Walt's Journey

It did not take long for Sarah to repay me for the surprise party that I threw for her. On December 3^rd, 2011, which was the actual day of my birthday, I was expecting a dinner at home with my parents and grandpa. Soon after they arrived, several friends started to walk through the door, and before I knew it, the house was full of friends and family. What a fantastic and encouraging evening it turned out to be. I have such a loving and thoughtful wife.

The last several months have been physically and mentally rough. When asked if I felt any older, my response is that I have felt much older than forty for about fourteen months now. I am thankful for the friends and family that God has placed in my life that provide the encouragement that I so desperately need during these bumps in the road.

On Sunday, December 11^th, while sitting in the morning worship service, I started to suddenly feel some pains develop in my chest along with shortness of breath and dizziness. Over the course of the last several months, I have had several mild aches and pains that I would consider normal for what I had been through, but this pain that had developed was different. There was a distinct pounding that felt uncomfortably similar to the pounding that accompanied the beginning of my dissection although not nearly as painful.

As the minutes passed, the pain continued. I wanted to get through the service, and as soon as we were dismissed, I sought out the advice of a doctor that attends our church. As I imagined, the wise thing to do was to head to the emergency room.

The horrifying thoughts and bad memories came crashing into my mind as Sarah drove me the short distance to the emergency room. Upon arrival and check in, I was quickly led to a room. It had been almost one year since my last trip to the emergency room which resulted in an ambulance escort to the University of Michigan Hospital. (My New Years Weekend)

The rest of the day on Sunday was spent ruling out any additional dissection that I am susceptible to by way of several blood tests and yet another Cat Scan. I was very thankful to learn that there was nothing obvious happening to my aorta. I was admitted however, and the long night began.

On Monday, the goal was to rule out any problems with my heart. I was given an Echocardiogram and stress test. By late in the day, I was given the news that I passed all my testing and there was nothing life threatening. I could not wait to get home, and was thankful for the results. I have not felt well since my trip to the hospital, and am looking forward to my next appointment at U of M in approximately seven weeks to verify that my body is indeed healing as it should be.

For the thirty hours or so that I was in the hospital, I was very encouraged by messages and visits from people letting me know that they were praying for me.

Although I am discouraged by the way I am feeling I know that I have a God that is not surprised or confused, and I continue to lean on Him for guidance.

Psalm 31:7:
I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. (NLT)