Thursday, July 14, 2011

Asking for prayer

It's after 11 pm, Thursday, as I write this.  I just got home from the hospital to get some sleep and a shower and change of clothes before I go back very early in the morning.  My husband has had a heart attack.  The doctor says that it was a mild to medium attack, his right artery was completely blocked with the biggest blood clot he said he's ever seen.  His left artery has a little blockage, but the doctor wasn't worried about it at this time.  We'll know more tomorrow when they do an ultrasound about how much damage his heart has.  He has had a stent put in.  I know this wasn't open heart surgery or by-pass surgery so it wasn't as serious as a lot of people have had including my FIL and BIL .  Nevertheless, it was a very frightening episode and I ask for prayer that he will heal quickly and nothing such as infection, etc. comes up. 

Hubby worked most of the night Tuesday night due to the storm we had and with little sleep, went in to work at 6 am Wednesday.  He came home at 2:30 and was called back to work at 4 and worked until almost 7:30.  He had to climb a pole twice which was when he came down and they were finished that he noticed being very short of breath.  By the time he got home, he was sweating and clammy and very, very pale.  He just walked in and laid down on the floor saying his chest was hurting and he wanted to just rest that he couldn't go any further.  I knew something was very wrong and of course my first thought was that he had a heat stroke because it was so very hot and humid, but I went ahead and called 911.  The ambulance was here in minutes and by the time they got him to Columbia to the hospital and went to work on him it was just 2 hours later that the doctor came out of the Cardiac Cath unit and told me the news that he was doing fine and what had happened.  He said that the quickness in getting him to the hospital played a large part in the good outcome.

My daughter and I quickly gathered a couple of things and hopped into the car after the ambulance left and went to Columbia to the Emergency Room and got to see him again before the doctor arrived.   My son drove in from KC and got there about the time Hubby was settled in his ICU room.  I spent the night there with him in ICU and he was moved to a private room around 4 pm today (Thursday).   I had planned to spend tonight there also, but he was feeling so much better that he wanted me to go home and sleep.  

I just wanted to quickly jot this note and say that I may be away from blogland for a while.  If I have time, I will come by for a visit.  Maybe I'll take my laptop to the hospital tomorrow!  The doctor says he will probably release Hubby to go home Saturday if all goes well.  He will be home for 2 weeks and on light duty for at least 2 weeks after that.  I want to caution everyone if they have any symtoms as I've described, not to wait too long and go on to the ER to be on the safe side.  It may save a life. 

I am thanking God that my daughter and I were at home when this happened and that we have ambulance service in our small town and for the quickness in getting him to the ER.  Also I'm thankful for fine hospitals and wonderful doctors.  Most of all, I'm thankful that my Hubby is sleeping comfortably tonight and that I'll get to see him again in the morning.  Take care everyone!  

Until next time...

23 comments:

  1. Cheryl your Hubby has all my prayers and healing vibes heading his way. He will do well. I received a cardiac stent in July of 2005 during an emergency procedure and I am still doing well. Prayers for you too! Take Care both of you!

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  2. Cheryl,thank heavens you acted so quickly.Heart problems run in my husbands family as well so I know how worried you are.
    You are both in my thoughts and prayers,take care,
    Carolyn.

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  3. Cheryl, I can relate to this. My husband had a heart attack back in 2004. He had two stents inserted.
    The symptoms you describe were exactly what he felt. He hasn't missed a beat since. Does all the farm work required, lifts, etc. He did go through a period of light work though.

    A critical part of his recovery we think, was he went to cardiac rehab religiously as prescribed. I hope your husband will too.

    Mine still does cardiac type exercises 3 times a week at our local community center.

    I hope your husband doesn't smoke! That is a critical causative factor.
    Thank God mine had quit prior to the heart attack so he didn't have to deal with that withdrawal.

    Good luck, but tell him to follow doctors orders to the letter. He will be back full force very shortly.

    The stents are a miraculous invention!

    Max was 62 when he had his.

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  4. Cheryl, thank you for taking the time to fill us in. Now don't worry about Blogdom. Just take care of yourself and your hubby. I'm so glad that we live in the 21st Century when so much help is available. Prayers going up even now... A gentle hug for you all.

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  5. My prayers are being sent to you and your hubby. I'm so glad you didn't hesitate to call 911. You're quick thinking was critical. Take care.

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  6. Oh Cheryl, you guys are way to young for this. I know he will get better now. He will probably be surprised how much better he feels.
    I know in his line of work, it's just like the mailman, the guys work in all weather conditions. We thank them for that.
    I pray he recovers real quickly. You take care of yourself and him.
    Blessings
    Patti

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  7. So sorry and hope all goes well for your husband. Prayers for your family!

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  8. Oh, Cheryl, I am so glad he is doing well after all that! I will keep all of you in my prayers. blessings ~ tanna

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  9. Rehab very important! Prayers for you both.

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  10. Oh My Gosh, Cheryl... I am so very very sorry to hear this. Life is so precious and none of us can know what each day will bring. Glad your hubby made it to the hospital and is doing okay... My love and prayers go out to you and your family... God Bless You.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  11. Thanks for sharing. Prayers, hugs & love 2 U and yours.

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  12. Cheryl
    I am praying right now!
    It is scary-I went through that with my own Dad.
    I pray for a quick recovery too.
    Climbing those poles is hard work. Especially if you're no longer young!. My sons a lineman also, so I know what you're talking about.
    Take care dear!

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  13. Cheryl,
    I am so sorry to hear this about your husband. You were so smart to call 911 when you did. Timing in these matters can make such a big difference.
    He (& you) will be in my prayers. I pray that each day finds him feeling better. Take care of yourself and don't worry about blogging until you feel the time is right.
    Hugs,
    Kim

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  14. Cheryl - I just saw this and will pray. I will also pass it along to the WOW Woman (Woman of the Word) Bible Study group that meets in my home every Tuesday night. We are a praying bunch.

    Father God I thank you for your mercy in this heart attack not being worse than it could have been. I do thank you that family was at home with him and acted quickly, that the ambulance, the ER, the medical staff and Dr. all did their work speedily and well. I just pray that your peace that passeth understanding will engulf and envelope the entire family and your healing will be swift and complete. It is in my Saviors precious, precious name that I pray. Amen

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  15. Oh my, what a shock. How fortunate you made sure he got to the hospital so quickly.
    How quickly our lives can turn upside down.
    I just prayed for you both and will keep you both in my prayers till he is home and recovering nicely.
    Take care of him and yourself.

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  16. Sweetie, you have a lot to be thankful for. I will keep you and hubby in my prayers. You for strength and hubby for a quick and full recovery. We do have good hospitals in Mid Missouri and I have had many occasions to be thankful for that.

    Take care of yourself now, so that you will be able to nurse him back to complete health!

    Deanna

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  17. So, so sorry to read this! Thankfully you acted quickly and took appropriate action. Praying he continues to improve and that you find the strength you need!

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  18. Oh, Cheryl - what a scary situation! I'm glad you kept your head about you and called the EMTs when you did. I can't imagine all the emotions you must be feeling! Know that I'll be praying for you and your family!

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  19. How scary! You must be worried..I will say a prayer for him and for you! I hope everything will turn and go very well. :D

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  20. Sending more prayers... blessings ~ tanna

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  21. Cheryl Good Morning! Hope you are packing your Hubby up and getting signed out this morning. I know you are busy with getting on with his recovery but if you get a chance to update it would be the bestest thing I could hear today or whenever you find the time :) Would love to hear how things are going! Still sending prayers and recovery wishes.

    Pix

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  22. Just checking in to see how your hubby is... My love and prayers and thoughts are with you constantly.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  23. Where have I been because I didn't know this? Geez. So sorry but glad he is ok now. Wow!!!

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