What a week!

It has been an interesting few days this week. I’m copying some e-mails which tell the story better than I could just blogging.

September 25, 2006

Dad had a heart attack this afternoon. He is doing well as is at Billings Clinic Room 2204 ATU. There was some blockage in the grafts from the by-pass surgery. They put in a couple of stents and he is doing well. He has good color as was talking to us before we left. He'll be in for a couple of days
He had gone shopping this afternoon and a had little pain and thought it was gas since he had just eaten. KMart was having a sale on soda so he was hoping to get some but they were out  so he went to Target . The pain wasn't getting better so he went home. When it still didn't pass he called 911. Before he knew it there was a fire truck  at the house followed by an ambulance. I was at a movie,  So up until I got home it was a normal Monday.
The neighbor motioned to me when I pull up the street and told me that the grandfather who lived in that house had a heart attack. I said, "you mean my Dad!?" " He wanted to let you know was a Deaconess"  The calm in her voice told me that Dad had talked to her so I wasn't in a panic. I just went in the house grabbed my cell phone and went to the hospital.
Please keep Dad in your prayers

Pete (Son)

September 26:

Your dad does indeed look good. When I arrived, he was sitting in his chair watching TV. He was unplugged from the monitors around the bed and they had him hooked up to a radio telemetry gizmo that he had stuffed into the pocket on his gown. This allows him to walk around freely while they monitor him remotely. He had still not seen the surgeon, so no decision had been made with respect to a time for release. He looked ready to go home, as far as I could see, but the hospital was being cautious. From what he told me, your dad was not feeling any significant discomfort from the procedure, and he was probably feeling better than before because he is now getting better circulation to his heart.


Mark Taylor (Nephew)

Hi Everybody,
 
We just got back from Billings and a visit with Dad.  He seemed in good spirits and not incapacitated at all.  In fact before we left he was yawning and I said "You look like you could use a good nap."  He replied that with not much to do but walk around and lie in bed it was pretty boring.  Sounds good to me.  Can't be bored if you're in pain.  
 
Anyway, I called the hospital as soon as we got home to see if he's getting out tonight because when we left he wasn't sure.  He said they decided that they would keep him overnight for "some reason," but he will be going home tomorrow morning.   He said to be sure to tell everyone that he is all right. 
 
EVERYONE, DAD'S ALL RIGHT! (add as many Praise Gods or Hallelujahs as you want)
 
Love always, Annie (daughter)

Finally got the doctors at the Clinic to release me this morning.   Blood pressure, heart rate, etc. were all in good order.  The Emergency people took good care of me and so far I am walking without  any angina.  The surgeon is muttering something about an enlarged  opening in the Aortic valve.  I am to see Dr. Zirpoli in about a  month to discuss that situation.  Last December Dr. Burg, my cardiologist since retired, didn't think it was bad enough that  surgery would be needed at my age - soon to be 82.  We'll see.  I 
certainly want to get the best input possible before going back to the hospital.

I want to thank all for the telephone calls, the e-mail notes, the prayers, and the good thoughts.  I am particularly in debt to Pete for handling things so well.

Love to all,  Jim, Dad, Grandfather, etc.