When we last left you.....Grandpa was awaiting an appointment for a heart cath. Today was the day. Poor mom was working, which meant I got to get up early (for the 2nd time) to take dad back to the hospital. The good news was that there was a nice recliner for me to sit in while we were waiting. Too bad I had to sit in a regular chair while he was in the procedure, but it worked out well because mom showed up right before the procedure so we could play cards while we waited. That, and she could see dad before he went in. The procedure was relatively quick, which caused mom and I some concern because we knew that if they found an issue, they were planning to correct it right then. So if it was this quick, it meant they didn't find a problem, and what the heck was causing him to pass out? We found out quickly. At some point (and no one knew when) he had had a heart attack. He had 2 blocked arteries and the heart muscle of the left ventricle was damaged, if not dead. Oh. That's it? That was slightly more than we were expecting. He had to lay completely flat for 4 hours immediately after the procedure to allow the artery they poked to clot - and all he could think about was eating. Interesting how when you aren't allowed to eat.....all you think about is eating. Kind of like being on a diet, huh? But I'm digressing. Back to the 4 hours.....good thing I had that nice recliner again. When it got nearer to the end of the 4 hours, I was kind of getting worried because I knew mom had to go home to bed (she had to work that night) and I did not like the idea of dad tending to himself, when one wrong move could make him bleed out. Imagine my thankfulness when the nurse came in and said they were recommending he stay because he needed further testing to see what they were going to do with his heart. He, of course, hated the idea, but I loved it. And it was settled. He was staying. I said I would stay with him until he got moved to his room, so mom could go home to bed. This was 4:00pm, and we arrive at the cath lab at 6:45am. And by this time, dad was able to eat and wanted to order dinner, but the nurse said that he should wait until he got to his room because the menu selection was bigger and better. So he was interested in waiting. Unfortunately, we didn't get into his room until near 8:00pm - so he was totally starving. Good thing I was there because eating was the ONLY thing he was thinking about. I had to listen to everything else. Mom's cousin, Jenny, was on top of everything. She was in constant contact with the doctors, the nurse manager on dad's floor and with us. She knew everything that was going on and kept us more than informed. She made an awful event an amazing thing and we will forever be more than grateful for all her help. Dad ended up staying 2 nights in the hospital, and since we were planning to go up north for New Year's Eve to celebrate CHRISTmas, up north had to come to us. They were even making plans for where we could celebrate if he had to stay longer in the hospital. Thankfully he did not. The kids enjoyed seeing Grandpa get a shot (well....except for Grace and Seth.....every family needs it's softies). When he finally went home, he had a special "life vest" that he has to wear for the next 3 months, then he will most likely get a pacemaker/defibrillator. While in the hospital, he was the typical character that he is. Joking and making the most out of a cruddy situation. Always smiling. Always kidding around. Sometimes even when it was inappropriate. But...well....that's him. And of course on go home day, when Jacob and Spencer were at home waiting for him and Grandma, they called and asked them to pick up BWWs on their way home. WHAT?!?!?! In typical Grandpa and Grandma fashion - THEY DID. Dang kids. Spoiled.
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