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Rockford Pastor Recovering Nicely Following Transplant
ROCKFORD, IL (July 5, 2001) - - He's still got heart - a new heart in fact - and life is
returning to normal for pastor Dick Rasanen of Broadway Covenant Church in Rockford, Illinois.
Rasanen has had no major complications as he recovers from a heart transplant operation last September. He attended the Covenant Ministerium annual meeting this week, which preceded the 116th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Rosemont.
He anticipates returning to full-time duties later this summer after resuming limited work at
the church in January. Rasanen currently is working about two-thirds time as senior pastor. He considers the status of his health "at 75-80 percent" physically - doctors have reduced his medication.
Four years ago, Rasanen suffered chest pains while taking down the family Christmas tree. Heart problems were diagnosed when he took a stress test at the Covenant Midwinter pastor's conference in Chicago. The heart problems persisted and in May 1998 doctors told Rasanen he needed a heart transplant. His story was the subject of a March Covenant Companion article written by associate editor Bob Smietana.
No signs of rejection have surfaced since the September 11 transplant. Regular tests will continue every other month for the next year. He takes 13 medications per day and will need to take
some form of anti-rejection medicine for the rest of his life.
Doctors are encouraged by his progress, the pastor said. He requests continued prayer for his transition back into full-time ministry.
"We're just so grateful for the way people have prayed all along," said Rasanen in a recent interview. "Making the transition to full-time (ministry) is an amazing thing to even consider. I have some concerns and anxieties with this. You don't want to go full-time and then, six
weeks from now, have to stop. But I've been so grateful for Bethany Benefits and the other insurance people for support and encouragement, and I feel ready."
In a June church newsletter article, Rasanen thanked the congregation at Broadway Covenant for their care to the entire family. "Words are hard to find to express my gratitude for the way you rallied around me and my family this 'Year of the Heart Transplant.' Thank you for being Christ-bearers and not just churchgoers!"
Rasanen said his wife, Paula, and children Ben, Jenna and Krista are doing well during this recovery time. His son spoke about the past four years during a high school chapel service, noting that Broadway Covenant Church has been particularly supportive in the process.
Paula believes her husband is back to normal. "There's a tremendous sense of relief for us, for our kids, for our congregation," she said.
A one-year anniversary celebration of the heart transplant is scheduled at Broadway Covenant in September. For more information, contact Rasanen by email at Rasomoped@aol.com.
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