Unfortunately this is not just a dramatic headline:

I got the call Tuesday that my husband was enroute to the local Heart Hospital after experiencing chest pains at the office.  Shortly after admission he was given a stress test which showed significant reason for concern.

Before we could even wrap our minds around the situation, my hubby was headed into the Cardiac Catheterization Lab.  Midway through the procedure I received a call from the physician.

The news was bad.

My husband had a 99% blockage of a major artery and because of its position…fixing it was going to be risky.  I had to make the decision: have the doctor send him to open heart surgery for a bypass… or risk trying to stent this dangerous area.  I chose the latter.  I am happy to report; he made it through the procedure.

Hours later as he was rolled back in to his patient room, my husband (and the rock of our family) was pale, groggy and shivering.  Staff had wrapped him in blankets from the top of his head to the bottoms of his toes–but he was still cold.  I wrapped my arms around him and finally felt at peace.

I could finally breathe again.

From the initial phone call to that very moment…I had been running on adrenaline.  Thoughts of our years together flooded my brain.  I kept questioning if our last hug, kiss, private joke, holiday, etc… was actually our LAST.

But all of this melted away as they rolled his bed into the room.

We were so lucky.

Later as we met with the cardiologist we were informed of just how dangerous the situation had been.  Per the cardiologist, my husband’s daily baby aspirin probably saved his life.  Because he had a 99% blockage…he was literally days away from a massive heart attack.  And the kind he would have had is what’s referred to as the “Widowmaker.”  For many (including Tim Russert) it is a death sentence.

I thank God that we were among the lucky ones.

Closing thoughts:

I share this experience with all of you for a few reasons:

• First as a cautionary tale.  My husband is young and fit.  He is not what I consider to be the face of heart disease.  Obviously age and fitness level are not always the determining factors.  So listen to your body.  My husband could have easily dismissed the tightness in his chest (and almost did.)   Thank God that wasn’t the case.

• Secondly, it is human nature to take those around us for granted.  I am at the top of the list of offenders.  Every once in a while we need a wake up call to help us appreciate those we love the most.  Please let this be yours.  Don’t wait until it’s too late.  Since this experience I’ve been treating my husband with the love and compassion I should have been showing all along.  I hope to hang on to this new perspective for many years to come.

• Lastly, I know posting over the last week has been sporadic.  Thank you for understanding.  Please know that we appreciate you all!
  

Wishing you love and happiness!
XOXO

-Piper

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