Test Update

I don't really have much to update, but I know many of you have been praying for me today so I thought I would add a thought or two.

First, let me say, I have been overwhelmed by the number of people indicating they are praying for me, Leigh Ann, and Tiffany and Brittany. We are a blessed family to have so many who love us.

The test this morning went fine. I guess I know for sure I am not claustrophobic :-). The results have been sent to my cardiologist, so now we wait for his call to give us next steps. I take it from no call today that there was not anything imminent. So, I took today's no call as positive.

I will update you when we have more information.

Health Report

I shared with my church family yesterday I was going through some health challenges related to my heart. I will do my best to keep you updated through this blog.

I contracted pneumonia while at the Southern Baptist Convention (insert joke here :-)) in Orlando in June. While in the emergency room, they apparently tested me for things completely unrelated to my illness. That has turned out to be providential. As a result of some things they saw in the tests, I followed up with a cardiologist after returning to Franklin.

Last week the cardiologist in Franklin did an echocardiogram which indicated a problem. As it turns out, I have had a congenital heart problem that has impacted my heart in a negative way as I have grown older (that sounds so ... old). Anyway, I will be going in for more tests this coming Wednesday (August 4) morning. If those tests confirm what the cardiologist believes is true, the next step will be to visit with a cardiac surgeon.

I will post the official diagnosis on this blog when I know. This could be as early as late on August 5 or as late as August 11.

How can you pray?
1. I would love to walk out of the test Wednesday with the doctors confounded that they cannot find the problem and thus the first test was in error.
2. Assuming we find what is believed to be the problem, pray for wisdom for the doctors. I can add here, I am so grateful I live in 2010 and not 1910. The medical advances are amazing.
3. Pray for healing however God chooses to do so. Doctors and medical advances are great, but we trust God as our Great Physician.
4. Pray for my family (wife and two daughters). It is always harder on the family members than it is the patient. They are all strong in their walk with the Lord for which I am grateful. Pray for peace of mind.

To my church family, thank you for all your emails, fb messages, etc. confirming what I knew to be true ... you are praying for me.

Finally, I would share with you the verse the Lord gave me through my friend James MacDonald for this time.

Isaiah 26:3 says, "You keep in perfect peace the mind that is dependent on You, for it trusts in You."

For my Pastor friends ...

Backstage: CJ Mahaney from SBC Greater Things 2010 on Vimeo.

Update and thank you!

First of all, thanks for all the prayers over these past few days for all of you who have been.

Second, a brief update: While in Orlando for our denomination's meeting, I began feeling chilled and a bit achy Wed afternoon (I was to return to Nash Thursday morning). By the time I went to bed Wed night I knew I would not make that flight. But I did not realize I would not make it for 4 more days. The symptoms had taken a dramatic downturn. Thinking I had the flu (VERY bad self-diagnosis), I took some flu medicine and went to bed about 9:30. By the early hours of Thursday morning, I was feeling the worse I could ever remember feeling. This stuff (whatever it was) was moving fast.

Then I made the first of some bad personal health management decisions. I thought to myself, "I will rest here all day and stay on this flu medicine and I will feel better in 24 hours or so". I should have sought immediate medical help (that would come later). [See Leigh Ann, I admitted it] Very high fever, the worst aches I can remember ever having, and severe dehydration took over to a point by Thursday noon (I think) I was not completely rational (I know, some of you think that's my permanent state of mind).

Long story, short ... Friday morning I received help from some hotel personnel who got me to the medical help needed. This resulted in a 2 1/2 day hospital stay. I was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia (thus the ineffectiveness of the self prescribed flu medicine :-)). Pumped full of antibiotics and fluid. My wife flew in to assist me (she's the best!!). I was released yesterday (Sunday morning)and flew home with Leigh Ann today (Monday). I am home now and will require several more "at home" recovery days. Needless to say, I am feeling much better and getting stronger each day.

I am grateful for the prayers and support of my family and my ClearView church family. I will see all of you soon.

Easter Dance