Dear Friends in Christ,
Well, for me, it has been quite a week. As I write this it’s Thursday, October 10th. Tomorrow I will drive to Augusta for my bypass surgery.
I have to report in for surgery at 5:00 am, Friday, October 11th at Wellstar MCG Health in Augusta. I am confident, after talking with my cardiologist and my heart surgeon that this is the best option for me. I know that recovery will be a real challenge, but with the strength and providence of the Lord, I can do it. This will surely be a cross in my life, but nothing like our Savior’s cross or that of Saints Paul or Peter or the other apostles.
I have been told that after surgery, I will spend one to two days in ICU and then another 5-7 days in the hospital. After that, the heart surgeon says that I will have eight to twelve weeks of rehab. I have no idea how that will go…. I’ve never been down that road before. I know that I will have some sort of home care as I convalesce.
I deeply appreciate all of the prayers, best wishes, and expressions of concern that I have received so far. It is humbling, very humbling to be on the receiving end of so many prayers and acts of service. In our Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus told the twelve disciples:
“You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45)
So, when our Lord tells us that we must be the “slave of all” and serve others, that presupposes that someone must receive the service, right now, that is me…and I am humbled and most grateful. I’m thankful that my cardiologist found those blockages in my heart so that they can be repaired. I’m thankful for the physical health that I enjoy so that this surgery is possible. And as I go through recovery, I will be most grateful for the prayers and care that I will receive from the faithful at St. Mary Help of Christians.
Lord, help all of us to be servants as you would desire!
St. John of God and Our Lady of Champion…. pray for us!
All the best…in Christ.
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