Hello my good buddies!

I need some positive thoughts and prayers for John (Hubby) tomorrow morning. He had a heart catheterization on Monday which showed a 80% blockage in his right coronary artery. The Docs are choosing to treat it by inserting a stent. We're due at the hospital at 8:30 tomorrow morning, for about a hour prep and a 45 minute procedure. Initially we were told he would be staying over night, but the last lady we talked to said that if the recovery was really, really good, he may come home late in the same day.

So I ask for prayers, good vibes, positive thoughts.... whatever you can send out to us that tomorrow's procedure goes well. And of course, lots of helpful thoughts for the most difficult part of his recovery - to stop smoking! (I'll need lots of vallium!)

John asked for the initial stress test...... he just felt that something wasn't right. When it came back with irregularities, they scheduled the heart cath and found the 80% blockage, and another 40% blockage that they'll just keep an eye on. Just goes to show that we're the ones that know our bodies best, and have to be responsible to following up on our own care.

So from here on out we'll be joining the healthy eaters, with a strong motivation, and getting in our daily exercise. John even said we need to get the gazelle set back up in the front room, so we'll see how long that lasts! You are all great examples of dedication and support, so thanks for being here.

Thanks a bunch - I love you guys! ~ Gail

Gail...praying for him already. God is good...hold onto Him! HE can do ALL THINGS!

We are holding you in our thoughts, Gail. Hope all goes well for John, keep us up to date if you can.

All my thoughts too Gail & John.
Looking forward to the Gazelle Reports too!!! If Roy can't inspire you, you're in deep trouble
Seriously, oohhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmm

good, calm, healing thoughts for your family

Gail and John, you know I will be thinking of yall and be there "spiritually" with you! I will be praying that all good comes of this. If you need ANYTHING you know how to get ahold of me... #'s on the webpage...he)), it's 386-734-2676, the whole world can see it anyway...
John, you take care of yourself and know that I think the world of you. Gail, whatever you need, a shoulder, help with something, anything, please know that you can call me. Yall are just GOOD PEOPLE and I'd do anything for you!

Only good thoughts coming your way. Think positive, be positive! We are all pulling for John!

Gail, I had a angiogram Jan/06 and was told I needed a tripple by/pass ASAP! It is best if John spends the night after a stent procedure as when they insert the stent tool, if any of the fatty material moves around and blocks his artery John could have a heart attack at that time. If he is at home, there is a good chance that he will not survive that ordeal. I'm not trying to scare you, I am just telling you the facts. Better to be safe then sorry! My left Carotided artery is 100% acluded and can not be repaired! My right is OK now after treatment. I had to stay in the hospital after my angiogram till my heart operation was completed for the same reason.

My thoughts and prayers are with you! This is a very stressful time, but a night in the hospital, in good hands is important!!!

Gail,

We will be lifting John up in prayer!!! Please know we're here for you guys. Prayers also for his medical team; that all goes smoothly and with HUGE success!

Let us know; we'll be here waiting....

Thanks all.

No scares Ron - I appreciate true first hand experience. I've been wavering on that myself. While I'd rather have him home, if anything did go wrong I'd rather he were there. Even after the cath, they told us if the puncture opened up, to apply pressure and call 911!

No problem diving after fully healed?

Gail, positive thoughts and gentle hugs are being directed at both John and you. T

Gail and John......so many things I will hold up for you. It's scary facing truths, but better than ignoring them. I agree with Ron, and I hope you know my number. If it's not saved, you have my email to get it. Love you guys, and you did good, because as a client told me (I already knew) that if more voices pray for a thing/person, then the prayer is doubled/tripled, etc. Tell John he's got a whole network here, ready to lift his name up.

No prayers, but ALL good thought, Gail.

A good diving buddy of mine had this done and experienced such relief afterward. He had his energy back, strength back, breath back so soon afterward. THAT'S what I wish for John as well!

Gail and John, prayers and healing coming your way!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gail, big hugs to you and John...I know how scary it can be...very unerving. Know you have all of us here if you need us in a moment...John's strong, and I bet by June he'll be ordering you around the reef at Small Wall

Gail and John healing thoughts coming your way and prayers for the medical team. Please know that you will be in our thoughts tomorrow and please let us know asap what is going on..

Positive thoughts and positive prayers for the both of you and the medical team. A younger friend had a stint very simular and recovered shortly with no ill effects...praying and trusting the same for John. HH

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~good,better,best vibes~~~~~~~~~

Big hugs , sJoss

God bless Gail. Hope everything goes well.

Gail, best of luck with the procedure today. Sending positive thoughts your way. My hubby's partner at work has had three stents put in over time and is doing fine. Also on medication daily. I will keep John and you in my prayers for a successful outcome.

Thoughts and prayers are with you. Good Vibes being sent your way!

Thank you all, so much. We're off! It'll be a while before I check back in, but I'm taking all of your good wishes with me!

You've got them Gail and John.

You know that we are here for you Gail and John.

today i am need good vibes and prayers.
went to a funeral and cremations of a good friend
and need good vibes and prayers. and i drink a lot of wine. peep in and send good vibes to gail and john.please send me good vibes and prayers i need it .i am drunk after with sharing with good friends. help. i am depressed.
God blessed you all .

i peep in

Kaarien, good vibes and hugs being sent at you. Stop the drinking at times like this, alcohol is a depressant and evidently is not helping you at all.

Off my soapbox now.

Kaarien big hugs to you. Unfortunately, Tom is right. Time for snuggling with loved ones and lots of rest. Your friend is in a better place and sounds like sent off with lots of love and friends.

Hugs to Gail and John too --- woke up thinking about you and will continue to do so throughout the week.

Tara, while you are thinking, why not work on your trip report?

why I outta (spoken in my best 3 stooges voice)
Slap SLap SLAP!!

oh my God why i feel so hurt Tara and Tom He was a good friend,why.He was always concern about others why .it hurts me.and i am feeling no good to loose some one how cares almost about others why,and i drink to forget to feel my hurt,
i am so hurt.
Why the good ones died. He never harmed anyone.
why OH GOD.

I am so hurt,and feeling not good ,what is happening .i wish the best for every one,Why its make me so obset,i need lots of good vibes and prayers at this time .GOD HELP ME,

I'm sorry you're hurting Kaarien. Being upset and hurting is part of the journey. Remember that you are loved and needed.

Gail and John, you'll be in my prayers. My Dad had several stents and later on (12 yrs later!) went on to have quadruple bi-pass surgery. It's just scary when it's a loved one so close to you. I'll be thinking of you both.
Kaarien,
My prayers are with you also. It's so hard to loose friends to death. The pain can be so overwhelming. Hold on to those close to you, and know that we're with you every step of the way. One day at a time.

Kaarien, good wishes to you too.

Gail, when you have time, we'll be anxious to hear how things are going.

Gail, after the procedure, John will feel like a new man! Check with your doctor about diving. I had surgery, and was Diving 5 months later... Ron

Kaarien...it's Ok...he is with God now....he is safe and happy. You are loved..don't be depressed...lean on God!

Kaarien, sometimes grief slaps us so hard it knocks us down and we're left sitting there, stunned, unable to believe our new reality. Know that we are here to help you up, our lovely friend across the pond. xx We all experience these times, when things are overwhelming, when it seems too much. When we just don't know what to do but to cry out in anguish. It's part of the cycle of life. The last part of that cycle is death on earth, but moving on to a new place without pain. Wish I could hug you in person, and Gail and John, you too. Much love to you all.

xxooxxooxxoo

Thanks for all of your prayers and good thoughts!

All went well with the procedure today, but it was more complex than I had thought. It didn't start until 11:30, and lasted about an hour. The Dr came and talked to me, and said everything went very well. John's a very lucky guy to have this caught and treated prior to a damaging incident.

After another half hr I was admitted to the recovery room. They kept the cath in for 3 hours following the procedure, with the recovery time for 4 - 6 hours flat on his back to make sure the blood thinners are dissapaited. He'll then be moved to a regular room for the night. He was still waiting for a room to become ready he "threw" me out, and I agreed to leave because he was so grumpy and grouchy from having to lay flat and having no nicotine today. He was so miserable at his situation and just wanted to be left alone, so I finally agreed that Chaos needed dinner too!

If he's good, I'll go reclaim him tomorrow!

Thanks again for the support folks!

Love you all ~ Gail

Kaarien - I'm so sorry about the loss of your friend, and understand the desire to drown the pain. Some of our friends are just suggesting that there may be a better way to handle the grief! Hang in there!

Gail, I'm glad that John is doing good... Grumpy, non-smoking...hmmmm, you may wanna rethink your retirement!!

Kaarien, I'm sorry to hear about your friend and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers to help you through this hard time.

(Message edited by pegisue on January 31, 2008)

Gail, thank you for the update. You've been on my mind all day. Grumpy is good, no?!! Good thoughts and prayers now shift to you for extra doses of patience and pasted on smiles "Yes John" "okay honey" "I'll be right there Sweetie".

More big hugs for Kaarien. You're not alone.

It's funny because we'd been there for 2 hours before they called him back - after he called our heart group and talked to the scheduler - and found out that the hospital wanted folks there 3 hours prior to the procedure. (What a waste!) So after he got prepped, and I went back and listened to more of his b*tching, he finally turned to me and said, 'ya know - a lot of this irritability is because I haven't had a smoke today". All I could think of was 'No sh*T." But instead just smiled and said 'I kinda figured that out a few hours ago...'. Patience. Patience. Patience.

Gail i hope John is recover soon and it must be a hard time for You and Him send my prayers to You booth,and thanks Gail.and i now what John is meaning,my bad habbet is also that i smoke,i know its not good,ïts a addict nicotine.
Tom i now You right,about drinking,but i only take 2 glasses of red wine and it hit me,strange.
Tom,Tara,Kathy,Marilyn,Barbara,PegiSue,Donna,Hammerhead,Freddie,Kobi.Eileen,Brad,and those who i forgot to named,thank You all so much,its not only the dead of a good friend thats upset me,
my sis in law have lungh cancer,she do not smoke, and they see something else in the lymf,so she is feeling very sick after chemo and the meds told Her she go into a very bad treatment and with also radiaton in the troat,she wil burn damage and can not eat and diffucult to swallow and not able to eat food,only drink nutrician food,and another sis in law,who have 2 daughters,is fighting to stand,one daughter age 34 years,has a very agressief form of cancer.
remove Here 2 breast and remove"and it spread out so the meds remove,don"t now the name??she can have no more children and she has a little boy at the age of 4,and here other daughter is in a divorce and have a son of 5 years,so i only heard bad news and i think they need more prayers as i,
this week was horrible,many visits and phone cals
to stand by,and give my good vibes and share,then the unexpexted dead of a good friend.and then the
speeches in church and see the pain of his wife and the pain of the parents and family.
it was to much,
maybe if i was not drink the wine,i did not write it down,because CC and BT is to share positive things.
and sorry if i answer not personal mails that send to me,my brain is ful of pain,and worries to the ones i love and have a hard time,must be there for them.thats why i decieded to stay away for a while,and peep in if possible to see the pict of the Cams and relax to see them,
because the coming weeks also busy to pack lots of thinks in the 2 living rooms,wich we renovate
and its must be empty when the workers arrived at the 18 february,and then the appointments and etc etc.i need to recharche my energie,because it seems right now its gone.this was a long letter.
i will survive.and now God and the love ones of us how past keep a eye of us,NEVER GIVE UP!!!
So i send You my dear friends,many Hugs and will not forget You,and if possible peep in??
May GOD BLESSED YOU ALL,WHERE EVER YOU ARE,
Love You.and HUGS.
ps.i preview so many faults ,hope You understand.
my brains!!!

Dear Kaarien,
I'm not going to remove this cry for help.. You are in a really bad place this day and you need some virtual hugs to keep you up and going. I wish you could go away for the weekend with you husband just to recharge yourself. Would that be possible??? just out to the country to walk and talk and just relax. Or to sit by the water and let the soothing sounds take all the stress away.
If you can't get away how about a relaxing bath with candle light and some soft music. It might be good for both of you, as I am sure your husband shares your pain.
Please know that we are here for you just like we are here for Gail and John and his recovery.
Luv ya all...

Freddie.
Thank You very much,We are not able to go away,
busy bussines,because of the carnival over here and then we have lots of catering,my hubby spares me so i don"t have to work today,
Don"t now what is wrong with me at this moment,
Try so hard to not crying.because i was always a fighter and strong for everyone,how needed me.
for my hubby its also a hard time,because it is His sis and sis in law how have bad times,so i must be strong,also for Him.as He does for me,
and if its possible we go for a long walk,
we need some time for us two to to relax.
Freddie with the bottom of my heart,i thank You,
and others hows sending prayers,
Freddie al the things You write its what we need right now and i wish they come true.
Thanks Freddie,You awesome and understanding like many others,Hugs
Gail and John.prayers for You and soon recovery,
BIG HUGS and MAY GOD BLESSED YOU ALL.

Gail,

My dad had a triple bypass done at the age of 69, and a stint put in 6 years later, at 75. He's 80 now, and is in great shape! His physician is also a member of his church. He didn't perform the surgery, but he did take an active role in rehab.

He basically told Dad: If you want something, you are going to get up and get it yourself! Your family and I expect you to resume the activities you participated in prior to the surgery. Slowly at first.........but you are NOT going to sit at home, on your butt, in a recliner.

Finally, and this may sound cold, he told Dad that we all have different medical issues to face at different stages of life, and if he was looking for sympathy........"Here's a Quarter". Tough Love!!

Gail, thanks for the update. You're in for it now!! Nothing like a cranky husband/patient!!! I'm so glad things went well.
Kaarien, friends share the good and the bad. My heart goes out to you. It truly is so hard when you feel there is no direction your mind can take that will give you joy and peace. Sounds like you have a big project ahead of you. Let us know how the renovation goes. I'll be thinking and praying for you and your loved ones. Peep in, and know we care.

Looking forward to hearing how the day goes Gail - patience, patience and humor!!!!

Kaarien you've got a lot on your plate right now- obviously you are a stronger woman than you know. I wish a moment of peace for you today and that you'll feel the strength of BT wrapped around you. Sometimes we have to take life moment by moment, just to get through.

Well, grumpy is actually quite uplifted, just to be home! I lysoled the back porch in his smoking corner, washed everything down, and am praying for the best! So far, life is good!

Life is good Gail.
Thanks for the update.
Inform Grumpy to toss the butts away!

There's no place like home and family - glad you're together now

Hi Gail, thanks for letting us know John is home and okay. LIFE IS GOOD!!!

Gail,
Glad that John's procedure went well and he's home! Prayers for him as he continues to heal. Will also offer prayers as he fights to be smoke free.

Keep us posted; big hugs to you both!

Gail and John, glad things are good.
Thanks for the update!
John, you did it before, you can do it again, I have faith...in you, not me...

Gail, I am glad the operation went well, please give John a big hug from me - I'll be thinking of you guys.

Kaarien, sorry to hear about your friend - hugs from me

Gail, glad John is home and doing well...I'd have to agree with Jerry, throw the smokes out once he's over this whole thing....

I'm also with PegiSue, you may want to rethink your retirement...lol...

Give big old Grumpy John a hug for me, and tell him that the only way I can picture him is giving Mary M and I the "ok" sign as we slowly poked down small wall peeking at everything....he was so cute (although you might not think he's so cute now).

My dad had a double bypass at 52. He changed his diet, exercised, and did well for a few years, but he slid back into his old ways (no exercise, bad diet, never smoked or drank)...and dropped dead at 65, just after his birthday of the "big one."...not meaning to scare you, but life change may have to be an option...

He hasn't had a smoke since Wednesday. He's doing really well. The thought of having this redone is a boost to his willpower. The changes we need to make are the smoking, and exercise, and him dealing with stress on the job. We already eat fairly well, and the exercise can help deal with the stress..... I hope!

Gail, exercise will help with stress. Glad John is doing well.

Good Job John and Gail!!! Keepin' up the positive thoughts here.