Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Update on Dad

As many of you know, my cute little dad has been having a lot of heart problems lately. He went to his doctor a few weeks ago and they told him his entire left side of his heart was completely non-functional, and through the course of many hospital and dr visits, we have found out that he has Congestive Heart Failure.

His heart is operating on 20% now, and if it ever drops, even one percent, it could put him in cardiac arrest. He is at the very minimum operation level and we hope he stays there or improves (obviously). In September, he will be getting a pacemaker to help in case his heart ever does drop below the 20%. The pacemaker is only there to assist his heart if it ever stops functioning all together. The doctor wants his heart, with the help of medications, to hopefully become stronger- so we'll see how it all works out after his operation.

The downside to this all (not that any of this ISN'T a downside) is that we were told when he passes away, it'll be very sudden and without warning. We are hoping the pacemaker will prevent this outcome.

I don't know how long I'll have my father in this life. I don't know if Alisyn will grow up having a father throughout all her teenage years to tell her to fix her attitude and to be more kind as Sarah and I definitely experienced. I don't know if he will be there to witness my first child, or my children's lives at all.... but.... I do know that our Father in Heaven has a much greater plan. I know that His plan is perfect, and that our lives here on Earth are but a moment. I also know that our trials in our lives are but a smaller moment, "And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes". I have 100%, complete faith that everything will all iron out how it should.

It's hard being 700 miles away and hearing all of this when I'm already homesick, but luckily I will be able to go home in September to visit for a long weekend. I haven't seen my father since December and I am very excited to see him in a few weeks.

Please keep my Dad in your prayers. Heavenly Father is a Father of miracles. There is nothing He cannot do. We are rooting for another good 15 years of life as the dr said could possibly happen... until then...

"never let your praying knees get lazy, and love like crazy"

6 comments:

Jessica said...

On a brighter note...it was so cute...a while back Todd was asking me about fasting---he had never done it and was not sure about it. This Sunday when we got home from church I started to make lunch (clearly Em and I are not fasting) and Todd mentioned that he was not eating because he was fasting. HMMMM. I thought. Good for him. Later...after he had eaten, Todd told me---"I did not know how hard it would be to fast" I informed him it was supposed to be hard. He then smiled and said good thing I REALLY like Joe Davidson because that was harder than I thought:) We really love your dad a lot and are thinking about you guys. He must be someone really special for Todd to give up food:) Love you Chica!!!!!!!!!!!!

janica said...

oh my goodness Jenn. I will for sure keep your dad & your family in our prayers. I LOVE YOU GUYS

janica said...

oh my goodness Jenn. I will for sure keep your dad & your family in our prayers. I LOVE YOU GUYS

marciekoch said...

Jenn - I love your dad so much and I hate to hear about him in pain or hurting. Only the really special people in this world have heart troubles - your dad and my mom! :) I hope your Dad has found a fantastic cardiologist - and don't settle if he & your family aren't comfortable with the first one. It took my Mom one or two before we found one we were all comfortable with. It makes a lot of difference in your attitude when you trust the professional in charge of your care 100%. Your family is so strong and amazing - I know you are all supporting each other as only a family can. Please send my love to your Dad. Love you all!

Anna said...

oh Jen I really feel for you right now. I will deffinitly keep him in my prayer's I don't know if you knew this but my dad past away 2 years ago very very unexpectedly because of heart problems so I can kind of empathize with ya I hope things will be all right soon.

Krista said...

Jenn, your post made me cry. It was beautiful and you have such a wonderful attitude.We put his name on the prayer rolls at the temple and pray that Heavenly Father will bless that little heart of his to last for many years. Hope to see you home soon.