Friday 4/29

Nothing medical to report today. I was feeling good until Nathan accidentally hit me in the chest with his head. That hurt a bit. Took a long nap this afternoon, I was real low on energy.

I have an appointment on Monday with the cardiac rehab people. Just a consultation to see if I will need it. I can probably do it all at home but we'll see. I also have to get my blood tested on Monday for my Coumadin level. It is coming up very slowly which stinks because the longer it takes to come up the more I get stuck with needles.

I'll update Monday unless something happens over the weekend.

Have a good night.

Thursday 4/28

Had the follow up with Dr. Macris (surgeon) today. Everything is looking and sounding good. I may start cardio rehab in the next few weeks, we'll see if I need to or not. I will probably attend two or three sessions to see how I am doing. If I do well I may just rehab at home.

The incision site is looking really good and is even disappearing. Once the scab is gone it will be very faint and not visible unless you know it is there.

I still lack energy and fade very quickly when trying to be active. Can't wait until I am over this and able to be really active again.

I see my cardiologist next week for a follow up with him. I'll let you know what he has to say.

Have a good night.

Wednesday 4/27

Had to go get more blood drawn today to test the Coumadin levels in my blood. Haven't heard back on the results yet but it doesn't really matter,  have to take it anyway. I go see Dr. Macris (surgeon) tomorrow for my follow up. Everything looks good to me but we'll see what he has to say.

I am ok as long as I stay on top of the pain.

Thanks go to Ami and Mimi for driving me around everywhere.

I'll update tomorrow after I meet with Dr. Macris.

Have a good night.

Monday 4/25 Home at last

Yup, I got to come home today. We spent the majority of the day in the hospital but just as I was ordering my dinner my cardiologist came in and said I could get ready to go. They took the IV out of my hand, got the paperwork ready and after dinner we got out of there.

It feels really good to be home but we have to remember that this is just step 5 of 1000 to recovery. Thank you to everyone for the encouraging remarks.

I'm going to keep this thing going so be sure to check in for updates to steps 6-1000.

Have a good night.

Sunday 4/24

Well, didn't get to go home today. I was told the doctor was going to come by and let me know what was going on and if I was going home. Funny thing though, the doctor never showed up. So I'll stay again tonight and start my sixth day post surgery in the hospital.

Physically I am feeling ok, I just have to make sure I stay on top of the pain. Mentally I am ready to get out of here. I have a pretty good view out of my window and it makes me miss the outdoors. All I have is my room and the floor to move around in.

I'll update tomorrow when I know more.

Have a good night.

Saturday 4/23:updated 8:30pm

Might get to go home tomorrow depending on the Coumadin levels in my blood in the morning. I just finished walking, did eleven laps around the floor. Why eleven? Because I did ten yesterday.

My nurse took off the dressings over my drain tube holes today so I got to shower. When they say holes, they mean holes. They look pretty gross but should heal quickly. I don't think I have gone that long (5 days) without showering, ever. I don't plan on doing it again either. I feel so much better now.

I'll update tomorrow when I know more about everything.

Have a nice night.

Friday 4/22

Just got done doing ten (10) laps around the floor. Felt real good but had to stop because I was sweating and this caused two problems. First, my open wounds started to burn a little and on top of that my halter monitor stickers started falling off. I'll go for another walk here in a while. Every time I came around they asked if I was okay, what they don't know is that if my chest wasn't so sore I'd been jogging around the floor. Probably not a good idea though.

I'm tired now and am going to take a nap. Hoping the Dr. comes by sooner than later so he can clear me to shower.

Have a good day.

Thursday 4/21

Got out of the ICU today and into a regular room. It has a little better atmosphere and a lot more room to walk. I did about three laps earlier with Ami, Erin and Bobby keeping me company. So if you have some time, swing by and join me. I can always use more company.

Not really in much pain now, just took some Vicodin to take the edge off and am saving the good stuff in case I need it tonight. For some reason the really bad pain likes to wait until around 3am to rear it's ugly head. The walking actually made me feel better so I think I'll do more of that tomorrow.

Hoping to be home for Easter and really can't wait to take a shower. I feel pretty gross but at least I got to brush my teeth. Sweating out all of these drugs is not fun but I guess it comes with the territory.

Well, have a good night and like I said, if you have some spare time, don't be a stranger.

The Day After

Grant is officially in recovery. Breathing tube is out and he is able to eat, drink and talk. They say he should be able to move out of ICU and into a regular room by tomorrow, and hopefully, if all goes well, home by Sunday. He dis so amazing and I am so grateful the god has pulled him through. We found out after the surgery that his valve was much worse than expected - and the surgeon was surprised that he was able to go this long without surgery!

So, today is a good day in room 328! Grant is hitting his healing "marks" quicker than they expected. He is young and strong. They keep telling us to watch out, because once he is healed we won't be able to keep up with him!

Grant is even awake and aware enough to conduct some business and use his computer. I am so amazed at his courage, strength, and fortitude.

He is able to have visitors, so if you want and are in the area come by. 3rd floor, in the East Tower at Memorial Herman at Memorial City.

We are off to run an errand for Grant! Will check back in later.

With Love,
The Almquist Family

Today is the day!

It is currently 8:25 on Tuesday and Grant is officially in surgery. We arrived this morning at 5:30. At 6 a.m. they took him to pre-op and got him all ready with his IV lines, hospital gown, cap, etc. About 6:50 we were able to go back into pre-op and wait with him. He seemed calm and ready. Rev. Jerome Brimmage joined us in pre-op for a prayer...I know this helped Grant temendously, to be reminded that we are in God's presence and hands.

They wheeled him to the operating room at 7:30 a.m. after lots of hugs and kisses. Now we wait. The surgery will last 3-4 hours. I will be able to see him after 5-6 hours once he is in ICU/recovery.

I'll keep you posted. Thank you for your thoughts, wishes and prayers.

With Love,
Ami & Family

Monday 4/18: Surgery Time

Surgery tomorrow is scheduled for 7:30am. We have to be there by 5:30am.

If they start at 7:30 I should be in recovery by noon. Ami will be sending update messages to whomever wants to get them so contact her if you want to be on the list.

Have a good evening.

Monday 4/18

Got a call this morning from the hospital asking if I can come in for some more blood work. Just to update their files and get a more recent sample to them, nothing that is going to postpone anything. We are leaving at 1:00 to be there by 1:30. Shouldn't take too long and then we'll be headed home to finish getting everything ready.

We did a lot of yard work today and got the tree trimmed. Ami mowed the yard and put some new dirt in the flower beds (thank you David).

Will update again when we get the time for tomorrow.

Friday 4/15

Got the results from the hematologist and we are good to go. Surgery has been scheduled for this Tuesday, most likely in the morning. I will get the time later today and will update when I do.

The blood work stuff was real confusing so I am not going to try to explain it on here. If you really want to know then call Ami or myself and we can try to explain. Just know that I am ok and the surgery is a go.

Have a good day.

Thursday 4/14

No word from the doctor yesterday. Probably won't know anything until tomorrow now. It is at 9:45 tomorrow morning so check back around noon or so for an update. I'll post it as soon as we get home.

We had our final class in Financial Peace University last night. That 13 weeks went by fast but we got the tools needed to become debt free and we're on our way.

Have a good day.

Tuesday 4/12

Still no word from the doctor. Didn't really expect to hear anything but we are always hoping.

I'll update again tomorrow.

Have a good evening.

Monday 4/11

Nothing to report today. Just bummed that today was the day it was supposed to happen but we're still waiting.

Maybe tomorrow will bring some good news.

Have a good night.

Sunday 4/10

Nothing to really report today. Did some yard work at my parents house with Gavin and David. Felt good to get out and do something but it wiped me out.

Tomorrow starts the countdown to the new information so this week will probably crawl by. Still hoping we can get it done the week of the 18-24. I'll update with the information as soon as I get it.

Have a good night.

Saturday 4/9

Insomnia = no fun. Have not been able to fall asleep for any length of time recently.

Still hoping the blood tests come back early and we can move on with this. I really want to shed this burden.

Have a good night.

Friday 4/8

Okay, the emotional roller coaster continues. Saw the hematologist today and the surgery has been put off at least a week. The doctor needs to take a look at the 18 vials of blood they took today and look at the things that were not normal.

I go back next Friday to get the results and hopefully the go ahead with the surgery. Best case, the hematologist finds out what is wrong, if anything, before Friday and gives the go ahead. Worst case they need to order extra stuff for the operation and that will push the date back further. Hoping it can be scheduled for the week of the 18-22 so I can get all of this behind me.

Keep checking for updates.

Have a good day.

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
Galatians 6:9 

Thursday 4/7

Nothing medically to report today. Still have the hematologist appointment tomorrow morning.

Went to visit Rev. Brimmage again today and we had a nice talk. He has a way of helping to put things into perspective and seeing God's guidance in life. I think him for that.

I am ready to get this behind me so I can come out of the wilderness and start to live my life.

We'll update tomorrow after the appointment and then let you know about the surgery date.

Have a good night.

Update

I have an appointment on Friday to see a Hematologist. Apparently a couple of numbers on my blood tests came back low so they want to cover all the basis. If the tests come back Friday the surgery will still be on Monday, if they don't then the date will have to be pushed back a little (sigh).

Check back daily from here on out to stay on top of this thing.

Have a good day.

Pre-Operation results

We finished up the pre-op procedures around noon today. They drew more blood, took other samples, gave me my breathing apparatus and my antibacterial body wash. We also got a bunch of literature to look over. The good news is that the operation is not going to cost us as much as we thought. It will actually be much less than we anticipated.

Now comes the waiting game. No more visits to the hospital or Dr.'s office, just waiting on Monday. I am already checked in so all we have to do is show up and go in.

We have to be there at 6am and the procedure is scheduled for 8am. When I registered I selected to be listed in the public directory so if you feel the need you can call Memorial Hermann at Memorial City to get updates during the procedure. I should be in recovery by noon on Monday as they say the operation will last anywhere between three and four hours. Of course you can call Ami for updates too.

We'll update again tomorrow. Have a good day.

Thankful for Friends

I just wanted to say thank you to our wonderful family and friends who have given us such support and strength through this journey. If there is one thing I have learned, it is that life is so much easier when you are surrounded by people who love and care for you.

Thank you and God Bless!!

Ami & Grant

Sunday

Had a good day today, didn't really feel any effects from the valve. There was a good message at church today as well as a prayer for me. That gave me some comfort. Reverend Brimmage also loaned me a great book that help put this whole thing in a little perspective. It is called, "Dinner with a Perfect Stranger", by David Gregory. I highly recommend it if you feel lost or apart from God.


If I don't update tomorrow there will be one on Tuesday after the pre-operation appointment.

Have a good night.

Saturday

Nothing new to update really. Tried to play with the boys on their new scooters yesterday and had to stop after about three minutes and sit down. Things like that are why I am excited to have this behind me.