CaringBridge journal entry by Nancy Aarsvold — 8/15/2016
Hi all!
This is Nancy again. Thank you for your comments, your encouragement, and your prayers! The support from our various communities has given us strength and courage in the midst of a difficult couple of weeks.
I’m doing better here at the hospital this week; I still don’t have much of an appetite, but I have been able to sleep a little more. Otherwise, I have been doing physical and occupational therapy daily and spending time with family and friends. Today, the chaplain stopped by, and he sang a little blessing for us at the end. He had such an amazing singing voice, so I will ask him next time whether I can make a brief 15-second recording so you can hear it too.
Tomorrow, the docs are going to do a procedure to give me an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator). It is a procedure that they do all the time here, so it should go smoothly. We’re hoping to be able to go home on Wednesday or Thursday, and I will start outpatient cardiac rehab at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.
Below are some links about Sudden Cardiac Arrest if you are interested in learning more:
- About Sudden Cardiac Arrest
http://www.sca-aware.org/about-sca
Much love from
Nancy, Stephanie, and families
Leslie Wattles | Aug 17, 2016 7:05am
Continuous prayers for you… I am so happy to hear that you are improving each day!!!!
Sean Hayford Oleary | Aug 16, 2016 1:14pm
I hope all goes well with the surgery tomorrow, Nancy! I’m thinking about you. God bedring!
Roberta Lentz | Aug 16, 2016 11:13am
Great news
Elaine Kinnard | Aug 16, 2016 10:52am
Dave and I are so happy that you are doing so great!
You are very special to us and we love you!
I feel blessed and you and Steph have been able to stop for overnights at our house during your travels to and from Washington!
Anne Supplee | Aug 16, 2016 10:51am
Oh those show off singing chaplains. Make the rest of us look so dreary!
Glad you are well enough to post notes and going home soon. Best from all of us at the Chapter.
Laree Winer | Aug 16, 2016 10:43am
Dear Nancy, Don’t think this gets you out of planning a wedding, I’m not doing this by myself! I expect you and Tina to be hammering out the details there in the hospital. They have WiFi right? So I’m thinking you two figure out photography and a band…. I’m kidding of course! We are so so pleased that you are doing so well and rallied all the people of faith in WA to pray and pray and pray. I have so much hope that you will come through this like courageous and strong woman you are. You have love and support coming to you from multiple states and countries!
Cara (Ilioff) Lemmage | Aug 16, 2016 9:43am
Nancy. You are loved and cherished and so special to so many. My eyes filled with tears reading about your week. I am so thankful that you are in good care and that there is a plan. You are such a radiant and special person. I am holding you up in prayer this week and through your recovery. If I can help in any way, let me know. Your Ole Students love you and wish you a speedy recovery!
shirley fasching | Aug 16, 2016 9:00am
Some pretty impressive FAQ’s and some very good reasons to learn CPR! I’m sure it will feel oh so good to be home again and I know you’ll wow them at cardiac rehab as well.
Jennifer Edwins | Aug 16, 2016 8:43am
Holding you and your family in my thoughts and prayers today, Nancy.
norma aarsvold | Aug 16, 2016 8:41am
Continued thoughts and prayers, Nancy. I Love You, Norma
Nonny Smith | Aug 16, 2016 8:32am
Saying a prayer for your ICD placement. May it go smoothly and safely. And for going home!!! Take good care.
katia mcdonough | Aug 16, 2016 7:56am
You are amazing. may this day go smoothly and all the preparation for home going proceed apace!
Keith Homstad | Aug 16, 2016 7:54am
Sounds like some good news, and some work doing rehab. Thanks for keeping folks in the loop as we pray for you and yours.
Laura Secord | Aug 16, 2016 7:38am
Glad to see that you’re back to being an educator! Thanks for sharing your story.
Su Smallen | Aug 16, 2016 7:33am
Thinking of you lots and lots !
Marte Hult | Aug 16, 2016 7:19am
Continued “god bedring” dear Nancy from us both.
Deb Filer | Aug 16, 2016 7:11am
Wow you get to come home with a “gift” from the hospital. I thought they only did that when you had a baby!
karla jean miller | Aug 16, 2016 7:11am
You are amazing, Nancy! Continuing prayers for healing and recovery. Looking forward to hearing the blessing. With love and light, Karla
Claudia Gordon | Aug 16, 2016 7:07am
Wonderful news, Nancy! It will be nice to finally be at home and your recovery will grow and grow. I read the links……Stephanie, you were a hero, and now the heroics will be done by the two of you…together! Love to you.
Marsha Foss | Aug 16, 2016 6:51am
So good to hear that you will be coming home soon with such positive plans in place. Thank you so much for the update. Prayers continue, as always.
Love, Marsha
Peggy Hager | Aug 16, 2016 6:50am
Amazing news Nancy. So happy that you will be coming home. You have received excellent care, but there is nothing like going home.
Jean & Jan | Aug 16, 2016 6:48am
Wonderful news! We’re so thankful about the care and nurture you have been receiving and the strong recovery you are making.
susan Donohue | Aug 16, 2016 6:45am
Great news, Nancy! Many people have ICDs and live very comfortably, so what a wonderful way to stay safe! I am so pleased. And coming home this week too! Stephanie’s cooking will get your appetite up, and maybe even an early dinner at Mango Thai. Thoughts are with you. You are a blessing.
mona Olson | Aug 16, 2016 6:31am
Sooooo pleased you are coming along so well, Nancy. What a scare!
How wonderful to have a blessing sung to you…so special.
I am so glad you are doing your rehab at Regions. Please let me know when you will start…I would like to give you a formal Regions welcome!
Connie Ford | Aug 16, 2016 6:29am
No appetite? It’s time to pull up one of those plate photos from the Angry Trout. That would get my taste buds activated. I’m so pleased to hear you are nearing the transition to home. Best of luck for the procedure and the big move. Bountiful thoughts and prayers continue.
Kristo Sween | Aug 16, 2016 5:48am
Great to hear you’ll be going home soon with an ICD. Yay from the Swingles!
Ann Dyellig | Aug 16, 2016 5:21am
Good news! Praying that the ICD procedure goes smoothly and without discomfort. Home?! Yippee! So glad there is cardiac rehab close by and that your dear Stephanie will be taking good care of you. Hugs!
Michelle Fredrickson | Aug 16, 2016 5:06am
Thank you so much for the updates! Sending my love and just wanted to let you know that I have been thinking about you and your support team in MN. I look forward to giving you a real hug versus an electronic one!
Jeanne Eberhart | Aug 16, 2016 2:13am
We are excited for you to be getting the procedure done–and going home! I wondered how I’d manage at home without the excellent round-the-clock care I got at the hospital, but I was so well-trained by the end of my 2-week stay that I did. Like you, I’d lost my appetite, including for coffee and tea. Mine gradually came back after a few weeks +\- at home. So glad you’re going to be doing cardio rehab.
Andrea Nixon | Aug 16, 2016 1:46am
Oh Nancy and Stephanie! We are so grateful to hear about your recovery and the fabulous care you are getting. Here’s wishing you a good recovery.
Love,
Paula and Andrea
Donna Dingle | Aug 16, 2016 1:44am
We are thinking of you. Love the Swingles!
Kathy Lance | Aug 16, 2016 1:41am
Hi Nancy, so glad you made it through all this and so glad Stephanie was there to revive you the first time. Even though we haven’t seen each other in years, I am so glad to be able to connect on the computer once in a while and here what’s going on in the family. We were praying for you in our Sunday evening study and one of my friends said his dad went through the exact same thing. I had never heard of this before so thanks for the links, I am very interesting in learning more about this. Will keep praying for you all and that God will continues to cover you all in His love, peace and protection.
Pat Saltsman | Aug 16, 2016 12:30am
wishing you the best tomorrow –
Terry Kenck | Aug 16, 2016 12:13am
Praying for you, Nancy. All will go well tomorrow.