Open Your Heart

My recent posts have all been on a lighter note, but today I write with a little more reservation as the subject I write about is not one to readily be rejoiced. Perhaps you are all already aware via Mom communications, but if you are not, Grandpa Workman will be having bypass surgery a week from today. As one who has spent the last year with he and Grandma, I have seen them pass through many trials, mostly of health. Grandpa started losing momentum and energy midway through the summer, but delayed taking action until the fall, at which time he was the subject of many health examinations and tests, each of which brought greater insight into an increasingly serious health condition. First it was a sore back, which never went away, and upon further investigation was found to be some random infection, which again never went away. Further tests revealed he had pneumonia (which he did have), but which again, didn't seem to find relief with the treatments given. As Grandpa again underwent more tests, they found an infection on the outside of his lungs that was growing between the thoracic wall and the lung, pushing the lung in and limiting lung capacity. It was requisite to surgically remove (scrape off) the infection and treat him further with anti-biotics and post-surgery lung-therapy. That was supposed to wrap things up for this dear man, but in the chain of events, it did not. With continued discomfort and lack of physical stamina, he went in yet again for tests, this time focused on the heart. A month of tests revealed the coronary artery leading to the right ventricle had all but completely closed off, as well as partial blockage of the coronary artery leading to the left regions of the heart (left side needs more blood supply because it is responsible to supply blood to the entire body, whereas the right ventricle merely pumps blood into the lungs for gas exchange). Originally they feared the artery to the right ventricle had completely closed off, having left that region of the heart to die; however, to their great relief they discovered there was still very limited blood flow allowing that region of the heart to not suffocate. Yesterday Grandpa had a stent placed in his artery, which failed to produce the needed effect, so, a week from today he will undergo bypass surgery. I'm sure the family will all be participating in a fast sometime this week, but please keep both Grandpa and Grandma in your prayers, they are both having a hard time with this.