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Saturday, April 23, 2016

The Next Step


Hi Friends, I just wanted to check in with you and let you know that I have an appointment with the Cardiologist here in town that does the CTO Procedure. The Chronic Total Occlusion Procedure is done to open up arteries that have been occluded and are nonfunctioning. It's something relatively new on the horizon of Cardiac Intervention and Care. I had tests earlier in the month to see if my heart was functioning well enough to attempt the semi-sort-of-surgical procedure. It's been a long month, people. I'm trying to stay positive, and really I can't do otherwise. God won't let me get too down or have too big of a pity-party. 




The alternative to trusting God over this doesn't work for me. I can gripe and complain, but then He lifts me back up and out of the dark place it's so easy to go. A few of you in the comments from my last post said they felt guilty for complaining about lesser problems and illnesses. But let me tell you...it's all relevant. every. single. trial we go through matters and if they're in your life and causing you worry, grief, and pain they each are known by The Father. He sees us and loves us and will deliver us. I could quote a whole boat load of scripture here, but I'm going to tell you that that is the TRUTH. I have Faith that God STILL has a good plan for my life and I'm believing that He will get me through this.

I'm a CNN Junkie, and I have to tell you I've been so grieved over the death of Prince. Not because I'm a huge fan,(although some of his music was captivating and brilliant) but because it grieves me to see men and women in their 50's and 60's that have so many hopes, dreams, and plans still to be fulfilled, die so suddenly. He was just a few years younger than me. He was a genius, and thought by many people to have been anointed by God as a child. He gave in to all the "showbusiness" junk when he was young, but had had a "come to Jesus meeting" and evidently had changed his life. I don't know what caused his death; some hint at a prescription drug problem brought on by chronic pain. (I totally understand Chronic Pain, it can eat you up and ruin your life) But friends, our bodies and our lives are so very fragile. Life can be over in a moment. Please ask yourself if you would be ready for that day if it were today. 

If you have questions about the CTO procedure, just type in CTO Heart Surgery and you'll get tons of info to check out. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers more than you can know. I'll let you know what I find out after the consultation. 

Love you all...
Debra

44 comments:

  1. Prayers for you Debra and those who are looking after you and doing the procedure. Hugs and positive thoughts too.
    Joy

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  2. Positive thoughts and wishes sent for your recovery. My dad used to say, having to get the plumbing unplugged, as he battled advanced heart disease for years. Again, positive thoughts and wishes! Sandi

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  3. Debra - Am so praying this will be a viable solution to your health problems! We know our Lord is the ultimate healer and just am so excited that this is going to be good news. I'll be praying for you and your doctor.

    God is so good!!

    Judy

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  4. I am sending my thoughts and prayers to you. God is watching over and with you.

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  5. Best wishes for your procedure! I now have two stents in my heart. I had a full-blown heart attack in 2007 and was found to have a 90% blockage at that time and then 8 years later I experienced profound chest-pain and received another stent and diagnosed with another 90% blockage. I do not think CTO was ever mentioned for me and your condition must be quite different than mine. God bless you and hang in there.

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    1. Your heart problems sound very similar to mine. This is a new procedure and there's not much "talk" about it yet. But do some research for yourself and see what your cardiologist might think.

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  6. Blessings and love to you, Debra! I speak LIFE over you, in the Name of Jesus! Thank you for sharing your faith and love for Christ. He is Faithful and True. I am praying for you.
    Lynda @ Gates of Crystal

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  7. This is good news, Debra. I couldn't tell by your writing if the tests yet concluded you are, in fact, a candidate for the CTO procedure, or whether this cardio specialist will lay that all out in your consultation. Either way, I am on your boat in TRUSTING in God. Looking forward to more good news!
    Rita

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    1. Hi Rita! I'm not 100% postive, all I know is that my nurse called me (after I had her do some checking to see the status of my evaluation) and said that I had an appt. and to be sure that I made it because this new dr is only in the office a few times a month. He's busy busy so I guess they wouldn't waste his time if they hadn't thought I would be a candidate. Not everyone IS a candidate, so I think this is a positive sign that I'm moving forward. thanks for asking, dear Rita!

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  8. Dear Debra,
    my heart, thought and prayers are with you.
    Many hugs,
    Karen B. ~ Todolwen

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  9. sending hugs and prayers...xoxo

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  10. God bless your every moment and direct the hands of each medical professional. Good luck, too, Debra, in all you have ahead of you.

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  11. Keeping my fingers crossed for you, my friend. I'm 59, and chronic pain oftentimes becomes a way of life. I so hope this works for you!
    Brenda

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  12. Glad to hear you have a plan in place. And I also glad to hear that you have faith in His plan. God Bless as you journey down this road.

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  13. Prayers for you and sending you a big hug!

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  14. Prayers for a good result. It is sometimes hard but staying positive is good medicine.

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  15. You were on my heart yesterday, so glad to hear from you today. Keeping you
    In my prayers and thoughts sending you hugs. That was very sad about Prince.
    A very close Pastor /friend wails say "We can do this" "You can do this"
    You are not alone, Hugs
    Love me

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  16. God bless. You are in my thoughts. sheila

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  17. I continue sending good thoughts your way ~

    Write all your questions down before you go, and don't leave his office till they've been answered to your satisfaction!
    I did some more research on the guy, and he 'sounds' like he's the best thing.

    Hugs ~

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  18. Good thoughts and prayers go out to you"

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  19. Debra,
    I will be praying for you and yes, God is the answer my friend. I think a lot of you, for how you share your faith in God here on your blog (I need to do more of that on mine). Stay strong!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  20. I am lifting your name up in prayer Debra. God Bless you. You are such a sweet person and an inspiration. Thank you for this post. I don't usually comment, but I wanted to let you know you are thought of often and I've been praying too, and I want to leave you a link to this song by Chris Tomlin "Whom shall I fear (God of Angel Armies). I hope you have a beautiful and blessed day, keep looking up! God is on your side!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0gu0nOaFsI





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  21. Debra,
    Sending more good thoughts and prayers your way... saying a prayer right now.

    Judith

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  22. Since you have the appointment I hope this moves you are a candidate...don't think a doctor of this level would have the time to call you in to say n. Keeping you in my prayers and hope to hear from you soon. Feel good.

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  23. I'm sorry that you're having to go through all of this but so proud of you for your positive outlook. I know that you must be such a great influence on so many people. Keep your faith and know there are a whole bunch of us asking God to get you through all of this....& please rush it. Hang in there. Jan

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  24. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, Debra.

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  25. Hold your head high. We're all here thinking of you and rooting for you!

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  26. Bless your heart for encouraging others as you wait for your consultation. I do pray all will go well for you.

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  27. I didn't know that Prince had an encounter with Jesus. I hope he is fully restored and out of pain then. I will pray for you, Debra. I hope that you get some resolution quickly and can get on with your life. Your faith no matter what happens is an inspiration to others.

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  28. Love and prayers. Please keep us posted. Blessings as you go to see your doctor.

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  29. Thoughts and prayers for you.
    Blessings, Candy

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  30. Debra, I am sending you a big hug with lots of prayers. Please keep us posted

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  31. Praying for you as you prepare and then go through this procedure! Keep us posted! ~Rhonda

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  32. Debra you're in the right frame of mind with God.
    He didn't promise us a Rose Garden every day of our life we all have hard time throughout our lives, we just must praise him in every situation.
    I so pray this new procedure is your answer to better health and days ahead .
    I love that picture of the old steps with wallpaper on them?

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  33. Will continue to lift you up to the Great Physician!

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  34. My thoughts and prayers are with you Debra...Hoping for a great result of your consultation.

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  35. Debra,
    Thank you for the updates on your health, dear friend!
    My daily prayers continue on your behalf!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  36. I haven't visited in quite awhile, but you have been in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be. He knows. He cares and He understands.
    Blessings~

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  37. Such a thoughtful and insightful post, Debra! I am sending prayers that you will find some answers at your appointment! xoxo

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  38. thank you, Everyone for your sweet comments, interest, care, and prayer for me. I appreciate each one of you taking the time to encourage me!

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  39. Jesus is Lord and I have seen many a miracle in my lifetime. My prayers are with you at this time. Life 'tests' produce testimonies for those that know the Lord - our deliver and healer. You are healed by HIS stripes. Remember to call those things that be not as though they are. Call yourself "healed" because the bible says we are. Blessings.

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  40. Debra, you are certainly in my prayers for peace and strength. Also for the doctors wisdom with the procedure. You are such an inspiration with your faith in God. You're in His hands and that's the best place to be.
    Blessings,
    Shelia ;)

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