Saturday, April 7, 2012

Resurrection Sunday Blessings and a Prayer Request

Oh!  How we are rejoicing in Easter... or Resurrection Sunday, as I prefer to call it!

"Why do you seek the living One among the dead?  He is not here, but He has risen."
Luke 24:5,6

Spring blooms are the *best*!
 As we prepare for Easter tomorrow~ the *best* holiday of the year, in my humble opinion, I am also preparing for my heart "surgery" the next day, Monday April 9.

Aren't baby goats the *cutest*?!!

If you haven't been reading my blog, here are parts one, two and three explaining what is going on with my crazy heart.  In summary, I was recently diagnosed with Ventricular Tachycardia.  Wikipedia defines it as "a fast heart rhythm, that originates in one of the ventricles of the heart. This is a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia because it may lead to ventricular fibrillationasystole, and sudden death."  

V-Tach is not something to ignore.  As you can imagine, this has been a huge shock to me.  I was in the midst of training for my first half-Ironman triathlon... the thought never crossed my mind that there could be something so sinister lurking within me!
Our new Pyrenees puppy, "Teddy"
V Tach can be controlled by medication, at least for some time.  At some point the body tends to override the medication, rendering it ineffective.  Plus the side effects stink... I have had to use those medications for the past month and they are not something that I want to use the rest of my life.

Thankfully there is a way to "cure" V Tach... a procedure called an ablation.  This is basically a cauterization of the portion of my heart that is sending out the "bad" electrical signals.

Daniel and Teddy's first meeting...
Most ablations are endocardial (within the heart).  Unfortunately it appears that the source of my electrical heart problems originates on the outside of my heart.  That will require an epicardial (or outside the heart) ablation.  This is a much trickier procedure, requiring the doctors to make an incision under my sternum and thread a catheter  up and through the pericardial space and actually into the pericardial sac which surrounds and protects the heart.

Daniel laughing at Teddy and Jasper's first meeting!
As you can imagine, this is a much more involved procedure than an endocardial ablation.  If you are curious, you can read a sobering first-hand report from a former elite cyclist here after he had the same procedure done.

Jasper isn't quite sure *what* to think of Teddy! They ended up becoming best buddies... Jasper won't let our Great Dane "Dude" go anywhere near Teddy!  So funny!
Of course, the doctors could be wrong, and perhaps the problem can be resolved the "easy" way, from within my heart.  I won't know until Monday.


While I am *totally* and completely confident that the Lord is in control of this... I must admit that I am pretty nervous and really dreading Monday.  Could you please pray for me and for my family as well?


Thank you *so* much!  I really hate to continue to write about my health, but that's pretty huge right now for me, so I decided to just be honest here.  I am hopeful that later next week I'll be able to report that my heart is no longer an issue for me, but until that time I would greatly covet your prayers.

I *loved* this picture of Joshua and Teddy~ adorable!

Resting in His plans and timing and rejoicing in the empty tomb,

14 comments:

  1. Susan, I just popped on here before church while enjoying a cup of coffee. I've been reading for a couple of years, and following along with your health issues. I have been so encouraged by you and the way you have dealt with everything and proud of you that you have been training so hard! I'l be keeping you in my prayers today as you spend this time celebrating with your family, and tomorrow during your surgery, and then recovery! Remember~ Not only has He risen but by His sacrifice we have not only the chance for salvation, but the joy of healing! Isaiah 53:5!

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  2. Dearest Susan,
    Yes, I have been praying regarding your precious heart and I have just prayed and will continue to do so. In the Name above all other names, you are whole.
    Blessings and a joyous Resurrection Day to you and yours.

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  3. Susan,
    I am praying for you and I am so sorry you have to go through this. But from what I know of you, from reading this blog, you are one of the strongest people I have ever heard of! This is just another adventure down a different path! I know you will find the good in this experience. God has a plan and this is part of it. Let's see what happens next! God bless you!
    Kari Goodroad

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  4. He is RISEN!!!

    Yay, verily, He is risen indeed!

    Rejoicing with you in our Risen Savior...and praying for you and your doctor(s) and family. May God guide the physician's hands and mind and may He keep you and bring healing and give you peace. Can't wait to hear how things go.

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  5. Susan, wanted you to know that from the beginning of your heart ordeal, i have been and will continue to be praying!! YOu are such a blessing and a gift!! Love you!

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  6. Susan~ I have been praying for you and will continue. I'm on pins and needles for you as I know this is serious. I am still so thankful that you found out before it was even more serious. God's timing is perfect right~

    I know you feel the Lord caring for you and keeping you right now. You are surrounded with a lovely family and the prayers of many.

    He will carry you through~

    Psalm 73:26
    "My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever."

    Hugs~ Cinnamon

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  7. Thanks for the update and the beautiful pictures. This heart issue is a dark and (humanly speaking) scary valley you're walking through. I know your Savior & Shepherd is with you, though, and you've had a beautiful attitude and testimony. We're praying for you and your family, Susan, that you all will experience God's grace, love, and peace.
    Love & blessings,
    Vickie & family

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  8. Susan,
    I will be praying for you as you deal with this tomorrow. I have seen God's mighty hand at work lately and know that He will show himself strong when you are weak.
    Kathy

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  9. HE is RISEN!! Rejoicing in that wonderful fact!!

    Precious friend...I am praying for you. The LORD has you in HIS hands. HE cares for you and walks this path with you. HE will carry you and your family as you go through this. What a blessing to REST in HIM!! I will be praying tonight for a good rest for you and for the surgeons. I will be praying for peace and HIS comfort and strength outside of yourselves for you and your family.

    Much love to you!
    Camille
    Isaiah 26:3-4

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  10. Oh...I AND I will be praying for complete success in the procedure tomorrow and for a full recovery!

    Sorry I took two comments to say my piece. :)

    Love,
    Camille

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  11. Susan,
    You are in my prayers right now, and will remain in my thoughts and prayers throughout the day. May the Lord's hand give wisdom to the doctor and guide his hands. I pray peace upon you and your family, and may healing be achieved.

    Your blog is always an encouragement to me. Continue to shine for Him.

    Blessings~
    Laura Munck

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  12. Susan, I am praying for you and your precious family.

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  13. We will keep you in our prayers!

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  14. Thanks *so* much, everybody! I can't begin to tell you how much all of your comments and emails and prayers have meant to me~ you really can't imagine! {{{{hugs}}}}

    Love you guys!

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