A New Perspective on Strength

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26

The last few weeks have been VERY busy with my student teaching...and as a result my updates have not been quite frequent! I do apologize!

Over the past four weeks I have been journeying through my student teaching experience. This experience has been a fully packaged deal in a way I never could have imagined!

First, the individual's I work with are a complete blessing and gift. I could not be more fortunate! Second, I am learning so many new things about teaching that I had not yet experienced. Third, everyone is so helpful, generous, supportive, and accommodating. Fourth, and MOST importantly, I see God at work EVERY DAY! I have never seen God at work in my life in a more vivid way than now. Each day I step into my school God's plans, timing, faithfulness, graciousness, and strength are revealed and unfolded in every single detail.

A couple weeks ago, I met with a new Cardiac specialist in downtown Chicago. This first time meeting went very well and I felt very confident that this doctor is a good fit for while I am out here in Chicago. Our next appointment out in Chicago with this specialist is in mid-April.

About a week ago, I received notice that I would be continuing the "heart transplant process" by having some of the pre-testing done downtown Chicago. These tests and other procedures must be done in order to get me ready to be placed onto the heart transplant list. This past Friday, March 6th I spent the day getting some of these tests completed. Though there were some frustrating complications with the scheduling aspects of these tests, they were completed on Friday in good spirits! (We do not have any updates on these tests yet. We will update these results when we know more!)

Most recently, in the past couple days, I have been having some pretty severe shortness of breath. The best way I can explain it is that I feel that I cannot get enough air to satisfy what my body needs. I also feel like my body is just exhausted physically after activities that take a lot of energy like showering, using stairs, erasing the board at school, and other random times. This can get frustrating for me because I feel that it sets me back on what I need and want to get done! I had been doing fairly well considering all of the busy schedules with my teaching until a couple days ago, so your prayers for continued strength are so appreciated!

In spite of the last couple days, it truly is incredible the strength God provides me with each second of the day. I don't even ask for it and it is given to me as a gift! We are so undeserving and God gives us SO much! God knows our EVERY need and provides us with these needs at the PERFECT time. 2 Samuel 22:33 says, "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." Just when I am feeling like I cannot go up another stair or another stroke while erasing the board--God provides me with that strength in such a PERFECT way and in such a PERFECT moment. I praise Him for these things.

So whether my heart is literally failing, spiritually failing, or emotionally failing I choose to claim God as my strength for HE IS strength. His strength is perfect.

His strength is perfect for ALL of our needs, so remember to praise Him for the ways in which He has given YOU strength on a daily basis.

I am learning that through my physical, emotional, and spiritual weaknesses I may better see my need for Christ. God has revealed to me my desperate need to rely on Him daily for everything--even strength to shower in the morning.

For when WE are Weak He is made STRONG. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

So I thank you again for continuing to pray for me and journey ahead with me even when we cannot see the road ahead. I am so thrilled with where God is using me for His kingdom right at this current moment and I look forward to what He has for me ahead in my future.

Prayer Requests:
- Pray that we find out or control what is causing this worsened shortness of breath
- Pray that I am not retaining fluid (I have had a rapid weight gain)
- Pray that the "weird circulation sensations" in my legs improves (sometimes I feel that my legs are giving out on me as well as my arms)

In Christ,
Heidi


Here is a praise and worship song that has been ringing through my thoughts constantly...titled "Salvation is Here"

God above all the world in motion,
God above all my hopes and fears,
Well I don't care what the world throws at me now,
It's gonna be alright!


Hear the sounds of the generations,
Making loud our freedom song,
All in all that the world will know Your name,
We're gonna be alright!

Cause I know my God saved the day,
And I know His word never fails,
And I know my God made a way for me,
Salvation is here.

God above all the world in motion,
God above all my hopes and fears,
Well I don't care what the world throws at me now,
It's gonna be alright!

Cause I know my God saved the day,
And I know His word never fails,
And I know my God made a way for me,
It's gonna be alright!

Cause I know my God saved the day,
And I know His word never fails,
And I know my God made a way for me,
Salvation is here.

Salvation is here,
Salvation is here and it lives in me,
Salvation is here,
Salvation in God means to set me free,
Salvation is here,
Salvation is here and it lives in me,
Salvation is here,
Cause you are alive and you live in me!
Salvation is here,
Salvation is here and it lives in me,
Salvation is here,
Cause you are alive and you live in me!

Cause I know my God saved the day,
And I know His word never fails,
And I know my God made a way for me,
It's gonna be alright!

Cause I know my God saved the day,
And I know His word never fails,
And I know my God made a way for me,
Salvation is here.

Salvation is here and it lives in me,
Salvation is here,
Cause you are alive and you live in me!
Salvation is here.

Hallelujah!

Today was my final cardiologist/doctor's appointment before returning to Chicago to finish my senior year! Hallelujah!

In the last week many things have improved and there are many praises:

- my nausea has greatly improved, but still remains from time to time
- Blood work findings have become more clear
- my surgery recovery is going pretty well, quite a bit less soreness and pain
- my immune system has remained relatively healthy!
- sleep has been a bit better
- Doctors have been able to stabilize my cardiac medications for the time being

I would appreciate your continued prayer for:

- I have pretty bad tendinitis in my left shoulder/armpit area from the ICD surgery, please pray for gradual movement and strength in this area as it is quite painful and immobilizing at times
- Strength for my overall body and spirit (I have lost a lot of previous physical strength, weight and endurance)
- My acceptance of this new lifestyle with an ICD
- A positive attitude for the coming weeks ahead out in Chicago

This week I had two doctor's appointments and some more blood work done. After carefully going over the heart transplant blood "workup" my specialists informed us that it looks like I have a "metabolic syndrome" developing (pre-diabetes). We spent some time discussing the different details and options that are involved and decided it would be a good intervention to begin a new medication to lower my triglycerides and cholesterol. My hemoglobin A1C, triglycerides, cholesterol, calcium, bun, and blood sugar have been quite high or very high. Many of these things are related to a development of diabetes and must be monitored closely to best treat any further development. We will let you know about any further information on this additional health "complexity" when we know more!

My next doctor's appointment will be in mid-February to meet with the Heart Failure/Transplant specialist in Chicago. Updates about this visit will follow later in the month of February. No more doctor's appointments...just blood work! Hallelujah!

For now, I am stable and praising God for every minute of it! I truly am looking forward to returning to Chicago to complete the semester and begin my student teaching! Saturday is just upon us! Please pray that God would give me strength to do more things on my own since the surgery, develop more endurance that has been lost, and energy during the long days ahead for my student teaching!

Updates to come again soon!
In Christ,
Heidi

Deuteronomy 10:21

He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.

Deuteronomy 32:3
I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!

Surgery Update

Just wanted to post a quick update on Heidi's status post-op:

She is out of surgery, alert, and seems to be doing well. My parents and Heidi agree that the staff have been wonderful. Heidi is in some pain but is hoping that the pain medications kick in soon.

A more detailed update will follow...

In Christ's Love,

Whitney (Heidi's sister)

Surgery Date Scheduled

Heidi has received notice of a surgery date- praise the Lord! This news is truly an answer to prayer, as the necessary communication and scheduling happened in such a timely manner after a decision was made to go ahead with the procedure.

This Wednesday, January 14th at 9:00 A.M. (Eastern Standard Time) Heidi will be having an AICD implanted at a hospital in Connecticut. Click here for more information about AICD's.

Heidi will need to stay overnight at the hospital after her surgery. In general, recovery time from a surgery like this can vary.

Your prayers, words of encouragement, and support have been greatly appreciated. It is so evident that God is at work and that his perfect will is unfolding just as he planned it long ago (Psalm 139).

Here is how you can be praying for the Gropp Family in the coming week:

-For God's protection of Heidi during the surgery
-Guidance for the surgeon's hands as the device is implanted
-Heidi's overall health prior to, during, and after the procedure (restful sleep, free of infections)
-Heidi's anxiety and concerns about the upcoming procedure and her concerns about the cosmetics of the AICD in her chest
-Strength, energy, and comfort for the Gropp Family as they seek to support Heidi through this trying time
-And last, but certainly not least, that God's kingdom purposes would be evident in the midst of Heidi's circumstances

Psalm 139: 13-18,

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

Decisions

The last two days I have felt quite torn in my decision to move forward with having the AICD (defibrillator) surgery. There are many decisions to make regarding who will perform the surgery, how it will be implanted, where it will be placed, at what hospital, and when the surgery will be performed.

The last 48 hours has been a lot of waiting to hear from several different specialists who have tried to help us sift through the decisions and details. We have now heard from a variety of specialists and I feel a bit overwhelmed with all of the options and details. I have sat on my thoughts about the smartest and safest way to have this surgery performed and have contacted a few doctors about setting a date for surgery. The only problem is one is on vacation! So as soon as we are in touch, I will set up a date and will be ready to move forward and have the surgery completed. More updates on surgery date to follow, Thanks again for all of your support and prayers!

Heidi

January 6, 2009

Today started with an evaluation by an electrophysiologist locally who in discussion with Heidi's heart failure specialist at NY Presbyterian Cornell, feels Heidi definitely needs an AICD (automated internal cardiac defibrillator)sooner than later. This device gives your heart a "jump start" if it decides to go into a dangerous rhythm and stop. He also felt we should consult a plastic surgeon regarding the best way to place the device in her smaller frame. Our hope is that we can coordinate this very soon so that Heidi can return to school in Chicago in a timely fashion.
We then went on to see the Cornell doctor, (Dr. Horn) who reviewed the results of the cardiac catheterization with us in more detail. The results indicate that Heidi should start the process for heart transplant. While this can be more fully addressed late spring, it is a long "application process" and a potentially long wait for a donor heart, so she actually had 21 vials of blood drawn today in preparation for further work up. Heidi told the technician she'd like to negotiate $100.00 per vial! Meanwhile, we are happy we didn't have to carry her back to the subway! While the overall readings of the cardiac catheterization are not desirable, the good news is that she does not appear to have any current clinical features that would not allow her to be on the heart transplant list.
Our current prayer concerns are:
*For wisdom in deciding on a "team" for the AICD surgery (cardiac and plastic surgeon) and for it's speedy organization and healing.
*For wisdom, trust and patience as we see God's plan unfold for Heidi finishing her senior year at college.
*For Heidi's general protection of body and spirit in the days ahead.

Psalm 73:28
"But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds."

We are thankful for the outpouring of God's kindness through our friends and family.
Kim Gropp