Tuesday, December 08, 2009

In the blink of an eye.....





I almost don't know where to begin.

My husband had a heart attack on Monday night of last week & he was in the critical care unit of the hospital followed by the step-down telemetry unit, where he remains today. Luckily, he doesn't have much damage to his heart muscle but he had to have a heart catheterization done & was on a balloon pump for awhile, which assists the heart in its pumping action.

Its been a very scary time, even though I worked as a nurse for over 17 years, most of them spent in the cardiac field! I know too much & yet I still have a million questions. I've done nothing but run back & forth to the hospital....sometimes in the middle of the night, the few times he took a turn for the worse.

The doctors briefly considered open heart surgery but since he is 83...(much older than me)

.......they have tabled that idea for the moment. He may yet have angioplasty & some stents put in to keep the arteries open.
He's doing much better now & I feel like I can finally breathe. You know that feeling...."waiting to exhale"?

In the blink of an eye, our world has been turned upside down. All the fuss & scurrying with preparations for the holidays came to a sudden halt & seems so silly now. You gain a new perspective on what is really important. I hope to bring him home from the hospital today & I am so very grateful that he may survive to share another Christmas with me. We will be eating much healthier this holiday season, that's for sure.

My friends have supported me & kept me sane this past week & I want to say "thank you" to all of them. Your phone calls, emails & cards have all helped to lift my spirits & make me feel not so alone in a very empty house. Your continued prayers would be greatly appreciated.










22 comments:

  1. Rett, big big prayers going up for the continued recovery of your husband. I can't imagine how scary that had to be. Take care of you while you take care of him. God Bless

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  2. Rett! I'm so sorry for all that you have been through, and I pray that you have peace and that your husband makes a full recovery. Please know that I am thinking of you and sending you prayers and all good wishes. We have been there with family members, and I know that "waiting to exhale" feeling. I also know that the Lord is the greatest comfort there is. He is the calm in the storm, The place we run to hide when the storm rages around us. From that Bible open to Psalm 23, I know you know that, too.

    XO,

    Sheila

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  3. Rett, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's health problems. You and he and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you can bring him home today and he has a speedy recovery.

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  4. Rett, I am so sorry for your DH's heart problems. I can't imagine how terrifying this has all been. I will pray for a fast and speedy recovery and I hope you get him home today. You and He will be in my prayers. Hugs, Marty

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  5. Sweet Rett- I am so sorry that the past few days have been so stressful and scary for you. have thought of you often and pray that E recovers quickly and can come home soon to enjoy the holiday season. Take care of yourself.

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  6. I'm so sorry abt your hsb's illness My thoughts are with you.

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  7. Goodness, Rett, I am so sorry. Your whole family is in my thoughts and prayers. You are so right, it does make everything else look so silly...

    xoxo
    Jane

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  8. Dear Rett: I wish I could come over there and wrap my arms around both of you. Words can't express my love and concern now. I'm so sorry this had to happen, but thank God that he pulled through and is expected to recover. Please take care of yourself, Rett and give your sweet husband a kiss from me!!!

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  9. i am sorry to read about your husband, but i am sure he is happy to be coming home to your loving care. my prayers will be for a speedy recovery and may you have a joyous holiday season.

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  10. Rett,

    my prayer are being lifted up for you, your hubby and family as I type. I wish I could be there to hold your hand or give you hugs, or clean your toliets. I pray tha t God will continue to lay these needs upon the hearts of those near and dear. Blessing wished to you... Dee Dee

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  11. Rett...I am so sorry that you are going through this. Glad he is doing better. Yes, it only takes a moment for life to totally change. Take care of yourself and him....

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  12. Rett you know you and your dear husband are both in my thoughts and prayers. big hugs going to you

    Marilyn

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  13. Rett, is there anything I can do for you and Ern? I am more than willing. Please know that I am sending you both hugs and prayers. I know this will work itself out and you will be a wonderful caretaker to Ern while he is not doing so well. Don't forget to take care of yourself, too, friend. Emailing you thru ES.

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  14. Rett,I am so happy Ernie is doing better. You and Ernie are in my in my thoughts and daily prayers. Take care of yourself.

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  15. Rett, we've had some of those moments ourselves. They sure do make us thankful for the blessings we do have. I'm so glad Ernie is doing better. Hugs to you.

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  16. hiRett,
    I'm so sorry to hear this sad news, I will keep him in my Prayers and you also for strength to take care of him. Do rest and relax some so you do not end up sick. I cannot even imagine what you have gone through, It sure does put things in perspective now doesn't it, I agree life with our loved ones is the MOST important thing.
    You are in my Prayers tonight
    hugs,
    jamie--mimi

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  17. Rett, I am so sorry to hear of your husband's illness - I hope everything starts to improve for him.
    Thinking of you,
    Suzy

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  18. You both take care, you are in my prayers. I agree as nurses it's often too much knowledge that keeps the anxieties high. My thoughts and prayers are with you this Wordless Wednesday.

    http://www.gardenersreach.com/post/The-Fable-of-the-Christmas-Poinsettia.aspx

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  19. You know that you and E. have been in my thoughts and prayers. I am so relieved that he is doing better. Big hugs for you both! Love, Karen

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  20. Rett, I'm just now reading this post. I had no idea. I've definitely got both of you in my thoughts and prayers. I do know that feeling of "waiting to exhale". Take care of each other and know that you have many friends who are sending positive energy your way. I hope you husband is back home soon and on the road to recovery. Life can change in a blink of an eye!
    Hugs to you sweet friend....Sarah

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  21. Hi Rett,
    I just wanted to stop in and see how hubby is doing??? I hope he is all better now and getting around nicely. It is such a busy time of the year and I'm so glad you both were quick to action on his health. I will be Praying for a full and speedy recovery for him. I will Pray that God gives you much needed rest and strength to care for him. Enjoy the Christmas season with the ones you love so much as you for sure really understand it is the people we love so much that matters the most.
    God Bless you both
    hugs,
    jamie

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  22. Rett I am so sorry to hear about your husband's heart attack. My FIL is getting ready to go in for an angioplasty and stints also. Yes, scary times. But how Blessed are you to have been in the cardiac field and to understand what is going on. For me? Ignorance is bliss I guess.
    Many prayers for you and your family. Keep us posted.
    Merry Christmas!
    Karen @ Some Days Are Diamonds

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I read them all & each one is so very special to me & I try really hard to return the visit!

fondly,
~Rett~