A day of (bad) surprises and one big miracle
We started out before daybreak today, going to the cardioloist for a stress test for Rob and talking about going to Tomato Jam Cafe for lunch.
Rob had been having shortness of breath and a tight feeling in his chest, so his doctor did an EKG Tuesday and didn’t like what she saw, so she scheduled a stress test for 7 this morning.
Five hours later, we were on our way to the hospital because the test found a serious blockage in an artery.
“Markedly abnormal,” the cardiologist called it.
“So, we should go home and pack?” Rob said.
“No, you should go to the hospital,” the doctor said.
A catheterization found two blocked arteries and some minor damage to the heart muscle. The doctor recommended surgery because of the severity of the blockage.
An hour later, the surgeon suggested he do the surgery immediately because the blockage could cause a heart attack any time and he would rather do surgery before it became an emergency.
So, at 8 tonight, they took him to surgery and me to a waiting room.
Double bypass. I know a lot of people who’ve been through much more complicated stuff. No problem.
But just as they were about to anesthetize him, his heart gave out. If he had been at home, even if he had been in the ICU, he would have died before they could do anything.
As it was, it was very close. But they got him on the bypass machine in time and got the surgery done. He’s stable. Not out of the woods — he could still have a stroke, kidney failure or liver failure because if the incident.
But the surgeon expects him to recover without incident now because he was so healthy otherwise.
Rob did everything right. He exercised almost every day, ate wisely and took his cholesterol medicine. Prevention didn’t stop his coronary artery disease because it’s genetic. The men in his family always died young before medicine could deal with it. His brother had a stent put in a couple of months ago. So it’s been there, despite all the preventive stuff he did.
When legislators talk about how preventive medicine can fix our system, they’re wrong. Prevention put off this problem by 10 or so years, but it still happened because it was in his genes.
He won’t ever be able to get private insurance now because of his history, unless we get reform.
If we hadn’t had insurance, he probably would have waited to see a doctor — and died.
I’m nervous, scared and numb all at the same time. I feel beat-up and exhausted, but I know I won’t sleep tonight.
I haven’t even processed my mother’s death yet and now this.
I’m sick of hospitals, and I feel like I’ve spent more time with doctors in my life than if I’d married one.
The good thing is I have an amazing support network here. Before I knew what was happening in surgery, John Boyle had me laughing until my sides hurt over what the company expected of Rob… He can take tomorrow off, but there’s no one to cover for him Saturday, so if he could sign in from his hopsital bed and do a couple hours’ work, that’d be great.
Liz Huesemann stoppped in and offered to stay with me if I needed it. Other friends called — Annie Doucette, Janet, my sister Robbo and more.
My pastor, the Rev. Joe Hoffman, came by and stayed until the doctor came and talked to me. I’m glad he was there. I was floored by the news.
I don’t know how to react to all this yet except to say I’m grateful for the miracle.
Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a peer support program for people with one or more serious or chronic medical issues or disabilities.
We aim to reduce isolation and fear among people who have conditions, including psychiatric illness, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, mild dementia or other cognitive disorder or disability, thereby reducing depression and complications as people learn to improve self-management of their medical conditions.
Patient Pals help alleviate feelings of isolation and frustration. They can help people develop a list of questions to ask the doctor and then accompany the person to the doctor to make sure all the questions are answered, taking notes to be sure the person understands the doctor’s answers.
Our trained volunteers also accompany their “Pals” to art exhibits, movies and walks outdoors, meet for coffee, call to check in and more.
Our Pals have experienced weight loss, improvement in diabetes, HIV, psoriasis, depression and more, just because they have someone who cares about them. Some relationships develop into longer-term friendships; other Pals move on to more independent lives.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
We need volunteers, who are asked to donate a minimum of one hour a week. Training is free and includes information on active listening, ways to help and when to know more help is needed.
And of course, we need funding.
To learn more, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712 or e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com.
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