Update

Dear Family, Friends and interested persons,
Its Friday evening and I'm home now after a 4:30 meeting with an Oral Surgeon.  He was recommended by Dr. Todorovic, my local dentist whose office is here in Discovery Bay.  I went there because during the x ray process a mass appeared above #3 tooth, Since Mike could not determine what it was in caution he referred me to Dr. Deragopian, DMD, MD.  I was given excellent care and am somewhat relieved now.  He had the assistant do a new set of x rays and then he used a small tool to probe that one tooth, a molar Dr. Clarke thought should be removed a full year ago.  He could not pull it because he had just broken his wrist or elbow in a fall, referred me to get it pulled and when it did not hurt I just did nothing.
The dentist today looked closely at the tooth and was able to insert the little tool way deep in the tooth, much further than he should have been able to to, about 10 when he said 2 was all he should have been able to insert.  That plus the x ray told him the tooth has failed, the root canal has failed and the tooth must come out.  Not only that but he is pretty sure that the area that shows up like a mass and caused me such a scare about cancer in the sinus is in fact on the tooth side of the bone and in fact is just something that has built up from a failing tooth.
So if all goes well by July 11 he plans to remove the tooth, carefully clean out all the mess above the tooth and by the bone and let it heal.  The process becomes much more expensive and complicated if he has to use a patch to cover a hole into the sinus through the bone.  One way the total cost is $960 and the other is $1,760.  Either way I have no choice as this has to happen before the heart surgery can take place.  Of course for him to be able to do his work the Coumedin in my blood has to be held for two days to get the INR, blood thickness down to 1.7 to 2.2 when it normally runs about 2.7 or 2.8, thinner than he wants to deal with doing surgery in my mouth.  So my heart cardiologist needs to be contacted to allow the blood to become thicker for a brief period since that increases the risk of a stroke if A Fib happens to occur during the time when the blood is thicker.
I see the heart surgeon, Dr. Allen on Tuesday at 11:45 in San Francisco, then that evening I have the second session with the lady doing a deep cleaning of my teeth and then on the 7th I see her again for the last cleaning.  What a complicated life I live right now and all the while I have more appraisal work to complete than ever before in my career.  Moon calls it a blessing and thanks God and she is right but I sure need every minute of my time doing work and doing it well.  Jessy is wonderful in her help and after the heart surgery she will be my driver for awhile until they allow me to drive again.  Steve would help if he could but he has been discovered by lenders and he is buried with work now too, that is a blessing so long in coming for him.
I appreciate your prayers for me and for Moon, we continue to wait for immigration to get to her case and give her the freedom to move about freely here which she does not have currently, we continue to pray for her daddy who is so ill and for her mom who is a 12 hour a day caregiver to him, then there is Crystal, her 20 year old daughter who is just about to be given a green card and allowed to come here after a many year battle.
We are thankful to a loving God who continues to help us, care for us and bless us.
I must say that I've had a life that is remarkably free of illness and the heart thing, the very narrow opening in the valve is a surprise to me.  Yet we live in an age where many medical things are now possible that were not available years ago.  I love life, I love my family and soon Jason and Jo with kids are driving from Southern California where they have been enjoying Disneyland (Jason and the kids while Jo attended in service classes she needs as a teach), now they drive to Colorado to see her mom and aunt so we keep them in our prayers.
Thank you for praying and remembering me, life is so different now from the many years with Nan, weekends are very tough to be alone day and night and I never get over coping with being alone.  At least now Moon and I are hoping for a different future together, we don't know when or exactly how but we are trusting our  heavenly Father to guide us and open doors for our future.  She is very excited about the heart value replacement and the promised great energy and health on the other side.
So I send love to all,
I hope you enjoy your family and treasure relationships, they are eternal.

Love

tim

Cath Lab a great success

Dear Friends and Family,
Jason and I left the house this morning at 5:15, we arrived in Walnut Creek at the hospital early at 6:30 and at 6:45 were being checked in.  Then we waited.  I was set to be the next at 9 am but then there was a heart emergency and we waited, we kept waiting until 12:30 when we finally were prepared and I entered the cath lab, its an incredible place with huge white equipment, cameras and every one and everything in place.  I was draped with sterile sheets and a decision was made that they could use my wrist instead of my groin, that meant a quicker recovery time, 2 hours versus 6 hours of laying flat on my back.  The team were wired and very congenial, all firing questions and comments to me as an appraiser, soon the process had started and in a few seconds there were in my heart and photos were taken, dye was released and soon it was over, from the smiles on their faces I knew we had good news.  None of my arteries had any blockage at all, just the value needed replacing.  They told me that with the new valve I would experience life so much better, with more energy and that I could keep up with my 41 year old girl friend just fine.  The guys were great and encouraging, very pleased with what they had discovered.  Then then the waiting started and it was 5:00 before Jason pulled up and we headed home.  Then we went to the local dentist's office for an appointment, xrays and a quick exam.  With a teeth cleaning very soon I'll have the clear dental certification and have that issue removed out of the way so the surgery can proceed.
Jason is on his way home now after we had dinner at the Sports Bar here in Discovery Bay.  What a huge help he has been today.  Wow he will have a very long day before he sleeps.

Now I'm working again as they have told me I can type so I'm finishing up a report and then going to a much needed and deserved rest.  My Moon has been great and keeping in touch with Jason today to follow my progress and to pray for me.

thank you to all who were praying for this day.

Love to all

Tim

Life is becoming more complicated

Dear Friends and Family
Tonight I'm relaxing here at the computer and seeing the dozens of emails both business and personal, wow.
Heart news:  on Tuesday Jason will take me to Walnut Creek where I'll enter the world of the cath lab, they will be inserting something near my groin and taking a better look at my heart to determine what needs to be done once surgery is happening.  How long I'll be there I don't know and I've been told I can't drive home afterwards so either Jason or Ray will come for me and bring me home.
That evening at 6:30 I see the local dentist as I have to have a clearance from my dentist that I have no infection taking place in my mouth before they will operate, they say infection in the mouth can easily lead to infection in the heart valve and then it has to be replaced again, not fun!  On July 5 I travel to San Francisco to the heart center Kaiser maintains, there I will meet with Dr. Allen who will discuss the surgery with me and decisions as to timing will be made.  They attempted to delay until the 12th but I urged them to reconsider and they did.  The lady on the phone told me that I would be out of work for three months while I recovered, that is not possible and not one person I've talked to so far who has had a heart valve replace has been down more than a month, a month I can handle, three months and I'll be homeless.
Meanwhile I worked hard this morning in the office getting reports out and then did two appraisals, one in Stockton and one in Ripon, then had to drive to Oakland to do a 5 minute inspection of a rear house on a property with two houses, the people were supposed to be there but did not stick around for the appointment and so I drove two hours out of my time and way because of their thoughtlessness, it happens and now its done so that is good.
This morning I walked to the park and tonight I just felt like walking so I did my three miles, just did not walk as fast as I used to and I feel fine.  The lady at the heart center today said, well no one told her it was urgent, and I should just keep doing the exercising I was doing before, acted like a severe closure of a valve meant nothing, I was not impressed with her, I'll tell you that.  But I think she is the gatekeeper so I need to keep on her good side if possible.

I get to take Kallie to church in the morning, it will be great!

Love to all

tim
PS please pray that God will be with us all as we struggle to make sense out of life.

heart update

Dear Family and Friends,
you can tell by the time I am writing that my work load is incredible right now. 
Today with fear and trembling I saw the cardiologist Dr. Hanna.  I'm now set to have a cath done next Tuesday at 7 am in Walnut Creek, anybody want to drive me there at that time of day, I can drive there but can't drive home per their instructions, but it will work out.
Not sure how long it will take but I'm guessing some hours before they get it all done.  That will let them know exactly what they are facing when they do the surgery so its important.
One concern is that I have to stop the blood thinner 5 days before they do the procedure and I don't like the idea of my blood being thick with increases the stroke risk greatly.  Oh well, God has watched over me to this point, He is still on the job I know.
Sending love to all,

Tim

Swim meet in Concord, go girls

I had not seen the girls swim in awhile, wow have they progressed, they know their strokes and placed in the middle or better in all of their heats today, talk about a place being full of energy and friendship, it was just a great thing to experience and all the parents get involved and help out making it all work, there are maybe a hundred swimmers there from 4 years old to 18, all know the rules and all do their best, someone sets up and sells food, everyone helps each other and for a few hours its like utopia, just a great experience.

Since I'm not doing the challenge due to my heart surgery that is coming up soon I've decided to use the Lose It app in my phone, last time using it got me a 50 pound loss and this time I'm dumping pounds already, there are a few basics of losing weight, drinking a huge amount of water, keeping track of what you eat, keeping track of how much you exercise, eating foods that help instead of binge foods that do not help and I'm trying to rest more at night.

This morning I woke up early and took a short walk to the park, I could feel that my heart was not totally happy but I did not push it not really wanting to have that feared heart attack before I can get into surgery and obtain the new valve I so desperately need.

I eat oatmeal every day and today I had a banana with it.  I like it and I don't mind eating the same thing most every day as it seems to work for me.

Moon kept in touch today as she had lunch with her friend and this evening we talked for a long time as she was using her sewing machine to alter her girls friend's shorts, Moon is very capable with her trusty sewing machine and so as she sewed we talked and once again I learned a lot about what she thinks and hopes for in the future.  She is a clear talker, does not know how to say fake things, just says it like she believes and sometimes I'm a bit shocked but then I think it through and she is almost always right.  Right now she is spending quality time with her mom and giving her hope and encouragement as she listens to her mom talk about the day of caring for her father who is in rough condition and in the hospital.  Earlier she talked to Crystal, her daughter, she is totally faithful in caring for her family and I'm always impressed with her loyalty and love for them.

Well now its bedtime, tomorrow instead of working here at home like I usually do on Sundays I see three properties, two duplex properties in Oakland and then a relocation appraisal in Tracy.  What that means is good fees but a very lot of work that no one can help me with, I have to write those reports totally on my own, not fun!

God is good and I am so glad for His Blessings and His forgiveness.  I am so very thankful for my family, all eight are precious to me.

Sending love to all

Tim

Friday evening, winding down

Dear Family and Friends,
So a good day, delightful times spend with Moon on the phone, every time I learn more about her, her life, her beliefs, her family and the gut wrenching process of dealing with immigration, the delays, the demand that every document be exactly correct.  Moon is bright, extremely family oriented and loving in action, not just in words.  I have learned she will do what she needs to take care of her daughter, her mom and her dad, now she extends that same concern and care for me too, she reminds me to rest, to eat at meal times, to be careful when driving, she lets me know that she is safe after she has been out late driving home, she sends photos every day and she is very encouraging about my heart situation.  She points out that unlike her dad who health situation is so complicated it may never be totally solved my heart value can be replaced, I will recover and I'll be stronger for us than ever, that is exciting to her and to me too.
Today I got up early, worked in the office and then inspected two properties, one in Pittsburg and the next in Walnut Creek, then back to the office to work until time to go see a duplex in Stockton, then to soup and salad at Olive Garden and now home finally to relax and chat with my brother and later to Moon once she gets home.
My heart has reminded me that is has a problem today but with only mild symptoms. Never angina pain but pressure or a feeling that is not right.
So now I look forward to the surgery, the valve replacement and the new energy that is to come.  Using the Lose It app on my phone I'm down 9 pounds now and I'm so sad that I cannot do the challenge right now I'm still on track to rid myself once and for all the belly that makes it so hard to buy shirts and forces me to buy everything a size bigger than my shoulders and chest would need.  I'm on a quest much like I was two years ago when I lost 50 pounds and I think a combination of Moon's love, the heart value issue, my general desire to be more fit and a knowledge that when men carry weight on their front sides it is very hard on all the organs.  I can do this, Father God is urging me on, Moon is encouraging but not demanding or even suggesting, just loving support and I know my kids want me to be healthy and strong.
Sending love to all,

Tim

Interesting day, yesterday

Could a guy possibly get better kids?  I don't think so.  Nikki, Jason, Steve and Jo were so supportive yesterday offering their help and encouragement, was very comforting to a frightened heart, beating with diminished flow as it is.

When Dr. Hanna told me the news I had a long day scheduled already.  I left at 11 and found traffic, accidents, a hug steel post directly in front of me which I ran over, I was sure the tires would be gone but amazingly the new tires came through perfectly.  First I saw a condo in Oakland with a delightful lady from South America, place was cute and easy to measure, tiny but nice, then a rush to find a bathroom and a trip to Brentwood for the next house, then three more in quick succession until I finally got home at 7:30 or so.  All day of course my heart fitness filled my mind as I trudged up stairs lugging my ladder, measured in the hot afternoon, I could feel it beating and the same dull ache that has been with me for months was there, at last I knew why.

Jo was quick to consult with her uncle, a leading heart surgeon in Australia who confirmed that I had a severe narrowing of the aorta value, the only solution is to replace it.  Dr. Hanna has set me up with a Tuesday appointment for 11:30 and we will firm up details with a surgeon and begin to prepare for my visit with the knife.  She also told me that the surgery has a success, survival rate of 98% and that is also encouraging.

I held off tell my special lady, Moon, as she was dealing with a very heavy load as she supported her family who were facing their own challenges, I mean serious ones.  I saw a side of her that was very impressive, she does not run away from challenges, she sticks with the person and loves then with everything she has.

last evening as she was walking Gucci and was calm I shared what we were facing, she was incredible in her support and caring.  Instead of just running away from me because I was flawed she affirmed we would be fine with God's help and that our relationship was also solid, it was just what I needed to hear and she was there in spite of being very tired and feeling the heavy pressure from helping her family over the last 24 hours.

So I am working very hard to get caught up, Jessy and Steve are being very helpful and once I know a date for the process then I'll inform my clients of the break I need and move forward.

I just spoke to Kaiser and it looks like my total costs will be less than $1400 since I am on Medicare and Kaiser advantage combined.  Now if I can just save enough to pay the bills while I am unable to work and generate new income.

Moon and I both feel it is a huge blessing that I discovered the value problem, Nikki pointed out that if I had not been doing the P2P challenge I would not have gone to have my heart checked so everything is working out.  I've backed out of the challenge as the doctor said I would have a heart attach if I worked out that hard every day with the severe value narrowing.  God will see me through this and last night my brother offered to come and be here when I come home from the hospital and help care for me those first important days.  What a blessing that is, I just can't thank him enough, all of my kids work long hours every day and don't need to have to do a bunch of stuff for me beyond their busy lives so this is a big deal, his coming.

So today I work in the office trying to push paper to the clients and late this afternoon I drive to Thornton, a little town on the way to Sacramento.  I hope to get my new glasses too so I can once again see my work in front of me.

So I send love to all and ask for your continued prayers, life is precious and good.

Love to all, Dolly has been a special prayer warrior for me and for Moon recently and I thank her for that.

Tim