Joy and Gratitude!

Dear Ones, 

Joy and Gratitude is having gone through my TAVR revision successfully. According to all medical reports and Dr. Hammadah himself, it went very well. The small leak I was left with since my first procedure 14 months ago got properly plugged. The doctor did say it was in a difficult place, but the operation was a success. A few hours after my procedure on Thursday night, while in my room and as part of post-op protocol, a nurse had me carefully get up from bed and stand up on my own. My vitals I had just registered while in bed were a good 128/70. Within about 2 minutes of standing up I suddenly broke out in sweat, I felt very nauseated, and my vitals took to a sudden plunge to 70/48 while glucose rose to over 140. My mind went completely foggy, and I felt I was about to pass out. Of course, the nurse had me sit down immediately and I could vaguely hear my wife calling out to me, but I couldn’t really make out her words. I don’t really remember what the proper medical terminology for what I experienced was, but I do know it was NOT pleasant. Thankfully, other than that scary episode and the ongoing pain on my groin, I feel much better. I can breathe much more comfortably. I was released yesterday from the hospital but I must remain in San Antonio until Monday, when I have to report back to my doctor’s office for a final exam of my heart, before returning to McAllen on that same day.  
 
Yesterday morning, at just past 2 am, my body was still in quite a bit of pain, but my mind was quite clear, and my heart was full of joy. The last 3 verses of Psalm 78 came to me. How precious that spiritual experience was:  
 
70 He (GOD) chose David His servant
    and took him from the sheep pens;
71 from tending the sheep he brought him
    to be the shepherd of His people Jacob,
    of Israel his inheritance.
72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;
    with skillful hands he led them. 
 
What a complete and joyful experience my life has been with the LORD. What a wonderful transformation He has done and continues to do in my life. He has taken me from a very small and insignificant village in northern Mexico, a farming community of cows, horses, sheep and goats, coming out of there as an orphan at the tender age of 4. Growing up with multiple disadvantages in life, hurt, angry and very disturbed, how could I have ever guessed that there was a heavenly GOD who wanted to come into my life, heal me and help me and become my Father? He has taken me to tell others in similar conditions of the major difference He has made in my life and the fact that He can do the same in theirs. He has allowed me to share my story in Mexico, the US, Canada, Nicaragua, Panama, Perú, Ecuador, Cuba, Spain and Italy. And now, He continues to add days to my life once again. How could I not be joyful and more committed to the ONE Who is loving and committed to me? 
 
Thank you all so very much for your gracious love and prayer support.  
 
Eternally thankful, 
 
Franc Ortega 
Psalm 48:14