Friday, December 28, 2012

Friday Flashback: Diagnosis Confirmed....

Dec 23, 2002:
Recap:  Back in September, the spouse's blood pressure began to do weird things, causing him fatigue.  And after a month of me badgering him to go to the doctor, I finally took matters into my own hands while at my own appointment.  My wonderful GP went out into the lobby, and told him to come back.  Then pointed to the appointment desk.

"You will make an appointment for the first available appointment, and you will keep it."

In November, he shocked many nurses and two doctors by his 160/20 or even 160/0 BP, and was ordered to have tests, including a heart cath two days before Christmas.

We went in and completed the paperwork, then I was directed to the waiting room. A few hours later, they called me back into the room and we were told a surgeon would be in shortly.  A surgeon?

We watched several episodes of Law and Order on TNT while we waited, then Dr. Sherher came in.

"We've determined your aortic valve  has been damaged in some way; the base of it appears to be in shreds, like butterfly wings.  I want you to go home, enjoy the holidays, and I'll see you back here January 10th."

My spouse was in shock.  "Is there anything I can do in the meantime?  Exercise..."

"No.  Do not exercise.  Just enjoy your family over this holiday season.  You'll be going into surgery for either a repair or a replacement.  I won't know how badly it's damaged until I open you up."

And when a surgeon says 'no exercise', you know it's bad.  My mind was whirling; he was only 48 years old.  And about to undergo serious heart surgery, when previously the only injuries he'd had were to his back!  We thanked Dr. Sherher and waited for the discharge orders.

Christmas was still cheery, but a somber cloud of this is serious was on everyone's mind.  The only thing we could do was put the matter in God's hands, pray, and hope for a surgeon's steady hand.

Next Month:  Surgery and the aftermath.

**********
Currently Reading:  Loved, loved, LOVED Jean Joachim's Renovated Heart!  Definite Recommended Read!  Next up:  Kellie Kamryn's Tumbling Hearts.

Print Books:  Suffer The Children was okay.  As a mom, I was disturbed the content, and had to keep putting it down or even switch books to 'cleanse' my mind.  Doomesday Device was better, and really enjoyed the ending! 

Next up:  Such Devoted Sisters by Eileen Goudge.

10 comments:

Word Actress said...

Wow...how scary esp. with nothing that seemed
to lead up to it and at only 48. He will be in my prayers,
stay strong both of you, be sure the surgeon is
competent, ask several nurses, they know who the
good (& bad) surgeons are. Stay positive. He's young.
This must just be some freak thing. And he should be
better than normal after!

Judy Baker said...

Molly, I just wanted to let you know that I'll say a special prayer for your hubby. Judy

Melissa Keir said...

What a scary event! It is so good that you pushed him and made him get checked out. Men sometimes are such babies about doctors!

Anonymous said...

Will keep you and your family in our prayers.

Molly Daniels said...

@Everyone: Thank you for your concern; this happened in 2002 and he's fine now, with the exception of his A-fibb acting up:)

Molly Daniels said...

@Melissa: Yes, he nearly cancelled THAT appointment also, but I made sure he kept it! Griped at me all the way there. But the last laugh was on him; he DID have a serious condition!

And the day before his surgery Jan 10, 2003? He got a phone call from his union, wanting to send him out on a job. Thankfully, I answered the phone and informed them he was about to undergo open-heart surgery. The spouse was even mad at me for that! Men....

Marianne Stephens said...

What a scary holiday season that was for all of you. Why is it men don't take their health needs as seriously as women do????

Molly Daniels said...

@Marianne: He grew up on a farm where 'sick days' weren't tolerated unless you were throwing up or had a broken bone, or needed to go to the hospital.

Janice Seagraves said...

How scary for you. I'm glad he is better now and the surgery is behind him.

Molly Daniels said...

@Janice: Me too:) It was a very snowy winter that year, and I hated being the one to drive everywhere! That's what drove me crazy the most, I think: The weather!