Larry Klein

Well the day has arrived, I go to Regions Hospital in St Paul, Mn for open heart surgery in the morning.  3 1/2 years ago I went into the doctor for a routine check up and to get a renewed prescription for my inhaler (which I only use a couple of times a year)  It was then that the doctor noticed an abnormal heart beat and kept me for tests.  The tests showed I had a mitral valve prolapse.  After meeting with the Cardiologist it was determined because of my healthy lifestyle and general great health that we just wait and watch it.  Now that we had a base I went in every 6 months for tests and a meeting with the Cardiologist.  In January it was determined that it was time to have open heart surgery and either replace or repair my mitral valve. My wife, Martha and I met with the surgeon, got more details on the surgery and scheduled it for March 31, 2020.  The goal is to repair it, and the surgeon is pretty confident that is what will happen, if he gets in and has to do a replacement that is what he will do.  Today I want to the hospital for a prep meeting for surgery, Martha was supposed to go with me but because of this crazy pandemic we are living through right now, no one is allowed in the hospital so she listened in over the phone while they explained the details of the surgery to me.  Tomorrow morning she will drop me off at 5am, surgery is at 7am and she will wait at home for a call when the surgery is over.  It's good that no one is allowed in the hospital to prevent the virus from being spread there, but this is not what we envisioned it would be like.  I am asking for prayers for a successful surgery, for steady and skilled surgeons hands, that they are able to repair the valve and not have to replace it and that my wife and kids will feel peace and comfort during my time in the hospital.  My recovery in the hospital will be between 5-7 days.  I plan to be a model patient and be home in record time.  Recovery at home will be 8-10 weeks.  Stay tuned here on my caring bridge sight for updates from Martha and thank you in advance for your prayers.