Heartbeats

Brian's heart ablation was scheduled for June 18th. After a month of waiting, we met with the doctor the week before. He went over everything about the procedure in detail and answered our questions.

 

The day of the operation we arrived bright and early at Texas Children's. Pastor Dave came up and prayed over Brian before he went back. Brian was wheeled away around 8:30.

I received a phone call updating me on Brian and the procedure every hour. That phone call was wonderful because it kept the mind for wondering what might be going on. Around 12 o'clock the nurse called and said "it was slow going". Mel and I went to the food court to eat lunch and thought for sure the procedure would take even longer than the projected 5 hours. However, the next phone call surprised us. They were done and everything went great! Praise the Lord!

Monitor showing a regular heartbeat with NO PVC's. A first for Brian.

The doctor came and talked to us and let us know that he got rid of all of the extra PVC's and was unable to get his heart into Afib or any other life threatening rhythms. Brian was discharged around 8 o'clock that same night and is doing well. He will follow up with his cardiologists in a month or two.

 

We are so thankful for the many prayers for Brian and our family, the phone calls, and texts.

"He who forms the mountains, creates the wind and reveals his thoughts to man. He who turns down to darkness and treads on the heights of the earth- the Lord God Almighty is His name!" Amos 4:13

 

We give God all the glory!

Held In God's Hands

It all started like a normal Thursday night. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and went to the bathroom one last time hoping it will help me last until after midnight. I crawled in bed next to Brian. He prayed, and we gave each other a kiss goodnight. I woke up at 1 am, excited to make it until then. But, nothing after that was expected...

 

Brian woke up at 2am with what he thought was heartburn, put it proceeded that he needed to throw up, and after that he was not comfortable with his heart rate or rhythm. (Just fyi: I was trying to be a good wife by bringing him Tums, Pepto Bismol, and Sprite Zero and he wouldn't take any of it.)

He had me feel his heart, but really I am no help when it comes to anything medical. Shots scare me!

 

Brian decided it was necessary for me to take him somewhere. I threw on some sweatpants, sweatshirt, and rain boots- not the best foot gear for a hospital stay. Our neighbor came over quickly to stay with Jackson so we wouldn't have to wake him. We started driving towards Brian's hospital. Not even 4 blocks from our house Brian informs me he feels dizzy and may pass out. There was a fire station right on the corner,and I pulled in. I jumped out of the car and started banging on the doors and windows. After what seemed likes minutes, but was probably just 30 seconds, someone answered the door. I told them what was going on and people started running around. They got Brian in the ambulance and told me to follow them to the hospital. The driver said she wasn't going to use her lights but just drive fast. As soon as she hit the street, the lights came on. I think this was the only time I actually panicked because all I could imagine was them doing chest compression or shocking him in the back of the ambulance. On the short drive to the hospital I was praying for good doctors and wisdom for them to know what to do. (We weren't able to go down to Brian's hospital because they just needed to get him somewhere close.)

 

In the ambulance his heart went into SVT with his heart rate was sustaining over 200 beats a minute. Brian was still talking and seemed ok when they wheeled him into the emergency room. They gave him some medicine to stop to his heart and try and bring his heart rate down. The first dose didn't work and they gave him a higher dose. I did not watch this as I didn't want to see the monitor flat line. They ended up giving him a different medicine that seemed to control his heart rate a bit more. But, as it would go up he would have trouble breathing and his hold body felt like it was being squeezed by a blood pressure cuff. Then the ER nurse would come in and give him another dose of the medicine. This happened 2-3 times. The ER doctor was trying to get a hold of his cardiologist before determining his next step. Brian's heart was in afib rhythm and both the ER doctor and his cardiologist decided they needed to try to shock him back into a normal sinus rhythm. Again, I could not watch this procedure. The shock was successful and put him back into a sinus rhythm the doctor was happy with.

 

From there we waited to be transported to a room on the cardiac ICU floor. Brian felt way better and continued to improve through the day with more sleep and food. They kept him overnight for observation and to make sure his heart stayed in sinus rhythm.

We were surrounded with prayers, support, and love of our neighbors, friends, and family. I didn't have to worry about breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Visitors helped pass the time of sitting in the hospital. Jackson spent the night with my uncle and aunt, so thankful for how much they love him (us).

God had his hand in every part of this scary situation. For one, I was calm and felt peace the entire time Brian was in the ER and dealing with SVT and afib. Following the ambulance I prayed for good doctors and nursers and wisdom for them. One of the guys on the ambulance knew me from school, one of the ER nurses was a mom of a girl from Jackson's preschool, and another ER nurse was the wife of one of Brian's coworkers. God placed people in our path who were somewhat connected to us.

Everyone was worried about me going into labor. Happy to report I haven't yet! I knew I needed to eat and take care of myself for Brian and Lincoln.

We are waiting for Brian to be discharged. He will stay on some medicine that helps keep your heart from going back into afib and will follow up with his cardiologist and EP doctor in a month before he has another heart procedure. Please pray that his heart will stay in normal sinus rhythm.

Thank you to everyone who prayed and showered our family with love and support. Praise be to God for his provisions and protection over Brian!

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save you." Zephaniah 3:17

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Goodies, Gifts, and Grease

Was my elf eating or unwrapping the Hersey Kisses for me?

Jackson helped me make peanut butter blossoms this weekend, and Brian helped with the cake balls and toffee. 

  I decided to forgo the cut out cookies just because I didn't want to spend the time frosting them.

Platter for of yumminess headed to Brian's work!

I made up goodie bags for each of my team members and sent some as part of Jackson's preschool teachers gifts.

 

I finished "wrapping" my students gifts this weekend as well. 

 Today my friend Jeannine brought me my first baby gift.

 Look at those adorable socks! Maybe I do need a girl!

I decided to use them to tell my students I was pregnant. I had them infer why Rennie, our school Elf, would leave Mrs. Hartzler baby socks. It took them a while to figure it out, but when they got it their reactions were priceless. I love the sweet girls who said, "But, why is your belly not big?" At writing time, another student told me I should write my small moment about how I made the baby. I think NOT!

 

We bought a Explore about a month and a half ago, so Brian has been driving the Jeep. He realized the Jeep was leaking radiator fluid on Saturday and decided he was going to try and fix it himself.

After being covered in grease from head to toe, taking the front off, leaking red transmission fluid all over the garage and driveway, 9 hours of labor, some frustration he DID it and save us a bunch of money!

Happy Birthday to My Love!

 This the 14th birthday I get to celebrate with him!

We go way back and started dating when I turned 16.

2002- seniors in HS

2004- sophomores in college

2005- rehearsal night

2007

2010

2012

Brian,

I am so thankful for your life and that I get to spend each day with you. You are an amazing daddy, supportive husband, hard worker, and have such a big heart. I hope this is your best year yet!

Happy Birthday My Love!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father." James 1:7

Got Game?

Brian has been playing in a summer basketball league. This weekend they had a tournament to end the season. Jackson and I went to watch their first game. They won, so they played again. They won that one too, so they played again.

The next basketball star?

Brian played great (like scored 20 points a game) and looked like he had no health issues. Funny, or not so funny, thing is that he has more issues than one can count and could barely walk the rest of the weekend due to inflammation in his back, knees, and feet. He lived on ibuprofen the rest of the weekend and had to get a steroid pack from the doctor. Brian's ability is still there, his body just didn't keep up!

Sunday before church

Jackson and I love watching Brian play, but I think it may be time for him to retire and pull out the highlight videos. Thankfully one day we will all get new bodies.

"There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4

(A Little Shout Out to) My Man

...is a great Daddy.

He created a huge tent for Jackson Friday night.

They played, read books, and slept together under there. Jackson was beyond excited!

...can do just about anything.

He fixes my Jeep, his car, the pool,things around the house, and makes me things for school. This new seat (plus 5 others) will make its way into my classroom. Of course it has Brian's special touch and design too!

...puts others before himself 

Jackson and I are very blessed, loved, and spoiled. But, Brian is also always looking for ways to help others out. Love his heart! 

...he also tends to be a bit forgetful.

But, we won't talk about that! HA:)

"Every good and perfect gift is from above." James 1:17

My Boys

Jackson likes to dress like his daddy. On Sunday the only way I could get him to wear any other shirt besides Mickey to Church was if Daddy had on the same one. Jackson is already following in his dad's footsteps:) Not a bad idea!
These two boys make me smile, laugh, and love more than I knew possible. I thought they looked pretty cute, I mean handsome!

Lord, thank you for blessing me with the life of balls, trains, and stinky feet!