UPDATE: John's Recovery

John visits with Miss Skye at the Longley's home recently.

It's been two months today since John's quintuple (5-way) bypass. I am happy to share that his recovery is going very well since I last wrote a month ago on January 16th.  Most of our weeks have been filled with medical appointments of one kind or another as the follow up truly is intense, but that's a good thing.

One thing I am also thankful for is that even without medical insurance the level of care does not diminish and quite honestly that was a concern.  Speaking of which we do continue to be thankful for the support that has come our way via the Friends of John Short Sr. GoFund Me page as well as privately.  We're very humbled and appreciative.

John enjoys teasing me by saying I nag him but that just means he is taking me seriously. Lately however it as if he has taken hold of the scissors and is attempting to cut the apron strings! I never realized the fine line that exists between encouragement and discouragement but I'm learning. On one hand I am beyond thankful for the strides John has made and the determination he's demonstrated on this long road to full recovery.  It's just awesome and at times miraculous! Then, on the other hand there are also times when a gentle reminder not to push too, too hard is needed. Do you know this man? If so then I am quite sure you can probably read between the lines.

I am proud of John and so pleased for how far he has come.  The day that his doctor told him he could drive again was such a happy day.  We did start out with John driving for local and brief trips as was recommended and worked up to longer ones including the annual Central Maine Brittany Club members meeting, couldn't miss out on that and the opportunity to see our friends.  And last week he enjoyed heading out on his own to have breakfast with several very good pals of his.

He just had to give the tractor and warm it
up for our son who came over to plow.

Each challenge faced at home has been overcome in one way or another.  Our family and friends have been so amazing! Our son and family, our daughter and family, my nephew and nieces, our neighbors and our friends have each helped in many, many situations and in a variety of ways. We really have been blessed and everyone knows that it's very hard (impossible?!) for John to ask for help. Yet he is always one of the first ones to offer to help or respond to a plea when it is needed by others.  Because of the time of year snow removal has been such a big concern. But our driveway has been kept plowed, all of our pathways kept clear, sanding and shoveling etc. Lately, John has resumed taking care of some of those tasks within reason.  SOME within reason is translated to mean: "those things that Ann does not stand and scowl at John while shaking finger at him."  He isn't sick. He is recovering and healing so well.

We enjoyed a brief walk on Wells Beach recently.

The recovery process is different for every person.  A lot of factors come into play. The amount of heart disease affects the healing as well as how physically fit a person is. And sometimes it just doesn't make sense, there is no rhyme or reason. Genetics play a huge role in health issues.  John is someone who routinely walks about 3 miles in the field most every day during spring, summer, fall months because of his commitment to work and train our Brittany. He's always been super strong and a very hard working man. A stress test several years ago did not show any evidence of a pending heart attack.  Over the past year or so the meals that I prepare for us at home have primarily been low sodium, low fat, whole grain, clean, low carb, with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Whole, clean, heart healthy. foods.  We all but eliminated white, starchy products (think bread, pasta, flour, rice, etc.)all canned and processed food.  I enjoy preparing and cooking healthy meals and trying new recipes.

On December 15, 2018 John could not believe he was having a heart attack but as he continues to recover I understand accepting that reality still is not easy. For him nor for me.  I'll never be able to fully comprehend the fear that will rise from within him from time to time.  Healing from any surgery of any kind involves pain and a lot of it. Pain lessens in time, we all know that.  This guy had never been in the hospital for any reason, never had any surgery and overall for his entire life basically, compared to others, fairly healthy. But therein lies the rub.  Comparing oneself to others is where anyone can get discouraged. (I know that happened to me when I was recovering from my two total knee replacements. There always seemed to be someone who could do more, move better, walk or run earlier and faster than I could.)  Even when you are living with the person, even when you love them with all their heart, you can't ever really understand or truly know what they go through. Especially when unexpected but probably normal twinges of "discomfort" surface related to healing. Each doctor visit, every lab report, the EKG's, at home monitoring etc. have all been positive.

Most days are good to excellent for John and that means that they are good to excellent for me too. Sometimes fatigue comes into play but not as often as in the beginning. Part of the healing process occasionally involves discomfort of one kind or another. I can't imagine what it is like to wake in the middle of the night and begin to doubt and wonder if something is normal or if it's something to be concerned about. Trust comes into play now more than ever. Trust in a God who loves, watches over, and protects those who love Him and acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Trust in the physicians who expertly performed the 5 way bypass.  Trust in modern medicine. Trust in your very own body knowing you have survived a major heart attack, a widow maker, and that you've been given a second chance with many more years to follow. Going back to what could have been a fateful day we know that we know that we know - God was there.

Fear is a liar and perfect love casts it out. We know that and embrace it.  Some days it's easier to walk in that truth than in others.  Fear can paralyze people. Have you ever watched a scary horror movie at home and been so scared you didn't dare get up and move? An exaggeration perhaps but one I can relate to. (For the record I hate thrillers, horror movies, science fiction weird/whacko stuff.)  Fear is ugly and debilitating. Christians really have to take hold of God's written Word, stand on His Promises when fear tries to surface. God actually commands Believers not to worry and not to fear! He's our 'Dad' and we know He is 'our rock and our fortress, and our deliverer.' We know that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord.

I'm not the one who had the heart attack but I am the one who watched this man I love with all my being, my best friend have it. Likewise I watch, pray, support, encourage and yes nag if needed. We spoke marriage vows of love to each other in 1975.  They are (to us) just as eternal as God's Word.  

 Love always protects, always trusts, 

always hopes, always perseveres. 

1 Corinthians 13:7

Soon the days will be warmer, longer hours of sunlight, and the snow will be gone. Our dogs will once again know the joy of early morns afield with John. Although we call it training, they simply approach it as fun.  The enjoyment from being involved with all things Brittany still exists and that especially includes the ATB family and friends, hunt tests, field trials and more.

But there is something even more important.  We have been blessed with the gift of more time together as a couple, as parents, as grandparents, as uncle and aunt, friends and neighbors to spend with those who we love. I will always remember something John said shortly after his heart attack. He was lying in bed in the cardiac intensive care unit. Each of our 7 grandchildren came in and stood at his bedside. With tears in his eyes 'Grampa" said he planned to live a lot longer because he intended to be there for all of our grandchildren's weddings and for all of our great grandchildren. And by the GRACE of God, he will! Onward and upward.