It was a week after the fourth annual Gathering of Women and the third Women at the Tomb and I was looking forward to my birthday coming up on September 17th. I had had some health problems since the summer. The chest and neck pains had sent me to the ER while visiting my daughter. But once I got to the hospital the pains quickly subsided with an antacid cocktail. The ER physician wanted to admit me for more testing, but I refused. My grandson was completing drama camp and that night was the final performance at D-PAC. I was determined to be there. But I did agree to make appointments with a gastroenterologist and my cardiologist and to follow-up with my primary care doctor.
I was obedient to the instructions. My primary care doctor prescribed some antacids, I made an appointment with a gastroenterologist, and my cardiologist ordered some tests. I noticed that with each cardiac test, another was ordered because of something they had seen. I had an idea that something was serious when I received my calcium score; 400 was considered bad and mine was 984. My cardiologist actually called me himself to tell me and let me know that I needed to have a cardiac catheterization . He explained the procedure and told me that I might need a balloon and stent to widen an artery. I would probably be released that afternoon, but may be kept overnight. That was the expectation.
On Friday, September 15th I went in for the procedure. But I was surprised when I woke up and was told that I would need double, possibly triple bypass surgery. Not only that, it was recommended that I remain in the hospital to have my surgery on Monday the 18th. Not only was I shocked, my cardiologist was shocked, too. I had been doing everything right for my heart. I exercised, didn't use salt, took my cholesterol pills, and kept all of my medical appointments. But all of this was not enough to counter heredity. Due to some complications, I ended up in the hospital longer than expected. But nine days after double bypass surgery I was released.
At home I was progressing nicely and even cooked breakfast for my family on the first Sunday that I was home. I was receiving a home health nurse, physical therapist, and occupational therapist at home and expected a steady recovery. But things began changing that Monday, I began feeling sick. I didn't know it but an abscess was forming and slowly leaking infection into my body. On October 5th I was readmitted to the hospital with a fever and sepsis. And the next day I had debridement surgery to remove the infection and damaged tissue. Because of the sepsis and the need for wound care I spent the next month and a half in the hospital, a rehab center, and a nursing home. I finally came home for good on November 17th.
What a journey this has been. I still can't talk about the details but it was a rough ride. When I got home I received home health services again and was released from them after about six weeks. Next week I will begin cardiac rehab to help regain my strength. Today, I am pausing to praise God for an ordinary week. This ordinary week was only a memory and a dream during much of September and October. But now, by God's grace, it has become the reality once again. As I enter this new week and continue to do the ordinary things, I will continue to praise God for how far He's brought me and to where He is taking me next.