Since Ellie has started a blog about going to London, it inspired me to update ours. A lot of time has passed since May ... and Mike continues to grow stronger all the time. He is back to doing everything he wants to do, as long as he takes a little nap in the afternoon. He doesn't seem to mind that a bit!
I think he really turned a corner about three weeks ago when he played nine holes of golf and cut the grass all in one day -- and then felt fine the next day. All that walking he has been doing is really paying off!
He went to the cardiologist a couple of weeks ago and after some tests was told his heart is at about 33% capacity right now. But it hasn't even been six months yet, so that's ok. He was told it would take 6 months to a year to fully recover. So he continues to monitor everything from home (he is very disciplined about it) and pace himself and otherwise is back to normal. Thanks be to God.
Life is busy, but we are doing well. It will be strange having two daughters out of the country this Fall. Ellie leaves for London Thursday and Beth for Toronto the beginning of November (new job). Hope you are well, too. Much love! Peggy
Monday, September 21, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Update
Greetings all,
I continue to get a little better each day. The doctors have given me permission to begin picking up the tasks that made up my life three months ago. The cardiologist said that I can do whatever my body permits, i.e. if it hurts don't do it, when you are tired rest. The surgeon has given me clearance to return to work the week of May 25th. These along with permission to drive once again have been major mileposts.
I do need to learn the boundaries of my strength and endurance. Last week I puttered around in the garden and have been paying the price in feeling tired ever since. Still, being out was wonderful.
My plan is to return to the pulpit on Pentecost, May 31st.
Thanks for your continued prayers and concerns. They mean a lot and have made a difference.
Grace and peace,
Mike
I continue to get a little better each day. The doctors have given me permission to begin picking up the tasks that made up my life three months ago. The cardiologist said that I can do whatever my body permits, i.e. if it hurts don't do it, when you are tired rest. The surgeon has given me clearance to return to work the week of May 25th. These along with permission to drive once again have been major mileposts.
I do need to learn the boundaries of my strength and endurance. Last week I puttered around in the garden and have been paying the price in feeling tired ever since. Still, being out was wonderful.
My plan is to return to the pulpit on Pentecost, May 31st.
Thanks for your continued prayers and concerns. They mean a lot and have made a difference.
Grace and peace,
Mike
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Slow, But Steady
Greetings! I've been pretty busy with work lately, so I haven't updated the blog much. I try to get my husband to do it more often (he is just sitting around most of the time, isn't he?), but he says he doesn't like talking about himself ... hmmm. I guess that shouldn't surprise me.
So, how is he doing? He is doing very well. I can see improvement every day - he is up and around all the time now, doing things for himself again, out walking the neighborhood for 30 minutes at a time with me, taking an interest in the life around himself ... all very good signs! I know he is getting impatient, and I try and take him out and about whenever I can, but he is actually doing quite amazingly well ... he just can't see it as clearly as the rest of us can.
We went to see the cardiologist last Thursday, and he got a very good report. His heart is still weak, but the doctor said this is quite normal and that it would take 6 months to a year for it to fully recover. In the meantime, he can do whatever he feels good enough to do without pushing himself too hard.
Mike goes back to the surgeon next Wednesday and I anticipate he will be told he can drive again. He hopes to be back at work (at least part time at first) the last week of May, and presiding at liturgy the last Sunday in May. I'll report after that appointment whether the surgeon thinks that is all ok.
So, life goes on. Beth and Ellie have been on vacation together this past week - Ellie finished her fourth semester at Capital University with a 4.0 (go Ellie), and Beth certainly deserved a break from caregiver to her dad. It sounds like they had a great time. They are due home tomorrow. Megan and Luke and the boys came by last Sunday, bringing Mike's mom along for the ride, and it was great to see them, as always. When they got out of the car and Megan told Jack to come on inside to see Grampa he said, "Grampa, yea!" Actually we all feel that way whenever we get to hang out with Mike. Many blessings to you all ... and thanks for the continued interest and prayers! Peggy
So, how is he doing? He is doing very well. I can see improvement every day - he is up and around all the time now, doing things for himself again, out walking the neighborhood for 30 minutes at a time with me, taking an interest in the life around himself ... all very good signs! I know he is getting impatient, and I try and take him out and about whenever I can, but he is actually doing quite amazingly well ... he just can't see it as clearly as the rest of us can.
We went to see the cardiologist last Thursday, and he got a very good report. His heart is still weak, but the doctor said this is quite normal and that it would take 6 months to a year for it to fully recover. In the meantime, he can do whatever he feels good enough to do without pushing himself too hard.
Mike goes back to the surgeon next Wednesday and I anticipate he will be told he can drive again. He hopes to be back at work (at least part time at first) the last week of May, and presiding at liturgy the last Sunday in May. I'll report after that appointment whether the surgeon thinks that is all ok.
So, life goes on. Beth and Ellie have been on vacation together this past week - Ellie finished her fourth semester at Capital University with a 4.0 (go Ellie), and Beth certainly deserved a break from caregiver to her dad. It sounds like they had a great time. They are due home tomorrow. Megan and Luke and the boys came by last Sunday, bringing Mike's mom along for the ride, and it was great to see them, as always. When they got out of the car and Megan told Jack to come on inside to see Grampa he said, "Grampa, yea!" Actually we all feel that way whenever we get to hang out with Mike. Many blessings to you all ... and thanks for the continued interest and prayers! Peggy
Monday, May 4, 2009
The Middle Part of the Journey
Things are progressing, albeit slowly from my perspective. I feel too good to be sitting around healing, but not good enough to be doing anything for very long.
This week will be my third week in rehab. I thought it would be enjoyable, but it turns out to be a lot like work. This is not to say that I do not enjoy going, being around people and stretching my muscles, I do enjoy that and look forward to each session, however, it is more demanding than I anticipated. I don't come away sore, I come away tired. I look forward to the time when my strength and endurance return.
Despite my impatience, I confess that I do see many signs of improvement. Yesterday I attended church. It was wonderful to be back. Singing "This Is the Feast" and other parts of the liturgy was very moving. I really appreciated Pastor Steve Rye's sermon and the way he presided at the service. Being with the people of Gloria Dei was a great blessing. I am excited to be moving back toward full participation in parish life.
Peace,
Mike
This week will be my third week in rehab. I thought it would be enjoyable, but it turns out to be a lot like work. This is not to say that I do not enjoy going, being around people and stretching my muscles, I do enjoy that and look forward to each session, however, it is more demanding than I anticipated. I don't come away sore, I come away tired. I look forward to the time when my strength and endurance return.
Despite my impatience, I confess that I do see many signs of improvement. Yesterday I attended church. It was wonderful to be back. Singing "This Is the Feast" and other parts of the liturgy was very moving. I really appreciated Pastor Steve Rye's sermon and the way he presided at the service. Being with the people of Gloria Dei was a great blessing. I am excited to be moving back toward full participation in parish life.
Peace,
Mike
Monday, April 20, 2009
Week 4 Begins
Greetings to all.
I continue to feel a little better each day. A routine has become established for my days. Up with Peggy around 6; dress, take pre-breakfast medicines, Beth arrives and fixes breakfast, take post-breakfast medicines, read the papers, nap ... well you get the idea, nothing too exciting. Which come to think of it is as it should be. Looking out our front window a good portion of the day I am reminded of the Hitchcock movie, Rear Window, with Jimmy Steward. I can report that things in Mulberry are much more quiet than in the New York of that movie. Although, last Saturday was town clean up day and I was able to wittness a parade of trucks and trailers taking trash to the dumpsters at the end of the street. My neighbors have been looking out for me and took my contribution to the dumptsers. Great town, Great neighbors! Thanks be to God.
Thank you all for the cards, visits and phone calls. They are appreciated.
Peace,
Mike
I continue to feel a little better each day. A routine has become established for my days. Up with Peggy around 6; dress, take pre-breakfast medicines, Beth arrives and fixes breakfast, take post-breakfast medicines, read the papers, nap ... well you get the idea, nothing too exciting. Which come to think of it is as it should be. Looking out our front window a good portion of the day I am reminded of the Hitchcock movie, Rear Window, with Jimmy Steward. I can report that things in Mulberry are much more quiet than in the New York of that movie. Although, last Saturday was town clean up day and I was able to wittness a parade of trucks and trailers taking trash to the dumpsters at the end of the street. My neighbors have been looking out for me and took my contribution to the dumptsers. Great town, Great neighbors! Thanks be to God.
Thank you all for the cards, visits and phone calls. They are appreciated.
Peace,
Mike
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Every Day Is Better Than The One Before!
We went to see the surgeon again today, and it was a very brief appointment ... which is wonderful! He said Mike is doing great, that his strength and energy will continue to get better every day, and he'll see us again in four weeks. Good news all around. He has been watching Mike very carefully, and the fact that we don't have to go back for four weeks is a great sign in and of itself.
Mike does continue to get better every day ... he enjoyed taking a walk in the sunshine with Beth today. He has been having more visitors, and he really enjoys seeing people. He is very grateful that people are remembering him in their prayers, with their calls and visits and cards. It is amazing how important these things are ... I have made a pledge to myself to be better in the future about such things ... they truly make all of the difference in the world.
Thank you for your continued support. We have the greatest family, parish, co-workers and friends we could ever want. We are humbled by your love and support. Peggy
Mike does continue to get better every day ... he enjoyed taking a walk in the sunshine with Beth today. He has been having more visitors, and he really enjoys seeing people. He is very grateful that people are remembering him in their prayers, with their calls and visits and cards. It is amazing how important these things are ... I have made a pledge to myself to be better in the future about such things ... they truly make all of the difference in the world.
Thank you for your continued support. We have the greatest family, parish, co-workers and friends we could ever want. We are humbled by your love and support. Peggy
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