Saturday, September 13, 2008

A BUSY, HECTIC WEEK & MEDICAL UPDATE

We had our two grandchildren all week as their dad was in Minneapolis on a business trip. We love having the grands stay with us and they really are a joy and no trouble but the down side is all the time we have to spend in the driving them to and from school. We live 25 miles from their home and schools. Aric has to be at school at 7:40 a.m. and picked up by 2:40 p.m. Oksana has to be at school by 8:10 a.m. and picked up by 3:10 p.m. So we spend literally 1 1/2 to 2 hours twice a day on this task. 4 hours out of the day is a big hunk!!!!



Monday night was our monthly Bee Club meeting.



Then on Tuesday Mickey and Brody burned all the tree branches and damage from our ice storm last December. That will be a separate post!!!



Wednesday Mickey's bee keeper mentor came over to check-out Mickey's bees. Mickey was afraid maybe he had beetles & moths in his hive. Ronnie said his hive looks great.



Wednesday I had a dentist appointment for teeth cleaning that had been made 4 months earlier. As I said it was a very busy, hectic week.


This was also the week to clean their house on Thursday so we left home at 7 a.m. and didn't get back until 4 p.m.


Then Friday was Mickey's appointment in Oklahoma City at the VA hospital with a consultation with the heart surgeon. We left home at 7 dropped Aric off at school, dropped Oksana off at a friends house who lives near the school and headed to OKC. His appointment was at 10 a.m. and we arrived at 9:30 which was perfect. We left the hospital by 11:30, stopped mid-way on our drive back to Tulsa at a McD's for a bite of lunch and were back in Tulsa by 1:30 in time to get the kids.


Marc called and said he was going to make it in by 4 so just wait at the house and we'd all go out to dinner. Then he treated us to a delicious meal at Charleston's. Mickey had prime rib and I had baked chicken. It was good and fun for the 5 of us to sit down and relax and visit over a wonderful meal. Marc's company had arranged for them to attend a Twins baseball game one night so he brought all of us home a Twins souvenir. He got himself a ball cap, Oksana a T-shirt, Aric a small bat, and us a little Twins bear.




Now for the medical report. We had a really good consultation with first the PAC nurse who was very informative and actually took a piece of paper and drew out, for Mickey to see and better understand, the placement of the blockages in the arteries of his heart. Then we waited a little for the Dr. to come in. He was really great. He began by saying "Whether you have surgery is your decision. Not hers (pointing to me), not mine, but yours."


Mickey had been told he had two blocked arteries and a damaged valve. The Dr. began by saying, based on the reports and the 50% damage to the valve, he did not think the risk was great enough to replace the valve. GOOD NEWS!! Thank you Jesus. The valve replacement is a much more serious operation and procedure. One of the arteries has 75% blockage and the other 50% blockage. Mickey had always said, and felt, he had no chest pain but in discussing with the Dr. some pressure he gets in the diaphragm area is really chest pain!!! We talked about his age being 75 (76 in November) and the life expectancy. The Dr. said "If you were 90 years old that would be a factor. At 76 it is not that much of a factor to consider." Mickey asked if he had to make a decision right then and the Dr. said no. We thanked him and left.


When we got to the car I asked him what his thoughts were and what he was considering and he said, "I don't know......I need to give it some more thought". Mickey is not one to make quick decisions so I figured he'd take a week or so. I told him "I won't bug you about it. When you decide you let me know." Just before we got to the 1/2 way mark of the turnpike he said "This is what I am going to do. I am going to have the surgery but I'm going to call them and tell them I don't want to have it until after October 15th."


We will celebrate our 50th anniversary on October 4th and my dear, sweet, adoring husband then proceeded to tell me about a trip he had planned for us to celebrate our anniversary!!!! I had no idea....,,,,in fact I had just told friends I was glad we had "celebrated" our anniversary with 2 other occasions this year since, with this heart issue, we were not going to try and do anything special on our actual anniversary.


Okay.....what & where will be a surprise. Tune-in after we return in October :o)


It is a very big relief to have this decision making behind us. When Mickey was first diagnosed with heart disease in early spring his initial reaction was "I am not going to have surgery." He has really had these 5 months to talk to people, check into things further, and just plain think & pray about it. We are both so thankful that he was not faced with an emergency type situation and decision.

We know we are in God's hands and care. We also believe we have an "appointed time" to meet our God. God knows that moment, we do not.......but we know our God. We are at peace with Him and Mickey's decision.


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22 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is so sweet that Mickey has planned a surprise! I am keeping Mickey (and you) in prayer. I pray that those valves are healed. In Jesus' name.

kc bob said...

What great grandparents you all are!

I am standing with you for God's best health for you both.. and looking forward to your sidebar "49 years and counting" to turn into "50 years and celebrating" :)

Anne Rettenberg LCSW said...

My father had a double by-pass at 72 and did fine with it. He goes to the gym and travels around the world.

Surely a heart patient is not supposed to eat prime rib?

... said...

not only was your week physically busy, but emotionally, too. at least it ended that way.

i'm glad the news is relatively good and manageable. i'm glad he'll be having the surgery and we will have to have a prayer vigil for this event.

and i hope you have a wonderful trip. he's such a kind and caring (if not romantic) husband.

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

I sure can tell how much you love those grandkids you two. What a sweet surprise that dear hubby of yours has planned. I will continue to pray my dear friends about the upcoming surgery. Huggles and much love!

Anonymous said...

I bet that was so much fun having the grandkids!! Your son is so blessed that he can leave his children in good hands while he travels =)

I'm so glad your husband has made a decision that he feels good about. And how wonderful that he has a special 50th planned for you. I bet you can't wait to find out what it is!!!

Lori said...

You have been busy.

Oh that is sweet the Mickey planned a surprise anniversary trip.

I will keep Mickey and his heart surgery in my prayers.

MightyMom said...

I'm here, I found you. I read your post. Keeping you in my prayers

Anonymous said...

Praying for total and complete peace with the decision to go ahead with the surgery. I know when my father had it done (early 70's) the surgeon stood there, right before we kissed him goodbye as he headed to surgery, and reminded us that the surgery is extremely routine for him and he could almost do it with his eyes closed. My dad had a quadruple bypass and turned out fantastic...praise the Lord.

Keep me posted on the details.

Crystal said...

I was wondering about the medical situation so I'm glad to hear that it's not an emergency. Praying that all goes well for Mickey when he does have the surgery and that God's care will surround you both.

What a sweet guy to plan an anniversary surprise! Have fun - I can't wait to hear all about it :))

Mountain Mama said...

I'm glad the decision is made. It will be easier for you both not to have to be contemplating it.
I pray it goes well and you & hubby have many many more happy years together.
God Bless

Unknown said...

Whew busy indeed girl! But what great grandparents you are in caring and mentoring your grandbabies!(kids)
Praying for Mickey. Having gone through this several times with my dad, I know Mickey will feel so much better after those arteries are fixed! My dad has been through 3 surgeries. Each time, he comes out with much more energy! after the recuperation time of course!

The Olson's: said...

So wonderful that the Dr appointment went well! What a sweetie - secretly planning something for your anniversary. My sweetie is doing the same - I know the dates we'll be away but I don't know what or where!

Sounds like you had a busy but great time with your grandkids. I never got to spend much time with my grandparents growing up (one set lived in Nova Scotia & the other was 1 1/2hrs away). I'm sure your grandkids will treasure these times, especially when they get older.
~ Leanne

Mari said...

Hi Susan - I wanted to thank you for stopping by and letting my know you are praying for my sister in law. I've seen you at several blogs I visit and it's nice to be here at your blog. Congratulations on your soon to be anniversary. I will keep Mickey in my prayers as well.

Unknown said...

You must be exhausted from all that running, but it is fun to have kids around.
How nice of Mickey to make plans like that, I will keep the two of you in my prayers for this up coming surgery. Smiles to you

Charlotte said...

It is probably good that Mickey is going to have the surgery, but it is good that it is not an emergency and he can wait until October. You have my prayers and best wishes for a wonderful anniversary and for a successful surgery.

Tammy said...

What a sweetheart you married 50 years ago!
I will be keeping Mickey in my prayers...
Looking forward to hearing where he takes you off to!
Hugs,
~Tammy

Susie said...

I know you must be thrilled that Mickey has planned a special anniversary trip for you two!
I totally understand about the running here and there to get the grandkids where they need to be. I feel blessed that we are able to help out in this way, and I know you do too.
I've said a prayer for Mickey. My FIL had a triple bypass and a valve replacement when he was in his 70's. He did very well!
xo

concerned parent said...

Susan, you have touched me with this post my father has a 90 percent blockage and we are believing that he will stay with us and at this point for a long time. As there is nothing that can be done medically at this time. I will most certainly keep Mickey in my prayers and hey a surprise trip how wonderful for both of you. I hope this week is not so busy for you.

Dawn said...

I wondered why he wanted to wait until after October 15 for the surgery. What a surprise to look forward to!

Great news for Mickey - I'm glad he has made his decision.

Frazzled Farm Wife said...

Wow...you sure have been busy!

How sweet of Mickey to plan a surprise for your anniversary!

What a tough decision to make...it sure didn't take him long.

Tina said...

Will be praying about that surgery. Can't wait to hear about the trip