Many years later her gastro specialist, during a routine exam, heard a heart murmur This began an annual visit with a cardiologist who carefully followed her heart conditions and monitored the murmur. We knew that at some point she would probably need a heart valve replaced. I assumed that this could mean traveling to another location, such as Cleveland, to have the best surgeons do this surgery. I did not look forward to this event.
A few years ago she was sent to the hospital for a stress test after feinting at home. Because of the results of this test she was kept there for a cauterization. That resulted in surgery for the implanting of a pacemaker.
Then in January, following her annual echocardiogram, her heart doctor told her that he felt that she needed to consider having the aortic heart valve replaced. He said that not having it done would eventually lead to congestive heart failure and if she were ten years older he probably would not give her this advice.
What was interesting, however, is that he thought that she might be a candidate for a relatively new procedure called TAVR. Instead of breaking the chest bone they would go up an artery through her groin and place the new valve in her heart. Recovery time would be very short. The only problem was getting Medicare to cover it. The local hospital and two surgeons were experienced in doing this new surgery.
So we began trying to get through the hoops for approval. This required a battery of tests and three approvals by three different heart surgeons. This took us four months to complete. Then we had to wait in line for scheduling since this surgery was only done every Tuesday. Finally it was scheduled for June 11.
The day of the surgery she entered the hospital late morning and by the middle of the afternoon she was finally in surgery. Two hours later we were told that surgery was over and successful. Two hours later than that she was in a hospital room. Thank the Lord she even skipped time in the ICU.
If she wouldn't have had some reaction to the anesthesia she might have been sent home the next day. But they kept her another day and then released her with some new meds. A week later she was taken off her restrictions and allowed to drive again.
Now she will continue to have tests to make sure the new valve is working correctly. And she will have about three months of cardiac rehab. We asked the surgeon how long the valve will work and he told us that he didn't know. The surgery is too new for them to know.
We continue to be amazed at this unbelievable surgery. We thank the Lord for an excellent surgeon right here in Lancaster. And we thank the Lord for His leading and protection during this adventure.
(1) O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
(2) When through the woords, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
(3) And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
(4) When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
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