Faced with heart surgery and the reality of end-of-life planning, Tony and Rose discovered that preparation, prayer, and trusting God can turn life’s hardest moments into a story of faithfulness and hope.

It all started a couple of years ago.
An innocuous advertisement in the Lambourn Valley Village Views.
An end-of-life course, at the local vicarage.
Phoned in. With Rose’s blessing to be sure.
For Rose it was something she did not want to think about, but deep down knew that it was something that we had to look at – had no idea at that point what was coming down the road!
Declared interest in attendance.
But life got in the way.
A gardening incident.
Or should I say accident?
Snapped all three bones ankle bones. Laid up healing for close to six months.
Following year. Success the course was scheduled again at the vicarage in Lambourn!
Attendance, befriended by a bevy of very senior citizens for tea and cake, thought they all we well advanced in years, but then needed to look at myself to be fair!
Started to begin to understand the intricate concepts about end-of-life planning.
By now Rose and I knew that I had a serious heart problem which would require surgery and had been referred to the Royal Brompton Hospital in London.
Suddenly reality knocked at our door all this stuff had become a real for us!
Lots to be done.
Wills, life assurance, state pensions, undertakers, lawyers, lists of final wishes, funeral service planning, music, vicar involvement, and family politics phew!
By then we had, had our appointment in London when the surgeon told us that Tony needed surgery and would go on a waiting list which could take up to 10 months. Also explaining to us that without surgery his heart would fail in about 2 years, another huge reality check!
In Habakkuk 2:2-4 it states “then the Lord replied. Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets, so that a herald may run with it (the people of Judah) for the revelation awaits an appointed time.”
So Rose and I began planning and writing down.
Rose more so!
Rose is a great one for lists, so she started making lists and planning our trip to London. We had a pre-op appointment in Jan, but still no date for surgery! My health was deteriorating fast and life was becoming difficult for me.
I was unwell.
Befuddled by medication and just living!
We poured over the screeds of documentation, from hospitals and doctors. Not forgetting ‘Mr Google’ to be fair!
We prayed and worshipped as we could. (Could have done with more of this to be fair)
But we had underpinning prayer from our church communities, friends, and family.
Planning for our out-of-town planning opened up new relationships within the family and our friends.
Rose’s sister and her hubby came alongside us and offered help with transport to London. Roses relationship with her has never been that close, but God changed this for all of us!
6-7th February the day of my operation arrived – a trip to London. My operation and nine days in hospital. Time spent with caring wife, doctors, and nursing staff.
Rose also said ‘on the day of surgery – Tony was calmer that me! My biggest blessing was that just before he went down for surgery, my daughter ‘messaged’ on her mobile to say she just “happened to be in London” on a trip planned 3 months earlier and realised she was just 10 mins away from the hospital. So, I was able to spend a couple of hours with them while Tony was in surgery. That is when I knew for sure that God was in control.’
My result a new Aortic Heart Valve, and membership of the zipper club.
Praise God I am here with you today still on my journey to full health!
Amen.

Tony Stewart-Smythe