Sharing My Story Of Healing

MY JOURNEY

I was born with an abnormalheart valve. We were told a couple of years ago that I would need areplacement. Two weeks before my (first) surgery February 12, 2009, Iexperienced shortness of breath, I knew something didn’tfeel right. I made an appointment with the doctor, a test was ordered, surgerydate was scheduled, I contacted my family & friends and begin to pray & focus on what wasgetting ready to take place in my life. Blockage occurred after the firstsurgery, then I received a pace maker (second surgery), February 16th,2009. Recently (June 23rd, 2010), after a regular check-up (pace maker reading)at the doctor’s office, my third surgery ( pace  maker revision) tookplace the following day.            

Before theprocedure on Feb 12th, I contacted my family members, Pastor &Church Family, employer, co-workers, friends, neighbors, etc. My (strong)support system provided prayers, phone calls, flowers, books, beautiful cards,hospital visits, home visits, meals etc. It was important to provide support for my husband & children. We discussed the surgical procedure with ourchildren. It was necessary to continue providing a secure & stableenvironment. The door is always open anytime for the kids to come to us withany questions or concerns. The valve replacement surgery was successful, then Ideveloped blockage. The doctors notified my husband that I would need a pacemaker to help my heart function. It was unplanned but necessary. The secondprocedure took place four days after the first procedure. We prayed with theChaplain before the heart valve procedure. I also received visits from theChaplains (by my request); throughout the time I was hospitalized: a total of
eleven days. June 23rd, 2010, I returned to the hospital: outpatient
surgery: pace maker revision.

My Faith inGod, support from my husband, family, Pastor  & Church Family, medicalstaff, friends, neighbors, Radical Love Family, co-workers, employer, etc...continues to play a major role in the healing process. I know that God loves me& promised never to leave me alone. He helped me get through this time oftesting. Jeremiah 30:17: “For I will restore health unto thee, and I will healthee of thy wounds, saith the Lord, because they called thee an Outcast saying,“This is Zion, who no man seeketh after.””

Acceptance iscrucial during the recovery stage. Not living in denial, but accepting thedaily challenges: occurring inside my body, coping with breathing issues on adaily basis, living with a pace maker, taking coumadin for the rest of my life,dealing with the discomfort in my chest. etc…….Where does my help come from?
Believing & trusting God with my life. I know without a doubt that he is a
healer. God is also loyal & faithful.  Psalm 107: 1 “O Give Thanks
unto the Lord for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” My relationshipwith my husband is even stronger. We were married in 1993 and promised to loveeach other unconditionally. He continues to provide emotional, physical, mental& spiritual support. While I was recovering he helped the kids with theirhomework, made daily trips to the grocery store, irons the kid’s clothes, workedhard every day and spent quality time with me. I thank God for my soul mate.

When Ireturned home from the hospital, my son (age 10), quietly walked in my bedroomand prayed by my side every night.  It was very important for him to thankGod for healing his mother. When my daughter, (age 7), saw the scar on my chest(incision from heart surgery), it made her very uncomfortable.  Shethought I was in pain. I spoke to the school counselor about the issue. Mydaughter touched the scar & saw that I wasn’t in pain. I’m happy to say, mydaughter is now comfortable with the scar. After my surgery, our children askedabout the limitations, when I would be able to drive again, how did I feeloverall etc. We continue to keep the lines of communication open in our home.
It’s very important for our children to express their feelings. I continue topray for my husband & children. We are determined to face any obstacles“together” with God’s guidance.

Through FAITH,FAMILY, & FRIENDS, I’m able to face each day & know within my heartthat God continues to bless me & my family. 

Everyday is a GIFT from God.

Mrs. Kimberly  A. Goodloe