Ask Deacon Mike

It seems that the most asked question going around right now is “How is Deacon Mike”.

As many of you know I have been away from the parish for several weeks recuperating from a bout of congestive heart failure. This was caused by the irregular heartbeat that triggered the stroke I had back in March.

After the stroke the doctor put me on a blood thinner as a precautionary step to prevent further strokes. At that time he told me that they would not be able to address the irregular heartbeat until I had been on the blood thinner for a couple of months. On May 17 I had a follow up appointment with my cardiologist to address the arrhythmia. I was having trouble breathing when I saw the doctor. He immediately sent me to the hospital where I spent six days being stabilized and treated for the congestive heart failure.

On May 25 I underwent a procedure to determine if there were any remaining blood clots. There were none. Following that test my heart was shocked back into normal rhythm. It is not known if the heart will remain in normal rhythm, but for now it is normal. That was a very positive step for me.

I returned to the doctor on June 1 for a nuclear stress test. This confirmed that there is a blockage in one of the major arteries. The doctor feels that bypass surgery is needed to correct this. My cardiologist wants me to get a second opinion with one of the downtown hospitals in the next week or so then they will decide on the next steps.

All of the testing has shown that my heart is weaker than it should be but that it is stronger than they originally thought. I have already started making the changes in my lifestyle and eating habits that I should have done years ago. I am very optimistic that I will come through this better and stronger than ever.

I want to thank all of you for your numerous cards, phone calls, e-mails and prayers. I am overwhelmed with the love that this community has shown me and for the support that you offer my family. This is a difficult time for me but know that my spirits are high and my faith and hope is strong. Please continue to pray for me as I pray for all of you. I especially ask that you continue to support Fr. Roncase. I hope you all know what a hard working and caring and good priest he is. He deserves every bit of love and support that you can give him. It is a very difficult job to be the only priest in a parish this size.

I will keep you posted as things progress. I am not sure when I will return to the parish. I had hoped to come back by Pentecost but that will depend on how I am feeling. Right now I am still a little weak but getting better each day. I just need to make sure I don’t do too much too soon. Again, I also need to wait on the doctors to decide what comes next. Regardless of when I return or what the outcome may be. please always know that I love you all.

Deacon Mike Franks