Susan's surgery is scheduled

Susan has a surgery date for open heart surgery this coming Friday. We won't know the time until Thursday night. Keep the prayers coming.

 

 

Cousin Kathryn came to visit

My cousin Kathryn Long came to visit us in the hospital. It was a much appreciated visit, worth the long drive from Minneapolis. It gets pretty boring in the same place for so long and it warms our hearts to see family.

 

 

Valve Repair Surgery Needed

The surgeon was in today and is planning on valve repair or replacement later next week. They won't know which until they open her up (open heart surgery). She will remain in the hospital doing other tests and removing more fluids until surgery. Please keep us in your prayers. (Shelby and Callie are visiting again today.)

 

 

Washington friends visit

A surprise visit from friends from Washington State. We had A nice visit the Don and Donna May Hodges. Thanks for the visit.

 

 

 

 

Callie and Shelby come to visit

Look who came to visit Susan! Catheterization postponed again, probably tomorrow, Friday. Making good progress with fluid loss. She's looking good!

 

 

 

 

Mayo Hospital - St. Mary's Campus

Our trip has been temporarily suspended with Susan being hospitalized in the Mayo Hospital system in Rochester MN. She has had several diagnostic tests through the cardiology department with a couple more scheduled this week to determine what type of heart surgery she'll require. She is seeing a cardiac surgeon today to determine what approach they will take to repair her two heart valves. We'll keep you posted as we have updates. Susan feels very safe and comfortable in this highly skilled medical environment.

 

 

 The Chapel

 

Our last day at the fair

There is so much to see and do at the fair. We've had a good time.

 

I had no idea they groomed livestock like we groom dogs.

 

Beef and Dairy cattle

A miniature pony

 

This kid is a twin

 

This is the other twin

 

Roses in the Ag building today

 

Fiddle contest

 

 

Riding Shooting competition. Contestants must shoot 5 rounds, switch guns and shoot another 5 as fast as possible following a specific course.

 

Balloons are filled and kids run out and place them for the next contestant

 

 This is a fabulous photo taken by John Njus. You can see the smoke from the gun and the balloon fragments.

 

Tropical Steel drum band

 

 

Fair Food

 

 

Photo competition. This one's titled "Front Porch Freedom"

 

 "I Said Stop"

 

 "Off on Adventure"

 

The end of a busy day

 

Tired fair goers

 

 

Grandstand show at the Fair

Meghan Trainor performs at the Iowa State Fair

 

Waiting for the show to start

It's getting darker out, the show should start soon

 

 

Before the show interesting facts are posted on the big screens

 

 Here's Meghan

It was a great show

 

The Iowa State Fair

This is always an exciting day!

 

Sign on the back of an RV we saw as we walked onto the fairgrounds

 

 

 

I love this metal sculpture in the Ag building

 

 See all the different items they used to complete this piece? I like the 2 hammer heads making up part of it's cheek.

 

The butter cow meets Star Trek

Butter sculptures have been a part of the Fair since 1911. It takes an estimated 600 pounds of butter and 16 hours to craft the Butter Cow alone.

 

 

Mid day we go back to the motorhome and walk the dogs, then rest a bit ourselves. Shelby thought John needed company.

 

 Back to the fairgrounds to see the antique car show

 

Iowa corn

 

Free concert tonight by the Des Moines Symphony. They hadn't played at the fair for 30 years. They were good!

Everythings on a stick at the Iowa State Fair