Tim had his 4 week follow up appointment yesterday at the clinic in Asheville, NC with Dr. Groh.  We met with the nurse first who took his vitals followed by the physician's assistant.  The PA spent the most time with Tim.  He asked her if he would need an anti-rejection drug for the valve and she said no because since it is a pig valve the body would not reject it unlike what it sometimes does with human parts.  She showed us his x-ray where we saw that his right lung was up so much higher than the left due to excess fluid in the cavity below the lung.  It was decided that he should have a tap done to remove the fluid from that cavity.  They removed about 1 liter and a half from him.  She also checked his incision and removed the steri-strips that he still had on.  She was a very sweet lady who spent all the time she needed with us to answer all the questions that he had written down.  
After the PA left, Dr. Groh came in to meet with us.  He looked over Tim's incision and said it looks great and that the bone is healing well.  He told him that he was cleared to drive and to do some light lifting.  Tim was also excited to ask him about being able to mow his lawn.  He said that wouldn't be a problem and to use the rule that if whatever you are doing feels fine, it is, and if it hurts, then to stop.  Tim thanked him many times during the appointment for saving his life.  Dr. Groh said Mission Hospital is one of the best heart hospitals and that many doctors come there from all over to observe.  We all feel very thankful and blessed that he was at that hospital and for the many nurses that took care of him there. 
Thank you for all your prayers, comments, cards, and phone calls.  They have lifted our spirits immensely during this difficult time.  This will be our last journal post but it isn't the end of the recovery for Tim.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we walk through the rest of this journey. 
God Bless and Love you all!!