Hospitals, Heart Conditions and Tiny Miracles
One week ago today, my husband Jamie entered Good Samaritan Hospital. The three days that ensued were among the most frantic and stressful of our married lives.
Jamie had originally set a doctor’s appointment to undergo some routine testing for the chest pain he had experienced during aerobic activity. Almost immediately he was admitted into the Clinical Decision Unit as the doctors forged forward for a diagnosis and treatment.
No abnormalities showed up on his EKG nor on the other tests the doctors performed so they decided he should spend the night for monitoring and then put him on the treadmill at 7 a.m. the next morning.
If you’re not familiar with sluggish Jamie in the morning, that alone might have killed him.
Sure enough as his heart rate rose, the chest pain began. The problem is, though he was hooked up to every contraption in the hospital, no abnormalities showed up on the EKG and the cardiologist was stumped.
“Oftentimes the EKG doesn’t show what’s really going on,” the doc explained. “We performed the treadmill test on a patient and everything looked fine. We sent him home and he had a heart attack the next day.”
I’m not sure if that was supposed to be comforting?
For the next step, Jamie was given an angiogram (where a thin tube is placed into a blood vessel in the groin and X-rays are taken of the blood flow in an artery). The diagnosis was finally reached: there was significant damage to Jamie’s left and central arteries that was caused by his cancer radiation treatments 12 years ago. This resulted in 70% blockage and the resulting pain.
The cardiologist sat me down to discuss the options. The first he presented was bypass surgery, which I don’t know about you, but the mere mention almost made me have a heart attack. Fortunately, he was reluctant to pursue this because of Jamie’s young age (there is a big chance of having to redo it in 10-15 years) and risks associated with the damage the radiation has caused.
The temporary solution is he underwent another less invasive surgery to install stints to open up the blockage. They were not able to access all the problem areas without doing bypass surgery but they hope this process, along with blood thinning medication he will need to be on the rest of his life, will help alleviate the problem.
The surgery went smoothly but I had a wake-up call. I went through a range of emotions during those three days: uncertainty over what his conditions meant, dread the doctors wouldn’t find a diagnosis and then bald-face fear as I faced the very possible possibility that I could be left to raise our two young children without the love of my life. (On Wednesday, Mile High Mamas will feature guest blogger Catherine who lost her husband in an accident a few years ago).
To sustain me through it all were loving friends and family who offered words of support, watched my kids and brought us meals. I truly felt sustained and comforted during some of the most difficult moments. On the day of Jamie’s surgery, I rushed to retrieve my son from preschool and drop him off at a neighbor’s.
As I put the keys in the ignition, the horn started incessantly honking as the gauges and lights went haywire. We have have occasionally had this electrical issue but it had been over a year since the last incident. Incredulously, I marveled that it chose this moment of all moments to act up…and I couldn’t help but laugh hysterically.
Knowing there was a very great liklihood this electrical firestorm would drain the battery rendering me unable to get to the hospital in time, I turned to the Man Upstairs. I said a little prayer with as much certitude and humility as I could muster: “Dear Lord, if you can help Moses part the Red Sea, I KNOW you can make this car start working.”
And you know what? That is exactly what happened almost immediately.
It was a small test of faith amongst so many big trials.
But the biggest blessing of all is having my husband home.
My heart goes out to you. My husband has had a number of heart issues over the years but nothing as scary as a heart. You’d think your poor husband would get a break…cancer and then heart issues? I’m so glad it’s working out and continued best wishes for his recovery.
P.S. The car thing? Would’ve totally happened to me.
I’m thinking about you – huge hugs and I hope you’ll let all us MHM’s know if there’s something we can do.
Family Crisis are NOT fun, but you sound like you’re holding up – at least for today! Grin! Take care!
Thanks, ladies. It’s been a wild ride for sure and the only bright spot has been the tremendous outpouring of friends and family.
So scary! My Sister-in-law was in from Oct 23, 2009-Dec 23, 2009 with H1N1. She was on a ventilator for much of that time, but she pulled out of it. She was 49 years old. The doctors who look at her records now say there is no way she should have lived.
That is just so so so sad.
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. An acquaintance of my husband’s had a heart attack the same day as he went into the hospital and unfortunately didn’t survive.
Wow Amber, I can’t imagine what you’ve been going through! I’m glad Jamie is getting better!
Us Southies can be called on!
Glad Jamie is on the mend.
Thinking of you both and wishing Jamie a speedy, get-well soon recovery.
A twitter friend recently explained to me that there are two types of heart issues: plumbing (clear pipes) and electrical (impulses). That explanation helped me to understand better.
I understand your terror at that hospital. I am so glad that both the car and your husband are clearly in good hands
How are the children doing?
Kiddos are doing fine. They’re too young to fully comprehend the gravity of what could have happened.
I guess we’re really lucky then because Jamie has had both plumbing AND electrical problems. Four years ago, he had surgery for a heart arrhythmia.
http://www.crazybloggincanuck.com/2008/04/finally-way-to-every-mans-heart.html
What an incredible experience! I am so sorry you had to go through that though. Thanks for sharing! Hugs & prayers for you and your family.
Amber, I teared up reading this. You always write about stressful things with such grace and humor – you are truly a role model to me, both in your approach and your faith. All my best wishes to you and your family. And HUGS!
Thinking of you! Sometimes we need those little miracles to help us to trust that the big ones will come when we need them. Love you!
Stine
Such WONDERFUL words of support. Thank you everyone!
Glad he got out okay and they found it before he had a heart attack. Scary stuff. God is good.
I’m so sorry you’ve both had to deal with this. Health issues are so stressful. They try to keep you alive and the side effects drive you crazy! However, the tender mercies of the Lord keep us all going.
Thinking of you and Jamie and praying for a full recovery!
Amber – Catching up on my MHM. I’ve been thinking about you and Jamie. What a horrible scare. Please know that I’m here if you need anything. I’m happy to run over a quick (heart healthy) meal or whatever you need.
As usual, my head has been in the sand (read: foster bombardment) and I am just getting caught up. God is so good! I pray for The Mister’s continued recovery and peace for you all! Big big hugs to The Great Pumpkin Family!