Week 5

Yep! can you believe it?!
Adam had his surgery 5 weeks ago Monday.
He is healing well.
His scar is beginning to smooth out.
At the family gathering Monday the kids were very interested in seeing it.
My nephew Ramsey, has been very curious about how God can be in Adam's heart if they had to open it up.
He wondered if God would be at the cookout, since Adam was.
This whole thing is hard for grown ups to understand, let alone kids!
He met with his surgeon, Dr Schier, yesterday.
All went well.
I told him thank you for making Adam one of his miracles.
He blushed..but how does a mom express thanks for something so big?!
He sees his cardiologist tomorrow.
She will follow him for the rest of his life.
She will be the one giving him direction and making sure his blood levels are good.
They continue to improve as he regains strength.
He is supposed to have his PIC line pulled after his IV antibiotic tomorrow.
He can't wait!
He will be able to have a full shower and 'get his golf swing back.'
He will still need a culture drawn after 2 weeks to make sure he's in the clear.
Apparently bacteria 'likes' this type of valve.
We can do without 'friends' like that!
Next week he begins to 'work back into' work.
He is targeting 3 days next week, then 4, then 5.
I imagine he will be tired.
He still takes naps after working out at cardiac rehab.
I think now is when the reality of the past 6 weeks hits home.
The miracle of life is so precious!
Our God granted many prayers during this process.
I am not sure what he has in store for Adam, but I am sure it's special!
Your support has been life changing for both of us.
Thanks aren't enough, but I mean them sincerely.
Very appreciatively,
Val

wed afternoon

I just read Adam's blog.
Can you believe it?!
Our first post was in July- it is now September.
In some ways it feels like a lifetime (IE. new wrinkles, lack of sleep etc).
In other ways just a moment.
There are so many things to be thankful for!
Adam drove yesterday- after 2 months
Adam is sleeping 8-10 hours at a time
Adam and I had a good belly laugh this morning- without pain!
Adam is looking forward to returning to his life- a life we weren't sure he'd have a month ago.
And.. drum roll..
Adam's mom is GETTING MARRIED!
Can you stand it?!
My faithful, strong, loving and patient John proposed while we were in Boston.
Well,,, and HOT! as you can see by the picture above.
It was romantic and perfect, and a surprise to me.
I said YES!!!
There are no dates yet.
We are just soaking this all in.
It is such a gift!
I know this is a blog about Adam's health, but I wanted to share this good news with you faithful friends.
After such a dark time, I want to share some of our 'good stuff'.
God is so good!through it all.
Val

Finally the end in sight

Hey guys just wanted to update you all. I went to my IV and rehab today and I will officially have my picline pulled next Wednesday after IV therapy. This of course it good news because that means I can start working on my short game for golf next year. The doc is very optimistic about progress and will give me the clean bacteria bill of health after my appointment on the 23rd. I also meet next week with my surgeon Dr. Schier and my cardiologist Dr. Fetters so that they can release me. This is all in efforts to get me back to work by the week of the 14th. Again for those who do not know I am doing a heart walk on September 19th. It is one of those donation things so any help anyone would like to contribute would be great. The walk is 3 miles and it is downtown by the canal. As you all know I am trying to become more of an evangelist for heart help so tell everyone you know about my case. Well don't have a whole lot more to say other than the regular season opens in a week from Sunday and I am hoping for another solid year for the Colts. I will get to go to a few games this year and am stoked about that. Well see you all soon and I will try and update this a little more frequently because I know some of you are reading it a lot. Thanks again for the support and help.


Adam

Weekend Update

Things are finally good after the Wednesday scare. Mom is out of town in Boston and hopefully enjoying herself and the company of John and her friends. Grandma is here today and Danny in this week. I finally got the PS3 hooked up to the flat screen right and have been doing some serious gaming today. Health is doing well all but three stery strips are off the incision now and I am actually feeling good enough to do my hair in the mornings. All of your support has really been awesome and the food has helped us out tremendously. For those wondering I am still awaiting an updated INR and Hemoglobin probably next week sometime. Met a nice person at the IV today and it made the time go by quicker as grandma was reading her book. Well not much to report which is a good thing. Can't wait to get back into work on the 15th of September. See you all soon



Adam

Wed

Hey!
It is Wednesday evening.
Adam just took a shower, so we could show GJan how to waterproof his PIC line.
She is in charge for a couple of days, then Uncle Danny.
I am headed out of town for a long weekend.
Adam continues to do well.
He is upping his time on the treadmill, and lowering his pain meds.
He slept for 10 hours last night.
Healing sleep is such a gift!
The neighbor stopped us to say how much improvement they've seen in his walking.
His INR responded to the meds... a little too much.
We certainly have to be careful what we pray for!
So, now he skips the coumadin a couple of days and re- tests.
Because of his age, they say it may take a while to stabilize.
He has also had a couple of episodes of rapid heart rate.
Luckily, one of these happened while on the treadmill today.
The cardiac therapist was able to 'run a strip' so the cardiologist could read it.
They have started a new med to try to regulate his heart beat.
The MD says the irregular beat isn't dangerous, just tiring.
Luckily, he is in the MD daily for IV's and in rehab 3 X a week.
They are able to see even small responses to meds.
We are daily reminded of his excellent care, his incredible physicians, supportive friends and family (yes, still bringing in meals for us!)and God's grace.
We appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers!
Val
PS. the picture has NOTHING to do with Adam's progress..its even a couple of years old,but still fun..GO COLTS!

A new week begins

Back to the grind today and a second week of rehab. I started the morning with my normal IV an then headed over to rehab where they had me do 20 minutes two different times on the treadmill and 4 minutes on the boke. It is funny how your legs can get so dead so quickly. It seems like not that long ago I was able to max out a leg press machine and ride a bike for a good amount of time. Now four minutes is all I can muster. Things are good though my hempglobin is up to 10 and my INR is up to 1.9. Doctors are still optimistic which makes me just want to do more everyday. I asked today about when I would be able to golf, and to that my rehab coordinator laughed and said next spring. I however did get some exercises to loosen my shoulder stiffness and hope to beat her goal and play late this year. Mom leaves this weekend for Boston and I am finally cleared to go into public so that is a good thing. I got a haircut today and for those who know me, you know how I was chomping at the bit to get it cut. I am starting to feel better everyday with a few setbacks here or there. All is well in Indiana and it is starting to get to Chili weather. I have had lots of good food from you all and have had time to work some things that I had been meaning to try myself. I signed up for a grilling class that teaches some pitmasters barbecue secrets in Spetember and am excited about that. I am posting this picture for you who have not seen my wound. Scar is not bad and hopefully I will gain weight soon. Well thanks for tuning in to my life and ttyl.


Adam

Thursday

Hello!
Well, we did it again.
I thought Adam posted, he thought I did..
Go figure!
We had U Verse installed, G Jan came to visit and I had a job interview.
It was a big day!
Adam continues to progress.
He gets stronger every day.
His treadmill time is increasing.
He is making new 'friends' at rehab.
This morning he actually felt like shaving and using 'product' in his hair!
You KNOW he is beginning to feel like himself.
I am so thakful for all of your notes, comments, food and phone calls.
This has been rough journy..I am glad we aren't making it alone.
I hope you all know how much you mean to both of us!
Adam has some blood work tomorrow.
We are praying for an upswing in his INR.
That is a biggie for his new valves.
We will keep you posted.
Have a super day!
Val