Never a dull moment

I have been really looking forward to June...Chris was supposed to be home all month, had a lighter schedule, was going to tackle potty training with Austin, work on some projects at home. Well, life doesn't always quite happen like you think it will.  Around 4 am Friday morning (China time) i woke up because Bennett woke and then felt a strange feeling around my heart.  I probably would have written it off except that I know my pacemaker is in its last year and so I was a little more concerned than normal.  I had it checked last in March, where it had an estimate 12 months of battery power, with a minimum of three.  I was planning to go in and get it checked soon, but went ahead in Friday morning to the Chinese hospital where I go.  To my surprise (and everyone else in the room), I had moved to reserve or emergency power mode in the middle of the night (which i could feel at 4 am).  The doctor there wanted to operate immediately- like that afternoon!  Or she said if I went back I should go immediately and have it done within a week, but she "wouldn't guarantee anything".  So I was pretty freaked out.  But I went home and called my US cardiologist office (this was 11:30 pm America time). Fortunately my actual doctor was on call and called me back in 10 minutes.  He assured me this reserve mode should last one month at least, though I would feel uncomfortable b/c it does the bare minimum.  So he recommended surgery this coming week.

SO, Friday was a blur of buying tickets, packing all 4 of us, tying up loose ends and making phone calls and by 3:45 pm we were driving to the airport.  I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to feel the changes, getting tickets immediately and having people to help us.  We arrived in Richmond Friday night- the boys did pretty well on the plane though poor Austin did have a couple of meltdowns. But he also slept about 8 hours.  Now I am up at 2 am with Bennett, eating ice cream.  My surgery is scheduled for 8 am MOnday morning east coast time- would love prayers!  For my health and for Chris and the boys as we still recover from jet lag and a sudden change of plans.  We plan to be here a month if all goes well.   Hopefully only the pacemaker itself needs to be replaced and not the wires...if so it is only outpatient and a faster recovery.  OK, I am going to try and put Bennett down and see if I can get some sleep!