Hello Everyone,My husband had a heart attack on Sunday. He has got to have Open Heart Surgery this Thursday, July 26, 2001. He has severe blockage and they will be doing 3 to 5 by-passes. I've been at the hospital since Sunday morning and have not been able to get on the computer. It is about 12:30 pm, CST as I type this.
He is 46 years old, never had any heart problems, never smoked, etc. He has High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol. However, we had no idea he even had a heart problem. It was definitely a shocker to all of us. Since, you are all my friends, I just ask you all to pray for us and we go through yet another crisis in our family.
It is very difficult on me, since I am only 6 weeks post-op tomorrow. Life seems to keep throwing in road blocks every where I turn. But through God, we will survive. Please remember him in your prayers. I truly believe in the power of prayer. I couldn't have made it thus far without prayer from all my wonderful supportive friends and family. I will update you all as soon as I am able to do so.
Thank you and God Bless, Jan Joiner
Re: My Husband had a Heart Attack & is having Open Heart Surgery
Dear Jan. I know just how you feel, my mother had a heart attack 2 weeks ago, she had an angioplasty to remove her blockage but is still very weak and breathless and it worries me and my Father sick. My thought are with you, I know all about those road blocks, they seem never ending. Still we all get through somehow. Stay strong.
Love
Narelle
Re: My Husband had a Heart Attack & is having Open Heart Surgery
AACK! This is definitely not good!! I hope everything works out! I know what you mean about things seeming to repeatedly explode in one's face. It seems like that's been happening to me almost constantly for the last couple of years. I finally found a new place to move to which should be very good! I'm so excited about moving into it! I move next week. I hope that life calms down for a long time for me then. I hope you are holding up, and that things work out. It's unfortunate that the timing was so crappy. (not that there's ever a good time for something like this, but... 6 weeks post-op is definitely one of the worst times! )The thing that got me through the most recent bad spell was Reba's new single "I'm a Survivor" I posted the lyrics on here earlier. It might cheer you up. I think it reminds us all of our strength. Kim
Re: My Husband had a Heart Attack & is having Open Heart Surgery
Oh, Jan dear, please, please take care of yourself, okay? I'll say prayers for you and your husband. Sometimes it seems that life places unnecessary burdens on us, but I truly believe that the deepest beauty comes from our darkest moments.
Take care and keep looking for blessings,
Cinthia
Re: My Husband had a Heart Attack & is having Open Heart Surgery
Jan - Just wanted to let you know I'll be thinking good thoughts for you and your husband. I'm so sorry that yet another challenge has come your way. Of course you know that the open heart surgeries are so well done now. My dad had a 5-way done at the age of 72, when he wasn't in good health and he came through it fantasticly (he had been told he needed the operation and he kept putting it off, until he went into cardiac arrest!) A few weeks after the surgery he said to me (with a twinkle in his eye,) "I don't know why they thought I needed that surgery! I feel great." So I'm sure your young and otherwise healthy husband will do just fine. BTW, after the surgery it is important that the patient be able to cough (keeping the lungs clear,) but it is somewhat painful to do so. The hospital gave my Dad a teddy bear that he could hold against his chest to ease the pain during coughing. I don't know whether your husband is the type to enjoy a stuffed animal - but it really did comfort my Dad (and he wasn't the sappy type.) I think usually the hospitals just suggest to use a pillow. Hang in there! cyberly yours, Robin
Re: My Husband had a Heart Attack & is having Open Heart Surgery
Dear Jan,My husband had quadruple by-pass surgery over 8 years ago and is doing great. He, fortunately, did not have a heart attack. I worked in a family practice physician's office and scheduled my husband for a complete checkup after noticing little things that he wasn't doing up to par and put a bug in the doctor's ear. He decided to give him a treadmill test and he failed at it miserably. This sent him to a heart specialist and he did a heart catheterization, put him to bed immediately and performed his by-pass in two days. He was 51 years old and it sure turned our world upside down. He stayed at the hospital a week after the surgery and the day after we got him back home, my daughter had a terrible car wreck. The emergency room called me and said they had her there and she had a head injury. I was so relieved when I got to the hospital to find she had several stitches and bumps and bruises but she would be okay. I was trying to work at the office, take care of both my husband and daughter and I felt as though I would never feel rested or happy again. But, time was what we needed and it worked wonders. My husband was back to teaching school in three months with lots more energy than before and my daughter went back to work after about a month and life finally resembled normalcy once again. I found out I was much stronger than I had ever wanted to be. We laugh now because I lost 22 pounds between his surgery time and recovery and he didn't lose an ounce. My SD surgery with Dr. Berke took about 4 hours and so did his by-pass surgery so I got him back. Seriously, I did pray a lot for strength during that period and I will keep you in my prayers. It has certainly been a rough time for you. Barb
Re: My Husband had a Heart Attack & is having Open Heart Surgery
Jan,
I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's heart attack. I know he has been a mountain of strength for you during your recent surgery and throughout the years and I'm sure you will be the same for him. I sympathize with the fact you are so early into the recovery process after Dr Berke's surgery and are dealing with such a major problem. Please know we are all thinking of you and praying for you and your wonderful husband. Try to continue to take care of yourself during this tough time.Darlene
Re: My Husband had a Heart Attack & is having Open Heart Surgery
Hi Everyone,Just wanted to say, Thanks for all your kind replies, thoughts and prayers. We sincerely appreciate having wonderful friends all over the world. That is truly amazing, if you think about it, isn't it? You all are too kind. I don't want to sound like I am on a self petty party, but I am greatful for finding this website and having such wonderful supportive friends. Thanks everyone! Jan
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