I cried in front of her. I told myself the whole way in the car not to, because it's not fair to her. But I just couldn't help it. 

We had just gone out to eat with my mom and Molly. We had a great time visiting and laughing and we even bought fun
t-shirts to commemorate the occasion. 😁

But then reality hits. 

As I got her in the house and settled into her spot on the couch, I leaned over to give her a hug goodbye and that's when it happened. I just couldn't help it. I knew that it would be the last time that I saw her before her surgery tomorrow.  The months of worry and concern for her were all too much in the moment and all I could do was hug her and cry. As usual, she was the one comforting me and telling me it will be fine.

Having to help your 49 year-old sister in and out of a car and then watching her having to walk with a walker and seeing how tired that alone makes her, is just so sad.

She never complains at all. She even make jokes to lighten the mood, because she says it is just how her life is and she is used to it. That breaks my heart.💔

In the weeks since my last update, she has been in and out of the hospital for both inpatient stays and outpatient follow up appointments. 

In the time since her first heart attack in April, there have been so many hurdles.  They have tried to get her heart functioning the way it should and to correct the issues that are causing that pacemaker having to correct and shock her. They have tried to address the congestive heart failure and very low blood pressure, but these are still an issue. They placed a pacemaker and 5 stents to help with her clogged arteries. 

But nothing has seemed to be very successful. 

After her two heart attacks, they now need to deal with the scar tissue that formed in her lower chamber. Basically with the amount of scar tissue there, her heart is not able to function the way that it needs to. It's not pumping blood at the rate that it needs to and it's having to work much too hard. All of this is causing all of the current challenges she is dealing with.

Her care team has decided that the only way to do this is through attempting a cardiac ablation. 

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Mayo Clinic definition:

Atrial fibrillation ablation is a treatment for an irregular and chaotic heartbeat called atrial fibrillation (A-fib). It uses heat or cold energy to create tiny scars in your heart to block the abnormal electrical signals and restore a normal heartbeat.

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The original plan had her having this surgery last Friday. Of course though, her case is more complicated than the usual because of the amount of scar tissue and it's location in her lower chamber where they need to get to her heart. They decided they would need more time for the surgery than they had anticipated.  😔

She was in great spirits yesterday and is taking it all in stride. She said she really is hoping that this could be the answer to getting her back on track to recovery. 🙏

Unfortunately, her husband Ken is scheduled to have a spinal fusion for his neck next week. Not surprisingly, she is more concerned about him and his recovery than her own.

Obviously, this will be a stressful and difficult time for them in the weeks ahead. But, with help keeping things afloat at their house and the love and prayers from all of you....I believe the upswing is on the horizon. 

Her surgery is right away in the morning, which she is relieved about. That way there isn't very much time to worry... or to get hungry. I will update most likely tomorrow evening after I have heard from someone about how she is doing and the results of the ablation. 

As usual, we are asking for prayers for Danielle and the whole family tomorrow.  She/we know and feel that we are loved and supported and that makes all the difference.

❤, Leah