www.soonertimes.com

...watching the fireflies dance, listening to the symphony of crickets in the forest on the bank of Walnut Creek.
Smoking a cigar and drinking a cold beer.
Fireworks crack & flash color and light all around the night sky on the eve of the 4th.

Respectfully and humbly request prayer from those here of the Christian persuasion for my wife of 43 years.
Wednesday I'll have her at Integris hospital at 5:30 am. Heart surgeon Charles Elkins will saw her sternum in half, pry open her rib cage and cut her heart open.
He'll repair or replace her mitral valve.

Life has skinned my knee, bloodied my nose and blacked my eye a time or two. Always serves to remind me what a gift life is and how fragile it can be.
These moments starkly indicate what truly matters. It ain't music/video/movies/or books. Hell, it ain't even OU football. (Did I really just say that?)

93% chance the surgeon will be successful and she'll fully recover and live out the rest of her life, feeling a lot better to boot.
93% odds in your favor are some any handicapper will take every time.

(But they were the same odds my mother (R.I.P.) had 23 years ago and she didn't make it out of recovery. For 7 out of a hundred those odds weren't good enough.)
So I'm apprehensive, even as she is calm and strong and brave.
My redhead is tough as nails. Had to be to survive living with me all these years.

She'll be in ICU 2-3 days, then on the regular hospital floor another 3-4.
I can be in ICU 8am -8pm, but can't sleep in her room. It will be challenging to leave her side, even for 12 hours.
But, I will be there in the hospital and back with her @ 8am. When she gets to a regular room, I will not leave her side until I get her back home.
You won't have to put up with my musing for a week or so.

I believe in the power of prayer, and my peers here responded once before when I implored them for my better half. It worked too.
I believe it will again, so please for her ask the Big SOONER in the Sky to guide her surgeon's hand and grant her the strength to endure and recover.

Be assured of my sincere gratitude.

Prayers to you and yours, China!

Oh my goodness, David. I hate to hear the news but PRAY everything turns out right and she comes back full of life and what it brings. If you need anything let the board know. I for one can't do any daily chores you may need help on, but I'm sure some others in the area would come to your call. Just ask....

And while everyone is praying for China Red, please include my wife. She will be going through brain surgery in OKC later this month. A tumor we have been told is benign, but can't be sure of until it's rmoved and tested, needs removed. Very scary operation and add the fact that her Dad had a cancerous one and died at the age of 66 adds to our anxiety.

OH LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYERS....

Prayers sent for Mrs China and Mrs Hombre!

Prayers up for Mr. & Mrs. Chinaman and Mr. & Mrs. Oklahombre, and that each surgeon and their staff will be at their best, with their highest level of skills that are required.

Prayers to you and the Mrs. as well, Hombre!

Praying for the Lord's mercy and provision for her!!

Prayers sent to both plus anyone else going thru tough times!

Prayers going now for your wife and the rest of the family

Prayers coming your way for you and yours from Buda, TX, Chinaman!

...Many THANKS for the prayers & well wishes from my peers here at ST on behalf of my wife.

The surgery was completely successful. the surgeon was able to repair the mitral valve and not replace it,
She spent 2.5 days in the ICU. (When I first saw her in ICU, was absolutely terrified. Never saw so many tubes, hoses, gauges, monitors and flashing lights.
Moved her from the 801 (ICU) to the 8 West regular floor Friday afternoon.

Will be conducting some final tests today, but looks like I'll be able to bring her home this evening if the fates allow.
Just a 60-90 day recovery facing her now. (And a humongous scar)

Difficult to express the gratitude I sincerely feel for you guys. It's the 2nd time I've asked for prayer and both times have been encouraged by your response!

My esteem!
I remain,
the OU Chinaman

Oh wow thats awesome news thanks for updating us!!

Yeah, thanks for the update, Chinaman, I'd been wondering how things went. Glad to hear that the Missus is doing well!

Outstanding, China! So happy to hear of the successful surgery! More prayers for a speedy recovery!

China, how's Mrs. C doing? Hope recovery is progressing smoothly!