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Saturday, December 16, 2023

THE STORY

So...

ONE WEEK AGO I was almost not going to make it back.  I'm going to give a moment by moment so that I can preserve it and share it as it was pretty traumatic enough to go through.  I'll open with dogs and end with Hobart should you prefer to skip to the end.

We've had so many ask us if any warning signs happened.  These are my experiences but don't use any of this as a medical diagnosis.  Bottom line, if you feel something is wrong, call the doctor or emergency services.

Well, first up, we're guys, you know we don't go to doctors like we should (though THAT is changing, ha).  In retrospect, for the last few months, I had congestion when I woke up in the morning.  Usually enough to cough up phlegm. I'd also have to squirt my nose with some nasal spray a few times a night.  I chalked it up to seasonal allergies.  A quick Google search indicates that's can be a symptom of congestive heart failure.  Indeed, since my procedure, I sleep great and no coughing or phlegm in the morning and no congestion.  

They checked my blood (over and over and over, as they do, ha) and I have no diabetes.  Also my LDL cholesterol was borderline high but nothing that might have indicated heart issues and blood pressure is in the normal range most of the time.  Probably an annual physical would have detected anomalies...bottom line, visit your doctor!

Office dogs
So last Thursday at work, I was fine.  These are our office dogs, the boss brings them up and we love it.  Definitely a stress reliever, ha.  It was a normal day.  No issues, ran errands at lunch.  Now on Wednesday, our building did have its elevators down so we had to walk up and down five flights of stairs.  I was VERY winded and exhausted but it passed.  

I came home, 2nd Man made dinner, fettuccine Alfredo with chicken and salad.  It was, of course, wonderful.  And I did, of course, overeat.  That's our biggest issue (changing that).  I ate two and a half bowls because it's one of my favorites.  No dessert.  I was still fine, other than feeling OVERFULL.

2nd Man went to bed about 11:30.  I started getting a headache about midnight and grabbed a couple of aspirin (in hindsight, good choice).  I went downstairs on a 'trash to treasure' search, ha, and on the way back up, my chest started hurting.  By now it's about 12:30am.  I sat on the couch and thought "meh, indigestion, I ate way too much".  I went to bed and laid there and it just kept getting worse.  When they say it's a crushing chest pain, it is.  I was also getting out of breath.  I laid in bed for about an hour thinking it has to be indigestion or heartburn and I could wait until morning but I sat up and reached for my phone to check the symptoms of a heart attack. Just then, my left arm starting hurting, like radiating pains from my chest down my left arm.  Also my Apple Watch recorded a heart rate of 143.  As I was looking up the symptoms, headache, chest pain, arm pain, rapid pulse, the next on the list was profuse sweating and it was like someone flipped a switch and I was just wringing wet.  I realized, this is serious.

I woke up 2nd man (not the thing you want to be awakened to from a deep sleep) and by this time it's about 2:30am. 

I changed into clean clothes (Moms always know best, ha) while he called 911.  They asked me to get on the phone so they could ask questions.  Pain on a scale of 1-10 (7ish, 8).  Heart rate (140s).  They said the ambulance was en-route.  

It took about 5 minutes, though as anyone who has waited for an ambulance can attest, it seems an eternity.  I got my license and insurance information together and we locked Hobart in the bedroom.  Soon, they were knocking on the door.  Now here in Houston, they send a regular ambulance and a cardiac ambulance.  That's to free up the cardiac in case it tunes out to be a non heart issue.  The first batch of EMTs came in and pricked my finger (blood sugar was 176 but they said that was probably the dinner I had).  I took off my shirt and he put on the initial monitors.  He got on his walkie talkie and told the other group to come up.  They hooked me up to a bigger machine that was sitting on the dining table and I could see them all make silent eye contact.

Not Christmas decorations
The guy goes "we need to get you to the hospital asap, you are having a heart attack.  The other guy adds "actually, it looks like you are having two at the same time".  I got on the stretcher, they took me down and out to the cardiac ambulance.  The hospital is only about 5 minutes from our apartment.  2nd Man had to drive separately. 

The EMT started an IV.  In the close confines of the ambulance, his leg was touching my arm and I said "I hate needles, I might have to grab your leg!". He laughed and said "grab whatever you need to make it better".  Nice attitude.  He got the IV started (didn't hurt like I thought it might, but it could also been the intense chest pain by now closing in on 9).  He hooked up the monitor and banged on the wall of the ambulance and said "pick up the pace". He lubed up the paddles for the heart machine and said "we might need this".  Not what you want to hear.

Thankfully they didn't.  They wheeled me into the ER and it was literally just like the TV shows.  You look up at a light and you just seen all sorts of faces leaning in and coming at you from every direction.  They put portable defibrillator paddles on me "just in case".  One person is saying we are starting another IV on the other side, someone else says they are removing my clothing and someone else says they are shaving my groin.  Then I hear 30cc's of this and 20ml's of that and then I hear "has someone texted the surgeon?"  "yes, the OR is on standby".  I asked "am I going to have to have open heart surgery?"  The ER doc said "not if I can help it but we have about 90 minutes to save your heart and you are already about 45 minutes into it, you are having a major heart attack we are getting you up to the Cath Lab now". 

The whole time, I'm telling them to look for my husband and I'm texting him while all this is going on.  The last thing I texted him was "I'm scared" and then "I love you always".

They wheeled me up to the lab and were pushing the gurney fast.  I got up there, they started explaining what they were going to do and the catheter goes through the femoral artery in my leg.  "I'm still conscious and asking and I said "is it going to hurt?" and he said "it's going to be uncomfortable but we're going to give you something that might make you feel a little loopy but you'll be awake throughout".

Sure enough, I think I might have drifted off a couple of times but the whole procedure took about 35 minutes and I remember most of it.  When it was done, they wheel over a video to show you the blockage and the stent and the new blood flow.  It's like watching a satellite image of a dry river bed after a rain, how it spreads and opens up.  I kind of didn't really understand most of it but he said within the last few years I had another heart attack, a mild one, and some people's bodies are able to have arteries reroute themselves and mine did that.  It was just the rerouted ones that had an issue.  Don't remember that a few years ago for sure!


I don't really remember sleeping much.  The pain from the insertion site was the worst.  The incision for the the cath line was just a quick sting but then apparently someone leans on you with all of their weight to keep your artery from bleeding out.  Here a week later, it's STILL sore.  Like a deep, deep bruise.  

2nd Man was there in the ICU room when I came back.  It was crazy.  We texted office coworkers, family, friends, etc to let everyone know.  The cardiologist came around and said "yep, they texted me at 3am to get up here, you woke me up from a deep sleep" and then he started laughing.  He said "if you had waited another hour or two, you would be gone".  That's a wake up call for sure.

I never had to be resuscitated.  I never had to be intubated.  So those were blessings. I now have two stents, one in the left circumflex artery and one in the right coronary artery.  I think I dozed on an off for a bit, but in a hospital do you ever rest?

They should decorate hospital ceilings
I had to lay flat for 6 hours minimum, ended up being longer.  About 16 hours later, they came in and said the doctor gave me the OK to lay on my side.  That was the first actual sleep I got.

Above was my view as they kept me in the ICU the whole weekend.  Finally got to go home Sunday evening and that was THE best night's sleep ever.  I think I slept for 14 hours straight.

Hospital food
Oh, this was the breakfast I got when I woke up after the first "sort of" nights sleep in ICU.  Boy that's appealing huh?  HA!  Turkey sausage (which was pretty good), oatmeal, scrambled eggs, some weird pancake like thing, and orange juice and 2% milk.


Here are my two blockages, or I guess you can say, the two heart attacks.  Not sure if you can read it, but there is writing on there that says "door to balloon 59 minutes".  They worked their magic and I'm here.

2nd Man says my skin feels different, it's more moist and warmer.  Another sign perhaps?

We're adapting to a new way of living.  We're downsizing portions and making healthier choices.  2nd Man has been ordering salmon and ground turkey and lots of chicken, etc.  I have my first cardiologist followup in a couple of weeks.  No driving for a couple of weeks.  No stairs.  No straining.  No heavy lifting, but he does want me walking and I've been doing that.  Next week I start working from home for the rest of the year.  Have to do cardiac rehab too.

Ignore the IV bruising

But let's be honest, feline cardiac rehab is THE best. 

And from now on, I will also celebrate 12/08...as a new sort of 'rebirthday'.  

50 comments:

  1. *Hugs*. So very glad you acted and contacted emergency services. It IS scary how heart attack symptoms don't present themselves as what is shown on tv or movies or even the internet. My husband had a heart attack this past January; 5 bypasses. Doctors say he may have been having heart attacks since Thanksgiving of last year. The post-surgery cardiac therapy and the education classes attached to that program helped him immensely. He now reads all food labels and exercises every day. You have a good team around you helping you recover; Second Man, Hobart plus your medical team. You'll do great in your recovery. Sending healing thoughts your way.

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    1. Thank you, much appreciate. Sending good thoughts to your hubby!!! I'll keep hanging in there!

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  2. Wow! Just reading this kinda made my heart beat a bit faster!
    The 2nd gentleman aka Chef can order all kinds of good eats, but knowing how to fix them so they are healthy rather then blocking is the trick! I have to believe he already knows that and he doesn't need a bunch of old (or young) ladies telling him how the cow ate the cabbage! LOL
    Anyway ... thank goodness you are well on the way to a healthier lifestyle to be lived fully!
    Love and hugs from the old gal in Colorado!

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    1. Right? Ha. He's been cooking wonderful healthy food. We've had chicken soup, turkey bolognese over chickpea noodles, eggs, homemade wheat bread, salmon, etc, ha. Thanks for the wishes!!

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  3. Hugs. I am so glad that you made that call. So very glad.

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  4. Most excellent! I'm glad you're still here, too.

    Hugs!

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  5. What a traumatic experience - for both you and 2nd Man! So glad you didn’t wait any longer to get help. It was very fortunate that the hospital is only 5 minutes away. If you had been at the Farm, especially by yourself …. well, that would not have been good. How scary to find out that you had a mild heart attack several years ago and you didn’t know it. Dec. 8 will definitely need to be celebrated for being your 2nd chance.
    I’m so happy that you’re steadily recovering with excellent medical care, a very good plan for rehab, and plenty of love and care from 2nd Man and Hobart. ❤️

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    1. Yes, in retrospect I'm so blessed. And yeah I have no idea what happened back when it happened, no symptoms that I remember. Good care healthy food and lotsa love, that's all we need!

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  6. What a story...... so glad you are getting better!
    Linda from Alabama

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  7. Bless your heart. Literally! I know it's a scary thing to go through. The cardiac rehab will give you a boost of confidence for getting back to your everyday activities. After my heart surgery I was so scared to do anything that got my heart rate up, but cardiac rehab was a big help! Continue to take care of yourself. It sounds like you are well on your way to a great recovery.

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    1. I"ve heard that about cardia rehab, I hope so. I was walking yesterday and my heart rate was up to like 105 and I was worried, ha. Thank you much!!

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  8. Glad you made it through that harrowing experience and are on the mend. I'm sure 2nd Man will take good care of you! Looking forward to all the healthy menus he has in store for you. Take care. Wanda aka Galestorm :)

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    1. Thank you for the kind words! Yep, I'll be well fed for sure (healthily!).

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  9. wow that was serious. it is a miracle that you made it. thank the universe!!!

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    1. Thanks, yep, it was a miracle for sure, I almost let it go and I'm so glad I didn't.

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  10. Rebirthday indeed! My heart was racing as I read your very accurate account of such a frightening experience. SO very happy for you and we all have high hopes and expectations for much better and peaceful days ahead. Whew! X. Hugs to you all.

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    1. Thank you very much. It's going to be a process but here we are!

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  11. Wow this had me on the edge of my seat as I read this. I am glad you are one of the lucky few that get another chance .👍
    barb

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    1. I've heard that a few times when in the hospital. Thank you so much!!

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  12. Yes, agreed , thank goodness you get this second chance.!

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  13. It really is amazing how oblivious we are to our bodies and how our bodies just keep chugging along despite developing problems. I'm grateful you are on the mend and I expect that your dietary changes will become second nature and very satisfying to you once 2nd man makes his magic in the kitchen. Between that and the fresh air and exercise you'll have on the farm, I anticipate decades of blogging in your future. Happy New Year to you both.

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    1. Aww that was sweet, thank you so much. I'll take decades for sure! ;-). And yes, the body is amazing it does keep working up until it reaches its limit, which apparently is pretty high.

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  14. What an experience and what a miracle that you didn't discount it another 60 minutes. Here's to a new lease on life.

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    1. I am glad I didn't either. I might have chalked it up to indigestion until that arm pain and that's what freaked me out. New lease!!! 2.0!

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  15. That was scary. I sat for four hours a couple of weeks ago wondering if this was indigestion or a heart attack. I finally quit hurting and slept for about 9 hours. I knew it was not a good idea to wait, but I have an appointment at cardio and will see if that was a heart attack.
    Twenty years ago, I had the groin thing done and heart and arteries were clean, nothing. So, twenty years has made a difference and not for the better. I lay for over nine hours and was relieved to be turned on my side.
    I know they have to do it, but hospitals are annoying and not conducive to sleep.
    I just asked Tommy, and says I have always felt cool. That observation by second man is interesting.
    I know you will follow the diet to live. I even read spice bottles! It is shocking where sodium is.
    Practical Parsimony
    There must be another Linda who lives in Alabama. That was not me.

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    1. Oh wow, I hope you get checked out soon. They said I had one previously and I don't remember anything like this pain but it could have been when I was out of breath at the farm or I was moving stuff around and felt like I pulled a muscle, you just never know. And yep, there is hidden sodium everywhere, even in those spice blends. Hang in there and take care of yourself!

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  16. You sound as if you were quite calm as it was actually happening. I'm the same and then I can't get it out of my head. I bet you you were a lovely patient. Medical personnel have very odd senses of humour. I've been on the receiving end and dished it out but at least I'll be more careful from now on.

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    1. Ha, I was usually calm. Funny what you said, the nurses all were so sorry to see me leave they said I was a dream patient, ha. I laughed and said "I bet you say that to all the patients" and they laughed and said "oh nooooo....we don't", ha. All of my nurses were so sweet and kind. I really enjoyed that aspect.

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  17. I am so glad things worked out for you. It must have been very scary.

    Like I said in a previous comment, my guy really promotes cardiac rehab. He did his after a quadruple bypass surgery over 15 years ago. It really lets you know what you can do safely.

    -Katie C.

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    1. It was scary at times but I'm still here. Glad to hear about the cardia rehab. I think that's the thing I worry about mostly.

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  18. I had to read your account to my husband. I figured it was a good lesson for him to hear. we were both surprised they didn't take your phone away while you were in ER.

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    1. Thanks, yes, I will forever be a 1000% do not ignore these symptoms person. Heck, the first EMTs were here to just rule out heart attack and if anyone ever has symptoms, they won't take you if everything looks ok. So yes, always check. It was odd about the phone, I kept it in my lap. Now when they did the cath lab part, they put it in my bag with my clothes but otherwise, I just kept it in my lap with my hand on it while I dozed. I'm not sure if they let me just being nice or if there is some rule.

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  19. I've been reading you for many years and I don't think I've ever commented. But I have to now, to say I'm so glad you're still with us. Best wishes for a quick recovery and a very Merry Christmas to you and your husband, and of course Nurse Hobbart - from Brussels, Belgium

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    1. Well how very kind of you to reach out. Thank you so much that means the world to us. Merry Christmas to you from this side of the world too!!!

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  20. That experience may have been academically interesting if you knew the outcome would be OK. Glad you made it. It sure helps to live in a city where there is good help right around the corner. Merry Christmas and a Hap Hap Happy New Year.

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    1. definitely, ha. Yes, medical facilities abound here in Houston and the hospital I went to is very close to our apartment. Even from the farm though, we are about 12 miles from a world class memorial Hermann hospital so that's good for future knowledge.

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  21. So glad your okay and so glad you decided to ring the ambulance when you did [no disrespect but men usually think "it will be okay". We know our bodies and if it feels off, it's off and as our bodies can't talk you have to listen to it when things aren't normal. It's trying to tell you something. Glad you will be around for Christmas and years to come, life is so precious.

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    1. OH 100% agree. We have changed that mindset but yet, if it feels off, listen. Life is indeed precious. Thank you for the kind words.

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  22. Whew, that was on-the-edge-of-the-seat reading. It's such a blessing how everything worked out the way it did. Life is the best Christmas gift of all.

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    1. Thank You and yes, amen, life is the best gift of all. Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!

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    1. Not sure I'd say we ate unhealthy. We eat fast food maybe once or twice a year, processed food is a rarity as well. 1st Man cooks veggies and homemade meals. Heck, we have eaten once at a restaurant since the pandemic. My blood pressure came back normal. I do not have diabetes so that's good. And the LDL cholesterol (the bad one) was on the high end of the normal range so he did want that down a bit. But the good cholesterol was great, he was glad to see that. Our only usual struggle was portion control, 1st Man cooks such good food, it was always seconds or thirds, ha. Oh and in the last couple of years, we made it a habit to have a salad at least twice a week. I guess if I was able to have my numbers pretty close to good (2nd Man is getting his checked next week) I would have to chalk it up to unlucky genetics. But this is a wake up call and we have cut out all red meat now and eating a lot of salmon and good fish and turkey and chicken lots of veggies, low sodium and avoiding butter and whole milk. Will have a post on some of the great stuff he has cooked for us. Hey, have lost 9 lbs in the last two weeks so that's good. Not sure we will make it to vegan but more vegetarian would be fine with me. Thank you for the thoughts and good vibes.

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    2. Oh and the alerts is a google thing, I'm trying to find another way to have them send out something. Google had a follow ability that would send the alerts but they discontinued that. I'll see what we can find as an alternative. :-)

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  24. Why do some people always try to be holier than thou, like they have the answer. My best friend never smoked, was vegan for 10 years, ran marathons and had a body that could be on the cover of Men's Health...,he died of a heart attack at 48. It's the luck of what you are born with I suppose. At least she wished you well, ha. RJ

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    1. I don't think she was being mean. She was writing out of a place of concern. But you are right, I've had a few clients that have passed over the years and they were the epitome of health. Heck my Grandfather on my mother's side lived to almost 90 and he had bacon, eggs and biscuits every morning for most of his life. He also smoked when he was young. Go figure. If they have fixed mine and I make it another 32 years, I'll match his age. Hopefully I can do that while avoiding bacon eggs and biscuits on a regular basis, ha. And we appreciate her well wishes, they were very sweet.

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  25. Oh, my. I just read this. I'm glad you are doing better. So grateful you got great care, and took the symptoms seriously. Please take care.

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