Hi all, just taking a minute here at the Central Maine Medical Ctr to let you know that my Mom has had a major heart attack. She became very ill, very suddenly on Sunday morning. The estimated time of arrival for the ambulance was too long, so I loaded her into the car and made the 6 min drive to Bridgton in under 3 mins. A nurse was in the parking lot and I yelled to her and she ran in to the ER yelling, out came 4 nurses with a stretcher. When we got inside a team of 8 people were ready. As soon as the EKG was read, LifeFlight was called. They made the 12 minute flight in 10 mins. Mom was in the OR here in Lewiston within 50 minutes of our original arrival at Bridgton! They call the 1st 90 minutes the Golden Time. Everyone was amazed at how quickly and how well everything came together. She had a complete blockage on the left side of her heart. 4 stents were placed in a very tough procedure. Her artery was calcified making it extremely difficult to get around/through the blockage to place the stents. The cardiac surgeon said it was "a character building experience!" He said he used every trick and technique he had ever learned to prevent having to do a bypass. The angioplasty is usually done in under an hour, Mom's took almost 2 hrs. I picked up Jim (he was unbelievably upset) and we were waiting when she came out of surgery. My brother and his girlfriend arrived and stayed until late last night. They will be back on Wednesday. My son Jeff's girlfriend Sarah has been our angel. She has been taking care of Diego, the puppy, cats and EVERYTHING else and even brought us roses! I haven't left the hospital except to drive Jim two streets over, back to the nursing home. I will leave tomorrow to spend time with Dee and Dylan if Mom does ok tonight. Dylan is taking this very hard and had a tough day at school today. Please say a prayer for the poor kid. He sure does love his Nana. Last night was the night from hell. She vomitted and dry heaved all night. Nothing helped. When we did manage to fall asleep it always seemed time for her 3 hr cardiac enzyme blood test! Today her color is much better and she ate a little bit and walked a few steps out of her room. She said she is too stubborn to die! I said she'd better not leave me! Her hip surgery will have to be put off at least 2 mos and she will probably not be able to do her Cardiac Rehab until after the hip surgery. What a mess! But, she is Alive and Well and we are in an incredible medical center! I could not ask for better care. We are both exhausted and hoping for a good nights sleep tonight. Please keep her in your prayers. Arms around, Susan
Hi, I am finally home. It is Tuesday night, I'm relieved but exhausted. Mom has come through it all with flying colors. She was treated within an hour of the onset of symptoms and this kept her from having what should have/could have been major damage. Thank God for the blessing of fantastic medical care and LifeFlight! If tonight goes as well as today whe will come home with visiting nurses to check in on her. Her hip replacement will need to be put off until February. Then after her hip rehab she can begin cardiac rehab. Luckilly the damage was minimal and all on the right side of the heart.
I got crushing news about my daughter. She got herself into quite a fix and lets just say she is back in court ordered rehab and I don't expect to see her for many months. So far the boys haven't asked. This all happened Sunday night while I was in ICU with my Mom. What a mess. Now I am on my own with Jim, Mom and the boys. Yikes, one breath at a time.
My Dad passed away 7 yrs ago today. I have been trying to focus on all the beautiful memories he left us with.
Sunday Jim and I celebrate our 6th Anniversary. It is also my Dad's birthday.
This Thanksgiving I am giving thanks for Mom's 2nd chance, my 2nd chance and all of you. Thank you for always being here for me.
Susan, I can't imagine all the trials you've had; God is surely looking out for you, though, through it all. My prayers are with you and your family and the wonderful medical center.
Oh gosh Susan, this just breaks my heart for you. You're in my prayers and thoughts and oh gee what can one say at a time like this. Here's to second changes though and to the guardian angel watching over you and your mom. Arms around, Susan, arms around.
Susan...so sorry for your troubles, but I want you to know that your "get er done" attitude is an inspiration to me everyday. Hope your Mom heals quickly, your daughter gets turned around and the boys weather this storm well. You're my hero! xox cs
Susan, I am so sorry for all that you are going through. I pray everything will turn out well for your Mom, you, your daughter and Dylan. Hang on to the rope. God Bless.
Susan, God bless you and your famioly! I cannot imagine what you are going through. It is so true - bad things happen to good people. We still have the rope hanging with lots of knots. Hangon tight! We love you.
Happy to report that I was able to bring Mom AND Jim home today! It is amazing to see Jim back in our home. It's tough as his wheel chair doesn't fit through any of our doors, but with help he can use the walker to make it to a chair, etc. Mom looks great, tired but great! My brother and his girlfriend should be here any time now, my son is leaving late tonight to make the drive up here. His girlfriend Sarah is at home now baking all the pies! She is such a sweetheart. I just showered, put the boys to bed and have poured myself a glass of wine. So here's raising a glass to all of us caregivers who continue to preservere! \_/ CHEERS!
Susan, I am so glad to hear your mom is doing so much better! We almost lost my mom last Christmas Eve to congestive heart failure, so I can sympathize with all you are going through. The heart is an amazing organ! Mom's left side is all but "dead", their words, yet she is still going strong! I pray this will be the case for your mom as well ((hugs))
I have been away so I didn't know Jim was going to be coming home! I hope you have some help lined up? Don't want YOU ending up in the ER from trying to take care of everyone. There is always something to give thanks about, sometimes, we just have to dig a little deeper ;) ((big hugs)) Nikki
Nikki, Jim was only home for two nights. He will be home for two nights at Christmas also. Yes, I had my brother and our son Jeff to help. Really missed our DD. So far my Mom is doing great. She gets tired, but looks good.