Home Visit

This past Wednesday (May 13th), Frank and I flew up to visit my parents in PA. For those of you who don't know, my dad had quadruple bypass surgery last Monday (May 11th). He came through the surgery just fine and I have to say that this whole situation was definitely God's timing and His way (I know it always is, but this time it was clearly seen!). Let me explain:

A little while ago, my dad was scheduled to have cataract surgery. Now before you actually have the cataract surgery they require a physical and an EKG (to make sure that everything's okay). So, about 3 weeks ago my dad went in for his EKG. Amazingly enough, it showed an abnormality. My dad was then requested to take a stress test. The stress test took place about 2 weeks ago. During the stress test, my dad had to quit, which again spoke of something being out of place. This same week, they scheduled a heart catharization for my dad. During the catharization they discovered 4 blocked arteries with the possibility of one more! My dad then, after some normal hospital confusion and mularkey, was released to go home for the weekend and came back that following Monday for the bypass surgery. So when I say God's hand was definitely in this situation, I mean HIS hand was definitely in this situation.=) Two of dad's arteries were 100% blocked, another one 80% blocked and the 4th one 70% blocked. I'm telling you guys, God is good. This may not have been the ideal situation, but the Lord still took care of my dad. Now back to the original purpose for this post.=)

So after the surgery, Frank and I flew in to help be there when Dad was released from the hospital. Before his release time, though, we spent time with him in the hospital. And he really did very well. My sister was also there for the week, plus my aunt. And on the actual day of surgery, my older brother was there with my mom, aunt and sister. This visit also gave Frank and I the chance to spend a little extra time with my sister and her husband (who we do not see often enough!!), which was very nice. My dad was released from the hospital last Saturday and when we left to come home on Monday, he was doing really well. He was sitting up, walking, doing his breathing treatment, etc. It was so nice to get to spend that time with he and mom. I know that Frank and I are where we need to be for this time, but it's so hard living so far away. I am really praying that we are able to move closer at some point in our future.

At any rate, I want to say thank you to all of you who have been and are still praying for my dad! He's got a great start on the recovery, but it's still a long road ahead. My dad is not allowed to drive for 6 weeks and I truly think this is going to be one of the hardest things for him!=)

Thanks again for all of the prayers! I will post again soon!