Joy in the Journey

Today is "Fun Friday!" How appropriate that this day is tagged in such a way on the same day that today's podcast and blog is entitled, "Joy in the Journey". Have some FUN today!

Gas prices. Flat tires. Hotel rates. Road construction. Confusing signs. Detours. Cancelled flights. Wrong flights. Expensive flights. Screaming kids. Screaming adults. Yuck.

Missed deadlines. Others unenthused about your brilliant idea. Job loss. Behind on bills. Credit collectors calling. Sickness. Disease. Broken bones. Broken hearts. Loss due to death. Loneliness.

I've just described situations that may be a part of two different types of journeys. One is obviously connected to some trip or journey we may take in an automobile or plane or any other type of transport. The other, life's journey.

Now friend, if we were to just stop and take a look at these two paragraphs, let me ask you this: would YOU want to be a part of EITHER of these two journeys?

Let's go back to the first one and add some more: Smiling faces. Beaming faces. Children's laughter. Your OWN laughter. Pictures taken to keep those images alive. Sights and sounds shared. Awe. Inspiration. Time spent that will be remembered for a lifetime. Why don't YOU add some more to that list?

And the second one - our journey of life? Let's do the same and add some more descriptive words: Laughter. Love. Memories. Awe. Inspiration. Smiling faces. Beaming faces. Children's laughter. Your OWN laughter. Pictures taken to keep those images alive. Sights and sounds shared. Awe. Inspiration. Time spent that will be remembered for a lifetime. Again, why don't YOU add some more to THIS list?

Isn't it interesting how BOTH of these journeys can be described in much the same way when we consider the JOYS of such a journey?

Sure, there are hurts and disappointments that come and go in life, but don't miss that word...LIFE!

And, in the same way, as you move toward your goals and dreams, don't miss out on the JOY that is in THIS journey as well. Remember, you have had and hopefully still have a PASSION for WHY your are moving toward these goals and dreams. Remember the PURPOSE!

Don't forget to laugh along the way and to share your passion with those around you as you move ever closer to these goals and dreams.

Bottom line: DON'T GET BOGGED DOWN IN THE SET-BACKS! It's all a part of the progress, right?

Whatever you do, in ANY area of life, be sure to FIND JOY IN THE JOURNEY!

And, part of that is being sure to remember to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike
(podcast: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739 )

I Just Want to Celebrate!

I Just Want to Celebrate!

So, what's the occasion? What are you celebrating? Birthday? Anniversary? Job promotion?

Here's the deal - why do we have to wait for those "special occasions" in order for us to celebrate? TODAY is - can be and should be - a day of celebration. Just because!

"As long as there is breath there is hope!"

That quote that I came up with way back in March of 2009 speaks to that very fact. LIVING and BREATHING is reason enough to celebrate!

The Bible says it this way, "This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!"

Why not get in the "celebration" mood and mode?

I hope that if you have been listening to the podcasts for this week that you have enjoyed the energy with the new song I have been using for the introduction and close. The song is, "I Just Want to Celebrate" by Rare Earth and you can even find a video I posted on the Future You University fan page on Facebook one day in the past couple of weeks.

I love the energy of the song! I love the PASSION of the song! Hey, I just LOVE THE SONG!

But the words...the words...yes, I even find a powerful message to help us stay focused and positive in songs like this!

Here is the basic premise of the song as shown in the chorus:

I just want to celebrate another day of livin'
I just want to celebrate another day of life

Just think about the POWER of this mindset in these words alone! The CHOICE to CELEBRATE another day of living and another day of LIFE!

Hmmmm....I wonder how your day would go if you approached it with this thought in mind? I wonder how your day would go if even five other people that you come across during the course of your day approached it with this thought in mind. What if everyone in your office had this mindset?

Hey friend, why not kick things off by making sure that YOU approach the day with this mindset?

I put my faith in the people - But the people let me down
So I turned the other way - And I carry on, anyhow

I actually already know the answer to this next question without ever hearing your voice, but here goes: Have YOU ever been disappointed in anyone in your life?

Of course you have! Now, the most important question on this is this: What did you do about it?

What good did it do to "stew" and "fume" about it? What good did it do to rant and rave to those around you about it? What good did it do...period?

Instead of letting those types of emotions poison both your mind and, yes, even your body - why not do what this song suggests and simply turn the other way and carry on....regardless!

Again, it's a choice that we all have. You can choose to allow the disappointment and hurt to have a deeper and further impact by allowing it to claim your mind and body for any length of time OR you can choose to "shake it off" and move on.

A friend of mine shared an acrostic with me one day - F.I.D.O. - "Forget It, Drive On!"

One other verse I want to use in today's discussion:

Had my head on the dollar bill - But the dollar bill flew away
But the sun is shining down on me - And it's here to stay

Now, as I mentioned in the podcast, I really have no idea what it means to have your head on a dollar bill. At first I thought that maybe it was a misprint but, upon looking at several different sources on the lyrics, they all say the same thing. I thought maybe it was supposed to be, "had my HAND on the dollar bill" - but I guess not! PERHAPS it is implying that this person had achieved a certain level of importance that would cause some to want to put his image on money. I really don't know.

However, I DO know the point!

Money, fame, fortune - if you achieve it you need to also understand that it is fleeting! Here today, gone tomorrow!

Some people don't handle that too well, do they?

What about YOU?

It doesn't have to necessarily be fame and fortune - it could be a job, a relationship and a wide variety of other things that can be "taken away" in a moments notice.

And, again, what you DO in response to this is a choice - YOUR choice!

I love the simplicity of this message - WHERE IS YOUR FOCUS?

We can focus on the disappointments and we can focus on the "what went wrongs", the "what if's" and the "only if I's" if we choose.

OR we can shift our focus and realize that we have survived and we WILL survive and that the sun is still shining - yes even in the midst of all of the mess - and it IS here to stay! Regardless!

FOCUS!

So, what will YOU decide to do today? Just focus on TODAY, remember?

Even in the midst of life's ups and downs we can still CELEBRATE! (Hey, where's that "bootie shake" music?).

And as you do so - this will come easily if you are celebrating - be sure to always...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

The Ride of Life

The Ride of Life!

Do you enjoy a roller coaster ride? Yes? No? Here's what I have found - whether you answer "yes" or whether you answer "no", when it comes to roller coasters either answer is given with a lot of emphasis!

People either LOVE or HATE roller coaster rides! I don't know that I've ever met anyone that was neutral on this issue - "Oh, I dunno....I can take it or leave it." - I've NEVER heard that one!

You've heard me talk about the worst part for me -- the "going up" slowly to get ready for that first dramatic drop off. I am afraid of heights and when the roller coaster is making it's climb it is going slow enough for me to notice how high we are getting - I DON'T LIKE THAT PART!

But once we "release" and we began to speed down the track - although my stomach is going nuts - I LOVE IT! Sometimes I'm basically praying out loud, "Please don't break! Please don't break!", I still love the thrill and the excitement of a good roller coaster.

And then, there are those who won't even dare to get on one.

You know where I'm going with this, right? LIFE is a roller coaster ride! There are ups, downs, scary times and exciting times. Times in which we laugh until we almost cry and then there are the times that we just simply cry.

The holiday season is that way for a lot of people. For many with children, it is a WONDERFUL time of the year as the excitement builds and they get to watch the faces of their children on Christmas morning as they see what Santa brought! And, for other parents who are in tough financial shape, this very thought puts a knot in their stomach and they even dread Christmas morning.

For some, this is a wonderful time to share with family and loved ones while there are others that dread this time of the year because a loved one has passed on. I especially ache for those that are experiencing this for the first time and think of how blessed I am that my wife is still with me this holiday season after almost losing her to a heart attack this past August.

Not everyone experiences everything the same - let us all remember that and be aware and sensitive to that and help if and when we can!

This past weekend was a roller coaster of emotions for me. Friday night I got to spend another wonderful evening with some of my high school friends laughing and enjoying each others company. You've heard me talk about this many times before and you've even seen pictures of this posted on this blog. What a wonderful time! Then, on Saturday, we attended the wedding of a young man that was in one of my youth groups when I was a youth minister some years back. To have watched this young man grow up and then see him getting married was a real blessing and one that also brought a lot of joy to us. Two highs two days in a row!

Then, Sunday evening we learned of a young couple that we know that suffered a miscarriage. My wife and I have been through this experience and know the hurt and confusion that goes with this and our hearts ached for them as we cried together for them and also as our own memories came rushing back.

This is life, is it not?

Remember this - when you are laughing and experiencing great joy it is a sign of LIFE! You are alive! And, yes, when your heart is aching and your hurt so badly, this too is a sign of life that you are alive. Sometimes, in the midst of these "down times" we almost wish we weren't alive - but never ever forget that it is an indication that you are, indeed experiencing life - the good and the bad.

And, never forget that, "As long as there is breath there is hope!" Yes, even in the midst of such pain. Yes, even in the darkest of times. There IS hope!

As parents, there have been many times for all of us that we wished (and still do) that we could remove the hurt and pain from the lives of our children --- but we can't. And, really, that's a good thing for our children for they, too, must learn the lessons of life.

It's not always easy for us or them. And, it's sure not easy for us to watch them go through difficult times - but, again - IT IS LIFE and we are on THE RIDE OF LIFE!

One final thought - those of us that have experienced things that we see others experiencing for perhaps, the first time, have an excellent opportunity to share our lives with those that are hurting and/or confused. We are proof that these things ARE able to be survived and that life does, indeed, keep going.

So, friend, buckle that seat belt - or make sure that harness is over your shoulders and clicked in place and then...hang on for this ride that we are on - THE RIDE OF LIFE!

And, all along the way, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

You Have to Keep on Living!

Hey, one thing is for sure - life isn't always fair!

But, even though that is true, there is one defining factor that each and every one of us can claim as our own "secret plan". Want to know what it is?

"As long as there is breath there is hope!"

Surprised? Disappointed that it isn't something more than that? Again, sometimes the profound can be FOUND in the simple!

Yes, life can definitely knock you to your knees - but, what then? Will you stay there? Will you give up? Will you surrender?

Or, will you heed the rallying cry, "NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER GIVE IN, NEVER SURRENDER!" and rise to your feet to fight?

It is important for all involved to remember to fight - TO KEEP ON LIVING!

All of us have likely suffered setbacks in our lives that could cause us to sit in the shadows and slip into a deep, dark depression. And, some of us have done just that in the past. I've shared how that happened to me several years ago and I can say this with certainty - THAT'S NO WAY TO 'LIVE'!

Today I want to encourage you to LIVE in spite of adversity! I want to encourage you to rise above the pain, disappointment and the fear - and LIVE!

On today's podcast I shared a couple of examples in my own life that brought this discussion to my mind in the first place and I'll share them with you here in the blog as well.

As you know, my wife had a heart attack a little over a month ago and almost died. We know for a fact that she "flat lined" at least once. I'll get to the impact of THAT scenario in a moment, but first I'd like to discuss a different area connected to this that could stop us in our tracks.

BILLS.

That's right - medical bills. And, man, have they come pouring in! I still haven't quite figured out how we're going to handle them all - but we WILL find a way and we WILL be alright through it all! However, if we were to allow it, this - in and of itself - could knock us to our knees and throw us into deep despair!

Yet, before the first bill even arrived I told my wife that we would not let the bills stop us from living and enjoying life! Oh yes, there will be some things we will have to change and cut back on but I will not give in to the tendency to do that to the point that one ceases to enjoy life!

For example, now would not be the time for me to decide to buy a new car! That, in my opinion, would be quite foolish at this point in time. However, my wife and I did just return from a multiple day motorcycle ride up to Fayetteville, Arkansas for the Bikes, Blues and BBQ Festival there - the 3rd largest motorcycle rally in the United States.

Did it cost money? I think you can figure that one out. And, yes, there was a part of me at times (before we ever left) that thought, "We don't need to spend the money on the hotel, meals and gas right now." But I didn't let that thought prevail and we went anyway - and I am so glad we did.

For one, we now have another wonderful and memorable trip to add to our bank of memories - and pictures to look at as well. It was so good to get out in nature (the weather was GORGEOUS) and enjoy the feel of the air on our faces! It was good to see a lot of our friends and ride with a large group on Friday. All of this was good, but it was also IMPORTANT!

It was IMPORTANT for us to make this trip for another reason. I just talked about how we could not allow the bills to keep us from living - that was part of it for sure. But on the other side, it was even more IMPORTANT for us to make this trip and "keep on living".

Here's what I mean. My wife has had several people ask her in the weeks since her heart attack, "Aren't you afraid it's going to happen again?" Her answer, "No." Now, that's the shortened version of her answer because she explains something that is very important for all of us to realize!

She goes on to explain that she cannot live her life in fear! Sure, it may happen again - but it also may not! She cannot live each day in fear and allow that fear to paralyze her from living life!

I love that answer, don't you?

So, this trip was IMPORTANT for us to show others - and ourselves - that we WILL rise above this event and we WILL conquer any fear that wants to take us down and we WILL continue to live!

I'm proud of my wife! I'm proud of the way that she has filled her positive bank and knows how to put it to use in her life. I'm proud of her attitude on all of this and her determination to live life to the full - regardless!

Now, friend, listen... I do understand that many of you have been through a lot worse. Believe me, when I was sitting in the emergency room while the doctors worked on my wife, the idea of not ever getting to talk to her again crossed my mind several times - and I didn't like that thought at all.

If I had lost her - I know the impact would have been devastating. But, I do hope that, through time and with the aid of my positive deposits in my "bank" along with the help of many good friends I, too, would have chosen to live.

Friend, if you are struggling in this area - don't give up, don't give in and don't surrender. You CAN live again! You MUST live again!

Please feel free to contact me at anytime with thoughts, questions and/or input on this or any other topic - mike@futureyouuniversity.com

I'd love to hear from you and, as always...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

RECLAIM CONTROL!

We've talked about the fact that YOU have the ability to control your thoughts! That being so, if you can control your thoughts you can control your morning....your afternoon...your day...your week - YOUR LIFE!

Do you feel as if things have spun out of control? Why? What has caused that?

Listen, I understand that there are things that happen beyond our control. For example, parents may have a teen child involved in a terrible automobile accident which claims their life. Wow - I can't even imagine that! But it happens and it may have even happened to someone reading this blog. Perhaps it has been something else for you.

Can you STILL have control after such a devastating event?

YES, YOU CAN!

Please believe me when I say that I am not "down-playing" that tragic event in any way whatsoever. But, the bottom line is this - you STILL have a choice on how you handle that tragedy!

I know I would be devastated, stunned, shocked and numb. However, somewhere along the way you have to make a decision to go on living, as hard as that may seem. Again, it's a choice that YOU make - not anyone else.

Without going further into that scenario here's something I want all of us to consider - REGARDLESS of the circumstance (death, job loss, financial struggles, relationships, etc.) you DO have a choice!

If your world is out of control consider the thought that YOU have TURNED CONTROL over to someone or something along the way. Hard to swallow, I know - but I believe it to be true.

Go back to the blog and podcast on the word, "IF" -- how many of those still creep their way into your life and your "reasons" (excuses)?

You see, if you plan to overcome these six ghosts of fear that Napoleon Hill talked about in chapter 15 of his classic, "Think & Grow Rich", then you MUST reclaim control!

You will never - you can never - move forward in any area of your life without control!

Wow, think about that statement and consider how true it really is.

So, it's YOUR day...YOUR chance....YOUR choice -- RECLAIM CONTROL. The sooner the better!

By the way, please feel free to contact me at any time with comments, suggestions, etc. at mike@futureyouuniversity.com

I'd love to hear from you.

Until then....always remember to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

What Happened With My Wife's Heart Attack

I'm not trying to be morbid, but I've had a LOT of people ask me what happened with all of this. Some are just finding out about it and I thought that this would be an easier way to clear up rumors and misinformation that is out there as well.There is no way that I can call everyone and explain the same thing over and over again and there is no way in the world I can THANK EVERYONE enough for all of the thoughts and prayers. Please know from the bottom of our hearts how much we love and appreciate each one of you!

On Thursday afternoon, Aug. 20th, Janan was with our youngest son, Jordan at the local Jr. college getting him signed up for a course he is taking for his H.S. Senior year. While he was filling in some information on the computer she sat out in a hallway to wait and began to feel bad. She says that her chest began to hurt and she could hardly breathe. She told Jordan that she needed to go home and so they headed toward the house.Jordan has told me that he knew SOMETHING was wrong but that he wasn't sure what to do. Janan just told him to take her home and that she thought maybe she was having some sort of an allergic reaction.

Thank goodness I came home early on Thursday. I don't remember the exact time, but somewhere around 3 p.m. Jordan and Janan drove up and as soon as Janan got out of the truck I knew something was wrong. She was bending over as she was walking to the house saying that she didn't feel good at all. She went to the bedroom and lay down on the bed saying she just thought she needed to lay down. She did say that her throat felt like it was swelling so I got her some Benedryl to help with that but, upon continuing to question her, knew it was much more than that. Once she told me that her hands were tingling and that her left arm was hurting really bad I knew we had to get her to the doctor.

The 3 of us jumped in the Trailblazer with emergency lights flashing and made a very quick trip to town. NOTE TO DRIVERS: When someone is behind you with their flashers on and honking their horn at you - MOVE!

It had probably only been about 20 - 30 minutes from when she first began to feel bad at this time - so we were getting her to the hospital pretty quickly. We walked in and I told them I thought she was having a heart attack and they took her (with me right along beside her) back to the emergency room. Within minutes of hooking her up to all of the machines the doctor told us that, indeed, she was having a heart attack and that they had begun administering some medication to slow things down a bit and that they also were checking on the helicopter to come from the Heart Hospital in LR as well as check on their ambulances. I called our church office and asked the secretary to spread the word about Janan and within minutes I started getting calls on my cell phone. Some I just let go as things got very busy - but it was good to know that people were already reaching out.

The helicopter was unable to come from LR due to the weather and both ambulances were out at the moment but would be available very shortly as they continued to work with her. She was awake and able to talk to me - scared to death over what was taking place. I had to calm her as it all began to overwhelm her. The doctors told me that an ambulance was on the way and I asked them if I had time to run back to the house and grab some things since I knew we would be at the hospital at least overnight. Plans were for Jordan to spend the night at his grandparents home in Malvern - they had already been called and were to meet us at the hospital in LR.

For those that have never had to do this - do you know how hard it is to call your sons and tell them that their mother is having a heart attack? One lives in Ft. Worth (approx. 8 hours away) and the other in Houston (approx. 11 hours away)....they were both shocked at the news. Do you know how hard it is to call you in-laws and tell them that their daughter is having a heart attack? I was unable to keep a firm voice with ANY of them - as hard as I tried..but was able to get the message out that we were headed to LR in a few minutes.

Jordan and I made another quick trip back home to grab some clothes and then back to the hospital. This took maybe 20 minutes. As we got back to the hospital, a group of people from our church had already gathered in the waiting room and I was so glad that Jordan had someone to talk to. I made a straight path to the ER...I noticed out of the corner of my eye how quickly the lady behind the desk jumped up when she saw me heading toward the ER door. She met me on the other side and cut me off as I looked and saw around 10 - 12 people now over my wife working feverishly. They would not let me get to her. I know how important it is to stay out of their way.....but that was my wife and I needed to know what happened. I insisted that SOMEONE come tell me SOMETHING....the doctor came over and told me that they had to "shock" her and that she had even had a seizure while I was gone. (I WAS NOW BEATING MYSELF UP FOR EVEN LEAVING!!!)

They would not let me close enough to her but I insisted on being within eyeshot of her. My heart was being ripped out as I watched and could tell that they were working frantically to keep my wife alive. Two nurses insisted that I move down the hallway - but to a room out of even earshot???? I obeyed, but not for long...I had to at least have some clue what was going on. These were some of the worst moments for me --- I was so afraid that my wife was going to die right then and there.

They tried to get me to sit out in the lobby where everyone had gathered. I loved the people out there, but did not want to be out there - I needed to be near my wife. I also did not want my son to see me in the state I was in at the moment. The time came that they said there were ready to transport her and that I could speak to her - even though she was unconscious - before they wheeled her out. I asked the nurse to get my son and I spoke to him at the door and told him quickly what was happening and to see if he wanted to say something to her - he did.She was strapped down....they were "hand pumping" air into her lungs and she was unconscious - hard for anyone to see and I really hated Jordan seeing this....but, to be honest.....I didn't know if this might be the last time we had to speak to her. My heart aches even just typing that - but it was true.

As they wheeled her out, we ran through the doors past the waiting crowd to go get in our car. The ambulance driver told me that he would be driving "code 3" - I had no idea what that meant, but I knew it was fast. We had to sit in the parking lot a few minutes as they got everything situated and I know several came by the side of the car and patted my arm and said stuff to me - but I couldn't tell you who said what for the life of me. Thank you to those of you that consoled Jordan on the other side of the car.

The ambulance was finally ready to go with lights on and sirens blazing - we left the hospital headed to LR (about a 2 hour drive). I tried to keep things light as I told Jordan that this would be the fastest trip to LR that he had ever made. -- Yes, we were moving fast.

Little was said between Jordan and myself. We were both lost in our own thoughts. As hard as I tried to stay positive I couldn't help but keep thinking, "What do I say to my boys....her parents.....how do I survive without her?" Tears were streaming down my eyes as I drove.

For those that know the area, not too far before we reached Locust Grove (about 25 miles) I began to notice another ambulance coming up in my rear view mirror. Now there's a dilemma! You're behind one ambulance with your wife in the back when another one comes up behind you - what do you do?

It was not coming up very fast - I was glad of that because it made my decision easier....and then it happened.The ambulance that was carrying my wife pulled over at Locust Grove and the other ambulance pulled up beside it -- a big, husky guy jumped out of the 2nd ambulance and climbed into the ambulance that was transporting my wife. I couldn't help but say to Jordan," Son, I'm not trying to be negative, but that's not good."

The main ambulance sped away and the 2nd ambulance decided to get in front of me - between me and the ambulance with my wife. NOT A GOOD PLAN! The main ambulance was pulling away.....increasing their speed as the 2nd ambulance was lagging behind. I was about to come unglued and decided that the road was about as clear as it was going to get as we came upon a straight stretch. I looked around the 2nd ambulance and saw that there were oncoming cars but that they were pulled over - so I pulled out with my flashers on and began to flash my lights and I floored it. You may think this was stupid...but you weren't in my shoes and I HAD to stay close to the main ambulance!!

All I know is that as I got around the 2nd ambulance and got closer to the main ambulance, I looked down at the speedometer and it was registering 100 mph (Jordan later told me he was watching it and it got to 105-110). In other words, this main ambulance had picked things up considerably which, again, was another sign that was not good.

One thought kept going through my head -- please, keep moving...keep the lights and sirens on. Why? I did not want to see the lights get turned off and the ambulance slow down. I assumed as long as they were moving fast and had their lights on she was still alive.

We got to the intersection in Batesville where you could either turn right to go to Searcy (and on to LR)or left to go into Batesville and they had their signal on to go to Batesville - not a good thing to see again. Once again I told my son, "Jordan....that's not good either."

People along this stretch of road had to wonder what in the world was going on....2 ambulances with a guy between them with his flashers on and his lights flashing!

We got to the hospital and ran up as they began to prepare to unload my wife. The look on one of the EMT's face scared me bad. Honestly, he looked lost. It was as if he already had made a connection as he looked at me - and I didn't like what I saw in his eyes. I did not want Jordan to see that so I grabbed him and held him close and he finally unleashed the tears. We both held each other and sobbed uncontrollably as the EMT mouthed the words, "She's alive" -- which, to be honest, was not all that comforting either.

As they rushed her into the Batesville hospital emergency room they rushed Jordan and I off to another waiting room. Do you know how much I hate those???? Jordan and I prayed and cried together as we waited for some news.(((Yes, I had made more calls during this time to dear friends as well as to my sons and to my mother-in-law......thank you for those that were receiving my calls as I did not do too well holding it together))))

I could not stay in the room the whole time so I wandered out in the hall to try to see what was going on - the one EMT that had made eye contact with me told me that she had been sedated but it had not been enough to last until LR and she was fighting them and the tubes so they had to get more help in the ambulance. I knew that she likely was fighting them....but I also know enough to know that they have more medication in that ambulance....so, again, I knew it was not good at all. (I later learned - not to my surprise - that she had "crashed" on her way to LR so they need to get to the closest hospital at that time).

My doctor friend told me they were going to do a heart cath. while she was there which would get us ahead of the game before going on to LR - and assured me that if it were his wife, that is what he would want. I trusted him with that and thanked him.

Some time later the cardiologist came to where we were and told us that a couple of stints had been put in and that what had happened was very unusual. I can't remember much from that time to be honest, but he used the word "fractured" or "splintered" the best I can remember. Not thinking clearly I asked him when we would be taking her on to LR and told me that there was no need because he had already done what needed to be done.

I was later told that it was a very good thing that he was there when she was brought in. I believe that to be true. More phone calls for the update. Emotions raw and flowing. Worrying about my son driving from Ft. Worth with his wife while so emotionally worked up. Talking to my other son in Houston that was so upset because he didn't' think he'd be able to get away and how it was killing him. I assured him it was o.k. and that Janan knew he'd be there if he could. Later he called and said he had been able to make arrangements to be there which meant them leaving around 12:30 a.m. Friday morning -- worry with that too.

She spent Thursday night, Friday and Friday night , and part of Saturday in I.C.U. and was moved to a room that was a "step down" from I.C.U. on Saturday afternoon. She was released to come home on Monday afternoon.

I went without sleep for 40 hours. I stayed by her side the whole time. The only time I left that room was to go get something to eat. There was no way I was going anywhere. Her mom and dad as well as Jordan, Jeremy and Cassidy and Jacob and Beth all were there by Friday evening...and it made an incredible difference in her. She was so glad to have them all there.

Again, I write all of this to share with you as much as I could. There was a lot of misinformation out there as well as some not knowing anything. I can't help but put in my thoughts and emotions as well - that's just me.

We are glad to be home and are so thankful for all that have prayed for us and kept us in their thoughts. I would say that there were easily over 1,000 people doing just that during this very scary time.

Key thing - she came home with me. Thank you, Lord.

Thank you Jeremy and Cassidy as well as Jacob and Beth for coming - it made a difference for mom to have her boys surround her.

And Jordan. Wow. No son should have to go through what he did. But he did and he did so very well. I earned a whole new level of respect for him through this - so proud of him. He took another stop into manhood during this for sure.

Thank you for allowing me to share this - it is good for me to get it out. Thank you all for your love and your concern. Some of you I don't know and will likely never meet...but thanks to each and every one!

Our next step is to try to figure out exactly what caused this and to see if we can keep it from happening again. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers through this process as well. She is tired - as would be expected - but has no real restrictions on activity, etc.I hope this answers a lot of questions for a lot of people.

Feel free to email me if I left something out that is important.