Well, many of you have heard that my heart has been giving me trouble. I thought I would bring any readers of our church blog up to date.
A few weeks ago I had some general symptoms that were easily recognizable of heart issues. Not a heart attack, but warning signs to be sure. The first EKG was not done right and a week later when I did the remake, my regular doctor said it looked pretty troubling and he scheduled me to do a stress test with a cardiologist. This too produced results which seemed to indicate my heart wasn't doing well. So this Tuesday I went to Providence Hospital where a cardiogram was done. This is a procedure where a catheter is inserted into the heart to release a dye which shows up on a live action X-Ray machine to see what is going on. When I awoke I was told that all three of the major arteries which supply blood to the heart are blocked. Five to six blockages ranging from 70 to 100%. Not so good. The only real recourse is by pass surgery. Too much damage for angioplasty (a simpler procedure where a stint is inserted into the artery to expand the opening). By-pass surgery will mean splitting open my breastbone, rerouting my lung and heart functions to a waiting machine for a few hours, taking out the blocked artery pieces, and substituting vein tissue taken from one of my legs. After the heart is repaired with good "plumbing" they will restart my heart and lungs and sew me back up. The whole operation usually takes about 6 hours. Amazing isn't it! I am so grateful for all the people who have been praying that we be guided to a good decision. The last two days Helen and I have been learning more about our options and what all is entailed. Eventually we settled on two good possible directions. In our former home of Berkeley, California, Alta Bates Hospital has one of the best cardio surgery departments and also has on staff several of the top 50 heart surgeons in America. I have family and friends there, so some of my recuperation could begin surrounded by people who care. They could schedule me for surgery next week. The second option is to do the operation up here. But this means waiting a few weeks till the one surgeon my insurance will accept returns from moose hunting (how Alaska is that!). While there is some small medical reason (by numbers and statistics) to go down to California, today I found real peace that I was supposed to stay here. Alaska is my home and we have good people here, both in hospital care and in prayer care. I have chosen to stay in Alaska. What does this all mean? Well after recovery I should be feeling much better than I have in a few years. Some of the "slow down" in my physical life which I had thought was just old age was the decreased function of my heart. The new arteries should mean more energy and stamina. My surgery is scheduled for October 3. Until then I will reduce my work load at church, take my new medications, and keep myself as relaxed as possible. I will be in at Alaska Regional for maybe a week, then recuperate at home and eventually start rehabilitation. Sometime in November I hope to be fully engaged again in my work and ministry at First Covenant. So many have already expressed prayers and well wishes and Helen and I are so thankful. It has also been a blessing to have my daughter Leana here with us during this unexpected crisis. If you have questions about anything regarding our church, please feel free to contact Associate Pastor Phil Cannon, or our Chair; Stan Summers. Any questions personal can be directed to me or if you want a quicker answer perhaps contact Helen. Between now and my surgery I plan on attending church services on Sunday mornings. My faith in God is strong and secure. Although I expect a full recovery, I am mindful of death and have no fear. God is with me, with my family and with my church. To Him be all glory and honor now and forever.
26 Comments
Eleanor Dotomain Oliveri
9/14/2012 03:47:03 am
God speed on your surgery and recovery.
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Jake and Heather Reese
9/14/2012 03:56:21 am
We are praying for you both. We miss you. If I were still at regional I could recover you after surgery. Thank you for all you do.
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Pam & Bruce Markwood
9/14/2012 04:57:23 am
Thanks for sharing in such detail what is happening in your life Max. We so appreciate you and how God is using you in our church family. We will daily lift you and Helen up as you go through this, and know that we are going through it with you in our prayers. We love you!
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keeping you and Helen in my heart and prayers as I hold images of the celebration of your healing and renewed strength in my heart as well. Peace remain with you Max
9/14/2012 05:11:48 am
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Norma Nashalook
9/14/2012 05:20:15 am
We, the whole Covenant church family are here for you, Helen, & your family, most of all, God the Father Himself.
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Marijean Sahyouni
9/14/2012 05:56:16 am
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Helen. Please keep us updated.
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Jan Halverson
9/14/2012 06:14:39 am
You must have know how much we all need details in regard to your condition. Thanks so much for every word that you wrote. You, Helen and your family will be ever in my prayers. God is good. Love, Jan
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9/14/2012 07:44:38 am
We're praying for you here in Nome, Pastor Max! May God give you grace for these procedures, and sweet fellowship with Him as you sip a bit from this cup of physical suffering. We're praying for your quick and full recovery! blessings, Carlee and Nate
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nathan hanna
9/14/2012 08:44:28 am
Sandra and I send our love and thanks to both of you. The people of Nunivak near and far are so thankful for your ministry in Anchorage.
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Jason Stromstad
9/14/2012 10:04:51 am
Max and Helen, we in Scammon Bay join our Covenant brothers and sisters in approaching the Throne of God's Grace to guide the skilled hands that will be in your care and recovery.. Be assured that you both are not alone and we pray that you feel God's palpable presence in all that you face.
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Eleanor and John Claus
9/14/2012 01:58:23 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with both of you, Max and Helen.
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Michael and Meri Thwaites
9/15/2012 02:45:28 am
Max -
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Jane & Richard Atuk
9/15/2012 03:57:07 am
Thank you for the detailed update. We, like many others, have been and will continue to be praying for you and Helen daily as you go through this trying time. We thank God for the medical advances and skillful physicians that make possible a good prognosis.
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Jeff & Donna Erickson
9/15/2012 03:07:16 pm
We are praying for you Pastor Max and Helen here in Unalakleet. We love you guys! May the Holy Spirit be with and guide your surgeon's hands as they operate and may the Glory of the Lord rest upon you as you recuperate in Jesus name.
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Mike Alverts
9/15/2012 05:24:17 pm
Praying for you Pastor Max! I am sorry to hear about the difficulty but I will be praying for you, Helen, the moose hunting surgeon, and your recovery.
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Jackie Smith
9/17/2012 01:42:37 am
Praying from here as well, may God be with all members of the medical team, and especially close to your family during this time. God bless you all.
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Joshua and Alice Mathlaw
9/17/2012 02:26:29 am
Praying for healing. But more importantly, may God reveal his purpose.
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Harvey & Nancy Fiskeaux
9/17/2012 06:09:43 am
Max and Helen,
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lance WHITMAN
9/17/2012 10:50:49 am
JUST ARRIVED IN OHIO TODAY, USING MY MOTHER'S COMPUTER.WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOU MAX, HAVE BEEN DOING IT SINCE YOU ARRIVED IN ALASKA
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Sandra and Len Kondratiuk Boston, MA
9/18/2012 05:45:58 am
Dear Max and Helen,
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Elaine Chan & David Jung
9/18/2012 02:49:30 pm
Max:
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Katrina Swanson otto
9/27/2012 11:40:13 pm
Pastor Max
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10/2/2012 12:56:01 pm
Dear Pastor Max and Helen,
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Bret and Davida Hanson
10/2/2012 05:29:09 pm
Pastor Max, we wil be praying for you. May God be with you and your family. Thank you for all the work you do for the covenant church. May the Lord be with your surgeons and all the medical team.
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Winnie Chan
10/2/2012 10:09:37 pm
I'm praying for you and your family. Thessalonians 5:16-18 and Philippians 4:6-7. The peace of the Lord Jesus be with you all.
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