Mike is going for surgery today. I'd be lying to say that I'm not worried. I am worried, very worried. Open heart surgery, a quadruple by-pass, is something to be worried about. I'm actually terrified of the thought of him going under the blade again. We sure have had some ups and downs with past surgeries and now, his heart. This is a biggie.
As we wait for the appointed time, and as I await word following his surgery, it is important to focus and reflect on our many blessings. This surgery is classified "elective" since it is being done by choice instead of medical emergency, no heart attack or other condition forcing emergency surgery. That means Mike is in good condition for the surgery, his body is not under stress or hardship. Although we certainly are stressed, his organs are not. The need for surgery was discovered as a result of Mike being aware of his body, something just wasn't right. He had occasional pain into his neck and pressure in his chest, usually when climbing stairs, etc. He went in for a check-up and his doctor wasn't quite satisfied with results of his stress test. She said it appeared one part of his heart may not be getting enough blood. She advised him to go for an angiogram at the hospital the next day. During the angiogram it was discovered he has major blockages in multiple arteries and they could not be corrected with stents or ballooning. By-pass surgery would be necessary.
I went home for a day after Mike was released from the hospital. He remained in the valley at John and Kelly's house. I tried to find needed paperwork but was unable to locate it so printed off copies of forms from the state's website. It's a bit daunting to think of Living Will and Medical Power of Attorney documents being needed. We are so very grateful John and Kelly opened their home to us as we waited to reenter the hospital and for Mike to undergo surgery. John arranged for his family's home teachers, Bro. Delgado and Bro. Flores to come by last evening to help John administer a blessing to his dad. Hopefully Mike realized as much peace of mind as I did in hearing comforting words bestowed upon him.
During our stay, we were privileged to celebrate our beautiful Baylee's 11th birthday, too. We had gone for dinner last Monday, thinking we were only in the valley for one day to visit the doctor, so it really has been a "birthday week" celebration for her. Dinner on Monday, then again on Friday (her actual birthday) and a party with her friends on Saturday. It was so fun to see her interacting with her friends, they are a cute bunch of girls. :)
Today though, it's all about this guy and the challenges he will face in getting mended and recovering following his surgery. He is my world.
