And now we're back home...again!

Had a bit of trouble with an erratic heartbeat so Nelson had to go back into the hospital the same day we came home (the 1st time). We've been back home about a week and a half now and all is going relatively well. Still some problems with medications to work out but he's doing very well overall. Advice for anyone who faces heart bypass surgery or helping care for someone who has the surgery: this surgery affects your entire body and mind, not just your heart. I don't know how it does it but it does.

I am back working and he's recuperating at home for a few more weeks. I wish I could be with him 24/7 but that's just not feasible for us. He wouldn't want it anyway. He's very self-sufficient and does not want to be fussed over. Not the ideal patient but we've worked out a system that works. I don't smother him and he tries to show his appreciation for what we do for him.

I'm looking forward to life returning to normal and getting back to my regular blogging/visiting schedule. I'm having trouble focusing on anything other than Nelson's recovery at this point. He doesn't sleep well which affects my sleep too.

Enough rambling for tonight; thanks to everyone for all the prayers and good wishes. They really do mean so much to us. Have a great week and God Bless You!

Back home...again!

A quick pop-in to post the latest on Nelson's recovery from heart bypass surgery. We came home this past Saturday. After only 4 or 5 hours, his heart rate accelerated and I took him to our local emergency room. His heart rate registered at 160 beats per minute. They ended up taking him back to Oxford by ambulance. He stayed until today and is now doing very well. His leg with the graft incisions is swollen but other than that, he feels good.

It's been a wild couple of weeks and on top of Nelson's health crisis, my youngest son joined the Air Force. He's been talking about it for awhile but I really figured he'd talk himself out of it. He didn't and actually signed and took the pledge yesterday (Monday). I am so proud of him and for him; I have always believed that a  military career is a wonderful choice for a young man or woman. So now I have a Marine and an Airman in my list of achievements :-) I guess I'm a 'double military Mom' now haha

I'll be back blogging regularly soon. Hopefully I'll have some art to show too. It feels like I haven't touched my craft room in ages.

Thank you for all the prayers and good wishes. Nelson and I are so incredibly blessed to have family and friends who care enough to remember us in their prayers. We've been showered with love and offers of help from all around us. It's a humbling experience to know we've had an impact on so many lives. And in such a positive way.

God Bless You and have a wonderful week!!

Bypass update-Day 2

Nelson ended up having 5 bypasses. Ignorant me thought there were only 4 possibles so I definitely need to do some research on that. He's doing great now and they even pulled the breathing tube several hours early. He was 'over-breathing' on top of the respirator so they were able to get that tube out early. He says that tube is no fun at all.

I saw him about 1 hour ago (he's in ICU) and he's doing good. His pain is under control for the moment. They have him doing breathing exercises and he said he feels like he has a ton of bricks on his chest. He's still groggy but alert for the most part. He was able to tell me he loved me which, as you can imagine, made me feel TONS better. I hope they move him to a regular room by tomorrow morning... and if we're really lucky, later today.

I'll update later today. Thank you so much for your continued prayers. The support and encouragement we've received is so appreciated. I'll never be able to say thank you enough for what it's meant to me to feel so much love from so many people. God is truly good and is blessing us daily in so many ways.

Thanks again for everything and I'll be back later with any further news. God Bless You!!!

Quick update on Nelson's surgery

Had a whirlwind weekend. Nelson had a heart cath scheduled for this past Friday. We 'thought' we'd be home Friday night either with a clean bill of health or with stents. Nope. He will be having bypass surgery this Wednesday, the 27th, at the Baptist Hospital in Oxford, Mississippi. A great heart doctor, Dr. Purden, and gifted surgeon, Dr. Deese, will be taking care of him. Of course, we're nervous and a little scared but our faith is unshakeable. God is good and is The Great Healer!

Nelson is not hurting at all. We're told he's an ideal candidate for this procedure since he's in such great health and has no heart damage from prior heart attacks. 

He and I both ask for your prayers as we go through this next few weeks. I'll be in and out checking emails from time to time for the next week or so. I hope to be able to get online from the hospital but am not sure of that. We're definitely taking the laptop for him to have the DVD player at least.

I told Nelson he was only carrying 'MY' heart in his body anyway so he better get it repaired and keep it that way :-)

Thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers. We appreciate them more than we're able to express. God Bless You!