"The numbers are elevated and we are going to take you to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital!"
My response was,"OK, but we can't leave my wife here, we are visiting from Los Angeles and she won't know how to get to the hospital!"
"No Problem, she can ride up front!"
Off we went with sirens blazing at 10:30 at night.
In route to the hospital they gave me Three Nitro Tablets to help me ease the pain, because I had all the symptoms of a "Heart Attack"! 
In the ER they ran a number of test and the Dr. on staff said, "It looks like you had a Heart Attack and we are going to keep you."

An Angel From the Lord
An angel drove 2 hours from her home on the coast to be with us at the hospital.
She arrived at 2:00 AM just as we were getting into our New Hotel Room at Santa Rosa Memorial.
She never left Venice's side until I was given permission to go home three days later.
After an Array of tests over a 72 hour period:
Heart Catheterization
CT Scan
X Number of EKG's & Echo-cardiograms
Blood tests that could fill a gallon jug; 
It was determined that I did not have a "Heart Attack"!
All my arteries and veins were 100% clear.
But, I needed a "Valve Job" to replace the Aortic Valve.
There was no mention of anything else going on.

Visit of the Second Angel
The Second Angel on the trip was in our Son,who dropped everything he was doing and flew up to meet us in Santa Rosa, 
via Oakland Airport and a shuttle arranged by our other Angel.
I received a copy of all my reports and our son would drive Venice and I to San Jose, where I would get on a plane to fly home, Venice and our son would proceed home after dropping me off at San Jose Airport.
I called my cardiologist from the gate at the airport to make an appointment for when I returned home.
Of course, my cardiologist was going on vacation the next day so they made an appointment with his associate.

Visit the Cardiologists, October 2010.
When I returned home I was still having fairly severe chest pains but not like in Santa Rosa.
Venice and I went to the partner of our cardiologist, who we had worked with in the past a felt very comfortable.
After he read the report from Santa Rosa, he told us that it looked like the "Valve" was bad from the report but then said the most bizarre thing, "I have seen a lot of these operations get messed up!"(Meaning Aortic Valve Replacements)
Then he proceeded to give me a referral to a thoracic surgeon.
When we walked out of the office, I looked at Venice and said,
"Am I crazy, am I imagining all this pain and discomfort, 

is this less important that I think?"
We decided to wait for my regular cardiologist to return and get his opinion.
After he read the report, he said that I should get the valve replaced and wanted me to have the"Minimal Invasive Surgery" done.
He gave me a referral to see a second surgeon to get the surgery done and said that he would see me after everything was complete.
Neither cardiologist mentioned any other concerns from the report.

Visits to the Surgeons
On Thursday, October 29th, we met with the first Surgeon.
We really liked him.
He explained everything and gave us brochures so I could pick out the "Valve" I wanted.
It felt like we were buying a car verse having major surgery.
The doctorl said, 

"We will go in replace the valve and if anything else comes up, we will take care of it then."
We said, "Ok, and we would pray about it!"

The following Tuesday, November 2, we met the second Doctor!
Our initial encounter started off on the wrong foot:
First he made us wait one hour in the examination room before he saw us.
2nd he hadn't read the report from Santa Rosa Heart Lab
When I looked at Venice, I just motioned to her to be patient as he read the report.
The Doctor asked us what the first surgeon said and we told him the plan of Dr. Hall had for the surgery and he said, 
"Wrong Answer!" and proceeded to jump out of his seat and walk around the examination room, like a tiger in a cage, extremely irritated.
Then he showed us the report from Santa Rosa and pointed to a number that was plain for all to see, and then looked me in the eye and said,
"This number indicates that the Aorta along with the Valve that leads to it has a problem and needs to be repaired!""Follow Me!"
We followed in silence and he lead us to the nurses desk where proceeded to order a number of tests at Torrance Memorial.
After the tests were ordered he said, "Don't do anything!"
He was so serious, Venice tried to break the tension by asking,
"Does that mean no intimacy what so ever?"
He said without batting an eye, "You better check with the man upstairs!"
For the next week we went for another battery of tests for pre-operation.
In the mean time, the pain in my chest had increased to nearly the level of when we were in Santa Rosa.
I called Doctor's nurse to ask what If I could take Vicodin for the pain.
She calmly said, "Yes, you can take Vicodin to ease the pain for the Aneurysm!"
I hung up the phone and gingerly walked over to the medicine cabinet, took out the Vicodin and then told Venice, 
             

     "I have an Aneurysm in the Aorta as well as the bad Valve.

                 This is way serious."  Panic came over me!

From that point on, I was afraid to move because I remember our beloved member who died ofAneurysm at Torrance Memorial with me at his side!

Back to Doctor's office to review the tests and set the date for the surgery
He showed us the results of the test and we could see the Aneurysm inflating and deflating before our eyes.
He set the surgery for the following week on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 7:30 AM.

The Days Prior to Surgery the song, "Voice of Truth" by Casting Crowns, (Click the play button:)


​​​ gave Venice and I enormous courage as we would face the battle of our lives.  If you click on the bar above you can hear the words by Casting Crowns about facing your giants with God!

I was afraid to walk around the house, because the 'Elephant' had returned to my chest!
Memories of our member who died was on my mind, I knew anything could cause the Aorta to rupture, especially after seeing the CT Scan.
Sometimes too much information can be dangerous.
I stopped watching all Medical Shows, including "House".
I just wanted to get the surgery over with.
The weekend before the surgery, Nov. 19 – 21, 2010, I  played cards for hours at a time with two of my grandchildren.
We didn't talk about the surgery but just enjoyed the moment.
My wife watched my every action to make sure I was ok.

The Monday prior to the surgery

Friends and family called or drop by to see us and to pray for a positive outcome.
Our son and his family were with us, our Best Friend and maid of honor at our wedding, was there for Emotional and Spiritual Support.
Another dear friend came by to pray and share their well wishes, and when they left, about 6:00 PM it hit me!
                                 "I could die tomorrow!"
I went to my room, closed the door and bawled!
Venice and our son heard me and came into the room to comfort me.
It was then that I actually verbalized the reality and I looked Venice in her beautiful brown and compassionate eyes and said:
"I Can't Promise You That I Am Coming Back Home!"
We held each other tightly then I told her,

            is that He gives me a chance to fight, that's all I want!"
I proceeded to tell her is that, 

just two days after the surgery.

We both kind of smiled with tears streaming down our cheeks.
At that point I just Surrendered my entire life into the Hands of Jesus Our Risen Lord!
From that point on I was as calm as a cucumber.
Even when our daughter arrived home for the surgery, and she broke down in my arms in the hallway.
God granted me the strength to tell her the reality of the surgery and hold out the hope that we have in our Faith in God through Jesus.

Battling the Storm
The morning of the surgery was still and dark as we drove to the hospital.
You might say, "The Calm Before the Storm!"
It reminded me of the movie, "The Perfect Storm"!
§You knew the Storm was coming but everyone was busy about their task:
Venice, drive me to the hospital.
Our best friend and maid of honor was with us for suppor and Prayer.
Daughter and Son were my constant reminder of who I am and what I have to live for.
Volunteer at the Hospital who signed me in, let me know what a great surgeon the doctor was, he had taken care of him Five years ago.

Walking the Walk Alone
The moment of truth came.
The Pre-Op Nurse called my name to come back.
She told my wife and family, "You can see him when he is ready, we will call you back!'
When I look back on that moment, I realize what Jesus must have felt when he walked from thePraetorium of Pontious Pilate to the cross, virtually alone, with the weight of the world upon Him.
The nurse said, 

         "Please take everything off and put it in the bag, we'll give it to your family."
As I disrobed, I stood their realizing this is it, no turning back, 

                                 "Here I am Lord, I am yours!"
I did leave one article of clothing on so to speak, my wedding band.
The nurse came in and said, "That has to go as well!"
As I was taking it off, I held onto it until Venice came in so that I could hand it to her myself.
When the nurses were finished preparing they let my family and friends in to see me two at a time.
The presence of the Lord was in the room and you would have thought I was going to have my tonsils out verse a major heart surgery.
As they wheeled me into surgery, I was as calm as could be!

The Torrential Storm
Calm Before the Storm:
The weather outside was stormy while inside the hospital waiting room, the people prayed, shared, and prayed some more.
For 9 hours they prayed.
From 7:30 AM until 4:30 PM they prayed.
They had brought me up from surgery and reported to Venice and the Bountiful Prayer Warriorsthat I had come through the surgery and that they could see briefly see me.
The surgery was thought to be a success and I was up in ICU.
They even sent Venice home to rest so she would be available for Wednesday.

The Storm of Storms!
Venice was restless when she returned home so prior to resting for the evening she called the hospital to check on me.
As she talked to my nurse on ICU he told her that two things were going on with me:
One they couldn't get my blood pressure up and they had a second problem, 

Needless to say, Venice told her best friend that she was going back to the hospital but didn't tell her why.
She was now battling two storms herself:
The torrential rain storm that was hitting the South Bay
The potential storm of my battle for life.
When she arrived back at ICU, the surgeon was their shaking his head, confused as to what was wrong.
When Venice saw me, all she saw was that I was drenched in water and that there was blood going out of me as fast as they were trying to put it in.
I was as grey as you could be and still be & clinging to life.
The Surgeon looked at Venice and said, 

"I don't understand what's going on, but we have to go back in!"
She said,                          "Can he handle anymore surgery?"
He said,                                        "If I don't, he won't!!!

God's Fourth Angel
As Venice was watching in horror, her husband slipping from life,
God sent a fourth Angel to her, a nurse from the congregation.
She just stood next to her comforting her as they both watched as the team desperately tried to keep me alive until they could get me back down to surgery.
I had so many tubes on me that they couldn't get me in the elevator, but finally they did.

When Venice walked out of the ICU, devastated by what she had just experienced,
Many of the Prayer Warriors that had been with her and the family for 9 hours earlier showed back up at 10 PM to pray with her.
For Four excruciating hours they prayed and hoped for a miracle.
At about 3 AM, the Surgeon walked on the floor of the waiting room and said, 
                        "I believe we took care of everything!
                     We found the Leak & stopped the bleeding
                       We got the blood pressure under control
                   We eradicated the Blood Clot behind the Heart"

God's Guiding Hand on the Surgeon
God put His hands on the hands of the Surgeon, especially during that additional 4 Hour Surgery
God Raised me up from the precipice of death.
I don't have the scars on my hands, feet and side but:
If you were to look at my upper body you would see:
Two Scars on my stomach that form crosses
·One Large 10 inch scar along the center of my chest
One Horizontal Scar above my left breast
My permanent "Hicky" on the right of my neck.

Four Months of Recovery
The Next Three Months of Recovery
It was great to see the church be the church.
The cards, e-mails and phone calls were wonderful.
Those who were able to visit brought such hope and promise to my family and me.
Especially during the first Month when the choir came and brought dinner and sang Christmas Carolsat our home how Awesome!
Each day I became stronger and stronger.

The Power of Prayer
From the Prayer Warriors at the hospital
To the Pray Warriors around the San Pedro and the World
God heard your prayers and Graciously Responded.
Don't stop praying and Trusting in God to hear and respond to your prayers.
In fact, it was all your prayers that inspired me to teach and preach about the Lord's Prayer when I returned back to church.

Face to Face with God 
As you have heard, I was moments from death prior to the second surgery.
I thank God for that every day, but what I am about to share with you, makes that moment seem almost insignificant.
On the evening of Tuesday, March 22nd I was telling my wife how amazed I was doing and how much I accomplished in Cardio-Rehab at Torrance Memorial.
I was back to work ¾ time and feeling great.
We sat on the bed praising God for all that he had brought meTo and Through!
I went to bed feeling really good about everything.
I kissed my wife good night and rolled over for a night's slumber thinking about the characters in the Grisham Novel I was reading at the time.
At about 3 AM I was in the midst of a dream where I was teaching Adult Sunday School .
We were talking about the book of Revelation and then the dream ended abruptly mid-sentence you might say.
Then the next thing I knew:
My environment changed significantly
Everything around me was gray blue
There was a soft wind blowing beneath me
Then I realized there were these two "hands" for lack of a better word under my armpits pulling me slowly up.
I knew I wasn't dreaming at that point because I was aware that I wasn't sleeping and I wasn't in my bed!
It was as if time stood still and I was just mesmerized by what was happening.
I wasn't afraid; I just didn't know where I was or where I was going.
Dying was not on my mind.
As I was contemplating whatever was happening,
You might say that I came 'Face to Face' with God/Jesus/Creator of us all.
I knew then, this was definitely not a dream, I was in the presence of God, 
I was thrilled as I looked upon God and said,
                       "This is cool God, this is where I want to be, 

                          it would be too much for her to bear!"

Well, God knew Exactly as he looked at me and 'Nodded' and slowly lowered me back into my body next to Venice.
I put my arms around Venice immediately to confirm that I was back.
She was awake and told me she had a dream she wanted to share and I said fine, but let's wait until morning because I have something to share.

Fiction, Dream, or Real Deal Resurrection
The next morning was quite the sharing time.
Most mornings we take time to discuss dreams my wife often has.
After Venice shared with me about her dream and we discussed it I said now I have something to share with you.
After I told her what my experience had been earlier in the morning she said,
"I know!"

              I was checking on you to make sure you are ok and breathing.
When you told me what happened this morning, I know it is true!
When I looked at you while you were having that experience,           

We looked at one another and began to embrace one another and realize how real the Promise of the Resurrection and Jesus is. 

Impact on Venice and I
I have had a Strong Faith since I was Three
I have never really doubted the Bible.
I have never really had time when I wanted nothing to do with God.
I have always trusted who Jesus was, is and will be!
I have put my sins at the foot of the cross as often as I remember!
There are parts of the Bible that I struggle with and have many questions for God at the appropriate time when I am with Him in heaven, but I have always believed in the Resurrection.
It is the most difficult part of the Bible to believe because we don't often see dead people getting up and walking around. 

in the 66 Books of the Bible.

Invitation
I want to give you an invitation.
You don't have to believe what you just read today, you can doubt it if you wish, but, before you do, promise me that you will seriously consider the Hope and Promise of Jesus in the scriptures and ask yourself: