No, this isn’t a metaphor for Wendy’s emotions. :-) Wendy literally needs surgery for a “broken” heart! She and two of her three siblings inherited mitral valve prolapse (MVP) from their dad, Conrad DeGroot, who tragically drowned in 1970 at age 36 due to fainting in a hot spring while teaching his son to swim. So while Wendy’s weak valve was discovered when she was one year old, the medical strategy has been to avoid surgery for as long as possible. (MVP means that Wendy’s valve doesn’t close all the way with every heart beat, causing her heart to pump less efficiently. If left uncorrected for too long, her heart could have permanent damage.) After years of receiving annual echocardiograms, Dr. Eric Ernst of U of M Physicians via Fairview Southdale has told us that surgery shouldn’t just happen this year...it should happen this winter!
This column lacks my usual efforts at inspirational insights into youth juggling. However, consider this a warm-up toward a future column (or two) regarding how our bodies are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) and that every heartbeat is a gift. Our nervousness for this surgery is eclipsed by our gratitude for her healthy life up to this point and our hope of full restoration. Would you join us in praying for wisdom and skill for her doctors and for patience and recovery for us so that we’ll have many more years together of faithful service to our God, family, company, and community? We’re resting in our Great Physician!
Dependent on God for Every Heartbeat Since 1968,
Paul
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