Here I am again!

 Merry Christmas!

I am home! Surgery a great success and "miraculous" in the words of the surgeon. Without going into too many details, 4- 100% blockages successfully bypassed, when initially, it was questionable if a by-pass would even work. Doctor didn't understand why I was still walking around especially being so active.

Now, some may say it is all the bacon and sausage I consume, but not only do we not eat so much of that, it is more the food I consume when I am off-farm which has gotten me. (I love doughnuts!).

In any event I have been given further chances in this life. Very interesting reading this week. Hopefully more on this later.

Oremus pro invicem!

The last meal

Granted, everyone expects surgery to be a success - but there is that chance.... SO, why not lift the dietary restrictions for that last meal? What can a little extra cholesterol and salt (and sugar) hurt in one meal?

Oremus pro invicem!

The last day

 Here I am with plenty of time to contemplate. God has given me a wonderful life, no matter I have spent a good portion of it screwing up the "wonderful".

Generally, I am expecting things to go well tomorrow, because this is a pretty standard procedure these days, but I know things happen. Consciously I am not scared. I am not praying for a 2nd chance. I am only praying for God's grace.

Every labor I have jokingly asked Mrs. Curley to offer her labor for me. I will definitely be offering my pains or discomfort for her and my children.

Oremus pro invicem!

It has been a great time

It has been a great time these past few days. Most of my children are home - either for college break - or just to stop in and wish me well before surgery. 

I am hoping I can see my granddaughters today. I am sure they won't let them up on the cardiac floor, but I have plans to sneak down to the lobby and see them. (I have been experimenting with my heart monitor to see how long it takes for them to respond if I disconnect it or go out of range.)

There has been so much fun and laughter in the hospital room I was sure they would kick out us out (all but me!). But the nurse told us the rooms were pretty sound proof, so have at it.

My pastor sent a priest by yesterday. I received the sacraments. He asked if this would be a "watershed" moment for me. Of course, if I have been living how I should, this experience should change nothing.

I was at Our Lady of Grace for All Saints Day this year. Fr. Kirby (I am certainly going to paraphrase so don't think I am quoting - only giving my impression of what I heard.) talked about how strange this place Earth becomes to us as we get older, AND that we start to realize as we get older that we start to know more people "upstairs" than are left here with us on Earth. Something good to think about. This isn't our home. 

Oremus pro invicem!

Here I am

We have a new litter of pigs due any day now - but I won't see them born. I won't be home for Christmas, but with any luck I will be home for the feast of St. Thomas Becket (12/29).

So unexpectedly, I find my heart is broken - the real one, not the core of my being one. 

I am sure open-heart surgery is worse than sitting in a hospital for several days (while feeling fine), but whether it is or isn't I will be finding in out in a few days.

I could complain about the hospital (regulations, food, johnnies) but then I wouldn't get any "offering up" credit would I? Probably just lost the credit with the last sentence.

The unexpectedness of it all is really what gets me. I am a pretty darn active guy. I might not be the best diabetic, but I exercise and am really active. This past year I have maintained my lowest weight in over 20 years. But it is the first one which probably was my downfall - not a good diabetic. I like my old-fashioned doughnuts! 

I believe I will be seeing a priest today or tomorrow to take care of any outstanding matters - so not to worry there.

Oremus pro invicem!

Floppy's new litter

 Finally arrived! 5 little boars and 5 little gilts.

Oremus pro invicem!