Wow, what a different place we were in only one short year ago. [Refer to reposted blog entry from March 2020 here.] God was preparing (us) for something incredibly hard and a long journey but the blessings along the way have been amazing.
What I remember most early last year was anxiety. However, God gave me the knowledge something was happening and He gave me time to prepare. Time to pray, to let the Holy Spirit intercede for me when I didn't even know what to ask for, time to understand what was ahead. I've never experienced anything this intense and deliberate before.
Although Don experienced chest pains for more than a week before he told me, he did not have a heart attack or a stroke before hospitalization. From the cardiologist to the surgeon, to our primary care doctor, no one can explain it. But God.
When you land in a situation like this you have no idea where to go for answers because you've never been here before. I began asking friends and relatives, researching on my own .. I received help from all over and the resounding answer over and over again was the surgeon and cardiologist we prayerfully chose.
You are lost and confused, then God. There was damage to my husbands heart, on the left side in addition to the five bypasses needed. (In the heart world it's called CABG X5. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts. Yes, he needed 5 of them)
He entered the hospital via emergency on Sunday but before we could schedule surgery Don suffered what could only be described as two "tiny" strokes, one on each side. His only symptom was a weak hand for a few minutes. As neurology descended on his room, swarming like bees and took him for testing, I immediately resorted to my lifeline of friends to pray, for God to again intercede. I trust you Jesus.
Now we had to wait for surgery, his brain needed to heal. We actually went to the beach while we waited the five to six weeks before he could have his bypass surgery. I was not keen on vacationing at this time. We had conversations about it but looking back, I understand why he needed to go. Even though it was a super long week for me. Don said, we are going, I'm not worried. God provided again.
So today marks one year. One year since we calmly walked into the hospital hand in hand, trusting God supremely. In the weeks before surgery Don sat me down with all our important paperwork, he apologized for not having it all together before now. He wanted me to be secure, just in case. I know it sounds almost inhuman to say we were calm but God had given us both such peace. Don stated, If God allows me to survive, it's a win. If he takes me home, it's a win. I can't lose either way." He had his surgery with friends and family covering him in prayer across the globe. We had asked for prayers for the surgeon and team as well. This team assembled were diligent, observant, smart and so kind to us throughout. I felt each nurse had been hand picked for us, each day. From the first one in those early hours, explaining everything we needed to know, to the young man offering up dignity to my Don when he felt weak and scared. Even the sweet young nurse who received some of his wrath as he lay in that hospital bed in pain- she gave it right back to him but with kindness he had lacked in speaking to her. (a lesson he needed that day) He would later apologized profusely for his behavior. To the comedic relief explaining Don was a little overweight and would need to shake some bad habits.
Eight days after surgery, Don is at home and I learn I have been exposed to strep throat. I ran to the doctor for a quick test because the last thing my heart patient needed was strep. The entire experience was God ordained. It was late on a Friday, the office is about to close. My doctor is gone for the day and I see another doctor. He tests me and palpates my throat. [I had my annual physical in October '18 w/no problems.] He states, "You do not have strep. Mrs Crossley, are you aware you have nodules on your thyroid?" I was not aware. I asked him "why did my doctor not find them in October?" He said, "Leisa, we each have our strengths. I may take an xray to him to assist me because he's better than I am at reading xrays. One of the strengths God gave me is expertise in my hands."
My doctor had not felt the nodules but this doctor did. Why? I know why. A couple weeks later I had an ultrasound and they identified a nodule on each side of my thyroid. The diagnosis a few months later would be papillary thyroid cancer.
The magnitude of God's continued protection over us has been the most humbling experience of our lives. We are flawed people who fail at every turn.. yet God. Don continued rehabilitation for his heart and with approval from his cardiologist had the knee repaired November 25th, 2019, exactly four months after heart surgery. He fought his way back month by month. Currently, he is doing as he pleases. We recently raced our bikes through a local campground.
He feels like camping again, he's working on home projects. We recently took a quick trip to the beach and he was able to play with grandchildren again. His knee is healed and he barely remembers the surgery, his heart is strong, he takes minimal medication compared to so many and we are FOREVER changed. None of us are promised another day but I am very thankful God has given us 365 more. Shields up.
You are lost and confused, then God. There was damage to my husbands heart, on the left side in addition to the five bypasses needed. (In the heart world it's called CABG X5. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts. Yes, he needed 5 of them)
He entered the hospital via emergency on Sunday but before we could schedule surgery Don suffered what could only be described as two "tiny" strokes, one on each side. His only symptom was a weak hand for a few minutes. As neurology descended on his room, swarming like bees and took him for testing, I immediately resorted to my lifeline of friends to pray, for God to again intercede. I trust you Jesus.
Now we had to wait for surgery, his brain needed to heal. We actually went to the beach while we waited the five to six weeks before he could have his bypass surgery. I was not keen on vacationing at this time. We had conversations about it but looking back, I understand why he needed to go. Even though it was a super long week for me. Don said, we are going, I'm not worried. God provided again.
Amazingly,
~There was no visible damage from the tiny strokes.
~When surgeries like his can take 5-7 hours for most, he was on the table only 2 and a half hours.
~Speaking to the surgeon after, I asked about the extent of the damage we were told was on the left side of his heart. He had to go back and get his notes to answer me. Looking confused, he said "there's no damage. His heart is remarkably strong, except for the blockages which are now taken care of. He is good Mrs Crossley, he's going to be fine."
~He healed quickly and his attitude was excellent. (We all know how men can be when sick or hurt but this time was different.) He did have trouble getting his physical condition back up because he had a knee which needed to be replaced and it was hindering his rehab. He could barely walk on it before bypass surgery. But his attitude toward healing was phenomenal. I believe it was god-given. Eight days after surgery, Don is at home and I learn I have been exposed to strep throat. I ran to the doctor for a quick test because the last thing my heart patient needed was strep. The entire experience was God ordained. It was late on a Friday, the office is about to close. My doctor is gone for the day and I see another doctor. He tests me and palpates my throat. [I had my annual physical in October '18 w/no problems.] He states, "You do not have strep. Mrs Crossley, are you aware you have nodules on your thyroid?" I was not aware. I asked him "why did my doctor not find them in October?" He said, "Leisa, we each have our strengths. I may take an xray to him to assist me because he's better than I am at reading xrays. One of the strengths God gave me is expertise in my hands."
My doctor had not felt the nodules but this doctor did. Why? I know why. A couple weeks later I had an ultrasound and they identified a nodule on each side of my thyroid. The diagnosis a few months later would be papillary thyroid cancer.
The magnitude of God's continued protection over us has been the most humbling experience of our lives. We are flawed people who fail at every turn.. yet God. Don continued rehabilitation for his heart and with approval from his cardiologist had the knee repaired November 25th, 2019, exactly four months after heart surgery. He fought his way back month by month. Currently, he is doing as he pleases. We recently raced our bikes through a local campground.
He feels like camping again, he's working on home projects. We recently took a quick trip to the beach and he was able to play with grandchildren again. His knee is healed and he barely remembers the surgery, his heart is strong, he takes minimal medication compared to so many and we are FOREVER changed. None of us are promised another day but I am very thankful God has given us 365 more. Shields up.
