God
is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good. After nearly a decade of waiting, it is time
for my open heart surgery. When God needs to move, He sure can use some
interesting methods to do so. He certainly doesn’t need our help.
In
mid-November I went for my annual cardiology visit where I was told that things
were stable – no significant change to my aneurysm. A short two weeks later,
God decided we needed a second opinion.
I
was at work with my coworkers when we decided to go out to lunch together. One
of them volunteered to drive since they have an SUV and it would be roomier. I
called shotgun and we took off. About half a mile up the road, we noticed a
truck leaving its driveway rather quickly – with no intentions of stopping. My
friend laid on the horn, but it was too late - the F150 slammed into our car,
on the passenger side. We later found
out that this hit totaled her vehicle.
Frightened
and shocked, the three of us piled out of the car. The airbags hadn’t deployed,
but it was a big hit. We began to assess the situation and quickly noticed that
there was NO DRIVER in the other car. There was no child playing that knocked
it out of gear, no drunk driver, not a soul was in the vehicle… the owner of
the truck was inside sleeping! How bizarre.
My
job was to call the police and I did so with shaking hands and a racing heart.
Something felt funny – it was like my heart couldn’t catch up. I dialed 911 and
they soon had an officer on the scene. After things were taken care of, we went
on to lunch. I just couldn’t calm down – I was scared and shaken up.
With
my aneurysm in mind, Mom and I decided a trip to the ER would be for the best.
We headed to Lexington to get an overall check up – especially on my heart.
After 9 long hours, we finally got discharged. I had the usual accident
injuries: head injury, strained muscles, but then the doctor said that the CT
showed my aneurysm measuring significantly larger than my cardiologist had just
two weeks prior.
This
warranted some action. Mom gathered my medical records and overnighted them to
Cleveland Clinic, where I had previously been seen, several years ago. They are
number one for cardiology in the United States. If anyone knew what measurement
was right and what to do, it would be them.
Within
a few days (last Friday), Cleveland Clinic called and said they agreed with the
larger measurement and wanted to see me – the following Monday (this past
Monday). Woah – that was quick! The
rapid appointment set up told me that the surgeon must be considering surgery
as a possibility or else it would have been postponed just a little while.
So
mom and I left Sunday to make the trip to Cleveland. Sunday was mom’s birthday
and this was the second time she had spent it at Cleveland Clinic with me. We
arrived and had a full day of testing on Monday. Tuesday was the day we would
meet with the Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Dr. Svensson.
Dr.
Svensson was kind, intelligent, and had a pretty cool accent (he is from South
Africa). He stated that I am at the threshold for surgery, but that with my
connective tissue disorder and upcoming nuptials, he thought surgery was the
best option. And just like that, so nonchalantly, he and I signed some forms
and his assistant came in to schedule my surgery. I began to cry, but quickly
had to suck it up – there was a surgery to plan! I just felt so relieved to
have finally heard the words I had been waiting for, “Stacie, it’s time.”
It
was a whirlwind from there. We set my surgery date for Tuesday, December 27th.
This meant my preoperative appointments had to be done before I left Cleveland,
which caused us to spend another day in Cleveland. This way, we enjoy Christmas
in Kentucky, head to Cleveland the 26th, and then go straight in to
surgery on the morning of the 27th.
And
so here we are. I’m on my home from Cleveland, typing this post on my laptop. I
watch as cars drive past and open fields turn into city skylines. Somehow in
the midst of this storm, I feel such a sense of peace. I wonder what God’s plan
has been all this time. Did He have one or did He just decide spur of the
moment? Whatever He did, I know it is His timing.
In
my mind here is how it went… God had hoped my initial cardiology visit would
clear things up. Maybe he thought the technician or doctor would notice the
increased size. So when that didn’t happen, maybe God was looking for the
perfect opportunity to get me to the doctor. And as I rode down Main Street
with my coworkers, God saw that F150 there and He just gave it a little nudge.
The nudge He knew I needed to get to Cleveland. I’m not sure if that’s exactly
how it happened or not, but I know God had His hand in this regardless.
All
throughout the Bible, God used ordinary people, animals, and objects to show
His glory. He used a teenage girl to be the mother of Jesus, He used a talking
donkey to lead a man down the right path, and now He has used a driverless
vehicle to guide my life.
So
dear friends, how can you help? I know you must want to do something. I ask you
to pray… pray hard. Pray for my family to stay sane during the lengthy
procedure, for their safety when traveling to be with me, and for their peace
of mind and heart. Pray for me. Pray for God to calm my nerves, that I will
handle the surgery well, and have a speedy recovery. And please pray for Dr.
Lars Svensson – the man who will quite literally have my heart and life in his
hands. Although Dr. Svensson is a world-class surgeon who has performed more
than 10,000 surgeries in his career, my hope is in Jesus because He is a
world-class savior who holds every life there is and ever has been. It is in
HIM that I find my peace and comfort.
Of
course if you want to send cards, gifts, or well wishes I will gladly accept
those too! I will have my mom read Facebook messages and text to me once I am
coherent – please feel free to fill my wall and inbox with prayers, love, and
encouragement. If you want to physically mail something or get something to me,
you can call the gift shop at Cleveland Clinic or mail cards to:
Stacie Lawrence
Cleveland
Clinic
9500
Euclid Ave.
Cleveland,
OH 44195
Thank
you for your continued love and support. I would not have made it through the
last decade without my amazing family and friends. I love you all dearly and I
look forward to seeing you when I am back in Kentucky!
God
is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good.
"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within
you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ
Jesus returns." -Philippians 1:6
Photo taken January 11, 2011
