Hi Kent,

Like you, I've been pushing the envelope. Today, I fell a big step back. I must have had 3 naps. And now, the muscles between my shoulders are screaming at me again.
Still, you are doing great!

Sheila Garrison

You are going to like rehab. Try not to bust the equipment as you pound away on it! -- DVB

Hi Kent,
Sorry this is our first entry, but we have been a little busy updating Ron's CaringBridge cancer journal. So glad to hear you are at the stage where you have some good days among the bad ones. We know from experience that the road seems long, but it DOES get shorter as time goes by and the pain gets easier. Hope your road is all downhill from here. Teri, I KNOW what you have/are going thru...hang in there and know that God is your support too! Love you both,
Ron & Joan Leasure

Thanks for the update Kent. What good news it all is. Praying that you continue to gain strength and figure out that "workout" limit. My philosophy is wiggle as much as you can as long as possible! I always have been prone to impressive medical terms....so hope that wasn't over your head. Ha! Listen to your doctors (I know you have, plus you have that wonderful person, MY FRIEND, named Teri, that will keep you on track.) and listen to your body. God made you special and put you in a time in history that contained medical science and people who could do what was once thought impossible, operate on a heart! Thank you Jesus for healing my favorite friend-in-law, Kent!

Hey Kent!!! You know, I believe I was the youngest one on my cardiac floor! I felt soooo young (for a 40 year old!).

I will begin cardiac rehab in 2 weeks. I can't wait!!!! Until then I can only walk, no running. :( Dude, I can't believe you are already in rehab!!!! Did you have invasive surgery???

I was able to drive today! It was totally awesome!!!! Been 5 looonnnnggggg weeks for me. I get cabin fever really badly!!!!! That was the worst part of heart surgery for me!!!!! I anticipated the soreness and took 2 Tylenol before getting on the road.

I hate the coumadin coaster! Grrrrr!!!! Going to be rechecked on Friday. On 10mg a day.

Please keep me posted on rehab stuff and share what exactly they are having you go thru. Still can't believe I'm not there in rehab yet.:(

Christy

He Buddy. You sound great. I know how important it is to have and give support. You have obviously given a lot to oth.ers in your life ( without me really knowing anything about you except what you and your superhero wife have written) but that is why your family and the universe is taking care of you know. Let in in and give thanks. It will be your turn to give before you know it. Actually by journaling you are giving to others. I am getting my valve replaced at UCLA in 3 weeks and I am a litt e( actually a lot) nervous but I also know I will get through it and everything will be better than it was, which for me has been pretty great. Why are you sleeping on the couch. Didn't you get a recliner? Take care. jeff

Kent,

I hope you are feeling well. The recovery front here is progressing nicely. I haven't slept in my bed yet, but were are almost there. In the mean time, my recliner has served me well. I am walking alot and finaly returned to pre-op weight. I want to lose alot more, but it feels good for that swelling to go away.

Keep On Tickin,
Jeff R

Kent,
Praise God you're doing so well! I'm praying for you.

Janelle Coakley

Glad to hear you are doing so well! Laura Z.

Thanks for the good news Kent. So glad you're doing so well.

Kent,

Sounds like your recovery is right on schedule. Keep walking every day!!

David Fanson

I rode in the front seat, but needed a pillow-the seat belt was uncomfortable for me. My doctor never said anything about the back seat.
Even when I did start driving, my huband wanted me to keep using the pillow until we felt the breastbone was healed.
It really is what you are most comfortable with
Live, laugh, love

Who's driving?
Don

Kent, I've been riding in the backseat, due to air bags up front. I'm going nuts!!!!!! My poor husband is exhausted! I hope to get cleared July 18th. Week 5 for me.

Your posts crack me up!!!!! :)

Christy

Kent, I rode in the back seat like Miss Daisy for a couple of weeks till I started forgetting about the advice. I would catch myself in the front seat having been distracted by things other than my recovery. It takes a couple of weeks to get to that point. Glad to read you are home and in rehabilitation phase.

David Fanson

Kent, when I came home from the hospital I rode in one of the captains seats in the back of our minivan. It felt pretty comfortable. I won't actually need to travel from my home until the 20th, as a visiting nurse comes to my residence. I have managed to teach myself to walk anywhere with only mild irritation. I plan on spending most of my time regaining my strength and following doctors orders, which seem to have been by the numbers so far. But you have learned just like I have that you yourself are the best gague as to whether or not you can complete a task. If I have to leave my residence for any reason, I will most likely use one of the rear seats. At least my tastebuds are coming back now, and food interests me again. How about you, found anything better than fruit? I watched the sunrise this morning, as I felt the beam shine on my face through the window, I remembered thinking that life has never been so good. Keep on tickin - Jeff R.

Kent & Terri,

Thank you for the inspiring and wonderfully humorous posts! We were out of state for almost your whole hospital time, but never stopped praying and checking the computer for updates! GO...ROBO POP POP!
So thankful to hear you are home and enjoying "each breath"! Indeed we serve a Holy and Just GOD!!!
Rejoicing with you, continuing to pray!
Love, Cathy & Frank

Hi Kent,
Just read your last post (it's 2AM) and had to let you know how much I get from and enjoy your writings. Just curious, but are you an author?

God is good!

Sheila Garrison

Kent and Terri, we are praising God with you on your successful surgery. You make a great team and God has many more years of adventures ahead for you!

Kent -
I am sending prayers and happy thoughts to you this evening. I hope we can all get some sleep soon. What an ordeal we just went through and I'm so thankful that we are on the mend. Still picking sticky goo off me too!!

Tammy from Dallas

Hi Kent,

I got my new valve on June 24th after the 1st couple of days home I to was depressed and cried to my friend about not being able to do the simplest thing, or going to the grocery store for 30min wipes you out and you are sleeping the next. But each day I thank God that I can wake and take that breathe!

Take Care

Bill

Just read today's post. I laughed, i cried, i kvelled. You are wonderful.

Love, Sis Roni

Kent & Terri,

So glad you are home and settling in. Now Upward and onward to a wonderful Christian Soldier! Keep up the positive attitude in recovery Kent.

Love you both!

In Him,

Vikki Lyn

I'm glad you made it home Kent pretty much on schedule despite the detour with the pacemaker procedure. I'm sure Terri cooks better than the hospital -- at least it will be more tasty. Sleeping better in the recliner or the bed? Could not believe it took one heart patient 10 weeks before he could sleep in bed.Enjoy the hospitality you will receive from your family and friends. I'm certain the cardio rehab gals will have you strong again in 2 to 3 months. They reminded me that a proportionatley large number of Corban staff have gone through the program of late. Maybe the PTs will condition you so well -- that you will be known as Zip[per] Pop Pop and not Robo -- Floyd

Thank you, God, for Kent's successful surgery and prognosis. Your promises are true, Your grace is sufficient, and You have worked wonders in guiding the doctor's hands and minds during this surgery.

Bob and Rita

Hi Kent and Terri ...so glad you're home and on the road to recovery. Iread over your journal today and saw that your dr was dr wassenmiller. I taught his kids at salem academy. They are an awesome family and he is a fabulous dr. So glad you were in his care!

Hi Kent,
Glad to see you back in the saddle again... Robo...has a nice ring to it. I think I can get used to that. I'll be interested in knowing when your chest feels like it is in one piece again! Enjoy the time at home!
Don

Hey Kent!!!!! Way to go, buddy!!!!!!!!!

Man, you aren't kidding about the tape! I had sticky arms several days after I returned home!

I'm so happy for you!!!! Onward to recovery, my friend!!!

God is goooooood!!!

Christy from ATL

Happy to hear you are home and in your own surroundings. Did I hear a big sigh of relief yet???
Looking forward to keeping up with your recovery. You're one tough guy!

Sheila Garrison

Terri, thanks for the updates. Looking forward to hearing Kent's story too.

Steven in Calgary

Kent and Terri,
Congratulations on your recovery...each day will get better and better. I had an aotic replacement 13 years ago and a pacemaker put in 2 years ago (thank God for pacemakers!) I love mine--no problems with it. Looking back, I can't even remember the pain. God is good!! I'll be having a mitral valve replacement in 2 weeks. You are such an inspiration to me now. God Bless You.
Shirley Howerton

Great to hear that you're home!

Welcome Home Kent & Terri!!!

Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick

I'm so glad you guys are home. Now let the healing begin! Blessings and Prayers, Colette

Kent and Terri,
Glad things are going well. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and best of all God is there. Linda Adams

Dear Kent,
You continue to inspirer me with your progress. You bounce back fast! Way to go, Kent!

Phil. 4:7

Sheila Garrison

Yeah!!!!!! Go Kent go!!!!!!! Wahoooooooey!!!!!!!!!

Christy from ATL

And heres to more amazing days in the weeks, months and years to come!

Kent and Terri,

You are both doing great. I am gratetful to hear the Kent is feeling better. Let HIS strength encourage through rehab, Kent. Praying for a speedy recovery.

Love you both. Happy Independence Day!

In Him,

Vikki Lyn

Pacemakers are a good thing... Tell Kent not get too anxious about how soon he can do things. In the old days, I spent 3 days in ICU, intubated and mostly groggy from heavy sedation. I could hardly believe that Kent got that and his chest tubes removed already...My pacemaker really did give me a lot more energy from consistency it brings to the heartbeat. I think they are great :) Keep up the good work! Don

Love you guys. Your ministry and friendship mean so much to us all and continue to touch us all deeply. We are praying constantly and with deep fervor! Marty and Linda

Hang in there brother. You are doing fine. Today is a better day. We are still ticking ! Jeff R.

Praying for your pacemaker surgery that is happening as I write. May this be a blessing in disguise and not a set-back. How much better to have discovered it while in the hospital with excellent care than while exercising or on an overseas study tour. You just got a complete tune up rather than a partial one. Should be good for another 60 years/60,000 miles I say. Love you both!!

Kent, it seems a lot of us go thru some sort of set back in this process. I came down with C-Diff while in hospital, ask your nurse about it!!!!! NOT fun!!!! Keep your positive attitude!!!!! Let the doc's get everything perfect for you.

You can do it!!!!! KB!!!!!!! (kick bootie!!!!!)

Christy Naughton

And you don't want to just totally mess up the rhythm when you're playing with Bob Dylan.
Jenna Elfman

Happy getting back with the beat! We're praying, Colette and Company

My thoughts and prayers are with you tonight and will be praying for a successful surgery tomorrow! Stay strong!
Roxanne D. fellow HVJ

Kent:

You are in our prayers. Blessings to you and family.

JL

Kent & Terri,

You have both done remarkably well. For Kent to be up and walking is a BLESSING! His recovery has been amazing thus far. Keep up the good work Kent, remember HE IS YOUR STRENGTH!

Terri, give Kent a squeeze on the hand for me.
Love to all.

IN HIM,

Vikki Lyn

U r both rock stars!! I want to hear that my prayers for a remarkably speedy recovery are being answered. Many gentle hugs. Roni

Kent,

Great news all around. You are a trooper. Thanks for the update. It gives us better understanding on how to pray.
Reno