Rodger's Journal

04/14/17 My recovery continues to progress well. I started cardiac rehab this week. This consists of aerobic (treadmill) and resistance training (weights) three times a week, while attached to a heart monitor. This will continue for 12 weeks. I enjoy having a bit more structure to my week with the appointments. The exercise feels good and I actually noticed a reduction in pain. The reading I had done pre-op had noted how important this aspect of the process would be and I would agree it is very beneficial in getting me ready to go go back to work in two weeks. Thanks again to everyone for the cards and letters and prayer support. This will most likely be my last journal entry unless something changes. Rodger

03/28/17 I had my two week follow-up appointment today. Things are on track. My main incision (glued) is healing well and they pulled out the last two sutures from the drainage tube incisions. I left the hospital on oxygen as my oxygen levels were hovering around 90% when at rest. Today my oxygen level was at 96% at rest and in the low 90s after a brisk walk. I can discontinue using the oxygen at home and take it with me when I am out and about. While I still have days with more energy than others, I can tell that I am progressing. I have been able to resume the most of my household jobs, loading the dishwasher, laundry, taking out the trash, and reheating the wonderful meals provided by my church family. Thank you to each of you for your prayers and letters. Rodger

All is well here in the Weaver home. Dad has been doing very well and is doing most everything for himself. We have had meals delivered Monday and Wednesday from people at church, so that has been really nice! Lauren has gone back to work at church yesterday, and then today also. Today we picked up the newest member of our family, a kitten named Faith! This will be nice because Dad will be home with the kitten as we try to train her.

Today was good! Pat stayed with Dad most of the day. Dad did lots of walking today, and sat in his recliner again. I arrived at 4pm, and then Pat left. Dad ordered grilled salmon, asparagus and sweet potato for supper...I was a little jealous. I went down to the cafeteria, grabbed a slice of pizza and a salad and headed back up to Dad's room to watch KU play. We watched KU win, and went back and forth to watch WSU also. Then after those games, we caught the end of KState. It sure is nice to have cable for March Madness! We aren't used to all these channels! :) So the day was good, Dad is looking great, and seems even better than yesterday! Peace, Lauren.

Happy St. Patricks Day! Last night I went home to check on Joy and make sure the house was still standing. Today I will clean a little at church and just check stuff there (I am the custodian at our church if you didn't know). Today my uncle Pat O'Connor will spend the day with dad. I am ever so thankful that he is doing that. It gives me a chance to breathe and do some things at home. So I probably won't have an update on Dad until tonight. Enjoy your Friday! - Lauren

10:30am Good morning everyone! Dad is doing very well in his new room. His Surgeon came in to talk with him this morning about his procedure. HIs pain is under control which is really good. Dad ate breakfast, and Lauren found the March Madness schedule so we can watch basketball all day! :) Darryl left for the airport this morning, and I will be around most of the day today with Dad. Prayers for a continued pain free day! Hope to get him up in a recliner today so he can look at this great view out the window. -Lauren

March 15 - 6pm Dad has been doing awesome, and has been checking things off his "to do list" from the nurses. Things like getting out of bed, and sitting in a chair. Then he got on his feet and walked around a little. After lunch, he chatted as well as rested. And at about 4pm we were told that he would be moving out of ICU. It wasn't until abut 5:30 that we actually got to where we are now though. But now we are closer to the road to recovery, and closer to going home! The nurses are impressed! Text/FB Message me directly if you would like to visit and need directions. Thanks everyone! -Lauren

8:45am Good morning from sunny Denver! Dad is doing great. This morning he ate breakfast and we've been watching Good Morning America together, while he's been napping off and on. He said his pain is the worst it has been right now, so they will work on managing that so they can get him up and moving. He is a trooper! We have yet to hear anything from his doctor this morning. We will keep you posted! -Lauren

At about 12pm today, they called and said that they replaced his valve successfully, and everything went smoothly and as planned. They were also able to patch the leak in his heart. At about 1pm his doctor came out to talk with us, and the details of the surgery, again saying that everything went fine. He will head to the ICU now, and we will wait a couple hours to see him. Thank you everyone for your prayers! -Lauren

The four of us, Rodger, Lauren, Darryl (Rodger's brother), and Jenelle (Lauren's friend, basically sister) woke up bright and early to leave the house at 4am. Check in was at 6:30, and then they starting pre-op. After several IV pricks and lots of questions, he was finally ready to go. The anesthesiologist called me this morning, and said they had started at 8:15am and things were doing great so far! Stay tuned for more info throughout the day. Thanks for all the love! -Lauren

I am headed to Denver today for pre-op Dr. Appointments. After these appointments I will be able to provide more updates about my surgery on Tuesday. Thank you to everyone for the words of encouragement and support. Rodger

Dear Friends, I am creating a journal so I can communicate with you during my heart valve surgery journey. I am currently scheduled to be admitted to the University of Colorado Hospital in Denver on March 14th for a pulmonic valve replacement. The last several weeks have been spent getting things around the house in order and wrapping things up at my job so I can disconnect during my recovery period.