Matt:

I am delighted by the news of healing grace! Keeping you in prayer during these days of reccovery. May you find strength through faith, family and friends. And may this period of recovery provide with a deeper awareness of the continual presence of Holy Love empowering your life and service.

Blessings healing and Love be Yours,

Bruce Fenner

Matt I am thankful you are doing so well and the update is helpful in understanding just exactly what is going on in layman's terms. Let your scribe know what a good job they are doing.

Hi Matt,

This is an excellent idea for you to document your journey as you undergo this ordeal with your heart. I thank God that your surgery was a success and I pray for a speedy recovery.

In the past day I have given a lot of thought about when we were little boys and best friends. The fun we had learning to ride bikes, playing sports with your dad, going to school, and all of the other little things that we did back in those days. You are still a dear friend and I wish all the best that life has to offer for you and your family. Take care of yourself.

John Heavner

Hi Matt,

I am excited to hear of your progress. God is faithful and I continue to pray for your recovery.

Be Blessed!
Keith

Matt,

I am glad to see everything is going well. My thoughts and prayers to you on a speedy recovery. I am sure your family is relieved as well.

God Bless

Jerry

Hi Matt. Happy to hear all went well. Blessing for a fast recovery. Joe Pryor

Wow!!! Great news in your update....so happy all is going so well! Glad you are done with the hourly finger sticks... We are still continuing our prayers for a speedy recovery.

Jeff and Sherene :)

Hi Matt!
Hope you're feeling better and better. I remembered you at Mass yesterday (8/18) and will pray for you the remainder of the week at each Mass. Take care and let the healing continue!
Vic

Dear Matt,
I had valve repair 6 weeks ago (I am feeling 60-70% healed, so hang in there), and your fear before seemed like my fear. I am hoping your progress is amazing. It seemed like I healed in hours not days at your stage. I wish you a speedy recovery. It looks like you have the support of family and friends, which is key. Best wishes. Congratulations, you made it past the scary pre-surgery part!
-Jennifer Turner

Hi Matt,
What a great idea this webpage is !!!
I was wondering if you read this book for heart valve patients it looks like a really good resource for support & information?
You were looking really good & doing very well when I checked in on you before leaving the hospital.
God is good !!! I hope you are feeling better now finally getting the surgery done knowing it went well & can start your healing process .
As your surgery nurse, I will be looking forward to hearing your side of your heart surgery :)

I felt much better after drinking some water. He's doing very well. He'll be up and walking some tomorrow. The first few days are somewhat hard, but he'll do great! Chest tube removal isn't as bad as it seems. When he gets his strength back please have him give me a call.

-Shelby

Yippee!!! Great news about being extubated..... after you get the chest tubes out you will be golden!! God is definitely watching out for you! We will continue to pray for a speedy recovery.

Can't stop smiling right now! So happy for you....
Jeff and Sherene

Hey Matt and Paula
Just want to let you know how thankful to God for the way things are progressing with Matt! I was praying all day today as were so many others and I am so thankful for God's faithfulness! I will continue to pray for God's healing!

Hi Paula

Thanks for the update. Sounds like Matt is greatly improving with each hour passing. I know you and the family are thrilled and relieved. Let me know if you need anything.

Donna

Dude, you, your surgical team, and your support team rock! Here's to a speedy and "boring" recovery. Be sure you sign up for cardiac rehab. -- DVB

Dear Matt,
I wanted to let you know that I have sent prayers up for you and wish for you an uneventful recovery.

I will be following your journal and look forward to reading your entries.

You are one blessed man (I read your story). May our loving God continue to bless you and heal you.

I'm 5 weeks post op aortic valve replacement and I feel wonderful. I've been doing 4 to 8 miles a day, kayaking, swimming, mowing the lawn and yes, most other things I'm really not suppose to do yet. But, I feel amazing. No more huffing & puffing with the simple things I did.

Stay strong!
Sheila Garrison
Apple Valley, CA

Thoughts & prayers are with you! I will be having surgery in next year or two. Waiting for more symptoms. Any input would be appreciated. Here's to a speedy recovery!!!!!

Hello Matt,

I am so relieved that you are out of surgery and that everything went well. God is good, all the time. Here's wishing you a speedy recovery. Take care,

Debora

Great news! You've been in our prayers all week, and we're thrilled that you're doing well. We'll keep praying for speedy and full recovery.

So glad to hear the good news! God is wonderful!

Rob

Matt and Paula,

You are both in our thoughts and prayers. So happy to hear you are in ICU already and the surgery is completed. Thanks for the update.

Jeff and Sherene

Matt,
You have been on my mind all day! I pray that your procedure goes well and you are back full speed soon. God bless you and your family. Rod

Hello dear Bro Matt. Praying God's perfect peace, comfort, strength and healing for you today!! Lifting the whole team, and your family up to the Father as well. Looking forward to a good report this morning!!

Dana

God desires you to be in good health. My prayers and thoughts are with you and Paula.

My dear and beloved brother in Christ. Prayers are being lifted up before our awesome God for you and your family.

Hi Matt,
I am glad to hear you were in good spirits this morning, hope everything is going well. I have been praying for a successful surgery and swift recovery. You are my rock and inspiration on the job. I will keep you in my prayers and just know "the battle is not yours, it's the Lord's. I know he will keep you and your family safe in his arms. Take care and I will see you when you get back. Debora

Hi Matt, Prayed for you this morning and trust that when you read this you will have felt the presence of God in a special way thru your surgery.

David

Hi Matt: I am praying for you and know God is holding you tight and will not let go of you. In the days ahead you will feel better and regain your strength. With the Lord's help - today you may only "walk and not faint" but later you will be able to "soar like an eagle" .
May God Bless You---
Donna

Praying for you Matt. We will rejoice in the victory our God gives tomorrow.

Rob ( OAK) :)

Prayed that the Great Healer would guide the doctor and nurses as they use thier gifts of healing.

Praying for ya! God the great physician is definitely a great heart surgeon!! I know you are in good hands!!!

Get that ticker fixed, Matt. I don't want to hear excuses on the tennis court. I'm looking forward to seeing you full of energy again.

George

Matt,
I have been praying for you (both for your heart and for your D. Min. Project). Congratulations on chapter 3! I look forward to seeing all that God does in your life through this surgery. I know, you'd rather read it in somebody else's book than go through it! Praying for you daily.
Bill Street

You, Paula and the girls are in my prayers!

Renae

Praying for you!!!!!!

Jonathan

Matt, The members of our weekly Bible study at the base will be praying for you. Blessings!
-Mack

Hi Matt. The prospect of heart surgery pretty much puts everyone off-balance. But getting it done is a gift to yourself and to your loved ones. Think about that and how to bring it best about, and then step out on your chosen path and you'll find peace, calmness, and courage. All of us here are with you on your journey. -- DVB

Praying for you.

Hi Matt: Thanks for sending me your journal. We both knew this day was coming for a long time. You are in the best of care with your doctor and hospital. Beyond their care is the care of the Great Physician and HE has you in the palm of His Hand. I am praying for you and will be there for Paula, the girls, and your mom and sister.
Love you good buddy --
Donna

Matt, you are in my prayers, especially next week. I'll enjoy seeing you smile in victory when soon you're back on videoconference.
Dennis

I'll miss you in Colorado next week, but will be praying for you - actually, mostly for your Doctor!
Kevin

Hey Matt, I too was hoping for the valve of a Razorback, but I guess that was not in God's plan. Please know that we will be praying for you and your doctors every step of the way. Remember 2 Cor. 10:5 and take every thought captive. God wants to use this for His glory, let Him!

If there is anything I can do during your time on the couch, chillin', sitting back and just being lazy, just let me know. Oh, and by the way Pig Suey!

Praying for you.

Welcome to HVJ Matt. You have a lot of friends here who have gone through this. We can tell you that valve replacement surgery is routine for these folks.

This may be difficult, but trust your surgeon and cardiologist. They know what they're doing. What may seem completely out of control to you and me is simply a day in the life of these people.

Lastly, in stead of thinking about your impending doom, focus on what you're going to do with your newly upgraded heart. I am four months post op and am jogging and hiking more than ever. I have a long term recovery goal to run the Crazy Legs run in Madison, WI which is five miles. I'll be running five miles before the end of fall.Check out my journal and Kent's journal (He signed below).

We feel great thanks to the surgery. Stay positive and follow the rules. No shortcuts!

My best!

David Fanson

Hi Matt,

I guess I should have signed the last entry....still learning the process...

Marti

Hi Matt,

While I have not had major surgery, I have been around my husband who had brain surgery. I know this creates a lot of worries...and....sometimes you don't want to share them with others as you don't want them to worry as well...Call if you want to talk. The thing personally that I have found most helpful during times when anxiety starts to take control over me is to give my concerns to the Lord. My prayers are with you.

Hi Matt,

From firsthand experience, you'll do great! No worries. Know you're in our prayers, and hopefully we'll get to talk before the big day. Take care.

-Shelby

Hi Matt. I'll be following your journey. I had replacement surgery June 30 and everything has gone well.

Hang in there and I know you'll do great.

Kent Kersey,
Salem, OR