Close Call

Last week I went in to Northside Hospital in Lawrenceville (love those people) to have my aortic valve replaced in my heart which had built up calcium deposits and was narrowing. The procedure is known as TAVR Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement which goes through the femoral arteries in the groin to insert a new valve without open heart surgery. My thinking - piece of cake!

Surgery was successful and I was released from the hospital a day later to go home transported by my youngest daughter Briana and grandchildren. Instructions before we left, if you start to bleed from the wounds and can't stop it call 911 or you will bleed out. B and Logan both volunteered to stay with me but being that hard headed Marine I declined saying I was good to go.

About 1:30 AM I awoke to urinate and had that portable urinal with me which I began to use. Then I felt something warm on my leg thinking I may have missed the urinal (lights were out). Instead I realized I was bleeding profusely on the rug, on the bed, and I couldn't stop it. Went into the bathroom, looked in the mirror and saw the area it was bleeding from, called 911 opened the front door and they took me back to Northside.

Making a long story shorter, they could not stop the bleeding for awhile and after finally doing it I spent all day in the ER with Briana by my side. Stable now and at home healing here are a few thoughts:

Jen volunteered to clean up my place before I went home - loyal friends are critical in your life.
Briana stayed with me two days after the ER and changed my bandages - family is everything.
God spoke to me while laying on my bed holding a washcloth on the wound - it's not time he said.

If ever I felt the love of God in a critical moment this was it. For some who have had similar close calls
using has been an option, or it was the option that made your spirit bleed.  But what I felt that night to the present time is what I knew - God is not an option, he is the only option, and he brings what you need in the most difficult of moments in life.

Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. I felt that.

That includes alone and bleeding out (bad move on my part not letting them stay), calling 911 or in any dark place in your life where you feel alone and lost - God is with you if you let him be. We tell stories like this to let you know he is and will be if you invite him into your life.

And it helps to have incredible individuals like Jen and Briana to help along the way. Be blessed and feel his love! Glenn