It’s been at least a
month since last I wrote. A lot has happened, not all of it good. First it was my brakes. Then it was new tires for the Sunset Trail. Lastly, we bought
Mary Ellen two stents for her right coronary artery!
I’m very happy to report Mary
Ellen’s cardiac cath went so well. On the 16th, Mary Ellen was
experiencing some mid-sternum pain. It was bad enough for her to decide to see
a doctor. We went across the street to the G.P., and when he heard her history
he told us to go to the E.R. at Baptist Hospital in Gulf Breeze. Gulf Breeze is
about 20 miles from Navarre. It’s the same hospital where I had my shoulder
surgery last year.
The E.R. decided to admit
her overnight and do some further testing. The overnight turned into six nites.
They were trying to rule out coronary involvement causing the mid-sternum pain.
Enzymes were normal. The EKG was normal, but the nuclear stress test pointed to
a problem with the blood supply to the heart. Dr. Razzic did a cardiac cath and
was able to insert two stents and open the artery. We were so thankful they
didn’t need to do a bypass.
The first few days at the
hospital I was without a truck. People offered me their cars or were more than
willing to transport me back and forth. My friend, Dave Lundgren, ended up
providing the transportation for at least five round trips to the hospital. Our
friends here are without peer. They’re the best.
The first nite Mary Ellen
was in the hospital I decided to stay the nite in her room. Her day nurse said
she would bring a blanket and pillow, and I could sleep in the recliner next to
her bed. Now, I should mention she was in a semi-private room. When the day
nurse didn’t bring a pillow, Mary Ellen asked the nite nurse. She told us I
couldn’t stay in the room because there was another patient in the room. Of
course by this time it was nine thirty. I certainly didn’t want to call Dave to
come get me, so I asked the nurse where I might sleep. She told me the ICU
waiting room had the only couch. Their idea of a couch, and my idea of a couch
are miles apart! This “couch” was a vinyl covered board! It made for a restless
sleep surface, but I survived.
The best thing that
happened during Mary Ellen’s stay in the hospital was the “surprise arrival” of
my sons Tim, Dan and Mark. They made the 24 hour round trip arriving Sunday
evening (the day before the cardiac cath). They made the return trip late
Monday evening and were back at work on Tuesday. I was glad some of you at
Emerald Beach got to meet them. They are the best.
Next time I’ll tell you
the story of my brakes and the new tires. I know you’re on the edge of your
seats.
jim
