Donna, you will have to keep too many from exciting Chris in these first few days. I know you'll try to keep him as quite and calm as possible.

Thanks for all the updates - glad to hear all is going well so far. Continued prayers for speedy healing and complete success!

Thanks for the updates. Glad to hear the surgery was a success. Will keep praying for Chris.

Melissa Wetzel

so glad to know that it is over...will be thinking about you all
Patty Wagner

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and a healthy and happy 2011.

Cindy Mitchell

Just wanted to let you know you are in our prayers for total healing and a complete recovery.
Susan Plauche'

Wishing you a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with you.
Jim York

Chris, I just heard about your surgery, and I wish you the very best for a full and speedy recovery. My family and I will keep you in our prayers.

Lee Miracle

Chris, Joe Bailey shared this email with me, and Nib and I want you to know you are in our prayers as you undergo this surgery and as you progress to a complete recovery. Please know that you are very special to me, and I treasure the months we worked together in Knoxville. May God's Blessings be with you and your family. Fondly, Barbara Pelot

Chris, I have been checking your Facebook wanting to get an update. I have been thinking about you, Donna and the kids ALL day!

Hugs,

Patricia Robledo

The Brown Family is praying for a successful operation and a speedy recovery. Over your life, you've been an inspiration to many (including me), and it's obvious that God has a plan for you. Hopefully, you'll be waking up and telling jokes again by the time you read this ;-)
- Abe Brown III

I have prayed for you Chris. I know this will go all right. Fellow fisherman, Kim (Milkman) Van Doorn

Chris and Donna,

You both have good hearts so I know all will go well. We will be thinking of you both and your children,

Patrick, Marilyn, Katherine, McKenzie, and Margaret Roddy

Chris and Donna,
Lots of people are thinking and praying for you, so feel the love and look forward to a quick, healthy recovery.

Marcia DeOteris

Dear Chris and Donna ... hang in there. Our prayers are with you for a successful surgery and a complete recovery. I can promise you that 2011 will be a better year for us both!

Jack Bowers
Montclair NJ

Hang in there, Son. You'll be better than ever! All the children at IC in Eau Claire and the Rosary folks were praying for you before and during Mass. You've got a great future ahead!

Dear Chris,Donna,Phil, Liz
Sending our positive thoughts,love and support.
Xo
Sue and Erin

Chris - Glad they caught it in time! Best of luck - Lorrie

Chris, best of luck with the procedure and hopefully a speedy recovery for hunting and golf season. Our thoughts are with you.
Don, Michelle, and the kids.

The Wagners are pulling for you, Chris. All the best.

All the best for a quick recovery, Chris.

Chris, wow, what an ordeal. I am VERY glad that you had this surgery before MAJOR problems occured. Hopefully you and Phillip will be able to make another fishing trip to Canada with my group soon. Have a great Christmas.

Hi Chris:

Didn't think I'd be reconnecting with you via this journal. Looking forward to having you and Donna back in town- although wish it was on Woodmont. You know your house was back on the market...Just wanted you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and with your strength and family support I know you'll be back on the tracks again soon.

Warm Regards,
Ilene Goldmeier

Praying for you and your family....Patty Wagner

Hey Chris,

Praying for successful surgery and speedy recovery. See you on the treadmill soon. Merry Christmas and a wonderful healthy New Year to you and your family.

Billy Dyke

The West family is thinking about you this morning! You have many people praying for you today. We know you will do fine and pull thru with flying colors!! Lindsey will keep us posted as well as your journal. Enjoy being with your family during the holidays even tho it is an unusual environment. It is important to be together. Judy, Mike, Lindsey, Chase and Paige

Chris,

We wanted you to know that we are praying for you - along with an army of folks in Montclair and PCUM. We are so sorry you have to endure the pain of the surgery but pray that you will come through this stronger than before. We look forward to fun times together in the Garden State. Sending you much love, Elizabeth & Tim

Chris,

Colley told me you were having surgery. Like many others I included you in my prayers. I look forward to hearing that you are 100% on the road to recovery. It was fun catching up at the Florida game. I forgot what a great bunch of guys we had in our 4 year span of Pikes. See you at the Georgia game this fall. Dan Meracle

By now, I suspect you are in recovery and beginning a journey back to the life you knew. I'd like to offer you hope that after this storm, the sun will shine and you will be an even wiser man from the experience. You are blessed, as I know you are, to have a wonderful support system of friends, family and medical professionals around you. Let them take care of you. I know that's hard, but this is a time to surrender to their love. Best Wishes for a speedy recovery, Tom Catani

Praying for you, Chris!

We're thinking of you (and your sweet family) especially today. Alice Mercer

Special Prayers for you all day, Chris. You are a rock, and I know you can do this.


Alan Deehan

Chris, You are in my thoughts and prayers. I know you have great doctors to help you through this challenge.

Bill Lyons

I'll be praying for you and thinking of you all day. Stay strong! Karla.

Praying specifically for the peace of His love to comfort you before, during and after surgery. Your wife has been such a blessing of grace in my life! Thank you for sharing your story, I look forward to reading about your recovery.
Ellie Kittrell

all our positive thoughts and prayers from all the Hoffs!

Chris, I hop everything goes well and know that it will. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and keep checking for updates! Good Luck!

Renee Powers Johnson

Praying for you and your doctors tomorrow. You are in great hands at Vanderbilt! I know from past experience myself. Stay stong!
Love, Christi

Praying that everything goes well Chris!


Claudia Evangelisti Wills

Chris, hang in there friend. I will be thinking about you.

Kerry Dye

Hi Chris & Donna,

My name is Duane Hunt and I am a fellow HVJ family member (I have an extensive journal-yawn). I became HVJ friends with Thomas & Kim Deakins through his surgery last December, followed by my own mitral valve repair surgery this past January. The Deakins are awesome folks! I picked up Kim's message to pray for you on a facebook posting and responded. I am a pastor in central Florida and, like yourself, I am 51 (turn 52 in March). The HVJ were such a lifeline for communication, support, prayers, and friendship. Please know that my wife and I will be praying for you and your wife tomorrow. May you sense the same peace of God that passes all understanding that we experienced the night before and all throughout. The journey is never linear--lots of ups and downs, but it'll be so great to get this behind you. Vanderbilt is a great place. But you are in greater hands still!

Love & Prayers from central Florida!

Duane Hunt

Hi Chris,

just be patient while in the hospital and remember that you will be healing with each passing day. you will be home before you know it and resuming normal activities.

terry
mitral valve repair on Dec 15th.

Chris, my thoughts and prayers for you. All of your CBHS Brothers are pulling for you.
Ed Mullery

Chris and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you tonight and through the surgery tomorrow. This is the season for miracles - praying your recovery will be miraculous. Love you all!

Leslie and John

Chris,

We will keep you and your family in our prayers. I am confident that you will have a speedy recovery.

Scott, Sharon, Clay & Lauren

You'll be ready for turkey season.

Uncle Jack

Hang tough. It'll hurt awhile and then you'll be ready to go soon.

Uncle Jack, Elizabeth, and Cousin Jesse

WOW! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and with Donna, Phil and Liz. Take care and keep us posted on your recovery. Hope you are ready for golf season in the spring..... We miss seeing you guys!
Lynn and Butch

Chris and Donna-we are praying for you all and we know that your surgery will go well!! Please let us know if we can do anything! And Chris-you didn't have to go to this extreme to get out of decorating for Christmas-I would have helped Donna-just kidding!!! Seriously, we will look for the updates tomorrow!!! Much love!!!!
Sien, David, Bethany, & Wheeler

Chris,

Since I met you, over 30 years ago, when you were an incoming freshman, I've always known you to be a serious person; someone that I would characterize with a lot of "heart." I learned that as a teamate and later as someone I coached that you were not only talented as a player, but, more importantly, a fighter. I hope for, and expect nothing less than your complete recovery from this surgery. If mental, physical, and spiritual toughness matter at all in this trial then we'll be drinking a beer at the house next September. April, Bo and I have you in our thoughts and prayers buddy, and don't worry about all the times I was "open" and you took the shot anyway.
See you soon,

Stephen and April