Right when we thought the car was coasting to a stop, we hit an unexpected turn. Last night after dinner, Robert noticed he felt like he had drank too much caffiene, but he hadn't had any. When I, the inexperienced, felt for his pulse I could tell it was not normal. I suggested we go to ER (Dallas) but he said no, it costs too much. So I said I would call a nurse friend...and after several tries, I found one - she came over with her stethoscope and confirmed a very rapid (148), irregular pulse. We reached the cardiologist on call and he said to get him into ER (Salem) right away. With a pulse of 148, blood pressure of 177/125 and an arrhythmic EKG, he got a lot of attention! His heart was once again in an a-fib flutter. Once the right medication was in his system, everything settled down (although still in a-fib) and they thought he would go home. But alas, the enzymes had risen a tiny bit, so they moved him to 4th floor. This morning his cardiologist ordered the angiogram for today, instead of a week from today. He also planned to do an ablation to restore sinus rhythm. Well, Robert is now back in his room resting after having two stents put in. He had significant blockage in two arteries. The great news right now is that when they got the stent in place on the left side and full blood flow was restored, sinus rhythm returned! Turns out the blockage was right in the area of the heart that controls rhythm and evidently it wasn't getting enough blood flow. I haven't talked to the Dr yet, but I'm sure they'll keep an eye on him and if he stays in sinus rhythm, he probably won't need the ablation (she says hopefully!). I think we may be seeing the hand of God at work - perhaps the biopsy scheduled for Tuesday was going to be too much on his heart, so God said, nope, the angiogram needs to be done first! When I look at the "before" and "after" pictures, I am certain he was protected from a major heart event. Though it was hard to come in last night, back in the hospital with all its noises, smells, and memories, and scary to face again the uncertainty of what was going on, restored blood flow to the heart is a good thing! Thank you to our Maker who orchestrates all things for His Glory.
~Jeanette
Things that should never be...
10 years ago
4 comments:
May you feel God's loving hand on you all as you navigate that "unexpected turn" in the road.
Goldye
Praise the Lord! God is looking out for you! He is faithful isn't
He? The stents should do the work of allowing the blood to flow. As always, my prayers and thoughts are with you. I love you, Aunt P.
O MY WORD, Jeanette! Lifting hands of Praise, for both of you.
Does Bob have heart disease problems in his family? This sure sounds like it. Is he on hi-blood pressure Rx's?
We will prayerfully uphold you both in the Master's Hands as you continue thru this valley, where HE is in control of everything.
To God be the glory, great things He hath done.
Thanks for the prayers Arlene. No, Robert doesn't have any coronary heart disease in his family that he is aware of, so this kind of catches him off guard. Yes,he has been on medicine to help keep his blood pressure under control but it obviously wasn't working lately!
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