GREAT news from the state of Virginia!!!

GREAT news from the state of Virginia!!!
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Hi, Reatha!
This is Lori. Mom asked me to update you on Dad's valve replacement surgery. He had the surgery on Wednesday, and it went "perfectly", according to the surgeon. They kept him under sedation until after the visitation hours had ended. I called to check on him around 10:00, and the nurse said that they had removed the breathing tube, and he was alert and talking. I had Mom call so that he would hear her voice first. Needless to say, we both slept much better that night!
Since, he has progressed in great strides. He is surpassing all of the expectations! When we arrived at the hospital the next morning, he had already eaten a full breakfast and was looking great. They told us he was ready to leave Post-Op/ICU and move to the floor. He had to wait for a bed to become available, but when it did, he WALKED to his room. Not bad for 24 hours after open-heart surgery!! He has been a little more tired today, but is continuing to improve. The nurse almost had to chase him down the hall when they got him up for a walk. He has really experienced almost no pain and today only had one pain pill.
We feel so blessed for how well this has gone. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers!!
I will do my best to keep you updated. Mom and I have been pretty tired by the end of the day. We are both so active usually and are shocked at how tiring it is to sit all day! At least we have a sweet, happy face to look at all day! My daughter's first comment after she got to the hospital was, "Well, it is obvious the surgeon did not remove his sense of humor!" I think his positive attitude will greatly improve his healing.
Sorry if this is a little rambling...my long day is coming to a close.
Thank you for letting everyone know about Dad.
***
Bundle up this weekend, everyone, and hope to see you this Sunday when Jim Hatfield will lead our lesson, using the book, JESUS, THE MIDDLE EASTERN STORYTELLER, by G.Burge. Peace, Reatha - Fri - 9pm

Bob Grogan

Dear Ownbey Family, Got this note today from Bob (Grogan), now living in Virginia...ra - fri - 6pm
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          Yesterday at Martha Jefferson Hospital I underwent a catherization as a prelude to heart valve replacement next Tuesday.  The cath went fairly well.  It showed the blockage in the atrial valve.  The opening was about the size of the end of a pencil and did not open or close properly, causing calcification which is not good.  I was placed on the "CRITICAL" list last week.  My surgery will take place at the University of Virginia Hospital early Wednesday morning.  The surgery is slated to last for about six hours.  I will be in the hospital for five or more days.  I will be moved to a nursing facility for maybe two weeks.The prayers of the Ownbey Class will be very much appreciated. We think that it will be great calling Reatha "Granny."  That is good news.  Give our regards to the new Mommy and future grandchild.  Take care and God Bless. Bob

Got this GOOD news today from BOB GROGAN.. Dear Ownbey Family, -------------------------------------------------------------- Feat accomplished. I have a new pacemaker. Should no longer use a cell phone. Should stay a 'comfortable' distance from electronic appliances. A menu followed that No. 1 statement. The surgery was performed on Wednesday morning at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, VA. It took one hour and thirty minutes to prep for the operating room-shots, tubes in my left arm, plus the connection to the computer just above the surgeon's head. They did no anesthesia -- only a 'local.' I was awake the whole time and felt nothing. After 20 minutes, Dr. Willms said, "I am all through." I asked him whether or not he put in the pacemaker. He said that he not only put in the pacemaker but he and a company representative had checked it very thoroughly and that it was working as it should be. For one thing it raised my heart beat from 30 and sometimes below that per minute to 60 per minute. I had to remain in the hospital until just before noon today. Everything continued to work perfectly. The surgeon said that my heart had worn out [his words] and that a mechanical device was now required. When I left the hospital today it seemed that my energy level had doubled at least. I can now get up from a chair or sofa without any assistance or without having to push off or hold something. Fantastic. Wanted to let you know that all is well and that I am thankful for all the prayers that were said in my behalf. Love, Bob

04/23/09

Dear Ownbey Family, It's been a busy week for some of our class members: >WILMA MILLER and JOYCE ALLEN not only share a birthday, but this past Wed. they shared a surgery date -- only one hour apart -- AND the same eye doctor performed BOTH cataract surgeries! When I called them this afternoon, both Wilma and Joyce said that they are doing well. >I began calling folks after hearing the message which ELLEN CHASON left on my machine today: this past Thurs, she took another fall -- this time at Southminster -- chipping a front tooth and splitting her lip. She now has an "implanted" front tooth and stitches... but NO broken bones this time :-) She will NOT be in SS tomorrow, nor next week. This Wed, she'll fly down to Florida to see one of her grandkids graduate from pharmacy school. She'll be flying back home on Sun. May 3. >I also called CAROL NEEDY who had sent me an e-mail about getting the stitches and pins out of her feet: surgery on her foot problems. went well UNTIL... the stitches and pins came out. Now her feet have swollen and have caused her lots of pain. Her doctor has told her to stay at home w/her feet up for several days. Her next appointment will be in a few weeks unless the swelling/pain continues. We hope to see her back in church soon. >And I even called Marilea GROGAN. Medication has rid her of atrial flutter, but GARY's meds are still a challenge -- the doctors are still trying to get the balance "just right." BOB will find out on May 6th if he will need surgery on his aorta from the left ventricle. Marilea quipped: "This coming week, we have SEVEN doctor appointments. If it weren't for those, we'd have very little social life!" >I have not heard any update on Harlan. >I've heard from only about 20 e-emails (or 30 total people) as far as a straw vote for our garden party. REMEMBER: press REPLY and let me know your preference. * Sat. May 23d * Sun. June 7 * either date * neither date Thanks! Reatha

2008.04.30

Subject: News
From: "Eleanor Harris"
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:34:50 -0400

Dear Ownbey Class,

The teacher this Sunday is Carol Douglas, using the book, Christianity for the Rest of Us by Bates, as a source.

Birthdays are as follows:
Chick Thompson 5/3
Don Redding 5/5
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL WHO TOOK PART IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL FAIR AND TO THOSE WHO ARE TAKING PART IN THE BETTY CAMPBELL CARE TEAM.

Wes and Ginny Soule will be with the Bukers at the Wed. night supper at about 5:30 in Jubilee Hall. All are welcome to join us to greet these old friends from Minnesota. Everybody needs to make his own reservation.

On Sunday Bob and Marilea Grogan and Bob and Elizabeth Ann Johnson will join the Soules for a reunion at Sunday School. After the 11:00 service, all of us who want to have more time to visit will go to 6555 Morrison Blvd.(Bojangles and Donato's Pizza) to eat and/or visit again. Turn onto Morrison off Sharon Rd. at Southpark and the restaurant is on the right in the first block.

Hope to see you in Sunday School.

Eleanor

20070610 Visits from the Grogans Johnsons and Heintzlemans