Yesterday, 24 February, marked one year since I had my heart attack and was hospitalized at York Hospital. I am feeling very thankful for all the support I had and continue to have following my by-pass surgery. Family and friends continue to give me support. Although dialysis keeps me on schedule for Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I am still able to get around...I just have to plan more carefully.
To change my Gettysburg routine, I enrolled again for a workshop at the Alliance Française (Difficulté du Français). Half of the class are from the winter term. The first session was today. It is enjoyable to be with other Francophiles.
Showing posts with label York Hospital. Show all posts
Showing posts with label York Hospital. Show all posts
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Monday, March 23, 2015
Connections
I am beginning my 11th day at ManorCare Rehab. The time here has been helpful in making practical connections between my surgery, measured actions, and my life upon returning to my house. At this point, I know that I can manage at home with all of the support from close friends and family.
One of the interesting developments for me during this time of illness has been the connections with family and longimte friends. The telephone calls as well as the visits from family and friends reminded my how my life has been rooted in communal interaction. The depth of the relationships is more than I ever knew. Charles and Carolyn Jackson, my friends from Cleveland, call me every evening to find out how I am. I received flowers and fruit decor from Gettyburg Seminary, Advent Lutheran Church (the parish I served in Cleveland), Weni from grad school, and Preston and Jean (from grad school). During the pre-op Michael Cooper-White, president of Gettysburg Seminary also came to visit.
I am trying to recall from family and friends but I cannot pinpoint the pre or post-op on the timeline. Jeanie and Robert (my sister and brother-in-law) came the weekend before my surgery and returned the weekend following my surgery. Ricky and Teri (cousin and wife), came to York after the operation as well. I think that I grew up appreciating strong family ties. These ties certainly are important duirng this period of my life. Hearing from the younger generation in the family (Kianja, Kilolo, Marric, and Martez) reminds me that the Strobert family ties continue to be strong. Patricia Pasqual, my good and longtime friend, took the bus from DC to York to visit me one Saturday when I was in York Hospital. Bob Musser a classmate who is a pastor in Fox Chapel, PA came to visit me as well. That was a 4 hour trip for a few minutes of conversation. My colleague, Leoanard Hummel stopped by ManorCare to visit me while I on his way to Gettysburg from Baltimore. I am overwhelmed by such gestures.
My Gettysburg connections are stronger than imagined. Anthony and Margaret are Nicastro have kept up with me pre and post op. They also have been able to take in my mail and give me practical advice. They brought me a hospital bag with toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, lotion, cotton tips etc. when I arrived at York Hospital. Crump, Schramm, and Stjerna continue to be an awesome trinity. Stjerna left for Bologne, Italy, a few days after the visit and will return with great cuisine ideas. I look forward to some of the Italian dishes she might prepare and share.
I go through my ups and down feelings but I have to say that the gospel continues to sustain me through the pre and post-operation issues. The gospel that calls us into "mutual conversation and consolation" continues nourish me. Peter Kuhn, Manager of Spiritual life and Education at York Hospital has been a true spiritual guide. Although we have been friends in Gettysburg, his pastoral side has been so helpful to me. He is a gift to public ministry. With Jospeh and Beverly Donnella, I have share good conversations with their visits. Beverley has brought me the eucharist which strengthens me through my ups and downs. The communal Christian life is powerful. I have talked about the importance that being connected to the outside world has been for me with my iPhone and iPad. Participation in the eucharist has kept me connected with the church catholic. That gives me such strength and hope. In addition, knowing that there are friends and family who continue to pray for me sustains me. I am not in isolation.
One of the interesting developments for me during this time of illness has been the connections with family and longimte friends. The telephone calls as well as the visits from family and friends reminded my how my life has been rooted in communal interaction. The depth of the relationships is more than I ever knew. Charles and Carolyn Jackson, my friends from Cleveland, call me every evening to find out how I am. I received flowers and fruit decor from Gettyburg Seminary, Advent Lutheran Church (the parish I served in Cleveland), Weni from grad school, and Preston and Jean (from grad school). During the pre-op Michael Cooper-White, president of Gettysburg Seminary also came to visit.
I am trying to recall from family and friends but I cannot pinpoint the pre or post-op on the timeline. Jeanie and Robert (my sister and brother-in-law) came the weekend before my surgery and returned the weekend following my surgery. Ricky and Teri (cousin and wife), came to York after the operation as well. I think that I grew up appreciating strong family ties. These ties certainly are important duirng this period of my life. Hearing from the younger generation in the family (Kianja, Kilolo, Marric, and Martez) reminds me that the Strobert family ties continue to be strong. Patricia Pasqual, my good and longtime friend, took the bus from DC to York to visit me one Saturday when I was in York Hospital. Bob Musser a classmate who is a pastor in Fox Chapel, PA came to visit me as well. That was a 4 hour trip for a few minutes of conversation. My colleague, Leoanard Hummel stopped by ManorCare to visit me while I on his way to Gettysburg from Baltimore. I am overwhelmed by such gestures.
My Gettysburg connections are stronger than imagined. Anthony and Margaret are Nicastro have kept up with me pre and post op. They also have been able to take in my mail and give me practical advice. They brought me a hospital bag with toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, lotion, cotton tips etc. when I arrived at York Hospital. Crump, Schramm, and Stjerna continue to be an awesome trinity. Stjerna left for Bologne, Italy, a few days after the visit and will return with great cuisine ideas. I look forward to some of the Italian dishes she might prepare and share.
I go through my ups and down feelings but I have to say that the gospel continues to sustain me through the pre and post-operation issues. The gospel that calls us into "mutual conversation and consolation" continues nourish me. Peter Kuhn, Manager of Spiritual life and Education at York Hospital has been a true spiritual guide. Although we have been friends in Gettysburg, his pastoral side has been so helpful to me. He is a gift to public ministry. With Jospeh and Beverly Donnella, I have share good conversations with their visits. Beverley has brought me the eucharist which strengthens me through my ups and downs. The communal Christian life is powerful. I have talked about the importance that being connected to the outside world has been for me with my iPhone and iPad. Participation in the eucharist has kept me connected with the church catholic. That gives me such strength and hope. In addition, knowing that there are friends and family who continue to pray for me sustains me. I am not in isolation.
Friday, March 20, 2015
The Unexpected
It is now two weeks and one day since my open-heart surgery. Let me share the events of last three few weeks. I woke up with a pain in my chest at about 6 AM on Tuesday 24 February. I waited until Dr. Miller's office opened and called to describe the pain. The nurse told me to go to the emergency room at Gettysburg hospital. Rather drive myself I called my friend Eric Crump and he was able to take me. I arrived late morning and after x-rays, EKG, etc. the doctor informed me that the issue was my heart and that I would have to go to York Hospital. With that news I was taken by ambulance to York Hospital. On Thursday 5 March I had open-heart surgery. On March 12 I was transferred to ManorCare rehab center in York, PA. While I was disappointed that I was not returning directly home, I have benefitted from the occupational and physical therapy sessions. In addition to rehab, I also am on dialysis which began two days before my surgery. At this point, the doctor does not know whether I will continue to have dialysis. I'll just wait and see what the tests indicate.
I am impressed by the therapy team here at ManorCare. There are times when I'm not in a pleasant mood but their high energy and commitment to their vocations gets me smiling.
This time of hospitalization and rehab makes me reflect on various parts of life, my life and the church. My prayers times have me humming or reflecting on the words of familiar hymns reminding me of God's unfailing graciousness. In addition to meditating on the Romans 8:31ff texts, I have also used Letters and Papers from Prison of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Although I read the work many years ago, his remarks are helping me in this recuperation period of my life.
I am impressed by the therapy team here at ManorCare. There are times when I'm not in a pleasant mood but their high energy and commitment to their vocations gets me smiling.
This time of hospitalization and rehab makes me reflect on various parts of life, my life and the church. My prayers times have me humming or reflecting on the words of familiar hymns reminding me of God's unfailing graciousness. In addition to meditating on the Romans 8:31ff texts, I have also used Letters and Papers from Prison of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Although I read the work many years ago, his remarks are helping me in this recuperation period of my life.
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