An EVENT

Friday, June 18

We had an eventful day. We had planned egg roll weekend. Andy and Nicholas were hosting as usual. Gretchen and Noah stopped and got me in the morning and Mike was going to give a tour at Music Man and then drive over for the Korean Meal leaving for Decorah about 4:00. And that happened. Unfortunately, he called Andy about 4:50 (my phone was off) and Mike told me he didn’t know what happened About 10 miles (actually 14 miles) out he felt he would black out...and was trying to pull over and he came to in a corn field...the car was still running so he drove out.

I called him and he was a block from home…saying he was alright…Andy got on the phone and could hear the car.

I called the neighbor Bruce (in Mn) and then Nellie (at home) and asked her to to go check on him. She did and Mike talked to her and then collapsed…she caught him before he hit his head….she called the ambulance.

At that point Andy said we’re going and he drove me home. We were fairly patient in staying in touch with ER and getting updates.

It took Andy and I about an hour and half to get to the ER...I was checking about every 10 min. on the ride. Last night's diagnosis pointed to his pulse dropping from 65-75 to 20....causing blackout....and it happened in ER multiple times. He had a Ct scan and blood draws and it was determined he was being admitted. After admission he also had an MRI. We arrived at ER about 7:25 and Mike was attached to monitors…and with the cardiac doctor….bottom line is he will get a pacemaker on Monday if all proceeds as planned….stay another night and go home Tuesday. Andy and I came home about 9:30 (Friday night).

The blacking out is caused by dropping pulse rate (not blood pressure)

And he was having more episodes so they would not let him go home.

Saturday, June 19

We went back this AM (Saturday)about 9. Today the cardiologist said the enzyme in blood work showed he has had a heart attack....

Monday he is scheduled for an angiogram and then possibly Tuesday he may get a pacemaker. The cardiologist doesn't want to commit to pacemaker until he "sees" angiogram.

So we wait....(not good to have a medical event on Friday evening that can wait

Andy stayed overnight last night and tonight and going home and coming back. Gretchen stopped and visited today. Joe is flying in tomorrow. /Sunday

We are giving thanks that he is where he is and that there are good procedures and gifted hands caring for him.

Sunday, June 20

Sunday 10:15

Dr just in

Echocardiogram showed no heart damage! Which is a huge blessing!

Angiogram on for tomorrow! And the team feels a pacemaker is appropriate so that is Tuesday.

Monday, June 21

It is Monday and Joe and I are waiting for Mike’s turn to have angiogram.

Today was a long day. Mike was scheduled for an angiogram. He was 4th in line and it started about ?12:30 and lasted about 1 hr 45 min. His previous 3 stents were "good" from 2007 but there was a different blockage that the balloon/stent procedure couldn't get through so they backed out and will meet as team and do another angiogram on Wednesday. If they proceed with a pacemaker that is delayed until Thursday. (we later found out one of the previous stents was blocked)

Tuesday, June 22

Today was calm and was recovery from yesterday’s procedure. They want the contrast dye to leave the body.

Tomorrow he has another procedure called atherectomy aka roto rooter of vessel to heart. Then a recovery day, then pacemaker and then home Saturday,

Wednesday, June 23

Frustrating day. After prepping for surgery and no food, at 3:44 pm Mike’s procedure was postponed until tomorrow. Andy and I waited to talk to the doctor.

Two heart emergencies came and the second one, a younger man could not be saved. In Mike fashion he expressed sympathy to the doctor.

So Mike was #4 bumped to 3 and then dropped to 6 and off the list.

So we do this all over tomorrow.

Thursday, June 24

Mike finished his angioplasty and was in room about 5:15 after about 3 hour procedure. They cleaned out a blockage and added two stents.

Andy was with us in AM and Joe later in afternoon. Tomorrow Megan will come and Gretchen will return.

Tomorrow is another day and we will see what it looks like.

Hopefully soon he can come home.

Friday, June 25 Mike’s birthday

Another very long day and finally at 3:00 it was Mike’s turn to have his pacemaker implant. He was back in the room about 1.5 hrs later.

Not many can say they got a pacemaker for their birthday.

He was hungry - he hadn’t really had a square meal for 3 days and it came with a birthday cupcake.

It looks like he is coming home tomorrow!

Saturday, June 26

Finally at noon Mike’s chariot (wheelchair) deposited him in the car and we headed for home.

Joe and Andy had lunch ready. ..and 3 of the 4 of us took naps.

Now to keep the rules and regulations ready and followed...5 days, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, etc!