An update on dad's progress and heart.

Therapy: Dad continues to improve in therapy. He only has two weeks left of outpatient therapy at Chelsea. Dad is very excited to be done with therapy. Dad's reading and comprehension continue to improve. He is currently reading at the 10th grade level (approx. 140 wpm).

Driving: Dad has been cleared to start the process of getting his license back. Dad is extremely excited to gain this freedom and skill back! He is currently waiting on a permit from the state of Michigan. Once he gets his permit, the doctor has recommended that he takes some classes to help prepare him for the road and paper test. Once he completes all of those things, dad will be road legal again.

Heart: On Friday, Amber and I took dad to a cardiology appointment at Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital. Dad's doctor was very impressed with dad's progress (the last time he saw dad, he was at Allegiance Hospital). He mentioned that dad was the main topic of conversation at the last cardiology conference he attended. My dad's healing and progress has all of the doctor's stumped. Dr. S. is amazed that my dad is alive (he said repeatedly that my dad shouldn't be alive) and amazed at how well my dad is doing. The doctor mentioned multiple times that dad was a "lucky" man. However, we know luck had nothing to do with it. God put the right people in place to help keep him alive at the farm (from getting CPR from Tom to the fire department who shocked dad's heart 9 times before getting to the hospital!), He had the right doctor's working the afternoon dad was brought into the emergency room (the hypothermia therapy that was done saved his brain), and He brought us Dr. M (who helped wake my dad up). Ultimately, the healing power of God has EVERYTHING to do with my dad's recovery and success.

In listening to my dad's heart, the cardiologist was concerned with how loud it was. The doctor could hear my dad's heart beat through three layers of clothes (including a sweatshirt). My dad thought that this was a good thing (loud = strong heart). However, Dr. S. said that it was not a good thing to hear his heart beat so loudly. We then talked about dad's upcoming surgery. On Thursday morning, I will take dad up to Saint Joseph for the first test on his heart. Dad will be getting an ultrasound of his heart to get a clear picture of what his heart valve looks like and what it is doing. The surgeon (Dr. K.) will need one day to look over the ultrasound pictures, and then he will meet with dad probably the following week. As of right now Dr. S does not believe that dad will qualify for the less invasive surgery (using the Da Vinci robot), at this time Dr. S. sees my dad needing open heart surgery. Ultimately Dr. K. will make that decision after he knows more about the state of his heart valve.

Dad has not been cleared to lift weights or go back to the YMCA to work out. Until dad's heart has been fixed, they don't want my dad to put too much strain on his heart. He is allowed to walk, jog, run, bike, and swim, however dad cannot focus on building muscle at this time.

I will update everyone as soon as we know more. Until then, please pray that:

• The tests will go well on Thursday
• Dad won't be too nervous or scared on Thursday (he is going to have to be sedated and he is not looking forward to that).
• Dad will continue to improve even after therapy is done (March 29th). 
• The doctors working on my dad's heart will have the wisdom and skill to do what is best for his long term health.