Status Report on Mary Witmer, 181106

Good evening from Homer Hill in Monson, Maine!

That’s right — we’re home — and so far, so good.

Our friends Wayne & Jane Armstrong came to Eastern Maine Medical Center this afternoon to transport Mary home in the back seat of their car. The back seat of a car is airbag-free, making it a much safer place for a post-op heart surgery patient. I followed in the van on the long trek home. Vin Upham had arrived home a few hours earlier and had the laundry started, a warm fire started in the wood stove, and a loaf of fresh break baking as we came in the door.

The most difficult part of the day for Mary was having four wires that were attached to her heart extracted (removed) out of the same opening in her chest through which the chest tubes had also run — and that was painful! The last IVs were removed. Atrial fibrillation (Afib) has been intermittent throughout the day, so she will continue taking Coumadin at least until her first follow-up appointment. With all the meds that have been prescribed for her as she came home, it looks somewhat like a pharmacy around here. But no narcotics — because Mary’s pain level has been almost negligible. For that we have been very grateful.

Tonight , in just a few minutes, I get my first shower in a week! For that and many other reasons, it’s so good to be home where our surroundings are familiar, safe, and quiet.

I hope to issue several more follow-up blogs over the next week or so, but not necessarily every day from now on.

Thank you all once again very much for your interest in our lives and for your prayers and support in so many ways. It’s all been a tremendous encouragement, although we have been unable to acknowledge that personally.

We give God the glory for all the positive that has transpired over the past week, and it is our desire to trust Him in all that follows, even though we know that may involve additional challenges and trials, and is often easier said than done.

Daryl E. Witmer