Hey, Duane! I'm so sorry to hear about this, but it does seem like it is the best of a bad situation. I'm with you on "don't crack - OR SAW - open my chest!!" but it sounds like the doctors are very good and very positive about the outcome :) And, even more important, God is ultimately in control! :) I'm glad I'll be able to keep up with your journey and I will be praying for you! :)
-Cyndi Sager
On January 7, 2010...
Hi Duane
I will be praying for you. Judy
On January 7, 2010...
Duane and Peggy,
When Peggy emailed me about schedule for CenterPoint, it did not dawn on me (rushing to leave work and pack kind of thing to go to Georgia) that you were having the surgery. I got back to work and Cindy Baker had sent out an email letting us know about Jonathan's dad. It hit me then, SURGERY!!! Well, please know I will pray for you both and would love to bring dinner over after the surgery and doing anything while Duane is recouping... paying back a little gratitude for your help in my time of crisis. Bruce and I love you and will see you Sunday
On January 5, 2010...
Thinking of you guys and praying.
In Him,
Thomas and Kim Deakins
On January 4, 2010...
Hi Duane,
Thanks for responding. Yes we are in Florida. Ken did not have his surgery done at Shands as one might think...North Florida Regional Medical Center is another hospital in Gainesville and that is where he had it done. At first I was pushing for us to see the MV expert at Shands for obvious reasons but all his doctors are associated with NFRMC, the communication between docs, primary phys., regular cardiologist, and the cardiologist performing all the testing(TEE, Cath etcc) was EXCELLENT. I mean they all have offices behind the hospital(or in it) and would regularly stop by and update each other on new results or findings..to the point where one would call us and say "well I just met with Drs.such and such and we discussed the results of the TEE and we feel..." the day after the test. Ken did not want to lose that communication aspect going to another hospital especially since he had some sedation issues(that no doctor believed us until they tried to put him under). I have heard great things about both places but for us the great communication was key.
Here's to healthy hearts!
Thanks, Tara
On January 4, 2010...
We'll be praying for you and Peggy both. We love you guys and are here if you need anything! We know God is watching over you.
Love,
Shylo & Becky
On December 29, 2009...
Hi Duane!
Glad to see you have the day locked in and know what is coming. I am sure this makes you feel better to know what and when, but nervous too.
I saw you are going to bank some blood and I think that is a smart thing. I was several units low and they did not give me blood during the surgery due to my age. I did get one unit and boy, did that make me feel better!
You all are in our prayers now and will be all the way through this. Just keep thinking that your condition can be repaired and you will be good as new.
Everytime someone hit me with a needle, IV, finger prick, etc., I thought about a 3 year old boy in our church battling Cancer. I knew he was going through a lot more than I was and I needed to be thankful!
You are going to be good as new and we have your back with the prayers.
Keep me informed!
Thomas
On December 28, 2009...
Thanks for the update Duane! It's on my calendar and I will be praying. Let up know if you need anything!!
Tracy Wright
On December 28, 2009...
Hi Duane,
sorry to hear of the definite need for surgery but sounds as though you are in good hands. You will be in our prayers and thoughts and really appreciated being a part of your Journal!
After your surgery, you will be the newest member of the "Zipper Club" as they call it when you have heart surgery! ha! Keith is also a member!
Love you both,
Bonnie
On December 25, 2009...
Merry Christmas Duane,
Thomas and I will continue to pray for you.
Thanks,
Kim Deakins
On December 23, 2009...
Hi!
We had many of the same feelings as you did when we began our journey of heart valve surgery. The psychological effects of waiting and having it hanging over your head were almost too much to bear for Ken and I so I totally understand your sentiment on that! Ken was just as "apprehensive" (to put it nicely) as you are about having his chest cracked open..but as we are on the other side of it, he admits that it was not as bad as he expected it to be. Ken was given 3-6 months and we are so glad we did it sooner. Our cardiologist even said that because we decided to do this now before it got too far that his chambers might go back to their normal size. Yesterday he said that he feels like he is 90% at 7weeks post op...and he was not quite as active as it sounds like you are but a healthy 38 year old. So I hope this is reassuring for you. Good luck and God bless,
Tara
On December 21, 2009...
Hey!
Did you see the Dr. in Orlando today? I'm figurin' it went well. Pastor Paul's dad has his done today, plus two by passes. Have not heard how all that went. Oops it's Tues.
God Bless! We're here!
Hal and Karen
On December 21, 2009...
Dad,
Praying for you as you face this battle. God will see you through this. We are here for you with anything you need.
Love you!
Jonathan & Rebecca
On December 20, 2009...
Duane,
Funny, I was reading your journal and I felt called to sign your guestbook. When your guestbook came up I noticed that Thomas had just signed too. I guess we are "on the same page" even though we are on different floors.
I just want you to know that this was a very difficult journey but what an amazing walk it has been. God shows up in the details. We felt him constantly. I know you must be scared, so if there is anything Thomas or I can do to answer questions or ease you fears, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Good luck tomorrow with Dr. Accola. We will pray for you.
In Him,
Kim Deakins
kcdmommy@yahoo.com
On December 20, 2009...
Duane,
GOD is GREAT! You will get through this and do fine. I cannot tell you the peace I felt before surgery. A prayer team was praying for me every 10 minutes from Monday - Tuesday afternoon.
I am happy to answer any questions or give thoughts as needed. Just ping me. I will keep watching your updates.
Peace be upon you....
Thomas Deakins
Farragut, TN
On December 20, 2009...
Duane,
Loving thoughts and prayers are coming your way. Your kindness and compassion for others will not go unnoticed...you will fully recover from this and be back to hiking trails before you know it!
Jim & Nancy Emerton
On December 16, 2009...
Duane,
Thanks again for writing me about the bug in the Guestbook. Earlier today, my programmer fixed the problem.
Keep on tickin!
Adam
On December 16, 2009...
We are praying for you!
Aaron & Tricia Latina
On December 15, 2009...
Duane,
Glad to hear you are researching everything in regards to your condition. Not knowing is much harder than knowing when entering a surgical procedure.
Keith and I will be praying for you that all goes well.
We love you so much.
Love, Keith and Bonnie
On December 14, 2009...
Duane, I too have a mild mitral valve prolaspe and did not even know that in some cases it has to be repaired. I will be following your journal and am looking forward to hearing all is well. You will be included in our daily prayers! God bless!
Ed and Tracy Wright
On December 14, 2009...
I will be praying for you. I Love you much.
Aunt Nancy
On December 14, 2009...
Duane,
Our pastor announced today, that his dad is having the same repair job done this week. You've been to our church and know our senior pastor. His dad is quite abit older than you...his is sudden and urgent. Now we are starting to get a "line-up" started. I sure am God is in control, physically and emotionally.
Hal and Karen
On December 13, 2009...
Hi Duane,
Mark told about your situation. I am impressed with your research and encourage it. As a physician I can tell you that your input is crucial to your care and outcome. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask!
Besides my prayers, if there's anything I can do to help, let me know.
Chuck Harkness
On December 12, 2009...
Praying for you man! Hope to get to catch up soon.
Kevin Beasley
On December 12, 2009...
Duane,
Thanks for keeping us posted on your surgery. We will be praying for you and will be anxious to hear how God works in your behalf.
Dave and Marybelle
On December 12, 2009...
Hi Duane and Peggy!
Just read your Journal. Found myself - feeling the shock,unbelief and realization that you two must be experiencing. (In a small way compared to you.)
Please know that Bill and I will be praying for you regularly and be reminded that you are tucked in under His wings and you are safely abiding. You will see and testify that His mighty right arm has captained you expertly through these waters.
God is good all the time.
Bill and Margaret
On December 12, 2009...
Praying for you my dear friend- much love,
Gary & Kay
On December 11, 2009...
Duane,
I appreciate you sharing so openly about this condition and challenge ... and for inviting us into your journey. Shawna and I stand with you as you face this next appointment in December. We pray for a good, peaceful, thorough dialogue and assessment with this new physician. And, we confidently believe for your healing.
Love you both,
Mark and Shawna
On December 11, 2009...
Hey Dad,
Thanks for updating us. I think that this online journal is a great idea to get the word out to the masses quickly and easily. We love you and are praying for you both!
Ben, Bryanna, & Daisy
On December 11, 2009...
Duane and Peggy,
Be assured of our prayers for you and for God's working in and through you.
Bob and Donna
On December 11, 2009...
Duane, I feel that everything will be fine; albeit, when you are the one in the driver seat, things look slightly different. Know we will be praying for all of the needs one experiences when receiving this kind of diagnosis. Jesus and Duane...that sounds like a great Team to me.
Much Much Love,
Aunt Faye
On December 11, 2009...
Hi Duane,
Good to talk to you today on the phone. I'm praying for you! Peace to you and Peggy...
On December 11, 2009...
Pastor
By signing up for this Journal, does this give us "Front Row" seats in the operating room? With all the pre-day research, let alone college classes in anatomy, I want to make sure they do it right! Just kidding, these guys are "GOOD" we'll let them do their thing, without over-sight.
Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Hal
On December 11, 2009...
Wow, Duane,
Thank you for sharing your story. We will be praying for you every day.
Love,
Shawna and Mark
On December 11, 2009...
Hi Duane,
It is very nerve racking to think about having heart surgery, but it will be fine. I am going in on the 15th for an AVR and I know how you feel. Keep the Faith and know that you are not alone on this journey.
-Cyndi Sager