Bob's Journal

Elaine, thank you so much for reminding me that we are 6 months after the date of our surgeries. It has truly been an amazing journey for me. As far as I'm concerned, it's all behind me now. I am very thankful that my surgery was textbook and my recovery was uneventful. I am very thankful for Adam's website and this awesome Community of our heart sisters and brothers. I just completed my 30 sessions of cardiac rehab, and it was awesome. Next, my wife and I have purchased a bicycle built for two plus one (Olaf is our little Maltese dog). I will post a photo soon. I presented my journey in front of about 50 people of my family, close friends and my Cursillo brothers and sisters. I loved sharing my experiences, many were documented in my Story and my Journal. Here is the closing from my presentation: "Finally, often times, I ask God, Show me the Way. I think I now know what I need to do. When I retire, God willing, I want to volunteer at my hospital, Northwestern Medicine at Central DuPage Hospital, in the Cardiac wing. In fact, we just downsized our house into a townhouse that is just about across the street from the hospital. And finally again, after I retire but before I volunteer at the hospital, I will complete the 500 mile Camino de Santiago. Who will join me? God Bless, Rise Up and of course, De Colores!"

This song from Kutless is just absolutely awesome! I dedicate this song to all of our heart sisters and brothers from Adam's miraculous website! Kutless "What Faith Can Do" Everybody falls sometimes Gotta find the strength to rise From the ashes And make a new beginning Anyone can feel the ache You think it's more than you can take But you're stronger Stronger than you know Don't you give up now The sun will soon be shining You gotta face the clouds To find the silver lining I've seen dreams that move the mountains Hope that doesn't ever end Even when the sky is falling I've seen miracles just happen Silent prayers get answered Broken hearts become brand new That's what faith can do It doesn't matter what you've heard Impossible is not a word It's just a reason For someone not to try Everybody's scared to death When they decide to take that step Out on the water It'll be alright Life is so much more Than what your eyes are seeing You will find your way If you keep believing I've seen dreams that move the mountains Hope that doesn't ever end Even when the sky is falling I've seen miracles just happen Silent prayers get answered Broken hearts become brand new That's what faith can do Overcome the odds You don't have a chance (That's what faith can do) When the world says you can't It'll tell you that you can I've seen dreams that move the mountains Hope that doesn't ever end Even when the sky is falling And I've seen miracles just happen Silent prayers get answered Broken hearts become brand new That's what faith can do That's what faith can do Even if you fall sometimes You will have the strength to rise

At Mass today, we sang the song, "The Cross of Jesus", written by Francis Patrick O'Brien. The beginning of the second verse jumped out to me. I dedicate this song for our awesome Community and all of us who are living through a terrible winter. The second verse starts out: "Deep within create a new heart; Melt away the winter chill. Help us now to make a new start. Help us now to know Your will." God bless and rise up!

This song is a dedication to our Community. I was in Mass this evening, and we sang "Deep Within." I have sung this song many times, but one verse just jumped out to me: "I will give you a new heart, a new spirit within you, for I will be your strength." God bless and rise up!

This song is a dedication to Adam Pick and our Awesome Community. It's called "In This Place" by Trevor and Victoria Thomson. I've heard and sang the song many times, but yesterday in Mass, the verses jumped out to me ... another inspiration from the Holy Spirit. In my opinion, This Place is the Web Site that Adam built. God Bless Adam! And the verse, "Our hearts and our spirits are nurtured by grace" is for our Community. Very appropriate for tonight's post from Damian's journal. I will be presenting my open heart surgery journey during a public event in May. The event is called an Ultreya which means Onward and Upward in Spanish ... Brother John Noriega knows about this type of event. I am really excited about sharing my experience and referencing our Awesome Community.

40 days, huh? Coincidence? Hardly. 40 days in the Bible represents a trial or test. I guess my trial was to overcome open heart surgery. Because of my doctors, my nurses, my caregivers and of course my wife, my guardian angel, I returned to work on January 19th. It felt great to be back with my colleagues and receive their well wishes on my recovery. It has been an amazing journey, and I pray thanksgiving everyday for God's grace, healing and all those who have helped me including Adam Pick and my heart brothers and sisters. God Bless and Rise Up!

After purchasing the 5 giant, heart-shaped pretzels for my doctors, nurses and caregivers, the song on the only radio station I listen to (K-LOVE) was playing "Walk By Faith" by Jeremy Camp. I've heard it before, but yesterday, I finally listened to the words. So, I dedicate this song to us, our Heart Sister and Brother Walkers: "Walk By Faith" by Jeremy Camp Would I believe you when you would say Your hand will guide my every way Will I receive the words You say Every moment of every day [chorus] Well I will walk by faith Even when I cannot see Well because this broken road Prepares Your will for me Help me to win my endless fears You've been so faithful for all my years With one breath You make me new Your grace covers all I do [chorus] Well I will walk by faith Even when I cannot see Well because this broken road Prepares Your will for me Well I'm broken- but I still see Your face Well You've spoken- pouring Your words of grace [chorus] Well I will walk by faith Even when I cannot see Well because this broken road Prepares Your will for me Well hallelujah, hallelu (I will walk by faith) Well hallelujah, hallelu (I will walk by faith) I will walk, I will walk, I will walk by faith I will, I will, I will walk by faith

Once again, my recovery continues to be amazing. I feel great/better everyday. Today, I started my cardiac rehabilitation. The facility is great with treadmills, stationary bikes, ellipticals, row machines, free weights, etc. One therapist overviews my work-out, while another therapist monitors and records my pulse real-time during my warm-up, work-out and cool down. My plan is to complete Phase II over 12 weeks: Monday/Wednesday/Friday. Why not? Great exercise! God Bless and Rise Up!

It is amazing that it has been 3 weeks after open heart surgery. I feel great! I am increasing my daily walks and am now up to 1.6 miles. My Cardiologist, Dr. Mushtaq, checked me out and agrees I'm doing great. He released me to a Stress Test scheduled for January 8th, follow-up with Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation, and return to work on January 19th. Happy New Year to all with fixed hearts and those on the docket. God Bless and Rise Up!

I was scheduled to meet my Heart Surgeon, Dr. James, for a follow-up to remove my stitches. Unfortunately, Dr. James was pulled into an acute heart surgery. We saw the helicopter on the ground, and the patient was for Dr. James. We met with Arlene, Dr. James' primary nurse, and she removed my stitches. That was a great milestone. My recovery has been A+, and she said I could increase my walking. Great. And I could walk our dog, Olaf a 10.5 pound Maltese. It was great walking him and walking around the neighborhood. I can also drive if I want to, but I don't need to. Tomorrow at my Mom's for Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day at our home. Merry Christmas to all!

It was so awesome sleeping in my own bed. With 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep! It was so awesome having my own shower. It was so awesome shaving my face. And then, I was completely exhausted. Time for a nice nap back in bed. A home health care nurse came by to register me into the program. And of course the best thing to me was spending my entire day with my guardian angel, my wife Kris.

It's a new day! I feel great! Thank you so much for your prayers for me! Whoever told me about the cherry Popsicle, it was absolutely AWESOME! GOD BLESS AND RISE UP!

Hello - This is Kris, Bob's wife. It's been a long day (we got up at 4:15 am to be at the hospital at 5 am), but all went well. Thanks to Deacon Bill Thomas for showing up in the early morning and saying prayers with us before we left for the hospital. I'm too tired to go into details, but Dr. James said Bob came through surgery with flying colors. After Bob woke up and the breathing tube came out, he started cracking jokes. He's resting and sleeping a lot as you can imagine. Bob's parents, his sister, and our son John sat in the waiting room all day to finally see Bob. I'm spending the night with Bob in the ICU. Bob really wanted you all to know he's doing well. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes. They mean a lot.

My Pastor, Father Mark at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, conducted the anointment of the sick on me. Then I participated in a reconciliation ceremony and went to Confession. Peace and Joy. Then I read the scriptures for tomorrow: Excerpt from the first reading Isaiah 40:31 They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint. The Gospel from Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” GOD BLESS AND RISE UP!

When Dr. James was compassionately describing my case and his solution, his primary nurse, Arlene, was in the room along with my wife Kris. I noticed that Arlene was wearing a necklace with a cross. After Dr. James left the room, I asked Arlene about the cross. She shared that the cross came from Romania. Arlene has completed 5 mission trips and someone had given it to her ... she wears it everyday. More grace and peace from God. God bless! I have completed missions trips (twice to Memphis and once to St. Anne's parish in North Dakota) with my sons. They were awesome experiences. What reason prompted me to go was that my middle son John told me that going on a mission trip was the best week of the year .... even better than vacation. God Bless an Rise Up!

On November 18, I had a coronary angiogram to look at the blood vessels of my heart. My Cardiologist, Dr. Mushtaq, completed the procedure, and he told me that my heart blood vessels were fine. Thank God! After the procedure was completed and while still on the table, Dr. Mushtaq ran the section of the film of my leaky aortic valve. Because of the contrast, I was able to see with my own eyes what my Doctor's had been telling me, blood backflow in my heart. During my half day at the hospital, the nurses were wonderful. Melissa was with me the entire time along with Tosha, Annette and Bob the "barber". Kris and I really enjoyed our time with my nurses. Annette gave us some special chocolate she baked. Inside the chocolate was chia and cranberries. That was nice.

Yesterday, my wife Kris and I went to my Cardiologist's (Dr. Mushtaq) office to have a groin check because of my coronary angiogram last week and address any questions. The nurse Lauren was wonderful. She answered all of my wife's questions and we had a nice discussion. I normally donate blood every 16 weeks through the Alyx process (double reds). The last time my cholesterol was 220, and Kris rode me about not eating the right foods because her level is 164. OK, I did change my diet a little, a banana and yoghurt everyday. Kris asked Lauren about my cholesterol, and she said my level is at 177. Thank God! All looks good about my health, plus I do not smoke or drink, except for my leaky aortic valve. Everybody says I will be fine. I know that. I pray for thanksgiving for all the blessings that God has bestowed upon my family and me. GOD BLESS AND RISE UP!

My wife, my middle son John and I watched the movie, The Family Man. My wife and I always watch the movie every year during Christmas time because it's one of our favorite. This year, we watched it a little early because of my upcoming surgery. It is a funny and heart warming movie with Nicholas Cage, Tea Leoni, Don Cheadle and Jeremy Piven. We definitely recommend it.

On November 21, I received this appropriate Psalm from a CRHP (Christ Renews His Parish) and Cursillo brother, Bob S ... thank you brother! ... here are some highlight verses: 1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” ... 9 If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, ... 14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”