We're Home!

Thanks for all your prayers and concern. You don't know how much it is appreciated. I am happy to report that Dean's heart went back into the right rhythm last night at 6:30. It has stayed there since. He is on some medication and will taper off of it for the next month. The condition is called A-Fib (for atrial fibrillation.) "Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is a cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) that involves the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart. It can often be identified by taking a pulse and observing that the heartbeats don't occur at regular intervals, but a conclusive indication of AF is the absence of P waves on an electrocardiogram (ECG). AF is the most common arrhythmia."
Being in a-fib isn't the worst problem to have and can usually be treated in one way or another. Some people have it for years and some don't know they have it. Anyway, we were happy to go home with it "in sink" and hopefully it will stay that way. The doctor is very hopeful that it will.
The mechanical valve is working beautifully, and if you put your ear near his chest you can hear it clicking. It's a wonderful sound. They replaced a section of the aorta with some tubing made of Dacron. We are so grateful for the expertise of the medical profession and equipment. We are also grateful to Heavenly Father for inspiring this knowledge and for His watchful care over Dean. We are thankful to be home and "on the mend." I will take off the rest of this week and Dean will be home for six weeks--when we visit the surgeon and he gives his O.K. Thanks again to everyone for you love and prayers. We love you all. LaRita

Dean's recovery

I'm sure all of you have had contact with my mom some way or another, but I'll update you a little bit.
Dad is doing well. Expected to go home probably tomorrow. He's up walking around and getting stronger every day. Danny & Breanna were up there this weekend and Christi & Jeremy and Matthew & Megan are close too so they were all able to visit. From what I hear Grandma Larsen, Kathy, and Grandpa Nelson were all there too.
Thanks for your prayers and support. I know he felt it.
Les
An update: I talked to my mom this evening, she said it was kind of an eventful day. Dad's heart went into A-Fib (where the heart just flutters). The doctors said this happens to about 30% of heart surgery patients. Sometimes the heart fixes itself and sometimes they have to shock the heart which is successful 85% of the time. Well, they had to shock Dad's heart. They gave him something so he wouldn't remember it. Apparently, it's something you do not want to remember. Horrible. Well they started out with a more minor shock and ended up having to shock him 3 more times--the last being the most they could (I'm not good with the medical terms, I should have Jeremy write this--he does this alot at work). Dad remembered the last 2 times they did it--yikes. This worked for about 30 seconds but his heart went back into A-Fib. He can still go home but will have to go back to the hospital soon to either be shocked again or have a different procedure done--which he's had before. Once again, I can't remember what it's called. It's not a life-threatening thing, but something that needs to get fixed.
Anyway, keep him in your prayers still. I'm sure it's discouraging going home knowing that more is still ahead.
I'll write when I know more.
Les

Family Newsletter

Hi Everybody. I've totally been slacking lately, but it's that time again. Time for another newsletter. I'd like to get out by mid- November so if you could get me all your stuff, that would be great. Thank you. I'm also going to follow up with an email. Thanks tons!

Dean's Surgery

Hey everyone! Dad is going in for heart surgery on Wednesday and we decided to have a family fast. I thought I'd let you all know in case you wanted to participate. We feel really good about things and are just anxious to get it over with!

Also, I decided to go private on my blog so if I haven't sent you an invitation I need your email address. Just email me at jerandles@infowest.com and I'll send you an invite!

Love you all! Leslie