This man just had open heart surgery to repair 3 blocked arteries...he is one champion guy I love!
A funny thing happened...we were 150 miles away from home and The Normanator was helping someone load a mattress. It did not fit, no matter how loudly the men groaned or how hard they pushed. It was a chilly, dampish night and we were tired. He returned from this project into the house and sank down on the sofa. He looked like what my grandmother would call "peaked". His face looked gray and drawn. We chalked it up to his crummy lung function and trundled off to bed.
The next day, at home, The Normanator answered the phone. I heard him laughingly tell the caller that there must be some mistake. He was 150 miles away...suddenly it dawned on us that the Boston Scientific monitor that sits by his side of the bed had alerted the Nebraska Heart Hospital that his heart experienced an "episode" and this was real. Thank goodness for monitors that track their owners like cell phones and GPS units!
A stress test was scheduled. Of course The Normanator was fearful that he'd be required to peddle a bike or trek on a treadmill. While we fretted, the Cardio dude arrived. No, he probably would not do well in a traditional stress test; he likely would not need a chemical test, either.
Nothing would DO but a heart catheterization. So one was scheduled and all the while Norm kept INSISTING "I am fine. I feel fine, really I do."
When they returned Norm to his room after the procedure we were told that there were blockages. Lots of them in 3 arteries, and maybe they should check the carotid arteries in his neck, which they promptly did. The Doppler indicated blockages there, as well.
Well. So that's what we were looking at. Maybe his lungs were not his only enemy. We were given an appointment to return and speak with the surgeon. As we left I wondered to myself, " Three blockages? And we are leaving here to fend for ourselves? OMY.
What blew us both away was how young the cardio people are. The first one looked to be about 12 and the surgeon looked as if he may actually have reached his teen years. Although they look like youngsters, these specialists have the skills, wisdom, education and demeanor of very old souls indeed.
We met with the surgeon who gently explained that The Normanator's lungs were fragile and compromised. This was not news; he has been working with a pulmonary specialist for some time. The surgeon went on to explain that the lungs should resemble Nerf balls--they should be soft and spongy. Norm's lungs? They are like bubble wrap.
He went on to explain that whenever people visit a barber shop they expect to get their hair cut. We had the right to expect that The Normanator could face surgery and he was very sorry to say that it was just not going to happen. I was as sorry for the surgeon as I was for Norm over this decision. It left us wondering what could be next...stroke? heart attack? Neither was palatable.
After a few days we were summoned back to the Heart Institute to discuss our options. It seemed to me, as the observer and not the patient, that these young men were positively giddy with delight to see Norm and discuss what they had in mind for him. They had taken the case to their "Cath Board" and had come up with a 'plan of attack' to get him feeling as well as he could as quickly as he could! They explained that they had a solid strategy so he could get those arteries repaired and go on to live a life that had quality!
It was May 14, 2015 when the surgical team took care of all The Normanator's heart issues. The anesthesiologist came to explain they would place an epidural in his upper back; he had IV tubes, a port for medicines to enter, telemetry, and a bank of monitors. This whole collection of stuff and people accompanied him to the surgical suite after his son and I, along with our minister, bid him goodbye.
The surgeon had told me this procedure would be fairly long and I should expect him to have a tracheotomy; he may be on a ventilator and on and on. I steeled myself, determined to deal with whatever came our way. Norm and I are a team and we have vowed many times we should 'go with the flow'. This was no different.
Several hours later The Normanator returned to his hospital room, which was now his Recovery Room. I was shuttled away to a waiting room, allowed only brief visits. He looked peaceful to me. The pain medicine was doing its job and the epidural made it possible for him to cough, preventing pneumonia. His heart pillow, which served as a sort of cast for his broken sternum, was well used.
Another blog post will be required to regale you with all our fabulous learning experiences.
Today's calendar reads June 25, 2015. Cardiac Rehab is now a three-times-a-week appointment. From the wife's perspective, he is stronger and not as tired as before the surgery. If you ask HIM, he may give you different information. He is driving again and has even gone to his beloved 40 acre tract of land. As he left to go there he told me, "I'm going out to cut a thistle."
Yes, Norm. ONE thistle. Uh huh.
Oh, how I love this man.
Connie Baum
