Hi Carla,
You have two good medications that I am sure will make you well very quickly!! And they are Riverdance (which I would love to see with you) and dark chocolate (which is my favorite.
Love you,
Pat

Dear Carla,
I am so glad to hear that your bruises are clearing up. I pray tonight you will sleep better! WE are in Key Largo this weekend taking a needed vacation with Daddy! So far we have tried, but have failed to see a manatee! However, we did get to show the kids a sunset on the water last night which they pretty much have never seen since we moved to the east coast when they were little! This morning I was encouraged as we read Psalm 94. In summary: "The God who created eyes can see you, and the God who created ears can hear you." I was thinking about how the GOd who created your heart loves you, too!! Thank you for the updates!
Love Jill Wragg and CO.

Hi Carla
Am hoping you will be able to sit through Riverdance. The change of scenery and beautiful music and dancing will be wonderful. As for swelling, I wear compression hose (knee highs) and have for years. So once I was out of the hospital I started wearing them again and Pete still has to put them on me. The compression is 30/40. I did have swelling as it was much more difficult to get them on for a couple of weeks. having had your lung drained before you know what it's like and if it needs to be done it'll be so much better to have it done before you fly as you'll be so much more comfortable. Couldn't believe they withdrew over 2L (more than 1/2 gallon). They tell me they've actually done 3L on some people. Don't know how someone could breathe at all with that lung.Your prayer request is that this resolves and that is what I will pray for. Be strong and brave as you seem to be. I am slowly improving and I say slowly, still tire easily when walking, etc. A day at a time. My Pete loves dark chocolate in fact he just had his daily dose. When i eat it, prefer more of a milk chocolate, but studies show it's good for you. Assume you have a rental car?
Fran Z

I don't think chocolate ever hurts anybody. I pray that your fluid diminishes,your breathing improves, and your heart slows down and is regular. May Randy's cough disappear - and that you both get a good night's sleep. Maybe sleeping in separate beds after all these years isn't good for you two lovebirds.
Nancy Parnell

Will Riverdance have an effect on your heartbeat????? Mrs B

Hi Carla and Randy, Do take the time to enjoy each others company. God has given you both a second chance as a living testament of his works. I pray that everything goes well for you this week-end and that they give you a good report Monday. Love Ya, Sharon - Walter too!

Hi Carla,
So glad to hear that you are doing well! It was a blessing to read through your journal and see how God has worked through it all. You have been in our prayers! God is so GOOD!

We love you! Mike and Peggy

Thanks for the update, Carla. Sure hope the extra Lasix and spirometer use will get rid of enough fluid so you can fly home. Having been thru it, draining the fluid is not a real problem and you'll breath so much better. But, obviously being able to do it without the this procedure is easier. Will pray all goes well this weekend. We stayed at the Residence Inn and found it very convenient. Will be thinking (and praying) for you. By the way, my vision (reading) is not as sharp as before surgery. Got a new prescription about 6 months before surgery, so don't want that expense again.
Fran Z

Carla, we appreciate your updates so much. Imagine Randy has checked the route for all walks to detour the shoe stores!

Hugs,
Mary Llew Coulter

Carla, I am in the Bahamas, and feel so blessed to be able to receive your progress reports here. Sounds as if each day you are improving, and thanks be to God for that! His mercies are abundant and endure forever. I was so happy to learn in your posting that you are being met and greeted by His Saints and Believers during your stay there. I, too, have kept you in prayer during these days of your surgery and recovery. I just praise Him for His Presence with you and His Healing Hand upon you. I love you! and look forward to reading your next notation.
Love and blessings, Jo Davidson 4-23-10

Carla, rec'd an EM from Darla and her last sentence was informing me of your surgery...so now you can add me to the legions who are praying...wished I could have been all along...thank you for sharing this "event" on this cool website...it is so encouraging...God's grace & mercy is w/o measure. Love to you and your entire family and hope to see you at Costco soon!!! Chris Anderson

Carla,
We're joyeous to hear of your progress and urge you to take advantage of the extra days relaxing in Cleveland. We continue to pray and give thanks to Him. We wish you and Randy traveling mercies and a safe return to sunny and warm Jupiter.
Warren & Lee

Carla,
We are glad to hear you are feeling
better and you left the hospital. We can't believe you are coming home to Jupiter next
week. We have been praying for you. We are glad God is helping you to recover quickly.
We pray God will continue to take care of you
and you will be healthy.We miss you,
Magda & Vanessa Kaminski

Carla,
How fun it is to read about your days. So glad you're enjoying some pretty walks. The blossoming trees sound wonderful. I'm praising the Lord for His healing hand on you. So glad your attitude about moving to a different hotel changed with ease. The Lord does know how to change us and grow us!!
Do take care and thanks again for the Journal!!
Love and prayers, Joyce

Carla...thanks for keeping us up-to-date. I love hearing all the good news. God is so good...and he certainly knows your heart!! Hope you appointment goes well tomorrow, sounds like you are doing great. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Take it easy and try to enjoy your time left in Cleveland. Love you ♥ Anna

Carla

I am so thankful for all that the Lord has provided for.....what a blessing & witness of HIS promises...
We missed you this morning at Bible Study....we are all praying that you will be able to come & sit with us some during the next 3 weeks....we are doing Ruth...
We love you & miss you and can't wait to see you. Jo

God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He's so good to us! It's so exciting to think that God healed you to the point of being discharged less than a week after your surgery! And that he's granted our requests for you in a lesser degree of pain than you expected! Even though you & Randy are eager to come home (and we're eager for your arrival), isn't it a treat for the two of you to enjoy some northern Spring sights & blooms . . . I just don't envy the cooler temps you're having . . . So glad for your updates, I know some choir folks will be asking tonight - We love you & miss you - hope all reports will be positive tomorrow - You'll be in my thoughts & prayers - Love, Darla

God has done wonderful work to a wonderful woman and her friends and family. Sounds like you need to change hotels. The Cleveland Indians are in Minnesota beating the Twins right now. Carla-now don't be skipping steps in your Cardiac Rehab - they are steps for a reason. I got good news today-I don't have cancer of the colon. I have enough things to deal with right now. Enjoy Cleveland and each other. Nancy Parnell

Hi Carla,

I love reading your journal each day and to see God's grace in all the details of this unique season....even down to getting you out of the rocker convention....don't know though.....you could teach them a thing or two about some quality music :)

Didn't think of this before.....would you be up for the marriage conference next weekend? It's at the Embassy Suites in Palm Beach Gardens....we could still get you in!

love,

nancy

We continue to pray for Randy and you. Paul can understand what Randy is going through and I can understand what you are going through.
I also had problems with my eyes after surgery. God and time heals and the "feeling good" days start outnumbering the "not feeling myself" days. It took me 3 years to adjust to not being able to hear my heart beat inside my head all the time. All my life it had felt normal. Now the great gift from God is your repaired heart. Praise God and Embrace every second of it. Love, Bev

Hi Carla

I had to have a chuckle at the end of your journal entry. Not into leather?? That hotel will be rockin' so I'm sure you are glad to have to move. Thank goodness.

I'm sure the eye issues will probably turn out to be meds or aftermath of the surgery. I had it happen to me and now I actually think my distance has worsened. I go next month for an eye check-up. I wear glasses for reading but a few years back opted to start wearing them all the time so I didn't have to keep putting them off and on and wearing them on my head. Now I'm finding I'm not seeing distance at all well so there is a change.

It's a little cooler here as well today but Peter still says it's perfect for golf.

Take care and take it easy.

Cheryl, Ontario

Carla...What an encouragement to me that you
are out and about some. We are looking forward to seeing you back in Jupiter. Maybe when you feel up to it(now that I can
drive) would love to take you to lunch and
get to know you even better. Take care my
sister in Christ and with prayers, Judy Z

Happy Thursday Carla & Randy,

Hope you have a sunny & blessed day.

susan

We are so glad that you are doing so well. Also, thanks for the info on the guided imagery. I'm going to try to start tonight.

Tim from Greensboro NC

Carla,

I hear that Cleveland is the next big global vacation destination. So, you've got a jump start. Isn't it good to be alive and to have the surgery behind you? Keep taking it easy and enjoy the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame for me. Cuyahoga Valley National Park just south of Cleveland is a pretty wonderful place. Rejoicing at God's healing work in you!

Duane

Hi my friend! I am praying for you. Give yourself a special hug from me and enjoy the few extra days in Cleveland.
Love you!
Michelle Eichner

Hi Carla

So glad to hear you are up and going... God is faithful all of the time. One day you will know how many people you touched for Christ while you and your family were at CC. We look forward to having you back next week; how exciting. Take it easy... don't over do it. We'll pray for a relaxed weekend, continued healing and strengthening, and a save journey home.

Sandra S

Hi Carla

Thanks for taking the time to drop by my guestbook. Nice to see you are getting a little walking in there. What else can you do? Take care and take it easy.

Cheryl, Ontario

Good morning Carla

Well I guess you might just as well settle in and wait some more. Yes, it's nice to be home in your own surroundings but that will happen soon enough. Perhaps take a little comfort you are close to CC "just in case" something flares up and you have a question. It's going to be a while before you feel like going too far anyway so why not take advantage of where you are for now?

This is such an emotional journey and there is nothing more comforting than home sweet home. Soooooon! Glad Randy is able to do a little work while he's there so he isn't getting too anxious.

You are in my prayers.

Cheryl, Ontario

Hi Carla
Thanks for the update, slow and easy is the key words. What a mess up on your ticket situation. If you can afford the extra hotel cost and all that goes with it, you'll feel some security in being nearer the hospital. Our daughters took a couple hours off when they were with us and went to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. They enjoyed it. Don't get cabin fever, I thought I'd be able to read more but couldn't seem to concentrate but maybe you'll be able to. Praying for an uneventful recovery.
Fran Z

What great news. Everyday you will feel stronger. It is a true blessing to have God's healing power on you. You are probably feeling like a new person already. Love, Bev

Carla,

I've been following your path because I'll be at the CC in a month. I'm so happy to hear you're doing well and have been released! I hope you get to go back to Florida soon!

Best wishes for a swift and full recovery!

Ricki Shine

Good morning Carla!

Getting ready to take Katie to school and got to catch up on your latest posts!!! How awesome to be at this end of your journey and to be able to look back at each tenent of God's faithfulness and tender loving care!

We are so grateful for His tender hand of love in your life and in our own.

We will be praying that you continue to heal with each passing hour, and that you return home safely on Saturday to your family here at GIBC....wish Jim could fly you :) Also for the hotel accomodations.....God already has that planned!

With great joy and anticipation we look forward to having you back with us....your music will be all the more sweeter to God, you and us as you have trusted Him all the more, and grown ever closer to Him.

To Him be all glory, honor and praise!

We love you Carla,
Nancy for the K's

Wow. What a week you've had. It's so much fun reading the daily updates & guestbook additions. How wonderful to have such great friends & family. You are a living testimony for our Living God's Grace & Mercy. More later.

love, susan a.

Hi Carla, We are so happy to hear of how you are progressing and that you will be coming back to us on Saturday. Praise to the Maker of your heart for how He has mended it, and mended it again! :o) Hearing the story of how great your treatment was at Cleveland Clinic makes me all the more excited to start my new job @ Cleveland Clinic of West Palm Beach! God is so good!!!! Love, Pat

Hi Carla

Your prayers have been answered. I'm so glad you're sprung and on your way home. Enjoy your night with your family in solitude.

Cheryl, Ontario

What wonderful news,Carla. ou bounced back quickly. Hope your hotel arrangements work out also. So, now you have a couple of days to rest, do your breathing exercises and some walking. Hope the weather co-operates for some outside walking. You already know you'll have to prop yourself on a few pillows at the hotel, but at least your sleep won't be disturbed with staff popping in and out all night long. Nothing like getting in bed with the man you love! Prayers for an uncomplicated recovery.
Fran Z

Carla, I had a good feeling from the start that you were going to be ok. You had such a wonderful attitude and that's a major thing going into surgery--and you knew who wa with you all the way. Thank God also, for your lovely family who were with you every step of the way. Girl,you are doing wonderful! I admire you so much. I will still keep you in my prayers. Love, Sharon & Walter

Hi Carla
Frank & I have been praying for your successful surgery and quick recovery ever since we heard you had to go in for the heart valve surgery. We are happy to hear that all went well and that you will be returning home.
Much Love
Annette & Frank Rudl

What a blessing to read about your journey. So glad to hear that you're out! I'll continue to pray during your recovery and return home.

Love,
Nancy Adrian

Carla,

Congratulations on getting out of the slammer...er...hospital! Praise God! That's a huge step and, even though it's not quite home yet, much more comfortable for you and Randy as a couple. Unless Randy has gotten in some kind of habit and wakes you up to take your vital signs and draw blood in the middle of the night. ;-)

Thanking God for your progress.

Duane Hunt

CARLA,
YOU ARE OUT! ANOTHER ANSWER TO PRAYER. WHAT A SAVIOR! IT WAS NOT THAT LONG AGO WE WERE SO WORRIED ABOUT THIS SURGERY, AND NOW HERE YOU ARE -OUT. HE IS TRULY THE GREAT PHYSICIAN. HAVE A SAFE TRIP HOME, AND WE WILL KEEP PRAYING FOR YOU, I KNOW.PRAISE OUR PRECIOUS SAVIOR!
IN CHRISTIAN LOVE,
LYNNE S.

Okay, Carla. I'm here to help your mushy brain. Gortex...raincoats...no leaks...get it? I'm sure that's what it means:) Mrs. B

Carla, thank you for including Kenn and I in your prayer group for this surgery. We wish we could do more but have enjoyed sharing what God is doing for you and thru you. We continue to pray for you daily and have shared your info with my parents, Jeanne and John Andrea. Mary Hall, Apopka FL

Carla....thank you so much for letting me know that you were dealing with all of this with your heart.....since my Aunt Laurene passed away....and it's 2 yrs now....i really don't know what is going on with the extended family.....God Bless...and I will keep you in my prayers....ruthie....Minnesota

Hello Carla
You are doing so well. Glad you got off a lot of that fluid. Isn't the Cleveland Clinic amazing? Thanks for the pictures. Know you will continue to do well and will wait for your next update. Prayers continue.
Fran Z

Hi Carla

So good to hear of your amazing progress, excess fluid or not. That happens to almost all and does get rectified hopefully the pill way! Sounds as if you are getting ready to go home and start healing. You have had wonderful help from Jennifer - (boy, does she rent out) and Randy of course. Wishing you well as you prepare for your journey back to living. Wishing a safe trip home for Jennifer as well.

Prayers.

Cheryl, Ontario

I'm so happy that THE MAN found you the right man and has guided your preparation,surgery, and recovery. Also great that "Your Man Randy" is there to love you and support you (it's tough to go through illness without your lifepartner). Great that one of your beautiful daughters has medical training to help care for you and understand the medical jargon. Nancy Parnell

Hi Carla!
Love your pictures and so good to read how well you are progressing! You are in our prayers, Bonnie & Dan M.

Carla,
Thank the Lord everything is going well with you. Trust in the Lord always gets us through tough times. You are still very much in my prayers. We love you, Dale and Bebee