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On Friday, the 19th, I had a playgroup "feast" at my house to celebrate Thanksgiving.  As I was visiting with one of my neighbors, she described her father's health problems including his recent triple bypass heart surgery.  I commented about how lucky we've been that my parents and their spouses have enjoyed relatively good health (with the exception of some health problems my mom had 10+ years ago).  No more than an hour after everyone left I got a call from my Dad who was leaving the cardiologist's office after some tests that were recommended by his NEW physician.  The new doctor had said it would be a good idea to get some routine tests run and lo and behold, his numbers were waving red flags.  He let us know that he would be seeing the cardiologist again on Monday for a follow-up. 

That Monday we got another call – his numbers showed blockage and the doctor wanted to go in and try to put stents in his blocked arteries.  That afternoon, after attempting stents the doctor quickly surmised that the blockage was too dense and would require open heart surgery.

Needless to say, we were all shocked.  My dad "spins" 3 days a week, rides in the MS 150 and Livestrong rides every year.  He eats fairly well.  He works hard.  He was in seemingly great health.  But his family history of heart disease was not good (mom and dad had it) and there is no escaping the genes.

My brothers and their wives and I drove down early Tuesday morning to try to be there to be with Dad before he went back for surgery.  This was a reverent and special time.  Mark and Anne were able to tell Dad and Christy their baby news and we were able to say a family prayer for Dad.  We spent the rest of the day visiting with friends (many, many of D&C's church friends came bringing love and treats for us), playing games, resting, etc – waiting for news.  Finally that evening we were able to head back to ICU to see Dad briefly.  This was humbling.  Seeing this giant of a man (literally and figuratively) hooked up to so many machines was hard. 

We spent the next day visiting briefly in ICU (they didn't like us to stay long) and trying to help Christy.  It was the first time in years that we, as siblings, have spent that much time together and it was a special thing to "hang out" – eat, visit, laugh, plan, etc together.  I will cherish that.   Meanwhile, Derek was working full-time, bishoping, and taking care of the kids who were home from school…my hero!  They drove down on Thanksgiving morning to be with us and I was thankful to see them for the holiday and let them see Dad.

This man has a good, BIG heart and we hope it will keep pumping strong for a long, long time.

Follow-up:  Dad was able to come home that Monday.  That week he started writing a book of experiences and lessons that he published for all of us for Christmas.  He had a mild heart attack because of a blood clot two weeks after surgery and spent a few more days at the heart hospital.  He has now recovered fully (written in Mar 2011) and shows off his scar whenever he can.  He is back on the bike and looking forward to riding in the MS 150 again this year (something he had ruled out at the time of surgery).