Thank you

Thanks to so many who prayed and fasted for Kris.  Thanks to the doctors and their skilled hands, knowledgeable minds, caring hearts and kindnesses.  He was much sicker than realized.  He had open heart surgery on Friday September 24.  The doctors weren't sure how he would come out of the surgery. They said that if they were done before night-time it would be good. They were starting to close at 3:30 p.m.  They said he would be asleep for at least 3 days under anesthetic.  They were waking him up two hours after he got to ICU.  The surgery was Friday, and he was moved to the cardiac floor on Tuesday.  They are now talking about releasing him on Tuesday October 5 to his mom's care.  They want him to go to lunch out of the hospital on Monday the 4th so they know he can call them if there is an emergency.  Helen likes Little America, so that will be the plan.

Many thanks to all and to Heavenly Father for his kindness and love, long suffering and mercy on our souls.

Heart Pump Day- September 24, 2010

This hospital experience has shown that miracles happen everyday! Yesterday, they put dad on "rocket fuel." (Yeah, I dont know either.) The doctors were really impressed with how well he reacted to it. He had colors in his face he hasnt had in months. He was able to walk around the hospital with no oxygen for 6 minutes and wasnt winded. This morning we said our tearfilled farewells and the waiting began. The surgeon told us that he was planning on replacing his artificial valve with a pigs valve, (as heart transplants do not work well with the mechanical, yes, I said heart transplant. Apparently the rocket fuel has given the doctors hope that he could handle it!) installing the heart pump, AND going in and un-attaching his pericardium to his lungs. Yeah, they were suddently very optimistic. In the waiting room we were promised updates every 2 hours. The first one was good news and they were putting in his new valve. The second was that they were starting with the pump. Then this third update they said they were putting in chest tubes and will be starting to close within the hour. Suddenly his 12 hour surgery turned into just under 6. What wonderful blessings we as a family have been able to receive this day! He's made it through the worst and soon we'll be able to see him. All this means that he'll heal faster and recovery will be a less involved effort. My 3 brothers, mom and I were filled with such joy at the news! He lived!! He would meet and love his new grandson Weston, watch little (well not so little) Brayden and Whitney grow and become more adorable (if thats possible), and I truly will see him when I come home. We've been so blessed!!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS, PRAYERS, AND FAITH!!!!

I know that it is because of your love that my dad will see more years!

This will allow my dad to be healthier and have more energy,

and we'll have our dad/papa!!!

Love- Angela

Change is the only constant in life.

Kris' surgery has been moved to Friday September 24 @ 7:30 a.m.  The surgeon will be in to discuss the "creative" ways he can come up with to get

Please keep praying for him. Your prayers are felt.

We have a goal!

Kris was admitted today at 5:00 p.m.  We could have left around 12:00 today and still been here in plenty of time.  Hindsight is 20/20.  The surgery has been scheduled for Friday September 24 @ 7:30 a.m.  This is a really nice hospital.  Very caring.  Just slow, slow, slow.  Take one step and wait, and then one step and wait. There is light at the end of the tunnel. 

Thank you for your prayers.

Here we go!!

It has been a while since anything was posted. Sorry about that. Things have been a bit interesting around here. Kris didn't qualify for the Jarvic 2000 due to his previous open heart surgery and also the Jarvis is hooked to the descending aorta which is too far from the artificial valve and blood clots could form. He has two choices. Maintain status quo, which isn't working, or get the Heartmate II pump. He has decided on the HeartMate II. It is put on the ascending aorta, which solves the blood clot issue. They will still not open up his sternum, but put it under the ribcage to the left ventricle, and then cut on the upper right of his chest and carve a path to the aorta. Sounds like lots of fun, huh?lol. The surgeon said he has done it before Kris' surgery. The surgery will be at least 6 hours, so stress will be high for all involved.

Kris will be admitted on Tuesday September 21 for tests and the surgery will be September 23. Recovery will be at least three weeks up to 6 weeks in hospital. He will be in Utah for about two months. Many thanks to his mom for her willingness to care for him after he is discharged.

There will be a fast for him on Tuesday the 21st. Please join in if possible. Also, please pray for him. The prayers are felt.

We love you all.

Forward movement

It has been a while, as usual.

Kris got a call from Dr. Stehlik Thursday

night. They talked about options, which are few.

Kris agreed to have a pump put in call the Jarvic 2000.

This pump is in trials, and because of his lungs, he doesn't qualify

for the trial, but they will apply to the manufacturer to get the pump

outside of the trial. (bureaucracy of paperwork) It is very small, and is able

to be put in through the left ribcage instead of cracking his sternum and peeling

his heart from it. He will still have the mechanical aortic valve, which means continued Coumadin, but there are some better blood thinners on the horizon. Kris has an appointment on September 7, but Dr. Stehlik said they may see him sooner than that. So we wait again. They said this is how it would be, but we didn't understand very well. There is a support group that meets on Thursdays once a month, and we are going to try to start going to it. The Dr.'s don't want to push to have the transplant anytime in the near future. I would imagine that it is because they want to work on getting his lungs stronger. Dr. Cahill said he had tuberculosis decades ago. Kris and his mom don't remember him ever being that sick, but the doctors say that a person can be exposed and the body fights off the infection on it's own without any symptoms, but damage is done to the lungs. So, one more hurdle to jump and a problem to solve, but forward movement is good. Life is better, but Kris is still trying to deal. He will be just fine. (Frustrated, Irritated, Nervous and Exciteable?? lol) He has made it through tough things before this and will make it through this as well.



Please keep praying for him. The prayers are felt.

As the saga turns...

It has been a few weeks since the last post. Nothing has changed except the doctor's attitudes. They are not nearly so enthusiastic as they have been. It looks like they are waiting for Dr. Cahill to get back to them as much as we are. May God have mercy on our souls. Kris touches many lives. Please pray for him.