Susan's Views

It has been one week since Easter. Last Sunday my two little grandkids came to the hospital all dressed up in their Easter outfits that Cori had made. We all had a wonderful day. They looked for eggs hidden around the room, we played games and they even brought in a crock-pot to heat up a casserole so we could all stay and eat together in the room. I’m sure it was the best Easter I have ever had.

Then on Monday afternoon my great doctor came in and had a long talk with me and then let me go home. It was 5 p.m. and the sun was shining brightly. As Richard and I drove along the freeway all the trees were beginning to bud, all the flowering trees were in beautiful white or pink blooms, and the daffodils that grow by the thousands along the side of the roads were all nodding their little heads. I realized again, what a beautiful world we live in and I am so thankful that my Heavenly Father has seen fit to let me stay here a little longer.

I came home to a wonderfully clean house with many beautiful, fragrant bouquets of flowers sent from friends, plus lots of delicious food brought in by our loving friends in the Catoctin Ward.

I am so thankful for a wonderful medical staff and all their combined knowledge. I received excellent care while I was ill and I can assure you it is not easy to be in the bed instead of standing at the side of the bed.

And then there was the BLOG!!! I don’t think that I will ever understand the magnitude of the things that have happened to me over the last two weeks. In fact, I can’t remember even going to the hospital in the first place. But as I have read the BLOG during this week here at home, I have had a small glimpse of heaven on earth. Thanks so much to Mindy for setting this up and posting my experiences each day. I have now been able to read what I was doing and my progress. I am so grateful to each and every one of you who posted a note or a fun story, but most of all I appreciate the prayers that were said for me and the fasting that was done to help me wake up. If the Lord had something else in mind for me He couldn’t ignore all those speaking in my behalf. I have been so touched by everyone’s concerns and out pouring of love. I thank all of you from the bottom of my broken and then miraculously healed heart.

I have had an enjoyable week with all the kids here and the grandkids. Just watching those two little things interact with each other takes my mind off problems and aches and pains. My kids, Cori Jo and Jayson, Mindy, Jeremy and Amanda, and Jami have been wonderful. Richard has been a wonderful husband. I am so blessed.

I am thankful to a loving Heavenly Father who had me in the right places at the right times, the medical people where they were, and now the opportunity to stay and enjoy this earth life a little longer.

So I think we should have a big party: my front lawn, this summer. We’ll barbeque, everyone can help bring food, we’ll set up the bocce and Wally ball, and we’ll just celebrate life.

From Richard

Family and Friends,

It’s very difficult to find the words that can adequately express my deep and sincere gratitude to all of you for the kind words and prayers you offered on Susan’s and my behalf over this past week. Your encouragement and faith were much appreciated. Susan is home now and doing well. She has really enjoyed reading the well wishes on the blog and the many notes and cards she’s received. Many have also sent beautiful arrangements of flowers and greenery that have truly brightened our home.

Susan’s a wonderful example of never underestimating the power of prayer and fasting. She woke up at 3:20 PM, Thursday afternoon, 20 minutes after we ended our fast. Thanks to a loving, Heavenly Father listening to the flood of prayers on her behalf. I am so thankful to have my companion, best friend, and sweetheart with me again!

Sincerely,
Richard

She's Home!

Susan arrived home last night around 5:30. We are so glad to have her home. The grandkids were elated that Grandma had returned to "the farm." We all had a nice dinner and enjoyed each other's company. Today it was back to "normal." It was back to work and trying our best to survive the day. We are all tired and worn out, both physically and emotionally. We are so happy to not have to divide our time between hospital and home. Mom is doing well. She's tired and still moving slowly. We are doing our best to keep her laying low. She walked to the end of our driveway, which for those of you that have seen our driveway, know that is quite a feat. She said she felt better than she did 2 weeks ago! She can really tell a difference. And that is only with one artery repaired. She will need to have the left artery repaired in the near future. She has a doctor's appointment on Friday and so I will probably have more to report at that time. Until then...

An Easter to Remember

We spent the day with Mom in the hospital. It was a wonderful, wonderful day! Ayden and Emelia even got visited by the Easter Bunny at the hospital so Grandma could be a part of the festivities. We are so grateful that she has come so far in such a short time. And the best news of all is that she can come home tomorrow evening. No rehab, no hospice, nothing. She can come straight home. She is the talk of all of the doctors. They are just baffled. But it's no wonder...we all know what an amazing woman Susan Coon is and are so thankful that Heavenly Father allowed her to stay with us.

One Week Later

What progress we have seen in just one week! This morning Mom was sitting up in a chair. She is doing so well. She got the go-ahead to have liquids. She ate some soup for lunch and really enjoyed it. She keeps asking for a Coke, but we think it's a bit early for that. She is telling funny stories and joking around. She even called me this morning to make sure I remembered to call everyone about the music for Sunday. She talked to Emelia and Ayden on the phone today, too. We are so pleased with her progress. By the end of today she should be moved out of the CCU and over to the Progressive Care Unit. We can't believe it's been a week. She doesn't either. She keeps asking if the heart attack happened yesterday.

Feeling Your Love

For the first time this evening Susan had a glimpse of the love that has been outpouring on her behalf. We started reading some of the stories that you have posted under "Favorite Susan Stories." She has enjoyed each one. She has laughed, smiled, cried, and even fallen asleep to the words of her friends. Thank you for that comfort in this time of need. Keep the stories coming. They will be so helpful in her long road to recovery and for a long time after as we read and reread your entries.

Pretty Good Day

Mom's had a pretty good day. Amanda and I(Mindy) have been at the hospital most of the day. She seems to come in and out of sleep. Talk about tired! When she wakes she wants to talk. It is a whisper talk, and hard to understand at times, but a talk nonetheless! She is trying to piece together what has happened. And what's to come. She's asking all of the right questions. Thank goodness the nurse is right outside the door because we don't always know the answers! She's being a very good patient, despite her nursing impulses. The neurologist stopped by this afternoon and was amazed with the difference since two days ago. He told her she was 100% better than where she was 2 days ago. That is great news. The speech therapist came in to assess her swallowing. She is not quite ready for anything but ice chips. But she is grateful for that moisture in her mouth. She does have a rash on her upper torso and down her arms. It is agitating and itchy. But that's good...because she's responding to pain. So we press on forward. It has been a long week, but full of blessings!