MONDAY - Nov 10, 2008

Joy Bilozir Update

Please pray and support this couple. I can't even begin to imagine the stress and heartbreak they are going through.

Their address is;

507 37th Street SW

Calgary, AB T3C 1R8

God bless.

Jim Stoddard

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Ghon Eckley - Surgery Update #1

Hi everyone-

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Ghon and I arrived at Hopkins this morning about 5:45. By 6:00 he was taken to pre-op, where I expected to be able to meet up with him after his initial prep. Since I had Jonathan with me, that was not to be. The nurse brought him back to the waiting room to say goodbye and hand me his wedding ring. That was hard - I just about lost it after he left. Thanks for strangers with tissues. Around 6:45, the surgeon came to speak to me after meeting with Ghon. He mentioned that the nurses were working on a way for Ghon to see me and Jonathan one more time...and luckily, we were able to to so, albeit for 2-3 minutes.

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Ghon was taken to the OR about 7am, surgery started around 8:30. I received updates every two hours. The procedure was supposed to take 4-5 hours, and took just a bit over that in the end. The original plan was to replace the mitral valve (that was repaired in 2005), replace a section of the aorta and the aortic valve, and possibly repair the tricuspid valve. In the end, the mitral valve was replaced with a mechanical valve, the tricuspid was repaired, and the aora and aortic valve were untouched. In 2005 there was the same chance of repair on those, and the surgeon felt that althought the valve is bicuspid when it should be a tri - and his aorta enlarged - they were working fine, showed no deterioration from 2005 and were not repaired/replaced.

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I was able to see Ghon in the ICU for a bit about 5:00. He told be presurgery that a thumbs up would be his signal. He's still under some heavy sedation, but doing well. When I told him I was there and took his hand, he moved his thumb a bit - and confirmed with a slight head nod that I was getting the thumbs up that he'd made it. I'm headed back with his son Eric in an hour. The hope is to have him off the ventilator tommorrow morning. Had he come to the ICU sooner (he didn't make it there until close to 3:00), they may have removed it tonight. For those that have spoken directly to Ghon about the surgery, you know the tube was a cause of concern and discomfort for him.

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I'll update again once he is moved to a regular room. Thanks to everyone for all the thoughts and prayers, emails and phone calls for Ghon and our family. They are greatly appreciated - and working. Keep them up, please.

Thanks,

Kim

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Chilihead Question

If someone can answer, please do.

Hi
I've been making a few of the recipes on your site, but having a problem. Its seems that when I make chili its kinda grainy or gritty. I see in your rules that this is not a desired attribute, but I've searched high and low on the internet and can't find out why this happens and how to avoid it.
Any help you can supply would be great. Also, might be worthwhile posting this on your great site.
Thanks
David

dmecom@nyc.rr.com

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