…I was going about my normal life when, all of a sudden, it felt like someone through a spear through my back. It was past 10:00 PM, and my wife Linda had already gone up to bed. I ran up the stairs, woke her up, and told her to call 911. In a matter of minutes, she was performing CPR on me.
It’s been a long ride since then:
- A 12-hour emergency surgery to replace my dissecting aorta.
- Four weeks in a medicated coma as I fought dying from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
- Many complications during this four-week coma, from issues associated with my lungs to issues associated with my colon.
- Waking up from the coma extremely confused and scared, but being comforted by Linda’s standing by my bed reading scriptures every day.
- Three weeks of recovery in the hospital as I could not get up vertically after so long on my back—both due to atrophy and due to dizziness and queasiness. My children visiting me, and drawing me pictures and writing me books.
- After being home for a month, my blood pressure spiked to over 200/100. I was life-flighted to the Cleveland Clinic where they discovered yet another aneurysm at the base of the aorta.
- A summer of lethargy as the medications to keep my heart-rate and blood pressure low until I was physically ready for another operation kept me on the couch with little energy.
- Another surgery in September, to redo the emergency surgery and to repair the new aneurysm and replace my aortic valve with a mechanical one. Great fear that I would not survive and would leave my wife and children.
- Recovery from that surgery and now trying to get back on track with my life.
Linda and I are amazed at what we have learned about the body of Christ through this. It is a testimony to his glory that you have interceded for us, sent loving words of encouragement to us, and practically helped in so many ways.
Thanks to everyone, both local and worldwide, for being the incarnation of Christ to us.
And thanks to God. Who would not let the evil one triumph over the needs of my three young children. It is a joy to love on them each and every day.
8 comments:
Bob,
I'm first to comment and glad about it. I posted about you today on my blog, too. I called it happy birthday!
We are so glad you are still with us, and pray for flourishing in family an faith.
Did you do anything special today? Kind of like a birthday, isn't it? Maybe a "life"day.
Good to know you are doing well. I learned of you through Scot McKnight's blog. I am a Mennonite pastor south of Youngstown, not too far from you. I plan to visit the Chapel for the Christian Ministries conference coming up.
Bob, I am so glad to hear that after year there may be some return to a more stable life. My God bless you in this new chapter of your life.
Scot,
You have been a very good friend through this. Thanks for the care and prayer coverage via Jesus Creed!
Tim,
Wow! I drive right North of you all the time! I cruise through Washingtonville on my way out to PA for meetings all the time (I have meetings out near Pittsburgh or at Geneva College for my CCO ministry).
Thanks for the encouraging words. Maybe we can hook up some time.
Michael,
It's been good to get to know you, and thanks for the prayer - God is indeed blessing me!
A wonderful recounting to us of what God has brought you and your family through. Great to see God's hand on you. And look forward to more fellowship together in the blog world, and beyond.
Bob, I had no idea you had been through so much. I read your blog via RSS -- not sure how I found you in the first place.
Thank you for your words and for sharing your experiences with us.
God bless you and your family.
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