they saw how big the hole was and needed to do the TEE (transesophageal echocardiogram) to see just how big that hole was, I got major anxiety! I even went to far as to write my family letters, for when I was gone. I was worried I wouldn't see Mom again or my grandkids! So I had this test done and the Doctor told us it would require open heart surgery. If I wasn't scared before, well I was over the top- NOW!! So, what do you do when life is out of control? You pray- or at least I do. I call in all my prayer warriors and ask them to to pray! I shared my story, and when I did, not only did I get those prayers, I got answers. I got the names of great cardiologist, fabulous surgeons and the knowledge of this clinic at Emory, just for Congenital Heart Defects. I met those doctors and my prayers were also answered.  I no longer needed open heart surgery. Meanwhile, my sister got sick, and was airlifted to Emory and put in ICU. More prayer request and more answered!!! I can't ignore what God was doing that week! 

So, when it actually came time for the surgery. I could not defy the Lord and be scared or anxious. 

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not you HEART be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

I trusted in Him, I didn't feel the need to tell everyone good-bye. I just made sure they knew I loved them. Mainly, because seeing how sudden Cindi's situation was, we don't have time to waste, your moment can come up anytime! Everyone that I sent pictures to, while I was in the hospital commented that I didn't look like I had just had heart surgery. I am going to say, you were seeing the "Light" of Jesus there, holding me up. 

This fully restored heart was not just healed of a congenital hole, but it was restored in the faith of Jesus Christ. Hearing the sermon from my church today, finally made me sit down and write this blog. I am a "carrier" , not of the covid-19 virus, but of the love and trust of Christ. God set us apart to go forth and fulfill our work in the body of Christ. He answers your prayers. He is the one in control, so you don't have to be. You don't need to be afraid, trust in Him. 

 I will give the glory to Him today and always. 2020 is almost over, we can do this!!! 

Grateful Heart

 Wow, so much has happened in my life, I cannot believe I haven't written in this blog. I guess I will have to catch up with a 2020 Covid Blog....but not now. 

Today we have bigger issues. 2020 has really been something else! In January, Lloyd and I were both sick and that illness seemed to last all the way in to March. During an x-ray for a cough, the film showed that I had an enlarged heart. WELL, I could have told you I had a huge heart- ha ha!! Turns out that is a bad thing. It means my heart is working too hard. It's a muscle and it was getting a work out. (the only part of my body that was!) Anyway, I went for a Echo to see what was causing the issue. It turned out that I had a hole in my heart, that was there from birth. Atrial Septal Defect is the medical term, which is a Congenital Heart Defect. (ASD definition)

In the meantime, Covid hit and we moved to Florida. I had to find a Doctor, go back through the initial visit and get a TEE test to measure the hole. The doctor down here told me that open heart surgery would be needed, because of the size. I'm not going to lie, that freaked me out. I have a perfectly good sternum, with an awesome horizonal scar.....I did not want a vertical scar to mess things up! 

As always, I shared what we were going through. I prayed for answers, and God came through. He put so many people in our life to direct us into the right path. That path has lead us to the Emory Congenital Heart Clinic. So, we will be coming back to Atlanta on Monday November 16th to have a minimal surgery, not OPEN HEART!! The team in Atlanta feels like the hole is small enough to patch through a catheter. Video asd closure surgery

I'm a little nervous, not anywhere near where I was with the thought of open heart, but still.....it's my heart. So many people have had strokes due to this defect and not knowing they had it, so I'm grateful that we found it early and it can be patched. Please pray that they are able to patch this hole, I will feel better after the procedure, and I won't have any side effects from this procedure. 

I can only imagine how much I can love life, with a whole heart!! Can't wait!! Thanks everyone for the prayers. 

Gratitude - isn't only a celebration when good things happen. Gratitude is a declaration that GOD IS GOOD, no matter what happens! 

Anne Voskamp