I’m at Florida Hospital in Orlando for Mom’s heart catheterization. She just went in to get prepped and now I’m in the waiting room with free coffee and wifi. Brought my laptop, of course, because there’s a chance I may have to stay overnight. If Mom needs a stent put in while they’re in there, she’ll stay overnight and I’ll be crashing over at Avitable’s house.
Now I can stay in touch and work here while I wait for her to be finished. Normally, hospitals creep me out, but this one’s not so bad. You know it’s a confusing hospital, though, when they hand out directions to the cardiac unit at the front desk.
“Make a right into the other lobby, take Elevator A down to mine shaft. Put on miner’s helmet, get in mining cart, and ride 25 minutes into the bowels of hell. Get out, head to second cavern on right, take Elevator G to 3rd floor…” Etc. etc.
I asked Mom as we were driving here whether she’s worried and she said she was a little bit. Being a nurse, she knows just what the procedure involves and what sorts of complications can arise. Me being the SON of a nurse, I have heard the word “catheter” before and that’s about it. Oh, and I’ve heard of a heart, too.
If you follow me on Twitter, I’ll keep you posted throughout the day. Keep your fingers crossed, say some prayers (if you’re so inclined), and I’ll let you know how it goes in tomorrow’s post.
And don’t forget to enter the Birthday Dares contest! I don’t have nearly enough entries! Pass the word!
I will think good thoughts for both you and your mom.
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knocking on wood, crossing fingers and toes, avoiding cracks in the sidewalk and black cats alike!
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I swear, us nurses make the worst patients! I second what Kat is doing. The two of you are in my thoughts.
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I’ve been through this with my mom too. I’m thinking good thoughts for both of you!
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still praying for you both. now i gotta go dust off twitter and fire her up so that i can stay in the loop about jo momma.
love to you both
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Best of luck.
I know complications can arise, but this has become a fairly standard procedure. Trust the doctors and your mother’s toughness. Again…good luck!
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Best of luck to your mom, Karl.
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Best to Mom, Karl. : )
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I’ll be thinking of you both.
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I’m sure she’ll be fine Karl! She’s in my thoughts today and I’ll be watching Twitter for news.
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i’ll be keeping a good thought for her…
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Best wishes to you and your Mum today Karl
)
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Tell you mom not to worry. My dad has 4 stents and my mom has 3 – all with no complications. Come to think of it, that doesn’t bode well for me, does it?
Good luck mom, I’ll be thinking of you!
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I hope everything is okay!
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oh Karl I know how tough this is! I hope your mom comes through just fine. I’m sending good thoughts!
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Hope your mom is doing well. Prayers are with you and your family.
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I’m pulling for her, man.
And I’m right there with you on confusing hospitals. My mom was in one a few months back. You can tell it was designed and built in phases as there is no rhyme or reason to it and navigating both it and the parking lots is nearly impossible. You could die of old age just trying to get where you need to be… and they’d never find you.
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Is this your mom’s usual doctor or did you guys just find him/her for this particular procedure?
I’m just wondering what made you choose this hospital over others.
Hope things go okay!
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Good luck Hon!!!
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*hugs*
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Thanks, everyone. Mom is doing fine. They put a stent in because one of her arteries was 99% blocked. Not good, but glad they caught it. She’ll be staying overnight, at least. If her heart gets back into a normal rhythm then she can go home tomorrow. If not, she’ll stay another night.
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Well, I’m so glad they found the blockage and corrected it.
You are being a great son.
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I went through this with my FIL and my own father. It’s never easy to wait. I lit a candle for you.
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Glad they found that blocked artery and that she’s resting now.
Hope she gets to go home tomorrow!
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Appreciate it, gang. I should be here another half hour or so, then it’s off to dinner. Haven’t eaten since breakfast. Back here in the morning, though.
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I will keep you and your mom in my thoughts
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Spending time in the cardiac wing isn’t fun. I’ve been there. It can be scary shit.
I’ll have a good thought for your mom.
(And food for thought: imagine being the guy who brought KFC for his post-heart-operation father who refused to eat hospital food. Um, yeah.)
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You absolutely have my prayers, Karl. Hoping you are already rolling in good news and mom-patient-nurse demands.
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Hang in there sweetie. We’re keeping good thoughts for the moms.
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Lots of love and prayers.
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Huge healing vibes being sent to your Mom. Hope everything from here on out goes smoothly.
Take Care.
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Sending good karma for a swift recovery for your Mom!
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Glad to hear she’s doing okay. Hopefully she’ll get to go home today. How are you holding up?
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God I hate hospitals. And catheters.
Sending healing thoughts…
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I’ll be posting an update shortly. Thanks for all the support.
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Fingers and toes crossed for your mom, and I hope you’re hanging in there; I know how hard it is to feel helpless!
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Sandra – Thanks. She’s doing great now and is back home.
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