On Tuesday, August 1st, we found out that my mom (Kim Monroe) needs a heart transplant and will have to remain hospitalized until that time. As some of you may know, she almost died from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma 35 years ago when she had a massive tumor between her heart and lungs. We thank God that her treatment of intensive chemotherapy and radiation saved her life. However, 20 years later, we discovered that treatment had given her congestive heart failure. Thankfully, due to the CRT device (like a pacemaker) that she received 8.5 years ago, she has been able to live a full and normal life. This past Spring 2023, we learned that she would need new heart valves, because of the damage and continued deterioration from radiation. On May 30th, she had a successful surgery placing the new valves. Unfortunately, it exposed how incredibly sick and weak her heart is. She was admitted to the hospital on Thursday, July 27th for the doctors to help stabilize her medication and try to determine how to help her heart. However, the heart catheterization revealed that there is nothing that can be done to help her heart get better and she needs a new one. She is currently at Washington Hospital Center, where she is receiving testing to be added to the list. She will wait there for the foreseeable future, as they do their best to keep her current heart functioning. We are all struggling with this news, but this is obviously hardest for my mom. This most recent surgery and recovery have beaten my mom down already and so the thought of facing a hospital stay for an unknown amount of time and then recovery (involving weeks in ICU afterwards) from a much more invasive surgery is terrifying. Please check back here for future updates and ways to support our family during this time. Thank you for all of your prayers. - Kathleen Larson
Praise the Lord — today is the six month anniversary of my new heart! I am doing cardiac rehab (getting stronger every week), cooking dinner, and teaching six piano students (which has been fun). My six-month Doctor appointment on Wednesday went well — I am allowed to drive and will be allowed to go back to church soon!
I could never have survived all this without Tom, my family, and you all,
Thanks to all of you for all your prayers, cards, calls, and support.
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