Heart Matters

Valentine's Day will be especially heart felt in our home this year. We have good reason to celebrate! My husband of twelve years under went open heart surgery last September (1999) at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota to repair a severe mitral valve prolapse.

Matters of the Heart bring to mind the importance of family and loved ones. My parents spent the evening prior to Joe's surgery with us. Our choice of restaurants was not the best as the pianist was playing polka tunes. This was not the best atmosphere for relaxing pre-surgical jitters. Somehow we managed to get through our dinner with good conversation. The date that Joe selected to have the operation performed coincided with a memorable day for him. September 15 was his mother's birthday. Although she had died 3 years earlier it seemed her spirit took special care to be with him while he took this difficult course. Yes, I do believe she was with him.

Joe's surgery was successful. After a week of of post-care under the supervision of a caring medical staff Joe was discharged from the hospital. He continued his recovery period here at home. Mid January he returned to the classroom. Joe teaches life science to seventh graders. Teaching is a vocation that takes a lot of heart... and now he has a heart with a steady and healthy beat!

Article Dateline: Valentine's Day 2000