Thursday, June 20, 2013

Side-tripping to the hospital


  A long week at Shiprock, then a following week of steady work at the lab processing film and then proofing the negatives.  This last Monday morning I just couldn't seem to get up and get going.  I didn't have a schedule so I hit the computer, went back to bed, tried to sleep in a bit, read, but nothing seemed to fit.  Just couldn't get comfortable.  My energy wouldn't kick in.

  Katie got up and headed for her pilates studio.  By 10 I'd noticed that I didn't seem to have any arm strength or any grip strength in either hand.  I had it, but resting, it was hard to believe I had it.  Plus I had a subtle ache in the top of my chest.  Katie came back in and read the symptoms into the computer which said "head for the ER.  I already had Jackson on standby for the same destination so he came and got me and away we went to Mother Frances.  The ER doc didn't like the EKG so they ran a heart enzyme test.  Looks like I had an event.  Tuesday morning I went through the cardiac catherization lab and Dr. Kumar put a stent in to open up an artery with over 90% blockage.  It was in an easy place.

  Out yesterday to get home and sleep in my own bed.  Amazing medicine and really great care from the folks at TMFHS.  I'm beyond grateful.  The follow-up will be finding the right meds to tolerate the stent and drop cholesterol and triglycerides.

  This will no doubt shake up my summer schedule but...so what?  I'm alive and healing.  Thanks to everyone for your care and concern.  Thank God for family and friends....and hotshot cardiologists with the latest technology.

Shiprock shadow, East side.

Update:  This morning I realized I felt back to normal, energy-wise and otherwise.  I'm sure it's not completely true- and I'm not going to push it, but that's a nice sensation to have!

8 comments:

Old NFO said...

Glad to hear you didn't try to 'tough it out'... If you had, you might not be here... Get well, we miss your pictures!

JD(not the one with the picture) said...

Strange that it would happen in your own bed (at least when you're alone in it) instead of when you were climbing around Shiprock, but I'm glad it didn't happen out in the hinterboonies somewhere. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Unknown said...

Had a friend who was scheduled for a stent, but ended up with a quadruple bypass because they discovered over 90% blockage in all 4. That was years ago and he's still going strong.

Sidney said...

Sorry to hear that but glad you were out quick.

Bob said...

Best wishes for a quick and complete recovery.

Anonymous said...

The very best to you, your recovery, and a continuation of the vigorous life.
Lazarus Long

Robert Langham said...

I don't want to miss the shooting part.

NotClauswitz said...

Sounds like my Dad's event - the one stent fixed everything and he's 89 now... Heal well!