Matters of the Heart: Pray for My Husband
The phrase Matters of the heart describes our deep feelings. Emotions like joy, love, discouragement, sadness, surprise, and others.
This story contains all these emotions and more.
You see, the love of my life and my husband of 40 years has been in critical care for two weeks.
On a Tuesday afternoon, my husband Mike drove himself to our local hospital ER with chest pains and shortness of breath.
He called me at work when he arrived. But before I even made it to the hospital, they determined he had a heart attack and wheeled him back for a heart Cath.
Matters of the Heart
When the cardiologist talked to our daughter and me, he relayed blockage in several major arteries. Stents were not possible at the time because of the damage.
Scary words and phrases wafted through the air taking my breath away: Acute heart failure, Cardiogenic Shock—injury to liver and kidneys. And, “The heart pump we surgically placed saved his life.”
So my heart sank into my stomach, aching over the state of my husband’s physical heart. We cried many tears and prayed many prayers waiting to see him. And moments I felt it wasn’t real. This is a bad dream, right? Wrong. It was our reality.
My Matters of the Heart
In the wee hours of the morning, the ICU team made the decision to transport him to a hospital four hours away for a step-up heart pump and great cardiac team. The care team suggested at 3:00 AM we go home to rest a while and pack some things before we made the drive ourselves.
But with Mike not sleeping in the bed beside me and our sweet pug, Winston, already with a friend, only tears fell until I fell asleep for a couple of hours. Still, waking up only made me keenly aware of the nightmare and journey I was on.
We made it to the hospital. And thankful our son flew in from Minnesota the day we arrived.
A Roller Coaster of Emotions
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” Psalm 130:5-6 (ESV)
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning….” Psalm 130:5-6 (ESV) Share on XContinuing to lean on the Lord and cry out to Him, we waited for Mike to undergo surgery for the new heart pump. Since that day, we’ve moved to yet another hospital. But it’s one of the best cardiology teams and heart surgery hospitals in the area.
Our matters of the heart over the last two weeks liken to a roller coaster. Soaring to new heights with small daily improvements and God-miracles. And we experienced many turns and dips from fear staring back at us with the face of the unknown.
We love Mike so much and only want the best for him—to recover.
Matters of the Heart: Lord, Help Us
Our family is grateful to so many of God’s faithful prayer warriors standing in agreement with us for Mike. Prayer is a wonderful and amazing gift. Because there’s no greater gift we give each other besides telling someone about Jesus Christ.
Prayer is a wonderful and amazing gift. Because there’s no greater gift we give each other besides telling someone about Jesus Christ. Share on XIn fact, my first Facebook post to pray for Mike because we needed a miracle and shared so many times, received 1.2 Million views. An army of Christian soldiers praying for help from the Almighty on our behalf.
“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:13-14 (ESV)
“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:13-14 (ESV) Share on XWhere We Are: Prayer
The good news and God news is we have a plan in place to move forward. The team of heart doctors/surgeons reviewed his recent PET Scans/viability tests for heart damage and function. With his particular damage and blockage, bypass is not an option or helpful to his heart.
He will have a heart Cath sometime next week to place stents. Also, they will keep him on the heart pump during and after to support his heart.
Then, doctors will watch his heart function to see about removing the pump. If they do, he recovers and goes home with heart therapy. if not, then we discuss a permanent pump device or heart transplant.
Please continue to pray for Mike, us, and for his medical team. We fully trust that the Lord is working behind the scenes on our behalf and is holding us in the palm of His nail-scarred hands.
Our daughter reminds us, “We believe in miracles and trust in the One who created his heart and knew every beat it would ever take.”
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Hi Karen. I’m continuing to pray for Mike, you, and your family. May He comfort and care for you all as He so richly does and promises.
Thanks so much, Stephen. Prayer is such an amazing gift. God bless.
Karen, I fully understand the emotional roller coaster you’ve been on and your prayers for a miracle healing. My wife Debbie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s late last year and it has rocked our world and put me on an emotional roller coaster as well. We, and many of our friends are also praying for a miracle healing. Be assured that you and Mike are included in my daily prayers. God bless you, as you continue to serve the Lord in the midst of this new journey (that’s my plan as well). Love and hugs to you both.
Don
Hey Don, I remember you telling me about Debbie. Can’t imagine how hard this must be on you and the family. Thanks for praying and having others pray for Mike and our family. His surgery was 2 days ago for a permanent heart pump and ask that you continue to pray for his recovery. I will pray for you, too.
Continuing to pray for y’all! Come on Mike you can do this!!!
Aw, thanks so much, Amy! Very sweet! Mike is doing fairly well since surgery. God bless!
Karen, I’m so sorry. Thank you for your testimony of strength in the Lord. You will be in my prayers.
Thank you, Michele. We are trusting and believing. God bless. “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:13-14 (ESV)
Karen,
Bert my husband and me have been praying so hard since we first learned of Mike’s health issues. You’re in those prayers sweet lady as are your children.
We’ve cried tears asking God for his hand in Mike’s healing. God bless you all.
Blessings from The Martini’s
Hey Martini’s, we are so thankful for you both and your support in prayer. So moving that you would shed tears, along with us, in your prayers over Mike. God bless!
Our prayers continue for you all I can understand you all are going through such a serious health issue at this time, we pray for God to watch over Mike and puts his arms around you all to give you comfort during this difficult time🙏🏻🙏🏻
That’s so comforting. Thank you, Sharon. God bless.
I pray that you all feel the love and peace of God. I pray that you all feel the love and prayers from family, friends, and strangers. I will continue to pray. God bless you all.
Thanks so much, Melissa. We feel the prayers and are trusting in the Savior.
Praying for Mike & you every day
Thank so much sweet Kathy. “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:13-14 (ESV)
Karen, please know that prayers are going up for Mike as well as you and your family. We never know the Lord’s plans for us but believing in his almighty plan for all of us is of much comfort. Like I mentioned we will continue to ask the Lord for Mike’s recovery. He needs not only all our prayers but for you to be strong through this. Trust in the Lord as you more than most know he loves and cares for all of us.
Thanks so much for your prayers. We find such comfort in knowing how many of God’s people are praying for Mike and our family. The Lord is sustaining us and working on our behalf. God bless!
Prayers for complete healing to Mike’s heart from our lord Jesus and may he give you and the family the strength and peace yall need to carry yall through this difficult time….lord Jesus i pray that u heal Mike’s heart lord Jesus i also pray that u give Karen and family strength that they need everyday and the peace of mind that Mike will be healed by the greatest healer on earth please lord Jesus I ask that you bless them and I also pray for Mike’s care team….Thank you lord Jesus Amen
Amen! Thanks for the prayer, Paula, and for your continued prayers. God bless!
Sweet Karen, I have been fervently praying for Mike and his doctor team and for you to know the peace only God can give. God is a powerful healer and your faith is strong. Thank you Jesus.
You’re so kind, Susan. Thank you for your comment and for your prayers. Yes, we are relying on the Prince of Peace and the God of comfort. God bless.
Lord, bring strength and healing to this heart.
Grant peace, courage, and steady recovery.
Surround with love and hope each day.
Praise God Amen.
Thanks so much, John. Appreciate the prayers and comment. Prayer is a wonderful and amazing gift. Because there’s no greater gift we give each other besides telling someone about Jesus Christ.
We have been living an eerily similar life this year. My husband had almost the exact same if not the same diagnosis in February. He had stents, an ICD, 3 balloon pumps, and an impella device placed. Ultimately, he had a heart transplant in September and is 3 months post op. Prayers for healing and strength for both of you.
Thankful your husband is doing well. Appreciate the prayers more than you can know. God bless.
We are complete strangers, but feel free to reach out to me. Days will feel heavy, but lean on your faith. There will be light at the end of the tunnel. Are you near Vanderbilt ? We have heard the team there are some of the best!
Thanks so much, Andrea. We find such comfort in knowing how many people are praying over us. God bless.
I totally understand the roller coaster of emotions. Recently my husband was diagnosed with metastatic cancer to the head and neck. He underwent 35 radiation. Treatments and 7 weeks of chemo. We put it all into God’s hands and we prayed for guidance and recovery. It was very hard and the disease is cruel- my husband has made it through treatment but with a great loss of weight. He lost hair, lost weight and his body is just skin and bones. But God got him through it all. He is slowly putting weight back on. He can’t make saliva and he can’t taste food as the radiation caused these issues- But God got him through. I wanted to fall apart so many times but with each prayer I gained strength and determination. I had to hold strong for my husband. I also made a a positivity board so my husband and I could focus ONLY on successes he had. If he vomited 3 times a day instead of 6 or 7 times- we celebrated. A success is a success. It is hard to see these successes when so much is going on. Please try to find the little successes as they will make you feel so much more hopeful! Sending prayers to your husband and to your and your family. God can and will do great things!!
Theresa, I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s cancer and battle with a severe illness too. Yes, it does weigh heavy on the spouse as well. But just like you described, the Lord is sustaining us and allowing us to see even the smallest of victories and miracles along the way. God is good and we trust Him. Thanks for praying, will continue to pray for your husband and you. God bless!
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” Psalm 130:5-6 (ESV)
I will pray for Mike and the beautiful family God has given you. You are blessed with God’s gift of true faith.
Thank you, William! “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” Psalm 130:5-6 (ESV)
Praying as often as I think about you and Mike. Our son, Henry had a major heart attach at 36. Only 10% of his heart functioned. The reports were not encouraging. But God ….. The prayers worked and he is still with us. His heart functions at almost 80% now. Keep holding on to Him. 🙏
Wow, what an amazing God-story, Yvonne. Thanks for sharing and glad Henry is doing well. Appreciate your prayers and we do keep holding on to Jesus.
Karen, I am praying for you, Mike, Mama Friday and the family for healing. I have had a heart transplant, 26 years ago. So if you have any questions or just want to talk please feel free to reach out to me.
Praying fervently
Thank you, Bobbie. Thanks for sharing your heart transplant story. I read your comment to Mike when I first posted this particular blog article. It really encouraged us both. Thanks for the prayers! God bless!
Dear Karen, my heart goes out to you, Mike, and your whole family. I was so upset when I first read about Mike’s heart attack. My husband I have have been praying for a miraculous healing. And will continue to pray. Your faith has shone like a bright light through this dark time. May Jesus continue to light your way and give you peace. God bless you, sweet friend.
Thank you, sweet Melissa. Your prayers mean more than you can know. God is doing a work, the surgery was successful for a permanent heart pump and Mike will be a candidate for a heart transplant in 6 months. We do need your conitnuied prayers for his recovery and healing. God bless!
Karen,
We so enjoy watching the video vlog with you & Mike. So much that we’ve started looking similar RV’s like yours. We’ve learned so much from your blogs and we thank you.
I’m asking right now mostly Heavenly Father to touch Mike’s entire body. “Like the woman in the Bible days who had been sick for so very long. When she heard Jesus was was passing by so she joined the Heavenly throne. When she touched him the savior didn’t see, but still he turned around and said somebody touched me. She said it was I who just wanted to touch the hem of your garment and I know I’ll be made whole.”
Praying for Jesus to touch Mike’s body, to be healed and returned to the loving arms of his wife Karen and to his mother and children. Let the church say, AMEN
Genice, this is a very encouraging message. I read it to Mike a few weeks ago when I posted this particular article. Thanks for praying, watching our videos, and sharing the story from the Bible. It means the world to us. Please do keep praying for Mike’s recovery and healing. And cotninue watching our videos on YouTube while we are away from camping and posting new ones. it really helps our channel. God bless!
[…] are you in the middle of a storm right now? My hand’s raised. Last week I shared the story of my husband’s heart attack 3 weeks ago and how he’s still in critical care. But we can […]
I am lifting you both up in prayer right now!
Thanks so much, Susan. God bless!
What a scary situation. I’m so glad your husband got help in time and pray the stents work well so he can go off the heart pump.
Thank you, Barbara. They were not able to do stents, but he had a successful heart surgery 2 days ago to place a permanent heart pump and will be a candidate for a heart transplant in 6 months. Thank you for your continued prayers.
Karen, I pray for Mike’s heart…and for yours. My God hold you both as you continue to wait for full healing.
Amy, your prayers, along with so many of God’s people, bring us such comfort and peace. Thanks so much!
Karen, agreeing in prayer for Mike and your family.
Thanks so much, Lisa, prayer is an amazing gift. God bless.
sending prayers your way!
Thank you, Kana We find such comfort in knowing people are praying. God bless.
[…] Read my first post about our heart journey. […]