We go this morning to have the final test that will be needed before setting the date for the implant. My husband is very apprehensive. This test is very dangerous and taxing on his heart. Although, it is in a controlled environment, the risks are always there that things may not go well.
Please pray for him this Friday morning. Pray that this test will go smoothly and provide direction to the medical staff to proceed in the right direction. Every minute is a victory and your prayers are so appreciated.

We arrived a little early and they called my husband in a few minutes after we got there. The appointment was for 8:00 a.m., but by 7:35 they had him in the testing room. I waited in the area down the hall from the testing room, where there is a small tv and a few chairs. I settled in, only to realize that I forgot my tape recorder. I will often tape the discussions, thoughts, and critical information, whatever may be important- so that I can refer back to them later. I laid it next to my purse last night and walked out the door without it.
I urge everyone to do this when you are faced with a lot of information and it is being thrown at you. It helps so much to not second guess things later.
So I got out my trusty 3X5memo pad.

I asked if I could speak with the doctor, I told the doctor that I had some real concerns about the surgery occurring around the time that we would need to be moving (losing the house) and that I was worried that my husband would have a hard time recovering while we were moving (into a travel trailer). She said that the recovery time is 6 weeks, no lifting of any kind, for any reason. That I really shouldn’t count on him between now and the end of the 6 week period to move anything. Which I have not and will not. I needed to reiterate that time is a concern and the doc assured me that if the tests result the way that they are expecting to that we would be having the implant surgery as quickly as possible, anyway.

The doctor came out after the test and told me that everything went fine and that my husband was okay.

Breathe Breathe, thank you God...

Doc also mentioned a major concern right off the bat- it appears that the muscle that controls the blood flow and oxygen to the body, appeared to have looked weaker than anyone had anticipated, it was confirmed that it was indeed weaker, especially after re-reviewing the echocardiogram results. Meaning that it is getting worse, not better!!!!
We are very concerned about this. There was a long uncomfortable silence between us. I wasn’t sure what to say or ask, I think she sensed this and said that the ICD (implantable cardioverrter defibrillator) is a good option. (Heart transplant is the second option) But the risks are extremely high that he won't receive the perfect donor match in time. That this alone could prompt action, sooner- than later. We will have to wait to ssee what the cardio team that has been assigned to my husband seems to conclude.

I am not one to ask for anything, but I am begging each of you to please pray / continue praying for my husband,Mitch.

Thank you all for your prayers, please continue to pray and ask for God to get us through this, to strengthen Mitch and make his heart be the best that it can be, even though doctors say it won’t get better or improve.
There is nothing too big for God. Nothing!

We are moving very quickly on the implant (Good because he needs it and not good because the situation is critical.)
EF is up by 2 %! (AWESOME!)
Because it helps the surgery survival rate go up! (YESSSSSS)

Not much else has changed. (No surprise)
THE EF is enough to cause me to be dancing! (In my dancing shoes!)

Mitch is NOT to push himself. (Not a problem)
Mitch is NOT to get short of breath. (No Bill Dance or Cabela's Catalog)

Any cancellations and we will be put into the first available slot!
(Getting his bags packed!)
Which means that we could get the call tomorrow!
(We will be sitting beside the phone from here on out!)
Maria has called Rose Garcia, the procedure scheduler. (We are moving forward)

The assessed damage from the heart attack is quite severe. (No real surprises there.)

His situation is definitely life threatening. (Yep, we knew that.)

Severe Ischemia, oxygen deprivation is prevalent.
Ischemia (is-KE'me-ah) is a condition in which the blood flow (and thus oxygen) is restricted to a part of the body. Cardiac ischemia is the name for lack of blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle.
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CLARIFICATION
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Mitch will be tested for Nocturnal Occsymetry. This will test the oxygen levels while he is sleeping. It is suspected that these numbers drop greatly while he is sleeping, if we know this, we can take steps so that it is less taxing on his heart, especially while he sleeps..

Other business:
Good news on the house!
If things progress as rapidly as they are we will have time for Mitch to recover in the house. This is huge people! You have no idea how badly I have stressed about him recovering in the travel trailer or a motel!

Please keep the prayers coming.
THEY ARE WORKING

PSALM: 2714 Wait on the Lord: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart.

Please also pray that I don't get fired for posting this from work. But it was such GREAT news!

I love you all so much!

Cabella's collection agency called today...Worlds Foremost bank.....yelling at Mitch and threatening him with sending law enforcement to our house to arrest him. Accusing him of making up eveything about his condition. How teribly rude and insensitive! The account is in my name, not his. I am furious by these people for treating him so horribly and yelling at him. Please pray that I have patience to pay these people off and the patience to deal with them without cursing.