Winning In More Ways Than One!

I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate all of the prayers you sent up on my husband's behalf! Thank the Good Lord, he came through the heart cath. on Friday with flying colors! The procedure took just under an hour. He was wide awake when I went back to the room to see him after it was done. He laid there and harassed the nurses (and me!) non-stop...I suppose that's when I knew he was going to be A-OK! One of the nurses even asked me how long we'd been married and without skipping a beat, I replied, "21 LONG years!" She just laughed and shook her head. The doctor finally made an appearance and told us that there were no blockages in any of his arteries! That was news to our ears! He went on to say that he'll probably be around another 30-40 years. I think I probably let out a huge gasp right then and there...no, not REALLY! I am beyond grateful that everything turned out as well as it did. God definitely heard all of our prayers!

Now, would you believe that just a few hours after Chris was released from the hospital, we drove 3 hours to Birmingham, AL. to see Brittany run? Trust me, it wasn't my doing...my husband can be very hard-headed (I mean, DETERMINED) sometimes! I drove the entire way and Chris sat very still in the front seat beside me while Abby listened to her I-Pod in the back seat. He didn't seem to have any problems going over there, but could definitely feel the cath. site once we arrived. So, we grabbed a quick bite for dinner, then we went back to the hotel room where he stretched out on the bed and watched TV for the rest of the night.

Brittany's race, the NCAA Div. I Regional Cross Country Championships, were held at 9:45 A.M. on Saturday morning. Thankfully, the course was very spectator friendly, so Chris could pretty much stay in one spot and see the majority of the race. He's not supposed to run or work out for a full week. We'll see if he follows through! There were lots of BIG names in attendance...Florida State, Alabama, Mississippi State, etc. It was a 6K race and Brittany hadn't run that distance before in competition, so she was a bit nervous.

Here she is rounding the first turn on the course.

She's coming into the finish. I wanted her to catch that Tennessee Vol so bad, even if it is my alma mater!

There she goes clocking in a time of 23:07! She was on FIRE! She placed 2nd on her team!

She did not wanting me to take this picture of her because she was all "hot and sweaty"...but, I took it, anyway!:)

Brittany stepped up to the plate and really came through for her coach and her team! Four of her teammates did not perform well at the meet and looks like it was by their own doing. I have a feeling that things are about to get stirred up, so say a prayer in that regard, as well!

I was so excited recently to learn that I'd won a giveaway! My sweet bloggy friend, Thena, from Patiently Waiting gave away Sandi Patty's book, "Broken On the Back Row". I've been a big fan of Sandi Patty since I was in college, so I'm very excited to read her book! With a few rainy days predicted this week, looks like I might have the perfect opportunity to get started on it. Thank you so much, Thena!

Guess that's all from my little corner of the world. Hope you all are enjoying your Monday! Make it a great day!

Got The Sniffles...

Chris, Abby, and I have all had a head cold for the past few days and it's really made us all feel downright crummy! We haven't had the energy to do much of anything and this time change has really messed my sleep up. I seem to be waking up consistently around 5 AM every morning. So, needless to say, I've been taking it easy...no running on the treadmill, that's for sure! Afterall, I do have a very important assignment tomorrow...I'll be playing the role of Nurse April all day!

I don't think I'll look like the image above, but you get the picture. I just hope Chris doesn't get too used to it! :)

If all goes well and the doc gives his OK, we'll be driving to Birmingham, AL. late tomorrow afternoon once Chris is released from the hospital. Now, this was all his idea, not mine! Brittany will be competing in the NCAA Cross Country Regional Championships on Saturday against many big SEC schools (Florida State, Auburn, Mississippi State, etc.), so it should be lots of fun! Just hope I can keep Chris contained enough so that he doesn't attempt to run all over the course like a madman!

So, I'll do my very best to update tomorrow before we leave (IF we leave) and let you know how Chris' procedure went. I'm praying for the best...and I know you are, too!

Going In For A Little Tune-Up

Chris and I met with the cardiologist yesterday. He went over the results of his nuclear stress test. There are two minor areas of concern, according to the doctor. He said they could be simple artifacts or actual blockages. The only way to know for sure is to have Chris undergo a heart cath. He said that, overall, Chris did very well on the stress test. If he had some major issues going on with his heart, he wouldn't have been able to remain on the treadmill for as long as he did. However, the nurses made note that his breathing became quite labored as the treadmill got faster and steeper, so the doctor feels it's wise to determine if anything is going on.

Chris will be going in early Friday morning to have the procedure done. It, generally, takes 20-30 mins. However, if they do find some blockages (of greater than 70%), they will be dealt with right then and there. He did say that Chris has an excellent prognosis because he's in such good physical condition, which is always a relief to hear. I feel confident that he'll pull through with flying colors. The only problem I'm going to have is convincing him to follow the doctor's orders EXACTLY as prescribed. Please pray for him...and for me, too! ;) Thanks a bunch!

Chris' Test Results...Asking For Continued Prayers

Chris received a call back from the cardiologist this afternoon regarding the results of his stress test. Apparently, there are two areas of concern. The doctor said that he was able to stay on the treadmill for 18 mins. without too much stress on his heart, indicating that he's in very good physical shape. However, the EKG reading showed indications of possibly two blockages. We're going in on Monday afternoon to meet with the cardiologist. He told Chris that he has two options. They can just watch and wait and see if anything arises, or he can undergo a heart cath. to determine if, in fact, blockages are present. Taking into consideration that his brother had quintuple bypass surgery at the age of 40, we've pretty much decided to go ahead and proceed with the heart cath. if the doctor recommends doing so.

I will definitely update you as we learn more on Monday. In the meanwhile, please keep Chris close in your prayers. He feels very frustrated that something might have happened even though he's always been very active and exercises on a daily basis. Thank you all so much!