The Strongest Woman I Know
 

On December 1st, I took my wife to our local hospital with shortness of breath and chest pains. They admitted her to the hospital in Mishawaka, Indiana to run tests. They found that she needed her aortic heart valve replaced due to a congenital defect of which we were not aware. Because she has numerous other medical conditions, they sent her to Loyola Medical Center in Chicago. She had heart valve replacement surgery on Christmas Eve. My 2 sons and I spent a quiet Christmas in Chicago, while we were waiting for her to wake up from the surgery. To make a long story short, after fighting her way back from death on 4 different occasions, we finally got her home to a local rehabilitation hospital today. She has a tracheostomy and a feeding tube, but today at the rehab center they put a valve in her tracheostomy which allowed her to talk. Hearing her voice for the first time since before Christmas moved me to tears. She still has a long road ahead of her, but with her determination and will to live I am confident she will come all the way back. She is known in TOTV as rosygail, and she loves her ragdoll cat as well as ballroom dancing and crafts. I am looking forward to the day that we can move to our villa full time and meet so many of the wonderful people on this site. She would love to hear from any of you!

Oh my. You all have been through so much. Please tell Rosiegail that I am sending love and prayers and know that it won't be too long until she can be home with her kitties again and feeling much better.

I know it had to be so hard on the whole family to watch her and not hear her speak.

Get her well and bring her home to us.

May she have a comfortable and complete recovery. We wish you both many sunshine days ahead!
The folks at Loyola are the best. My brother received a heart transplant
there. Know that your bride was in very good hands at Loyola.
God Bless.

Yes, the folks at Loyola were the best - she had so many complications I don't think any other hospital could have handled it. Thank goodness our local heart surgeons realized her high probability of complications and immediately referred us to Loyola.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

that is quite a road your family has traveled...i am sure many prayers are with you and i hope you will soon be Grovers full time!

Your love for Rosygail shines through your post. She is lucky to have such a great support. Determination and motivation make all the difference in the world. Good luck to you both. I am sending you a PM to read to Rosygail and I hope it helps.

Rosygail, You hang in there girl! Soon you will be living the fun and healthy lifestyle The Villages offers. Peace and love to ya!

Thoughts and prayers coming your way for a speedy recovery. :pray:

Sending blessings your way...........

Stay strong. You've all been through quiet an ordeal, to say the least. May God bless you all. Give her my love and best wishes.

Many prayer's and kind thoughts are being sent your way. She is lucky to have a wonderful husband like you.

See you in Tamarind Grove.

You are both (all) very brave. Things like this can help bring families together. My best wishes to you for a continued good recovery!

rosygail
Get well soon!
Prayers are going your way!
You have a wonderful family support and you are in a great hospital ( from what posters here are saying)
May God Bless you!