Pray for Laura Duford's heart surgery (Update 2/14/23: recovering from surgery)

Laura Duford has complete heart block, which she developed around age 5, and she has a pacemaker. Laura also has several other heart issues including a triscupid valve leakage, a PFO, and has just recently developed pulmonary hypertension and diastolic dysfunction. She was scheduled to get her 5th pacemaker on December 29, 2022 at Vanderbilt, and it is a particularly risky surgery this time. Surgery was postponed to Feb. 13, 2023. 

This surgery will be riskier than her past heart surgeries, since they are running into some challenges. One is that Laura needs two new leads for her pacemaker, but making room is an issue. She already have three leads in:  two that are failing and one that does not work. The optimal outcome would be for the surgeon to be able to remove her three existing leads to make room for the new ones, but he anticipates that there will be too much scar tissue and calcification to remove them without significant risk. He is going to make a decision when he gets in there to see.

Update 2/14/23:  Laura had a successful surgery for her 5th pacemaker Feb. 13. They were able to get ALL of her old leads out and put in two new ones, an apparent miracle. Her surgeons are very pleased. They were also able to put the leads straight into the conduction system of the heart which will give a more synchronized beat. Laura is still in the hospital, as she is having some blood clots in a vein, swelling in one arm, and low blood pressure. The family asks for prayers as the doctors help her get through this, and her anticipated 6-week recovery. A meal train will be added soon to the Pray for Us page. We will keep you posted. 

Update 1/9/23: Laura's heart surgery has been rescheduled for February 13, 2023, at Vanderbilt.

Update 12/27/22:  The Duford family got the flu last week. Laura is not well enough for surgery yet, so her surgery will have to be delayed. We will share her new surgery date once it is scheduled. Thank you for your prayers!
 

Pray for Laura

Laura has received the Anointing of the Sick. She asks for prayers that the surgery and recovery go as well as possible and that he is able to get some or all of the leads out safely to make room. She also asks for prayers for the recovery, as it will be a six-week recovery if there are no complications. 

From Laura:
"It’s been a bit disheartening but I know that God has taken care of me all of this time and He will continue to!.... Thank you for your encouragement and prayers! They mean so much to me." 

St. John of God

St. John of God is the patron of those suffering from heart ailments as well as hospital workers. Read more about St. John of God. Below is an intercessory prayer to St. John of God for healing. 

Dearest Saint John of God, I come before you on behalf of those suffering from diseases of the heart, especially (name person). I ask that you fervently pray that if it is God’s will that their hearts be healed of every ailment and that they enjoy fullness of health. If it is not, please pray that they have the grace and strength to bear their sickness with patience and dignity and ask God to bless them with caretakers who are wise and who can alleviate their suffering. Thank you Saint John for your love and intercession.  Amen.

Pray this prayer along with a YouTube video

Laura Duford and Family

Laura and Dave Duford are actively involved parishioners at The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. They live in Hixson and homeschool their four children.