Last week Kris started cardiac rehab at a clinic in West Des Moines. He gets to work out 3 times a week on treadmills, bikes, and other equipment while under the supervision of medical staff. They monitor his heart rate, blood pressure, and heart rhythm while he works out to make sure that his heart is responding well to the exercise. Kris is definitely the “young guy” as most of the other patients doing rehab are in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s. He is enjoying the workouts and has made some new friends! He will continue going three times a week at least through the end of March.

Kris returned to work part-time this past Monday. He’s able to do his engineering job “as tolerated.” He was able to start driving again last Friday, which we are all excited about! 🙌🏼 There are still lifting restrictions in place for a few weeks while his incisions continue to heal, but he will start lifting light weights next week in cardiac rehab to help with his recovery.

Today, we met with Kris’ cardiologist, a wonderful woman named Dr. Abbadi. We really like her and are so thankful that she discovered Kris’ prolapsed heart valve after an echocardiogram back in November.  She agreed that Kris is healing and recovering well! Dr. Abbadi will see him again in three months and also in one year to do a repeat echocardiogram just to make sure the mitral valve is still functioning well.

We are so thankful for all of the support our family has received as Kris has gone through his heart surgery and recovery! Our friends, neighbors, church, and family have taken excellent care of us. The care that Kris received at Mayo Clinic was exceptional, and we are super thankful for the great medical staff here in the Des Moines area to do Kris’ follow up appointments and cardiac rehab. Special shout out to Kyle Kosman, our nurse practitioner here in Norwalk, for hearing Kris’ heart murmur at a regular physical back in November and referring us to a cardiologist to get it checked out “just in case.” It’s a good reminder for all of us to get regular physicals so irregular things can be caught early and treated.

We are praising God for continued healing and that Kris has a fully functioning heart. Thank you to everyone for reaching out to see how we have been doing. Your love and support have truly meant so much to us! ❤️