With Flying Colors!

Carrie is FINE!!! She came through the procedure on her heart with courage and grace! Overall, it did not take as many hours as they had predicted. It was however, far more harrowing than any of us had anticipated. Even the doctor acknowledged that he had some challenging, adrenaline filled moments. But the doctors and nurses were finally able to cause the heart to behave exactly the way they needed it to and then remove the offending tissue. Carrie went through a medical, physical and emotional roller coaster, all while having to remain completely still, yet wide awake. Courage and grace...

There were seven of us in the waiting room. We called ourselves “Team Carrie”. Chuck and I had purchased some lanyards and then printed out mailing labels with the moniker in red caps lock. We stuck the labels onto 3x5 index cards, added a red heart sticker, punched a hole and assembled. We wore them all day, everywhere we went. The staff referred to us as “Team Carrie” and even shepherded all seven of us into Recovery to escort Carrie up to her room!

In one of his books, Dr. Bernie Siegel, MD pointed out that it is important not to be a “patient patient”, but to speak up for oneself. It is also vital for a patient to have a friend or family member available to serve as a patient advocate. Carrie represented herself beautifully and we were a team of advocates at the ready. We also all had cell phones and kept retreating to the designated cell phone area to keep the rest of the family in the loop, especially Carrie’s Mom, Gail.

Thank you all for your good wishes, your prayers and holding Carrie in your heart. Carrie, Gail and the rest of “Team Carrie” were touched and grateful to think so many of you were sending positive energy from all around the world.

:: I keep hearing Louis Armstrong singing:
“...and I think to myself, What a Wonderful World..."