I am so sorry to hear that James suffered a stroke. It is an outcome of the surgery that we always know is possible, but there is no way to prepare for it emotionally. The brain can be resilient, so a full recovery is certainly possible. You are in all of our thoughts.

Jim McMillan

This is of course a setback, dear James, but one you can overcome! Stay positive and trust that you will make a complete recovery. We love you and will help you through this. Still want to be in on that first frisbee game, even if I have to wait a little longer. Be strong, buddy! Much love from Anna and a high five paw from Parker.

Dear Doug, Sandy and James,
I was awakened early with James on my heart and mind. I am praying for healing and that God would give the doctors wisdom, James strength and endurance and that God's peace would keep your hearts quiet and at rest. Love, Julie for the Kelly's

Dear family, It is difficult to be confined to long distance reassurance. We know that God is in ultimate control and we must be at peace with that. The counsel of those who have had the experience in heart surgery was very positive. I can completely accept that. I have seen God's power in the conversion experience. He is with us. Just believe!! James is young and healthy. Praise God!! Grama Pat and Grpa John

It is what you do when the chips are down that defines your character. Stay strong James. Hope to see you soon.

Jeff Lincoln

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you. He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22

Love and prayers to you...
Jill

We will keep James and all of you in our prayers. Know this is a difficult time, but I also know you have the Power of the Lord to keep you strong. Gary & Penny

"He holds you all in the palm of his hand." Praying for peace for you all,healing for James and the ability to rest in the knowledge God knew Jame's body long before we met him...hugs to you all.

Dear James and Sandy and Doug,

Praying and praying for you!

Our God is an Awesome God, He reigns in heaven and earth with wisdom, power and might. Our God is an Awesome God!

Kenda Madany

Dearest Schlender family,

The HVJ is a close-knit community and my dear friend Fran alerted me to your journal this morning. My name is Duane Hunt; I am a pastor in central Florida. On 1/28/10 I had a mitral valve repair in Orlando; two days later I had a cardio-embolic stroke. We were certainly in the Lord's hands and a neurosurgeon did an angiogram brain catheterization and was able to dissolve two clots in my brain. Another clot was where they couldn't get to it, but they felt the blood flow around it was good and it wouldn't cause any issues. Miraculously, after the intervention, I have absolutely no known effects.

My heart is so touched by what James and you guys as his parents have gone through, but also by your assurance that God is in control. Hold on to Him and hide in Him and He will truly, as He did for us, somehow give you "the peace that passes all understanding." It will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. I have subscribed to James' updates and will continue to pray for healing and strength.

If there is any way I can be of any help or support, please look me up or call me @ 863-324-7915. God is still in control.

Duane Hunt, FL

Praying and thinking of you James, and entire Schlender family. I pray that you can have healing, peace, comfort and strength. Love you guys.
Jenny Keller

Hoping that the stroke is not going to affect James in any way. Keep us updated.

Robert Elliott

I am so very sorry. But there is much reason for hope because God holds James in the palm of His hand! We can be confident that God is walking before and beside you on this road. "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:12). I will pray that soon, you will be hearing good news about James' recovery, and for peace and comfort for all of you.
Love, Nancy Padilla

What a shock for all of you, but I know with your tremendous faith you will get through. Cling to the fact that the doctors say he can make a full recovery. I will continue to pray for that. Those of us in the Heart Valve Journal community have prayed for many who had serious post op complications, especially a man named Duane who had a major stroke after surgery and made a complete (and quick) recovery. You know with God all things are possible. Love and prayers from FL.
Fran

And those who know your name put their trust in you, O Lord, for you have not forsaken those who seek you. Ps. 9:10

Praying that God would give you all peace and strength as you walk this road, and that you would feel his presence all around you. God is walking it right beside you!

Hannah

Prayers and well wishes for a speedy recovery.
Eric and Julie Amundson

Jeremiah 29:11

I know the plans I have for you James, to give you a future and a hope says the Lord. He is already preparing the way for you, that will bring Glory to His name. You are an awesome and very gifted man, and I Jesus, have not placed them in you to see them be put aside. I have an ever lasting love for you my son. Rise up and be healed. All brain activity be restored and back to it's original value. I see your tender and loving heart you have for my people, and will reward you, so be strong and courageous!
Love and prayers from the Zellmers to all of you.

I do not know James, but I do know that God can and will heal him. One month ago today a little girl in my classroom fell on the floor and had a heart attack. She stopped breathing and her heart stopped beating. We gave her CPR until the paramedics arrived. They worked on her for 20 to 25 mins until they finally got a heart beat. She was rushed to the hospital where her mother was told that she had suffered a heart attack and had injury to most of the grey matter of her brain.

I tell you this because after one month of tears and prayers by an entire community this little girl, who doctors said may not live, began to talk this week and is making improvements by leaps and bounds. God can and does work miracles. I am praying for James and trusting that the Lord will provide you all with comfort, strength, and love.

Rena Musgrove

"Dear Heavenly Father, James is in your care and in your hands. Lord Jesus, heal him quickly. Give him strength. Take away all weakness. Take away all pain. Jesus, we trust in you. Bring him up Lord. We love you and thank you. In your beautiful name, Amen"
I love and miss you so much buddy. I can't wait to hear your voice!
Your Cousin and Bestie, JenJen

Thank you for keeping us updated. We pray the bumps smooth out quickly! Looking forward to your recovery. Renee Westlake

hang in there James. Britt

I hope whatever those bumps are, you work through them quickly. I was really happy to read you were up and walking a bit yesterday! I'll be checking back soon!

Gary Schuh

Just returned from exercise class, and went straight to the computer to see what the latest news is. Great to learn that you are up and walking. Prayers are being answered. Such a relief for Sandy, Doug and John! Need to check on Bethany and the baby now. Hang in there. Sounds like you are doing great! The Schlender grandparents.

Ola James, So glad you are doing better. Can't wait to joke around in Spanish with you! Don't flirt too much with your nurses--just because your heart is fixed doesn't mean you can go around breaking the hearts others! Can't wait to have you back, safe and sound, in Bozeman. Hugs to you (very gently!), and to your Mom and Dad, Anna & Parker

What wonderful news! We were just now praying that today would be a turning point and it is! Hugs to all 3 of you and much love - Grma & Grpa Newville

Oh, Mom, those words "Hi Mom" sweetest in the world. James sounds like a wonderful child (?) he probably wouldn't like that huh? His faith and yours have been rewarded and what a wittness for others. GOD bless your family. Emilyrae Helfen

It's a moment by moment deal ...But James is doing very well! Sandy /Doug and all...sleep is good ...drinking enough water(LOTS!) &eating some even better!

You are in just a "different flavor " of nursing Mom, Dad holding it together otherwise"...:-)

Once a mom and dad,always a mom and dad!

It is so great to hear the progress James is making. We continue to keep all of you in our prayers. I know it isn't easy to be the one sitting at his bedside and not being able to do much if anything to ease his discomfort. Love you -- Suzanne & Tony

On my way to a middle school concert, and thinking of you. You are such an important part of Bozeman's music world! Hugs to you and hugs to your mom & dad!
Reneé Westlake

Thinking of you and your family today, James. Soon you'll be up and going for short walks down the halls.
We all miss you around the BHS Music Department!
Love and prayers,
Miss Linda

You'll have quite a story to tell James when this is all over. In the meantime it must be very frustrating for you. Take heart, rest assured these doctors are not dealing with something they haven't handled before. Once he's alert (and lucid) his recovery will move more quickly. Try to rest when he rests.
Fran

James, Sandy & Doug,
We are praying everyday for a speedy recovery ~

Proverbs 3

hugs to you all, Scott, Yvonne and Carsten Phillips

Good Morning James.
Love and prayers from the Reyhers.
Mark, Jeanne, Sierra, and Austin

I just read your posts and my heart feels for you as parents. My husband just had his mitral valve repaired three weeks ago but I can't imagine what it would be like to have my son in your situation. I am praying for your family. Please remember that every day will get better. James is young and strong and he will be better than he was before the surgery in a few weeks. Sharing your experience will help you get through. I'll be waiting for additional posts. Take care and be strong.

Hey James, keeping you in prayer and hoping you have a speedy recovery. Always knew you had a big heart :)
With love,
Flikkemama

Hi James! I love reading about your success and progress. I hope tonight goes well - and tomorrow even better! Bozeman Public Schools' teachers, students and community are all rooting for you! With love and good wishes,
Reneé Westlake

Oh! That previous note is from me! Your best friend and cousin, JenJen! :) Love you!!

James Davis, I LOVE YOU!!! And goodness I miss you. We Schlenders back here in Bozeman are praying for you all day everyday, Seriously! haha You are such an encouragement to me and I deeply admire who you are day in and day out. I can't wait until you get back! We might have to go get some coffee :) Oh! And don't forget to call me when you can! "Silence! This is the worst lunch I have ever had..." :) haha

We are praying for you and praising Jesus for a successful surgery! We love you all and know that our Lord will use all of this for His glory! He already is!

The Magruder's

I wish your son a fast recovery! He will bounce back better than ever! I just had surgery on April 12th and am already starting to feel somewhat back to normal (or better).

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Adam Howell

Happy good morning to you on this Wednesday. One more day of your healing. Feeling stronger is your goal. My surgeon brought all the surgeons on rounds in to talk to me because of my positive mental attitude. I was optimistic, cheerful and happy. I had never known that doctors value this condition so much in heart surgery. So many others were miserable and apprehensive. I learned from that!!! Grama Patricia Schlender

Dear James, Once you get through this first post-op day, things will start getting easier quickly. Just keep thinking "Soon, this will all be history". Johnny, Joel, and I had dinner together last night, and Johnny said a beautiful prayer for you--hope you could feel the love all the way in Bozeman! We miss you and are thinking of you, Anna

Our hearts are overwhelmed with God's goodness. We pray for a good day, His continued protection over you .. be well our grandson .. we love you.
Grandma and Grandpa Newville

James, We are so happy that everything has gone so well to date. We will continue to pray for your healing. Love, Uncle Dave, Aunt Lisa and Christine

Doug, Sandy,James, and John
Thought about you guys alot yesterday. Go James go!!!

Ray P

James, Sandy and Doug,
So glad the surgery has gone very well. Continue to be strong... All of you are in our prayers.
The Blessing's

Oh, I forgot to sign my post.... The one from May 10, 08:52pm is from me... :-)

Irena Beard

I'm glad to hear everything went well. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts! Hope you have a good recovery as well!

Thinking of you James.
Everything will be fine. You are in great hands:)
I will be listening, Paul Goodman

Thinking of you, dear James. Anna