Lessons Learned from Heart Surgery, By an 82-Year Old.

(One month ago today I entered the heart unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for repair on a leaking mitral valve. But an unknown infection had previously settled in that valve and it began to flake off in the surgeon's hand; repair would have only been temporary. My wise surgeon then changed course and replaced the leaky valve. Thankfully there were no blockages. Several slight unplanned detours occurred afterwards, yet I know that GOD's plans were carried out in perfect order! So even though I'm a bit further 'back' than I thought I'd be at the one-month anniversary, I'm recuperating wonderfully and believing I'll return to my otherwise healthy self very soon. The extended recovery time has given me the opportunity to ponder some "lessons learned from heart surgery, by an 82-year old.")

Lesson # One: Do NOT wait until you're 82 to have heart surgery! If you are showing any signs of heart trouble--whatever your age and how well you think you feel--tell somebody and make an appointment with the doctor. Don't put it off!

#2; Hooked up to wires and tubes that in turn are hooked up to machines that ding, blink, and buzz can be very disconcerting. After major surgery, don't think you'll suddenly be able to re-focus on most of the things you focused on before; there are too many distractions.

#3: Loss of appetite is not just because of "hospital food." (In fact my meals were surprisingly well-prepared and good tasting.) A surgery patient's appetite for normal meals may return very slowly. Btw, although it happened to me, I do NOT recommend heart surgery as a good 'weight loss program.' Even if Marie Osmond herself were to tout it, go with another plan!

#4: Numbers are important. Over and over again I had to tell someone my date of birth, and over and over again someone was coming in to check on my other numbers: blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen level and temperature. At home we're still having to record the numbers over and over again, now including weighing every day. As Jolene has said, if God named an entire book of His Word "Numbers," they are obviously important to Him, too!

#5: There are some things that I should not have taken for granted, that I now appreciate and value more than ever: the dedication of doctors, nurses, technicians in all the medical fields--including those in home health care...the healing quality of kind words and a tender touch...the love, deep concern and selflessness of a godly wife and children...the gracious 'ministry' of friends who express their care through food, errands, calls, get-well gifts, and cards or affirmations online.

#6: Above all, I've re-learned something I've believed in and practiced my whole life: intercessory prayer absolutely makes the difference, no matter what the situation may look like! This time I have found myself the recipient of those prayers and have felt them clearly and powerfully. More than ever before I've found God to be faithful, even when my faith grew weak and my own faithfulness seemed to falter. "Morning by morning, new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand has provided, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me."