Mid- Afternoon Post

After our news today, I felt it was time to reach out to someone at Beach.

Good Afternoon,

Phil has had quite a time. This was a rough surgery, but in the last two days he  has made amazing progress. He's got a big appetite, gets up and down on his own and today walked down and up a flight of stairs.

He had hoped to come home today, but at the last minute, they decided to change a med and we have to see how he does before sending him home.

We also received another very unexpected bit of news.  He has to go home on the life vest.  This type of surgery is so rare they basically have no idea if his excellent vitals will continue and had not planned to evaluate his remodeled heart for some time.

This is very alarming in light of his work situation.

Phil discovered very quickly that he does not enjoy "not working" and was very interested in returning to work. It is so sad to me that we had such a delay between the first round and the surgery. And that, even if, as we have prayed, he continues to  make a miraculous recovery, his job will be threatened by this life vest.

I had already planned to see if there was a way to direct us about possibilities, but was trying to wait until I got the word that the deal was signed and sealed in the transfer to new owners.   Well, I'm feeling like I need to ask this sooner than later. We need to know what awaits us.  Do you see any possibility of the person who controls such things to meet with Phil to consider light duty until this evaluation?   It is very hard to think that his record and work ethic wouldn't count for something until he's freed from this vest.  

Any direction you can give would be appreciated.

Best,

Kimberly Paris

So, that is our disheartening news for the day.  We were told the surgery carried risk, that recovery (the first days) could be tricky, but never, ever was it mentioned that if the surgery was a success and recovery was successful, there would still be a life vest. I had no earthly idea that every other question I ask would be met with, "I don't know, this is a rare surgery." Today I was  told that an echo to see the heart wouldn't be for 90 days?  Folks, are you trying to stop my own heart. 90 days added to the 8 weeks we've walked around with the background hum reminding us that his heart could stop at any time.  Then you add that uncomfortable vest to a broken breast bone and three drain wounds.  

Okay, it is in no one's best interest for me to write all the many ways I feel at the moment.  

Please continue prayers for rest, peace and wisdom for us.