07/27/2026
Posted with permission from Joyce Shaffer:
Doug has approved me sharing everything that is in this post.. Please read to the very end. This started out as a short post and update on Doug Shaffer. This became very therapeutic for me.
GOD'S GOT US!!
A lot of you have reached out and asked for an update on how Doug is doing. It has been a while since i've been able to get back to everyone. The only way I can really share our story is by being raw and honest. Maybe our experience can help another family.
I can't honestly say that the last seven months has been easy. Our lives were turned upside down on December 4, 2025. Doug had a massive heart attack while sitting in our living room watching a movie. Between then and the end of January, Doug was in and out of the hospital just about every couple days and his heart stopped four additional times. Hospital stays continued for the next few months they just were not as critical as the early hospital stays.
Doug had a stent placed in the widow maker, a stents placed in the right side of his heart and a pacemaker defibrillator placed in his chest.
So many times me and the boys sat in the waiting room, not knowing whether doug would come home with us or whether we would be planning his funeral. More times than I would like to count. I remember crying, begging the Lord, praying, begging the Lord, thanking the Lord for the 45 years that we had together and begging the Lord again. The whole process was so emotionally draining.
I know that the lord is in control! This was my flesh
crying, begging, not willing to give up on our retirement plans and growing old together.
Crying and mourning is a natural expression of love and sorrow, not a sin or a lack of faith. I remember the story In John 11:35, when Jesus went to the tomb of his friend Lazarus, "Jesus wept." Even though He knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, He shared in the profound sorrow of those who were mourning.
How is this possible? Most men Doug's age don't survive the first heart attack, which was the widow maker. Let alone HIS HEART STOPPING FOUR ADDITIONAL TIMES.
Since the end of january, we have had small setbacks along the way. Doug is taking tons of medications to keep his heart pumping, these medications come with a lot of side effects, we never liked taking any kind of medication, now his life depends on it.
Doug was a hardworking 12-14 hr days, has provided for his family since 1984, loved hunting, loved visiting with family and friends, and was always active. Overnight he completely lost his independence.
Through this entire process, Doug has kept a positive upbeat attitude. Never once did he complain about his situation....(well.. the fact that he has not been able to drive in these last seven months has definitely taken its toll..lol.. he reminds me of this frequently.) When you see him, you would never guess that he's been to hell and back.
As we still today navigate the good days and the bad days, Doug has climbed mountains!! As soon as he became strong enough, he started walking short distances, climbing steps, eating healthier, slowly started exercising, helping around the house, putsing around in the garage and really started working towards what our new normal looks like. Things will never be the same.
We very recently joined the gym, and today, doug put in hard work, riding a stationary bike.
He continues to push himself every day to be a healthier version of himself. To be a stronger and healthier husband, father and grandfather.
Through all of this, this is what we know for sure:
1. God is good. ALL THE TIME!
2. God intimately was present with us, actively listening to our prayers, collecting every tear we shed, and offering us His comfort, grace, and inner strength to sustain us.
3. God has a plan for EACH ONE OF US. How do we know this? By regularly spending time in quiet reflection or prayer helps align personal desires with a broader spiritual purpose, bringing clarity and calm.
4. Yes, life has changed. God reminds us that we are not alone. God Himself is a steadfast anchor. He promises to actively transform our hearts, renew our minds, and guide us through new seasons. This is definitely a new season for Doug and I.
5. Lastly, our God is so awesome that he wove small arteries from the left side of Doug's heart to the right side to provide minimal blood flow since the right side of his heart had not worked for at least 20 years.
We know we are blessed beyond measure that God has given us more time with Doug. As Doug is now retired we are excited to navigate this new chapter that God has planned for us.
We could not have made it through these last 7 months wiithout those around us who provided so much support. To our sons Joshua Shaffer and Ryan Shaffer we could have never made it through all of this without you. We are so thankful and blessed for all of your steadfast support, love and guidance. There were days that I could not have made a solid decision If my life depended on it. You joined together and navigated some of the most difficult decisions in life. I know that the lord was guiding us through each and every step of the way. The lord has blessed us with the best sons in the entire world. You continue to help us through this new chapter and we are forever grateful.
Jeff Addis and Kelly G. Coffman-Addis you were steady and consistent support. Witnessing, some of the medical crisis during these last seven months. Constantly praying and supporting. We are forever grateful. Sondra Shaffer, Sharon Hogg, Joanne Redman, Kadey Shaffer, Aubree, Joshua Shaffer, thank you for still today, helping us with things that Doug cannot do yet and helping us navigate through this new normal. Steve Lamb, Bev and Albright Umc thank you for the constant support, love and most importantly prayers for Doug and our family during this most difficult time.
Thank you to everyone who had prayed for us and with us. 🙏❤️
God carries us through difficult times not by removing every hardship, but by providing supernatural strength, unshakeable peace, and His constant, loving presence. Rather than an escape from pain, it is an active sustaining of the soul.
