Hey,

I have never worried about your outcome!
Keep it up and I will visit you guys after you return.
I think about you guys often.

John

Thomas & Kim,

We are so glad to hear things are going so well. I am sure it won't be an easy road, but I know you will be better than ever soon.

Kim, I met your mom on Wednesday when I dropped Kate off, She seems like a very sweet person (I guess it runs in the family). Connor seemed great.

Take care and please let us know if there is ANYTHING we can do to help!

Maury Ford (and Julie & Kids)

Hi Deakins Couple,
Happy to hear all the great news. He will be chasing his blushing bride again in no time down those marathon hills. Lots of prayers to you all...
Love you all!
The Arnold Family :)

great news! i had surgery nov 16th and slowly am recuperating at home, just remember that when you get home, it was very difficult for me to lie in bed to sleep, very painful on my chest and also my neck, i still am propped by a few pillows. BUT the pain does really get better! every 2 days i feel a little improvement. take it VERY slowly. i couldn't even wash my hair or toes (it was a big thing for me) so i needed help with it all. but now i am showering, dressing myself, thankfully. but i know it will still be a while, good luck and take it VERY slowly the first 2 weeks at home. One thing, I am not an advocate of sleeping pills but 5 days after getting home, the dr prescribed them because you realloy do heal better if you can sleep. I only took a few and did sleep better on those days (i only took for 2 days in a row) you might want to get a prescription of a low dosage before you go home.
good luck!

Sounds like things are going great. Keep up the good work! Sending prayers and hugs your way. Suzanne

Kim and Thomas....
This journal is great and thanks for all of the updates. So thankful things are going well. Our family continues to pray for all of you. We love you~
The Scheetz

Kim and Thomas~

We are so thankful you are doing well with these first steps toward recovery! You have so many wonderful friends praying for your complete healing. That must be such a comfort to you! Keep the updates coming; it helps us know how to specifically pray for you! As always, don't hesitate to let us know of ANYTHING we can do in Farragut to keep your homefront going smoothly. I spoke with them today at your house and they said "everything is good!" That must be a relief to you!!!!! K, M, L and C are welcome here anytime - or we can pick them up to go out and about looking at Christmas lights, ice skating at Market Square, take food, just whatever!!! Please let me know if anything fits their schedule......Much love! Maury, Julie, Matthew, Anna, Elizabeth & Kate Ford

Really, how can I follow Janette's entry!!
I am so happy to hear that you are doing so well. You seriously rock :) Totally out of the blue, Cristian told me today that Conner's dad will be home from the hospital soon. Sounds like my little man is right. Keep up the walks and the sitting up and you'll be with your little ones soon. God is so good. We'll keep the prayers coming.

Great job walking Dude!!!! Just make sure you tie the back of your hospital gown! Save the backdoor views for Kim!!!
~nette

Way to go Thomas. The best leadership class ever wishes you hasty full health. Regards, tony

Thomas and Kim -

Congratulations!

Way to go!

Keep on tickin!

Adam

Thomas,

I am so excited to learn of your progress. I suspect you are the model patient and will beat ALL benchmarks for recovery at a record pace.

Your dedication to exercize is now a huge part of the reason that you will be able to soon do the things that you already miss.

I know you realize the blessings of life. It is somewhat overwhelming that our maker gave us the knowledge and ability to sustain life. Angels are among us and many are serving in medicine.

I am fortunate to be your friend and looking forward to seeing you. May this Christmas season be filled with additional blessings for your family.

Rick Grubb

Kim and Thomas - Please know that we are praying for you! God and His many blessings be with you and your family.

Love,
Erin Brownlee

Hi Thomas and Kim,

It's wonderful to hear that your surgery was so successful! I know how you're feeling right now - hit by a train is a realistic comparison. But you'll be amazed how quickly you feel better, and how MUCH better you'll feel in a short time!

It's clear that you have strong support from family and friends. Lean on them, they'll offer invaluable strength!

I wish you a complete and speedy recovery,

Joel Bryan, Iowa

Praise God!! Congratulations Thomas and Kim. What an amazing surgery and recovery! You're in our continued prayers for strength and continued recovery and healing. Love, Becky and the Gargis family.

so glad to hear of the progress, thomas! amazing to see prayers in action...i'm smiling really big about this!

love to you both!
sj

Thomas and Kim, Just wanted to drop in and let you know that we (my family and I) are thinking of you all. Glad to hear all the good news. We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. Love to all.

Karla
and
The Shelton Family

What wonderful news! I am so thankful to hear how well Thomas is doing. Will continue to keep Thomas, you and all your family in my prayers.
Love,
Sharon L. (Ms. Sharon)

Thomas and Kim,
We are so glad to hear all the good news. Mike kept us informed of Thomas' progress yesterday and we all prayed for God's hand to be upon you and the doctors. Hallelujah! God is so good! We will pray today for you as you have to move around and we will pray for things to continue to be smooth. We love you guys!! Libby and Dan

Happy to hear that everything is going great! Prayers are still being offered for your recovery.
Margaret Rogers

Thinking of you Kim this late evening. Please tell Thomas your old neighbors in Alpharetta send their heart felt wishes for a speedy recovery. Harald and Stamie

Karen and I thinking of you and your family. Our prayers are with you.

Bill & Karen Phillips

love all the great news! keeping ya'll in our thoughts and prayers!
love, the johnstons

Loving you guys tonight. Praying for healing and that he will not be in pain. How awesome to celebrate GOD's love and blessings tonight! love you! The Bushkells!

I can hear the theme from Rocky. You are doing great buddy! Keep it strong......keep it strong!

~nette

Thomas and Kim,

We are thinking of you and keeping you both in our thoughts and prayers.

Love - Teddy & Karen

We are so glad to hear good news from the surgery. What an awesome family and friends you have! We will continue to pray for Thomas and everyone involved in the care of him. God bless!
Danny, Oodie, Mackenzie, and Addison
Pikeville,Tn

Hi Kim,

I am so glad to hear the surgery went well.

Your family is in my prayers.

Shelley Smithee
M&M

Hi Kim and Thomas -
So glad to hear that the surgery went well! We are still praying for you both and your family. I can't wait to give you a big hug when you get back to Ktown!
Love always,
Dena Reed

Hi Thomas and Kim, It's great to hear all went well with your surgery. I will continue to check your journal for updates. Thomas, you are now an official member of the fraternity!! Thinking of you, Rex.

Hi Kim,

We're still praying for Thomas. So glad the surgery went well. Many folks around here have been asking. We wish him a speedy recovery and please give him our best.

Bob Thomas, Gail Byard, Ron McPherson

Hi Kim!
I have thought about Thomas and your entire family all day! I am so thrilled to learn that he came through the surgery with such success. I will continue to pray for his peace, comfort, and healing. Love to you and your family!
Ami Coleman
M & M's

Absolutely thrilled to hear the good news of Thomas' surgery today!! Our thoughts and prayers continue to be
with all of you as he recovers and (Kim) as you support & care for him. I KNOW that God will provide all that you need ... He is the Great Physician, Provider, and Our Sustainer.
Love, Kelly & Chad Simpson

Hi Thomas and Kim. So thankful that all went well with surgery. Keep us posted and "ask" if you have any needs. Thomas-I told you you'd be asleep for the TEE. Prayers remain with you.
Karen

Thank you for keeping us all up to date. God has a great plan for Thomas and your beautiful family. :D Love you. Stamie and Harald

Hallelujah

fred and sue

Uncle Thomas and Aunt Kim,

So glad to hear that things are going well. Praying hard for you both and your recovery. Love you!!!

Meghan

Kim and Thomas,

I am praying for peace for all of you and will keep looking for updates. Please know there are a lot of prayers going up from Knoxville right now.

Love to you all,
Tim and Christy

Thomas & Kim,

Just wanted you to know that we are praying that God will wrap you in his loving arms today. We are praying that surgery goes well and that Thomas will heal quickly. Please let us know if we can help out here in Knoxville with the kids in anyway.

Love, Paul, Dana, Abbie, Colby & Bailey Phelps

I know you must be so scared - but be strong and God will see Thomas through. Take care of yourself and rest if/when you can. Praying extra hard the next two hours.
Hugs and love,
Alyson

Hey Friends,
I am praying very hard for you both today. I am praying for God to grant you peace and wisdom for the Dr. and hospital staff. Jill and I are headed over tomorrow, so I will see you then. Love to you both, Beth

Wow, those were some curve balls yesterday. And some uncertainty going into surgery today. When the angels said "Fear not" to Mary, to Joseph, and to the shepherds, I don't believe it was to reprimand their fear or anxiousness but to reassure and to remind them that God is in control and was accomplishing His purposes. May you sense the supernatural peace that only He can give. Philippians 4:6-7. Many prayers are being offered on your behalf today, including ours from central Florida.

Duane & Peggy H.

Hi Kim and Thomas. I just brought my husband Daryl home today. We know exactly how you feel. It truly is an emotional roller coaster. My husband had a bicuspid aortic valve too. He had it replaced and they grafted his aorta. His mitral valve was okay. He did great and Im sure Thomas will too. The technology is incredible. Take it one day at time! Take a timeout for yourself you will be exhausted I had no idea how tired I would be. We will say and extra prayer for both of you! Best wishes.

Hi,
Reading your post brought back all the emotion of my husband's day of surgery...all I can say is that...it is one day, once the surgery is over you can take the steps toward recovery. Make sure you take care of yourself while waiting because when he is out of surgery it doesn't stop until he comes home (and then it doesn't really stop either ;-) Our prayers go out to you and your family.
Tara

Hey dear ones! You are in our prayers. Praying you will have a peace beyond understanding and that assures you GOD is ever present. We are praying for your doctors and all those who will be there tomorrow. HIS mercies are new every morning! We love you! The Bushkells

Hi Thomas
If you are looking for support, this is the place. The waiting is difficult so keep your spirits up. Praying for you and looking forward to your next posting. Cheryl, Ontario

Thomas and Kim,
You are in my prayers. I pray that the Great Physician uses all those wonderful doctors and nurses at Vandy to bring healing and a successful surgery tomorrow. May you feel His peace and love as so many people pray for both of you. Becky Gargis

Hey cuties!
Is your belly full of mint M&M's? I took your sweet Kaci home today. She was feelin rough but lookin beautiful as always! That little throat must get quite a workout at cheerleading? Anyway - glad she got some rest tonight instead of tootin on the tuba. They only played 5 songs and I was prepard to tape and email for you - when I realized she wasn't there I thought, "well, good, she can hopefully get some rest." Let me know if you need anything other than PRAYERS, PRAYERS, PRAYERS!!! -shairee

Thomas and Kim,

We are praying for you. I know that you know how God will take care of you. Just know that We will also take care if any needs you have here.
Love, The Seiglers

Deakins Family,

Big healthy prayers! God works miracles through surgeons everyday. Blessings and praying for a speedy recovery...

Shay Boswell and family