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slightlv

(2,829 posts)
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 10:00 AM Apr 8

Hubby just had a heart attack.

I'm headed back to the ER (which is urgent care here, since we have no hospital in this little town anymore). They'll be transferring him to a hospital in KC for catherization in a little bit. I just got all the animals fed and taken care of, and am headed out the door. I also got a message from my sis that her husband's sister (we all grew up together) just had a stroke.

Eclipse... devils comet... huge planetary alignment... Everyone stay safe. At least for me, this has not started out to be the best of days!

Could use some good thoughts sent our way, if you have any to spare! I think tonight will be the first night I've spent alone and away from hubby since we moved to this little town.

69 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Hubby just had a heart attack. (Original Post) slightlv Apr 8 OP
When it rains, it pours TBF Apr 8 #1
Sending good thoughts to you Alliepoo Apr 8 #2
Being positive is the key, gab13by13 Apr 8 #3
Sorry to hear that! Hope hubby and sis' SIL are both well soon. Ocelot II Apr 8 #4
One foot in front of the other one and keep going. That's what you need to do. Botany Apr 8 #5
Good thoughts sent Dear_Prudence Apr 8 #6
Sending you strength to deal with whatever comes your way. Diamond_Dog Apr 8 #7
Sending good vibes your way. I hope they both brer cat Apr 8 #8
Sending peaceful and healing vibes all around. onecaliberal Apr 8 #9
hubby just had a heart attack ncf Apr 8 #10
Holding you and your loved ones cilla4progress Apr 8 #11
Sending love and healing thoughts💗 MLAA Apr 8 #12
Holding you and your family in love and light. Vibes for swift recovery niyad Apr 8 #13
I'm five months past my heart attack. byronius Apr 8 #14
Good vibes to you and Hubby. sinkingfeeling Apr 8 #15
Sending best hopes & wishes irisblue Apr 8 #16
Sending love your way. Doodley Apr 8 #17
Sending love and healing light to you and yours. Hope22 Apr 8 #18
Sending good thoughts cate94 Apr 8 #19
Positive vibes & healing wishes for you & hubby. CrispyQ Apr 8 #20
Oh My! Sending you green thoughts and vibes. calimary Apr 8 #21
Best of luck to both of you. multigraincracker Apr 8 #22
I'm so sorry to here that. StarryNite Apr 8 #23
Prayers on their way. pazzyanne Apr 8 #24
Here's hoping things turn out okay for him. FailureToCommunicate Apr 8 #25
Sending blessings and DU vibes Wicked Blue Apr 8 #26
Holding you in my heart for strength and serenity. You're not alone. n/t TygrBright Apr 8 #27
Keeping you both in my thoughts... Trueblue Texan Apr 8 #28
.... sprinkleeninow Apr 8 #29
Magnesium .... Start high doses right away. live love laugh Apr 8 #30
I discovered magnesium's awesome benefits cilla4progress Apr 8 #34
Positive thoughts and healing wishes FemDemERA Apr 8 #31
You did the right thing AverageOldGuy Apr 8 #32
Last August... Eyeball_Kid Apr 8 #33
We're at hospital in kc. slightlv Apr 8 #35
Sending strength to you democrank Apr 8 #36
Sending healing thoughts and positive vibes your way. SleeplessinSoCal Apr 8 #37
Good Karma and prayers yankee87 Apr 8 #38
All good thoughts to you both Wild blueberry Apr 8 #39
I am so sorry. Jay25 Apr 8 #40
If you have a choice MuseRider Apr 8 #41
Sending good thoughts. pandr32 Apr 8 #42
The best of thoughts and wishes for the best possible outcome. benfranklin1776 Apr 8 #43
He's got some tough times ahead Warpy Apr 8 #44
Sending you lots of love. I had one Goddessartist Apr 8 #45
I am so sorry LetMyPeopleVote Apr 8 #46
Really hope he will be ok. Thanks for letting us know. Take care. Evolve Dammit Apr 8 #47
My huaband had a "widowmaker" in 1995 -going out for his daily jog later on.. Peregrine Took Apr 8 #48
Sending good thoughts, and healing hugs. gademocrat7 Apr 8 #49
My prayers and well wishes are on their way. Be safe in getting to the hospital, etc. SWBTATTReg Apr 8 #50
Best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery. yellerpup Apr 8 #51
Thanks... id welcome the company! slightlv Apr 8 #54
So sorry! Sending positive energy! CaptainTruth Apr 8 #52
Some folks just got to draw attention! Please be careful driving back, he's in good hands! marble falls Apr 8 #53
Sending positive vibes your way! Klondike Kat Apr 8 #55
Sending good thoughts for your husband and your sister-in-law. I really hope that they both fully recover. LoisB Apr 8 #56
Hugs to you and family. Duncanpup Apr 8 #57
Just got back home... slightlv Apr 8 #58
So thoughtful Dear_Prudence Apr 8 #59
So wonderful! Goddessartist Apr 9 #65
Hope both of them recover malaise Apr 8 #60
I'm so sorry chowmama Apr 8 #61
The most positive of positive wishes stage left Apr 8 #62
I won't give you happy thoughts or wishes. SlimJimmy Apr 8 #63
I am so sorry! What a nightmare of a day for you! Rhiannon12866 Apr 9 #64
Take care IbogaProject Apr 9 #66
One thing really had me yesterday... slightlv Apr 9 #67
Good Luck ProfessorGAC Apr 11 #68
How's your husband doing? XanaDUer2 Apr 17 #69

TBF

(32,090 posts)
1. When it rains, it pours
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 10:04 AM
Apr 8

hoping your husband has a smooth recovery and sorry to hear about the other relative as well. ((hugs))

gab13by13

(21,402 posts)
3. Being positive is the key,
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 10:06 AM
Apr 8

Your husband will be in good hands in KC. I just visited KC so I know where to send those positive vibes, they are on the way.

ncf

(3 posts)
10. hubby just had a heart attack
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 10:30 AM
Apr 8

Kansas City has some very good heart care. I know from experience. Hope everything goes well for him.

niyad

(113,550 posts)
13. Holding you and your family in love and light. Vibes for swift recovery
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 10:58 AM
Apr 8

and healing for hubby and sister's SiL. Your DU family is here for you. Lean as hard as you need. huggggggs

byronius

(7,401 posts)
14. I'm five months past my heart attack.
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 11:04 AM
Apr 8

I was healthy, worked out regularly — I’m a vegan, for pete’s sake — but job stress is a real killer.

Sounds like he’s past the rough part. Follow the rules, walk a lot — it’s a long road, but stick to it. I feel better than I have in years.

Hope22

(1,859 posts)
18. Sending love and healing light to you and yours.
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 11:09 AM
Apr 8

I’m so sorry to hear this. Be careful on the roads. Hugs and love 💗💗🙏🏼💐

calimary

(81,458 posts)
21. Oh My! Sending you green thoughts and vibes.
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 11:11 AM
Apr 8

Green is the color of healing, new growth, and Spring.

We can keep you company from here. You won’t be going through this alone.

StarryNite

(9,460 posts)
23. I'm so sorry to here that.
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 11:13 AM
Apr 8

Sending healing thoughts to your husband and your sister's husband's sister too.

Wicked Blue

(5,851 posts)
26. Sending blessings and DU vibes
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 11:45 AM
Apr 8

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

FemDemERA

(230 posts)
31. Positive thoughts and healing wishes
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 11:54 AM
Apr 8

For you, your husband and extended family. That’s a lot of stress, so be sure to take care of yourself in all of this too, even if just to sit and breathe deeply for a few minutes every so often. Hope there is someone local to help out with animals, etc., so you can focus on your hubby.

AverageOldGuy

(1,542 posts)
32. You did the right thing
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 11:56 AM
Apr 8

Getting him anywhere where he can get medical attention was the right thing to do. Urgent Care can identify heart attack, probably run and EKG to diagnose the specifics, and get him on the way to cath lab.

I'm an EMT in a volunteer rescue squad in rural Virginia. Our little local general hospital has very limited capability. For us, heart attacks; strokes; gunshots; head, neck, spinal trauma; and broken bones other than a broken arm all get helicopter to Richmond.

We are able to transmit EKG strips and patient vitals via cell phone to the Richmond or other area medical center ER; your urgent care likely could do that, which will really speed up things when he gets to the hospital.

Prayers for both of you coming for the boondocks of rural Virginia!!

And anyone else who reads this: Especially if you are over 50/55, CALL 911 with: any chest pain or anything that feels like chest pain, no matter how mild; any fall; any thing that feels funny -- slurred speech, facial droop, one arm or leg that doesn't work quite right.

We EMTs can check it out, we have the equipment, we can get you to primary care fast. Time you spend arguing with the family about calling/not calling 911 makes a lot of difference -- for example, in the case of a typical heart attack, the doc wants no more than 90 minutes "from onset to balloon" -- 90 minutes from onset of the heart attack until the doc gets a stint in place in the arteries of the heart. Anything over that causes damage to the heart muscle. The first 60 minutes of a stroke is "the golden hour" -- paramedics and helicopter crews can administer certain clot-busting drugs that will give the doc and you extra time in case of a stroke. CALL 911.

Eyeball_Kid

(7,434 posts)
33. Last August...
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 12:18 PM
Apr 8

I had a heart attack, stroke, and triple bypass open heart surgery. I'm writing to you because I want to tell you that these things come to pass. If your husband's lucky and healthy he could recover and with some minor adjustments, come roaring back and be his normal self in a matter of months. I'm telling you that, as the subject of these kinds of traumatic events, it's difficult to have faith that there IS a slow road back to normal. And there is time to take stock of the fact that life is indeed fragile, but there are such things as resilience, persistence, humility, and optimism, and that they can all reside in the person and the family that experiences serious medical events, successful or otherwise. Please understand and know that you are not alone in the midst of your trauma. Breathe deep, draw in your spirit of optimism, and move forward with compassion, patience and fortitude. With average medical competency, your husband's medical team will succeed. Let your husband know that your love is there for him. He will never forget.

slightlv

(2,829 posts)
35. We're at hospital in kc.
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 12:25 PM
Apr 8

Waiting for the cath. His enzymes have climbed since we got here. He's at 3000 right now. Oldest grandson drove me here, the youngest will let the dog outside to do her business. I'll go back home for supper duties if things copacetic here. Thank you all for the good thoughts. Love you all.

MuseRider

(34,119 posts)
41. If you have a choice
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 01:01 PM
Apr 8

St. Lukes is great and my husband had a terrific outcome at KU Med. I am certain any of them are good but just in case, there is some talk about those 2 always being really fine.

Many good wishes to all of you. Take good care of yourself too.

Warpy

(111,338 posts)
44. He's got some tough times ahead
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 01:09 PM
Apr 8

and so do you if you both smoke: party's over, time to quit.

His care will be dedicated to preventing another, bigger heart attack. He'll complain he's taking so many pills he rattles when he walks. He'll grump about taking walks as part of his rehab. And that's if he doesn't need surgery.

Don't worry about doing all the changes at once. If he goes on a cardiac diet, you might have to learn how to cook all over again. He'll complain that low salt food tastes like cardboard. Make sure he has lemon slices and pepper, they can go a long way to helping him taste what he's eating during that first miserable month. Just take it slow.

However, tobacco's got to go, and it's got to go today. Vape pens with nicotine free juice can help. Eventually you can graduate to a flavored air device. They're not cheap, but they can help, also.

(Yes, I was a nurse and I worked in cardiac and thoracic surgery. I know the drill)

Peregrine Took

(7,417 posts)
48. My huaband had a "widowmaker" in 1995 -going out for his daily jog later on..
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 02:16 PM
Apr 8

He's 81 now.

The book "Reversing Heart Disease" by Dr Dean Ornish was a tremendous help for us. He followed it to the letter and is doing very well, HIs cardiologist at the U of Chicago said so.

Good luck to you and your husband.

slightlv

(2,829 posts)
54. Thanks... id welcome the company!
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 03:21 PM
Apr 8

They just took him for catherization 10 minutes ago. If they find blockage they'll do a Stent then and there they said.

I've got a grandson trying to find me... he's roaming the hospital. He's my ride back home once I know david is out of the woods.

Thanks for the good thoughts!

LoisB

(7,230 posts)
56. Sending good thoughts for your husband and your sister-in-law. I really hope that they both fully recover.
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 04:45 PM
Apr 8

slightlv

(2,829 posts)
58. Just got back home...
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 06:12 PM
Apr 8

Hubby is resting... if not completely comfortably. I'd brought my laptop for him and set it up with a desktop app to Netflix, since he said over and over TV there sucks. (gryn).

He had a 100% blockage in the right side of his heart. They put in a stent, and told me if everything goes okay tonight he can come home tomorrow. Lexy (our dog) is still looking for him... poor girl. The cats are just happy Mom's back home. Youngest grandson came over to let Lexy out to the backyard to do her business while the oldest was driving me home.

I am SO ready to catch a nap, myself... You know what I realized today? Screw Trump... family is what's important!

Thank you for being there for me today, my DU family. I truly appreciate you!

Dear_Prudence

(381 posts)
59. So thoughtful
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 07:19 PM
Apr 8

of you to supply your husband with Netflix. I found two things really help with pain, love of family and distracting entertainment. You have supplied him with both. Take care.

Goddessartist

(1,864 posts)
65. So wonderful!
Tue Apr 9, 2024, 07:55 AM
Apr 9

Thank you so, so much for the update! Lots of rest - it took me a few weeks or so to recover.

chowmama

(413 posts)
61. I'm so sorry
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 09:03 PM
Apr 8

It sounds like he got to medical care promptly, and time is everything in cardiovascular. If they're letting him go home so soon, I hope
it means there isn't much concern for permanent damage. As has been commented above, there are inevitably going to be some changes in your life, but they should be manageable.

And best of luck to your BIL's sister, too.

stage left

(2,966 posts)
62. The most positive of positive wishes
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 09:45 PM
Apr 8

headed your way. I hope you two will soon be well and back together. And that sister's sister in law will be well soon, too.

SlimJimmy

(3,182 posts)
63. I won't give you happy thoughts or wishes.
Mon Apr 8, 2024, 11:25 PM
Apr 8

But, I'll give you this. I'm recovering from open heart surgery from about a year ago. It was certainly slow going for the first five weeks or so. I wasn't even sure it had been worth it. A lot of pain, and I couldn't even get out of the chair to walk without some assistance. But, after that, and some physical therapy and slowly but surely, it got better. Small steps for sure, but small steps forward. Now, nearly a year later, I am just about back to where I was when I was walking every day and golfing. Hang in there, take it a day at a time. It will get better.

Rhiannon12866

(205,946 posts)
64. I am so sorry! What a nightmare of a day for you!
Tue Apr 9, 2024, 04:08 AM
Apr 9

Sending those powerful DU vibes in your husband's direction and please remember that as long as you're on DU, you're never alone... :

IbogaProject

(2,840 posts)
66. Take care
Tue Apr 9, 2024, 08:22 AM
Apr 9

Be thankful he survived and is getting care. I'd suggest being real careful after any stents go in. Do twice the suggested no exertion time. Stents are life savers and on average extend life, but I know some for whom the healing phase took longer. That will be a balancing act as getting moving will still be important.

slightlv

(2,829 posts)
67. One thing really had me yesterday...
Tue Apr 9, 2024, 09:15 AM
Apr 9

This is the same hospital where I lost my dad going thru the same procedure. Dad was about the same age as hubby is now. So scary sitting in that waiting room yes. Just called hospital and found he did ok thru the night. Will be later this afternoon b4 we know he's actually going to be released. I'm alone today, doing the drive myself. Altho after grandsons car my back will probably thank me!

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