Most folks on these list know Monte & Noma Wike and their contribution to Catawba Valley genealogy. Monte has been laid low recently. I am passing on news of his situation from his daughter, Sarah. --Derick At 10:32 AM 10/17/2005, you wrote: >Dearest Family and Friends, > >This is Sarah Campbell, youngest daughter of Monte & Noma Wike and I am >writing on behalf of dad. He sends his apologies for not being able to >send this message himself, however, he is in the hospital in Lubbock >recovering from heart surgery. The surgery was performed last Thursday >and through the power of prayer, he is recovering at a remarkable >rate. He should be home no later than Friday of this week. Let me go >back to the beginning and fill you in on the full story. > >On Friday, October 7, he had his regular annual check-up with his heart >doctor (he has had a leaky valve for about 7 years). At that time, the >doctor informed him the valve had deteriorated to the point where surgery >would now be required to replace the valve and wanted to schedule an >angiogram immediately. The results of the angiogram would then be used to >determine the timing of the surgery itself. However, Daddy decided to >wait for a week or so before actually scheduling the angiogram (or so he >thought). At 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 9, Mom woke us up to say she >was taking Daddy to the emergency room here in Colorado City because he >was having chest pains and difficulty breathing. (My husband Tim and I >live with Mom & Dad). At the emergency room, he was stabilized and >admitted to the hospital. He continued to remain stable for the next 24 >hours, but on Monday, his cardiologist in Lubbock wanted him transferred >up there in order to personally monitor his situation. We were thankful >his doctor was part of an independent group who had started a heart >hospital in Lubbock and he would be under the best care available. The >angiogram was then scheduled for Wednesday and following that, the surgery >was set for Thursday. At first, the surgeon did not know if he would be >able to repair the valve or actually have to replace it, that >determination would be made in the operating room. Thankfully, he was >able to repair it and Daddy has begun the recovery process. Amazingly, he >was out of ICU within 24 hours after surgery and is now completely off the >oxygen. He is doing remarkably well, has been up walking several times a >day and is finally able to keep down some solid food. If all keeps going >as it has, he may be home as early as tomorrow or Wednesday. However, it >will be four to six weeks before he will be able to preach again, so >unfortunately, there will not be any of his wonderful sermons for a while. > >My family and I would appreciate your prayers that he will continue to >recover well and I know he will be back on the computer as soon as >possible. I will let everyone know when he gets home from the hospital >and how the recovery process is coming. > >Until then, God Bless Always, >Sarah