Hi, Everyone,

If you have any time, please pray for my dear and wonderful friend Harriet from Montecito, California. Harriet called me today to notify me of her alarming health crisis, a calcified aorta heart valve. She must decide over the next month whether or not to have reparative surgery in June which is highly risky due to her progressed age; there is a good chance that she may not survive the surgery. Her secondary option is to do nothing and live out a poor quality of life at the risk of heart failure at any unexpected moment. She is currently updating her will and getting her estate matters in order due to the extreme seriousness and nature of her situation.

I have known Harriet for 32 years since my early design years at Walt Disney Imagineering where we met in the mid 70's. She is a kind, giving, generous and charitable soul who always has selflessly given of herself in kind words and deeds. I truly appreciate your vital prayers during this critical time.

Thank you all so very much.

Profound Blessings to You in Christ,

-7

Praying for your friends fulness of years & that they make it where they need to go, but your friend will surely go to heaven if it's their time by the sound of things, and that's the main thing. Not the length of time here but the eternal life beyond, which is the more serious issue for some.

Hey 7.... I am really sorry about the news of your friend. Please know I am praying.

In Christ,
Valerie
Messiahiscoming

Praying for your friend, Harriet.

Father, We ask that you heal Harriot's heart, that she'll not need the surgery. We ask this in Jesus name, amen.

Standing in agreement and praying for Harriet's healing, in the Name of Jesus our Lord.

I thank you, ALL you DEAR ONES, so humbly for your precious prayers; Harriet will be so comforted by your encouraging words... I will copy them and send them to her in the next two weeks when she returns home from her rented apartment in L.A. near the hospital and the physicians who closely monitor her daily (soon she will be able to return home once a week for a couple of days each week).

Blessings...

-7

My dear and wonderful friend, Harriet, finally had her heart surgery to repair her calcified aorta heart valve, a highly delicate procedure due to her age. She's in ICU recovery with her chest remaining open due to swelling (edema). Her daughter, Pam, sent out the following updates where the swelling has gone down, but a mysterious blood leak is present and poor Harriet will need a second surgical procedure tomorrow to fortify the leak. Please, please pray for Harriet, and ask our Mighty God to please fortify her heart and repair the leak with His Magnificent Hands.

Thank you so kindly for all your precious prayers,

-7



Below are Pam's Updates...



Sun, 20 Jul 2008 Update: Post Surgical Recovery for Harriet’s Calcified Aortic Repair

Today's developments included a couple consults w/ dr's (who seemed to make more rounds on Sat than other days when they're in surg)...

That's as far as I got on my attempt to offer an update last nite! I'll try again...

We learned that tomorrow, Mon, is the 1st possible opportunity for closing her up--the issue is the edema (swelling). Can't close her until the heart "fits" inside the sternum comfortably. They're doing what they can w/ meds (diuretics) to take the swelling down, but the body has to run its course. So if you're wondering what to pray for or visualize, EDEMA BEGONE!

A little good news re: the toes: the nurse on Fri. drew around the outline of the black discoloring around he 5 toes on her right foot (this side was more circulation-compromised as this is the leg the balloon pump was inserted into) & the big toe on the left foot...yesterday AM (Sat) we could see a thin margin of pink INSIDE this felt pen outline on several toes! (I have to admit I've never be so excited about my mom's toes!)

In the course of the day as I came & went from her room (making my visits a little shorter because there was a student nurse in training who took up space & more activity than usual), I learned that they doubled the nutritional "milkshake" she's rec'ving from the day before thru a tube from her mouth directly into her stomach.

There was a tender moment as they took her off the sedation for an hour at the dr's request to get a response from her...early in the hour I was20able to get her to raise her right eyebrow again twice but they wanted her to open her eyes before they put her back on the sedation--later in the hour she was able to--barely, it's quite an effort--& when I zoomed in to talk to her, there were tears--I asked if she was in pain & if so, raise an eyebrow--she did. I assured her they'd take care of it & she could go back to sleep, which she did, & I whispered thank you for her great work & assured her of all the love & prayers that we all are offering. They promptly started a morphine drip (in addition to the ongoing sedation) to see how she could tolerate it (blood pressure & heart rate)--when we left late afternoon, so far, so good.

We're learning that everything they do in ICU is a balancing act...everything seems to have benefits & consequences that have to be weighed alongside everything else! I've developed great respect for the integrity & expertise her team is applying to strike this balance...moment to moment...hour to hour...day to day. We continue to feel awestruck & well cared for by this staff.

Many thanks for all the support & prayers--keep em coming & I'll keep you updated as I'm able! If you speak to any of Mom's fri ends who would like to be on the list, have them email me & I'll gladly include them--email is more doable than phone calls. I may wait to update till after we're w/ her tomorrow--Mon--in hopes that I can share that they've closed her up! Feel free to respond--love hearing from you even when I'm not up to responding to each 1 personally!
xoxo Pam


Mon 21 July 2008 Update: Prayers Needed For Tues

Today was a big curve for us...where we expected to hear that she was ready & sched'd to have her chest closed up, now that the edema is down, 1 week into this, 1 of the surgeons was in ICU when we showed up & wanted to meet w/ us! He explained that there's been some bleeding since the orig procedure that indicates that there's a problem in the heart resulting from the orig surg...essentially there's leakage where the new valves (aortic) were plugged into her original left ventricle. Given how thin/weak her "native tissue" is...the seal is not adequate, & leaving it as is would leave her seriously at risk. Since the reason she opted for surgery in the 1st place was for more energy & restored quality of life, we can't opt to leave her "half baked" &, as this surgeon put it--"It's not right..."--They are prepared to make it right tomorrow w/ a procedure to insert a synthetic support under her tissue at the "joints" where these 2 valves--if indeed their speculation turns out to be correct when they're inside--are attached. Though it's another risky procedure, the fact that she's survived & recovered so well in the last week gives them the green light--plus, their assessment of her brain functioning as they've brought her out of the sedation indicates...we gotta do it!

So--this email is going out to SOOOO MANY OF YOU LOVING, COMPASSIONATE FANS OF MY MOTHER (& many of our friends who care about her thru us & many of your prayer circles...thank you to all!)--your support & prayers & positive thoughts mean the world to us & I share the volumes of love w/ her often, bedside...we ask you to pray for her strength tomorrow & for the best possible outcome. The original surgeon, Dr. Starnes, who is reputed as a wizard of heart surgery, will do the procedure--I've met w/ 3 of his fellow assistants today & over the weekend & have utmost confidence in their expertise & passion to bring her thru this successfully. Many of you know me as a skeptic of modern medicine, but I continue to be incredibly impressed w/ this team, including the ICU nursing staff at this hospital. Bob is right w/ me...our girls are praying & holding their own at home...you are all in our hearts as we face these challenging twists & turns. The fact that Mom has done so well in this last week & passed the tests to get to this point is our encouragement & cue to proceed--they're taking great care of her & even though I know this has been tough on her & there will be more challenges ahead...she wants to be back in the game on all 4's...1 of you described her as the "Unsinkable Molly Brown" & that's what we're opting for, if it's meant to be.

We'll update you after we get thru tomorrow--thanks for your prayers & support! Much love to all, Pam & Bob

I read this thread for the first time and I am sensing that Harriet is a kind, loving, and compassionate human being. I am so sorry that she is going through some really difficult times! One thought that always comforts me is this: "God know our days, hours, weeks, moments. Nothing happens in our lives that God does not have a handle on." 7 Thunders, I will be praying for your friend.

In Christian Love,

Al

im so sorry i missed this thread. im praying for this dear lady. i pray for her complete healing and strength for her and her family. please keep us updated.

Thank you so much dear Adeline and Pinky for your prayers, especially TODAY, for Harriet's second surgery is scheduled for this morning to find and repair the blood leakage that the Drs. suspect is in her heart. Let's hope their educated guess is correct and things move smoothly without turning into a surgical wild goose chase. Lord have MERCY!

Yes, Adeline your surmise is accurate, Harriet is such a kind and giving woman, who has been blessed with much in life and who has given freely and selflessly of herself, putting herself aside in helping and encouraging many in their darkest of hours. Her heart is purest of gold. Through the years the Lord has kept her safe through many personal struggles and physical attacks by Satan, including the time she broke her back, her eye degeneration (she's an artist), yet God has always pulled her through with flying colors; Harriet is a real trooper, and as a result I've come to affectionately call her "The Unsinkable Molly Brown". She truly deserves and has earned a good quality of life in her old age to enjoy her grandchildren in the Lord's Peace and Love. I pray Christ will bless her with this.

Blessings to you for your kind words and your vital prayers...

-7

Edema begone, God comfort this womans heart, may she stay in your Arms while she recovers, in Jesus Name?

Praying now, that God would grace the surgeon with wisdom and direct his hands this morning... that this second surgery would be successful.

Amen!!

Good morning -7,

I just saw this too. I pray that your "Unsinkable Molly Brown" will be helped by this surgery. It sounds as if she certainly deserves a "good quality of life." She is already blessed with a very good friend and I join that friend in praying Christ will bless her with good health.

You are able Lord.. and we trust You!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I will send all your kind prayers to Harriet's daughter, Pam, and keep you all posted as to the latest events as soon as Pam sends me the next update, but today is expected to be a very trying day.

May the Lord Bless You All Profoundly!

-7

Praying in agreement.

This is very difficult news; I and many other close friends and love ones of Harriet have been on pins and needles all day... Pam reports that her Mom's second surgery was delayed as the Drs. discovered from a brain CAT scan that she suffered a major stroke... Lord have mercy.

-7

Here are Pam's latest updates:

Tues Harriet Update Part 1 (2008/07/22 Tue PM 05:10)

This is quite agonizing & I'm sorry to drag so many of you thru the roller coaster that we're on w/ my mom's care...we were told when we arrived this AM at ICU that Dr. Starnes wasn't ready to do the procedure today after all--it's a big surgery & he needs another day to assess if she's really up to it. So they ordered a bunch of tests today--she already passed the lung probe (to assess whether a slight fever yesterday & some oxygen readings might indicate pneumonia) so that was a relief...checked out clear...w/ her chest open so long, it's a risk....they're doing a CT scan this afternoon of her head & chest...& they did a chest X-ray in her room already. I'm sure all the prayers you're putting out--most of you thinking she was having big surgery today--are helping...her cold hands turned warm in the course of the day...we expect to meet w/ Dr. Starnes at the end of the day & hope to hear that he's willing to proceed w/ the corrective surgery tomorrow.

Once we hear his report & assessment, I'll send out Part 2--I just knew many of you are anxious for today's news, thinking she had the surgery already, & I don't have it in me to make lotsa calls at this moment. We came back to the condo together for a few hrs while Mom is undergoing the assessments that involve wheeling her to a different floor.

We're all hanging in there...I tell her all the time (even while she's heavily sedated) how many of you are rooting her on & loving her....Stay tuned! Pam



Tough News--Part 2 (2008/07/22 Tue PM 10:56)

My apologies for this being so late in the day...I know most of you have been waiting eagerly & hopefully for positive news, believe me--so were we. Apparently the email I sent earlier in the day--Part1--didn't go out in a timely fashion...it just now managed to send, having been stuck in my outbox--this laptop is slower & gets bogged down by "air traffic"...

We waited what seemed like interminably for Dr. Starnes to make his eve rounds & give us the verdict on what he would do tomorrow, based on today's findings. We were hopeful, since the pneumonia test came out clear, that the rest would also be green lights, & they could proceed w/ the repair procedure tomorrow. Instead, the brain scan came back w/ the news that Mom has had a stroke of significant size, but we're not clear yet what is impaired. We expect to meet w/ a neurologist tomorrow AM bedside who will attempt to interpret & pinpoint more specifically what we might be dealing w/--& what the prospects are for recovery. Hence, they don't want to traumatize or stress her any more than they must in the operating room--Dr. Starnes will do an echo test in the OR & IF he can put few stitches in & "fix" the leaky joint, if indeed there is a problem, he will...if not, he will just close her chest.

So CONT'D PRAYERS ARE MUCH NEEDED & APPRECIATED--I am quite disheartened & exhausted so I'm sorry I don't have it in me to call you personally w/ this news...& I sure hope there's a glimmer of hope tomorrow for my mama--this is pretty tough.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE & SUPPORT--it means the world to us during this very white water time--I'll send another update tomorrow after we know more. I sure hope this email reaches you sooner than later...love, Pam & Bob

thank you for the update. i will certainly keep on praying

dittos

prayers

PRAISE THE LORD!!!

God has honored our prayers for my friend Harriet!

The neurologist confirmed the stroke she had was mild not affecting her motor speech skills, and the surgeon Dr. Starnes was able to successively locate the small and elusive blood leakage in her heart and sew it up. And, alas, they were able to close her chest up (after being open for one week [!!!]). The rehabilitation will be an effort, but thus far God has brought frail little Harriet through the fire! THANK YOU JESUS!

Though all looks good please continue to pray for Harriet to strengthen and stabilize over the next 24 hours.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONCERN, DEAR PRAYERS, GOOD THOUGHTS, COMPASSION, LOVING HEARTS FOR THIS PRECIOUS LADY LOVED BY SO MANY!

Blessings...

-7

Following is the latest update from Harriet’s daughter, Pam:


Mom's Update--2 victories!! - 2008/07/24 Thu AM 12:05

In the AM we met w/ the neurologist--who offered quite an optimistic report of the stroke as being "not a devastating stroke"--speech & language/cognitive not affected...her left side may be weak but nothing as involved as wheelchair or walker...some rehab will be in order but we were assured it's mostly likely the left arm/torso--possibly some motor planning issues but she should be able to carry her plate to the table, & fortunately she's right handed! (Maybe we can finally get her to give up her car keys!!!!) This was a huge relief!

Her surgery to close her chest occurred late afternoon--it was uneventful as far as any problems occurring but eventful in the sense that the dr. WAS ABLE to stitch up the small leak & correct the problem! We were able to see her back in her room w/out having to don gloves & mask--she looked quite wiped out from the ordeal but we sang her many praises & "love-you's...you did it's"! We hope & pray that the worst is over...Dr. Starnes had already come & gone which was a disappointment but 1 of the asst surgeons showed up & gave her/us a good report--confessed that she has a "long road of recovery ahead" & that "she's given us plenty of grey hairs!"

We are hugely relieved & just returned from a bite to eat at 9:00PM...I must thank you all for such a bounty of prayers & support & loving emails thus far...don't stop now as she's "not outa the woods yet" but I'm convinced she's still w/ us & able to fight these last 9 days w/ her heart open because of all the love & prayers pouring in! Today I hummed It's a Small World bedside, thinking to myself how she's brought us in close touch w/ all of you, & assured her Dr. Starnes was gonna help her turn the corner--named many of you as cheering her/praying her on.

I'll communicate again when she "wakes up" from this long period of sedation & again hopefully when she's able to get off the vent--that will be a major milestone.

I'll send this off before some of you may peek at your emails 1 more time before bed...CA time anyway...

Life is so precious...love the ones you're with!! xoxoxxo P

The Seven Thunders, this is my 24 hour prayer . . .

Blessings, for all you do . . . may your heart be supported . . . as you
support the loved one's heart, with your love.




http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119

n Nun

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.

106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.

107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word.

108 Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.

109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.

110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.

111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.

112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.

All praise, honor and blessing to the Lord, the one who heals all our diseases (Ps 103:3)

!!!!! **** !!!!! !!!!! **** !!!!!

On Thursday, around 20.00pm MET time (14.00 EST) I felt my heart going into a wild flutter, as if wanting to break out of my chest.
It lasted 15 minutes, meanwhile I kept praying for Harriët and talking to her, not to give up.

GREAT NEWS!

That is wonderful news Seven...

.

.

Justice,

I have reported this post with your signatures to the moderators. I am sorry that you have been so hurt by life but your hurt should not be allowed to hurt other people. And the people you are attempting to hurt are kind and really care for you. To actually throw back at Miche's face a comment about the ladder, was mean spirited and not from God.

Yes, we shall know our brothers and sisters in the Lord by their fruit/ please notice that I did not say by the fruit they throw.

Lisa, this is who you feel bad for?

Gods Blessings,

Al

.

Dear People,

Thanks for your prayers for my friend Harriet. I truly appreciate it, and pray that the Lord will profoundly bless all of you.

But, please do not drag your battles or the disagreements that you have amongst yourselves onto my thread RESERVED FOR HEALING for my friend Harriet; it is in extremely poor taste and brings a "spirit" that is entirely counter-productive and destructive for the purpose of this thread. I will not allow anyone to transform this thread into something that Satan desires.

I will truly appreciate your cooperation on this matter.

Thank you.

Blessings,

-7

Done, I respect your wishes. Rose

Oh, and Seven, I am praying for your friend, may you continue to get good news! Amen.

Friday Morning, July 7th, 2008, at 10:30 A.M. Dear Harriet Burns Passed Away


My friend Harriet developed a septic infection (septicemia) that caused her major organs to shut down and she died yesterday morning at 10:30 A.M. May she rest comfortably in the Lord's Hands for Eternity. Thank you all for your love and prayers for this precious lady.

Harriet was a great inspiration to me during my eight years in Disney Imagineering and beyond, cheering me on in life and in all that I did, encouraging that I pursue my creative visions and dreams. She was like your favorite school teacher that you ever had as a youngster, and she will be truly missed, her charm, humor, genuine caring generosity, riveting stories and world adventures as "Auntie Mame" and the "Unsinkable Molly Brown".

Below is the update from her daughter Pam via a friend of the family, Charlie.

Blessings & many thanks in Christ...

-7


I write with a tender heart.

My friend Charlie Toledo, a dear friend in Napa who gives our family massages, including my mom when she would visit us, attended Haley's Birth-... she's been thru so many of our milestones... sent this out this morning after we called w/ this sad news--this sums it up.

It's a tough day, indeed... But I told Mom we would keep the love & her unending generosity she's given us forever...& told her all the love & prayers all of us including all of you have been sending all week were to go w/ her.

She developed a septic infection yesterday & underwent multiple organ failure...look for her twinkling up there! We love you all... we are on our way to Santa Barbara soon & will Be making arrangements in the next few days...we'll have a memorial service sometime mid-Aug in SB. If you'd like to be contacted w/ details, please phone or email...thanks for being part of her journey...

Much love & gratitude,
Pam, Bob, Chelsea & Haley

Well here is a sad note Pam's mom Harriet Burns crossed over into the spirit world this morning at 10:30 am

She put up a valiant fight these past 10 days but let go this morning, even Tinker Bell gets to be free....in the hospital they were calling her "sleeping beauty"...Disneyland Matriarch for sure!

So love n prayers for Bob Pam Chelsea and Haley at this time.

Hug the ones you love; life is a precious gift.

-Charlie

Message Sent: 2008/07/25 Fri PM 02:49:56






http://legends.disney.go.com/legends/detai...y=Harriet+Burns





http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/arc...h-the-wait.aspx







http://thedisneyblog.com/2008/07/25/harrie...died-at-age-79/


http://www.laughingplace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=3259

I am so sorry to hear of your loss, -7.

What a nice presentation of Harriet in these pics and stories. I know she will be missed.

bittersweet

So sorry to hear about Harriet, I know you've lost a very cherished friend. May she rest in the Arms of the Lord.

The Seven Thunders,

I am sorry that your friend Harriet passed away, I will keep her family and friends in my prayers. Thank-you so much for posting the pictures and a story....what a tribute.

Gods Blessings,

Al

Thank you Adeline, IrishRose, HeIsFaithful, and Here Am I for you kind words.

Here is a link Pam sent me to some great and humorous "Harriet Stories" via an interview conducted by a Scott Wolf. Harriet always seemed to have a remarkable story to tell; she relayed such amazing and fun tales accumulated from her many years of working for Walt Disney.

http://www.mouseclubhouse.com/Interviews/h...r-own-words.htm

Blessings...

-7

-7 I just discovered this thread...I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your great friend...

My prayers go with you and her family....

You can tell she really did mean so much to you....

Thank you, Pamela, your sweet and comforting words are dearly appreciated. People who scarcely knew Harriet via brief and fleeting meetings were so inspired and delighted by her selfless "Southern Charm" and genuine concern for others, why, you can just imagine the lose to those who knew her for years... I've known Harriet for 32 years, and I feel so utterly blessed that I was apart of her inner circle, yet she made ALL who crossed her path feel apart of that circle... that's why it is such a tragic lose to all, her family, friends and fans. She was truly a treasure from God, and I thank Him for grant us the previlige to have known her.

Blessings-

-7