Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sight

We are once again amazed by God's bountiful grace upon us and the wonderful very exciting news we received yesterday at the KU Eye Center from Dr. Wittaker, Neuro- Opthamologist.
First of all let me tell you that God led us to a very special doctor, once again. He has been trained as an engineer, a lawyer, and now works in this field. Obviously, he is brilliant. Yet, he took all the time in the world with us, patiently answered out questions, and repeatedly asked Bob if he truly realized how blessed by God he was?
In a nutshell, Dr. Whittaker, told us, that Bob eyes will heal on their own within 6 months from the day of the strokes. He said that all the work in the world on "trying" to resolve the problem ourselves with optical exercises and gimmicks was not going to help. Only time to heal will work. He did insist on prismatic lenses to be "stuck" on Bob's left eye glass lense as the structure, for a few weeks to take the stress off Bob's eyes working so hard.
Now, are you ready for even bigger news? In about 2 weeks, after Bob acclimates to the prisms, or rips them off, because he no longer needs them, (whichever comes first) BOB CAN DRIVE.
WATCH OUT FOR A 1995 CHAMPAGNE COLORED HONDA ACCORD driving the streets of Independence, especially in the Van Horn area!!!!!!! There will be no motorcycle riding for at least a year, Dr. Whittaker says, and he rides one himself. Dr. Wittaker told us to cancel the Driving School Lessons for which Bob was enrolled. He said with Bob's excellent field of vision and depth of field, he is "good to go". I can't explain our joy and excitement.
As we awaited our time with Dr. Whittaker in the waiting room my prayer, scribbled on a notepad had been," Lord, give us patience, courage, and joy with whatever we hear in a few minutes from the doctor."
We don't know how to continue to say thank you intensely enough. To think how many of you still remember us almost 8 weeks after the strokes overwhelms and humbles us. Your continued cards, emails, prayers, and jokes mean so much, truly.
To the mystery person out there who has sent scripture, and jokes, thank you. We would love to know who you are some day!!!!!

"I am the Lord, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me."
Jeremiah 32:27
"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deuteronomy 33:27

From Japan to garage sales

Bob's personal physician, Dr VerDught, could not stop beaming last Thursday when he saw Bob in his office. Bob's blood work, BP, and weight loss are terrific. The doctor knew Bob standing in front of him was a miracle. Bob has been walking about 4 miles a day.
Bob received a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from 3 of our 6 Japanese daughters. What a fun surprise and time to reflect on our love for them and desire to visit them and our Japanese grandchildren, too!!!!!
This week was filled with OT appointments,rest,walking,and preparation for a three day neighborhood garage sale in which we had planned to participate for 6 months. Our one and only motive was to de-clutter the house. We had been working toward that goal for weeks before Bob's surgery. It was not the wisest thing we have done, but Kate and Chris helped us, and we said goodbye to "stuff" that was really just clutter in our lives.
This week has more OT, dentist, haircut appointments, and our 4 week awaited appointment with Dr. Whittaker, eye specialist at KU Medical Center. We will definitely have more to tell you after that appointment!
Bob and I have been full of tears this week. It has been as though our robotic moves during the past almost 7 weeks have become humanized. I think God has us shrouded in numbness to get through that with which we had to deal, and we did. Now, we realize all that has really happened and feel even more blessed than before.
Your continued cards and notes of support and prayers mean so very much to us. Thank you, thank you.
"Whoever has the gift of encouraging should encourage." Romans 12:8

Bob is HOME, July 7

I got to bring Bob home about 9:30 this morning. He is doing well and so glad to be home, he says.
We have a long set of instructions of does and don'ts, what and when, etc.
We now concentrate on his healing from the procedure. He must be very careful this first month. However, his days are still filled with doctor appointments, OT, exercises for balance and his eyes, counting points for meals, learning a new way to eat and live, and the much anticipated driving lessons at KC Rehab Institute.
Your cards and words of encouragement, prayers and offers to help continue to be a source of great support. Thank you, thank you, thank you. We have been overwhelmed by your generous and caring response.
I will keep you updated in the weeks to follow, but not everyday. You will know if something very good or bad happens. There will always be a risk of stroke for Bob, the patched hole reduces that risk, but the risk factor remains.

"We trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7

Bob's broken heart now sealed and healed

This has been a most amazing day. I am afraid my words can't describe it.
Bob took a walk at 5 am while I readied myself for the day. We left at 6, Bob signed in at 7, his INR was terrific and by 8:30 Dr. Huber was ready to go. While waiting for the procedure, two "fellows" shadowing Dr. Huber, attended to Bob and read his files. One young man beaming, asked Bob if he had taught English at THS. Bob said yes, and the "fellow" told him he had been in Bob's class in 1993. Now he is a doctor!!!!!
We (Kate and Chris were with me, Cammie is still working at camp in PA) were ushered into a special waiting room and the nurse came out several times to reassure us all was well with Bob. The main problem was that Bob was so "wired" he could not be sedated to an appropriate level.Bob had said to Dr. Huber, "Am I supposed to be this cognizant?" That was it!!! Dr. Huber had more sedation sent Bob's way. Dr. Huber said after surgery, it would be a great time for me to ask Bob for anything I wanted, like shopping on the Plaza as Bob would be pretty groggy for some time.
The hole in Bob's heart was about 6-7mm. They used a 9mm PFO closure device inserted after the balloon measured the size. Scar tissue will grow over the device to complete the healing process. Bob will be on Plavix for 90 days and aspirin forever.
Our nurses in the cardiovascular unit were extra special. Bob had to lie flat for 6 hours. At 4 o'clock he got up for the first time and began walking.
Bob says he feels like nothing happened to him today. Bob feels wonderful!!!!!!!
He had a quiet afternoon watching the World Cup. We walked several times and went to MICU to check if any of our nurses from the 8 days we lived there were working. It was shift change, and four of our "angels" were there. They were so thrilled to see Bob doing that well, and we all hugged and cried. As Bob told them, they saved his life.
St. Luke's Hospital, is the best gift we had in this journey. The doctors and nurses were all most intelligent, kind, compassionate, and had a sense of humor. They always knew how to encourage and help Bob in every way.
On that happy note, I tucked Bob in and said good night. It was 5 weeks ago tonight we arrived at St. Luke's Hospital. A miracle occurred there. Bob's journey with a hole in his heart began at birth, but though the journey is not yet over, a significant portion of the blessings happened in that hospital. God's hands are certainly upon many special people there.

"Shout for joy, Oh heavens; rejoice, Oh earth!" Isaiah 49:13
I think JOY is the heart's way of applauding. Our hearts are clapping wildly tonight in giving a standing ovation for our God and his provisions and faithfulness in our lives.
Your many good thoughts and prayers have been answered. Thank you for being there for us; we will always remember your encouragement.
Bob will be home tomorrow and I will post again then.

Hole Sealed!

The doctors just finished and came out to see us. All went well! You can see a YouTube animation of what they did by clicking here.

He will be very sleepy this afternoon, stay overnight, and then check out tomorrow. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers!

Bob would rather be fishing and he did!!!!!!

We celebrated the 4th of July on Saturday at Lake Jacomo. We went out on a pontoon boat with Katie and Chris to enjoy the lake and the beauty of nature surrounding us. Bob fished, and boy did he fish!!!!! He was able to tie the lures on his line with no trouble and did such a great job that he caught four fish, one after the other. It was such a moment of celebration and fun.
I forgot to tell you that Bob's eye doctor was overjoyed to inform us that Bob's vision was 40% better than the previous tests two weeks prior. Whoopee!!!!!
He also suggested Bob see a specialist at KU Medical Center,a highly respected physician who might be able to tell about Bob's not text book diplopia.We were overjoyed to get in to see Dr. Whittaker July 23, as it usually takes several weeks to see him. Bob is also applying for driving school at the Rehab Institute of KC.
We are full with the blessing of God. Tomorrow will be our 5 week anniversary of Bob's stroke.

"I can do all things through God who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13

July 5, Bob's broken heart almost whole

We got up at 6 am to be at St. Lukes at 7am for the crucial INR blood test. A lab tech said she could not tell us the exact value, however, it is certainly in range for surgery. We are waiting to hear that officially from Doctor Huber's nurse.
Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers that Bob could have his heart fixed soon.
There will be pictures on the blog about what Bob did over the weekend.
Roxie

Bob STILL has a hole in his heart

Thank you, friends, for checking in with us. We spent about 3 hours in the hospital, Bob was prepped and readied with IV's for surgery, when the INR,(the test that tells us about the viscosity of his blood) appeared too thin. The staff took another draw and rechecked the values to make certain there had not been a mistake. The INR came back thinner than before.
Needless to say, we felt disappointed and frustrated. Dr. Huber met with us twice during that time. Bob is rescheduled for the procedure next Tuesday, with a blood test Monday to ensure Bob's blood is ready for surgery on the following day.
Thank you for remembering us today in your thoughts and prayers on our behalf.
We continue to serve a great God, , King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, who holds us in the palm of His hand, holes in our hearts and all.

Have a great 4th of July weekend and take care of yourselves. We will be in touch next week.
Roxie