Dear Island Friends,
As of 11AM, today, Friday 11/14, Mama Pip successfully underwent
a complicated open heart surgery, consisting of a replacement
aortic valve, cleaning up scar tissue and wiring her up for an
upcoming implanted pacemaker/defibrilator! The surgeon was very
pleased with the outcome and feels we should have her back, better
than new, in a few weeks.
Due to her complicated surgery and very weakened state, her progress
will be slow and probably she will get a bit frustrated. One of
us will be with her every step of the way to ensure that she does
what she needs to do but gets the much, much needed rest that
her body needs right now.
We appreciate so much all of your love and support that you've
offered to us all. It has kept us all afloat! Some of you have
asked when you can visit her and we are so touched by this sweet
desire but it's just way too early for visitors. She has a long
recovery in her near future and her doctor and nurses have advised
us to please keep our visits limited and to please ask friends
to continue with their prayers and words of encouragement as she
slowly regains her strength enough to make the trek back to her
beloved island home. When she is stronger and begins to get out
and about again, she will look forward to seeing some of you and
being among the island community once again, though she will still
need some rest and healing time.
We can't express our appreciation to you all for your prayers
and kind offers. It has overwhelmed us all and touched our souls.
I am compiling a notebook of all of her cards, e-mails, pictures
of her flowers and lists of phone well-wishers, which she can
REALLY enjoy when she is stronger.
We have also been asked about gifts of flowers. She adores them
but is allergic to flowers near her. Her garden, however, is quite
another matter! It is her pride and joy and she so enjoys "playing"
in it, but was unable to enjoy it this past Summer because of
her weakened condition. We are hoping some of you who have gardens
of your own, might consider sharing a "slip" or bulb
from your garden to add to the healing garden we are planning
for her in the Spring. Any perennial that you think needs weeding
out or a bulb plant to add in the Spring would be such a surprise
for her. Just a thought...
With great gratitude,
The Ross/Caldwell/Murray clan