All Day at the Hospital: Day Two

I arrived at the hospital around 6:40 a.m. I brought gifts--two Krystals for DH to have before they brought his breakfast tray. When I got to his room, he was sitting on the side of the bed, wearing a heart monitor. He said that he was scheduled for a heart catheterization and he didn't understand why that test had been ordered (that also meant that he couldn't eat the Krystals...more bad news). In about fifteen minutes, a doctor came in that works with the cardiology group that is across the street from the hospital. He explained that the blood work indicated that DH has had a heart attack, and needs to have the heart procedure to see if there are blockages. However, the kidney issues mean that if they insert the dye into his bloodstream, the kidneys will not be able to pass it on through and they will fail. That will mean that he will have to be put on dialysis, possibly permanently. He suggested that we wait a few days and see if the kidney function improves, and we agree. He also tells us that DH is being moved to the Coronary Care Unit. I call my principal to tell her that I'll be out the rest of the week instead of just for two days, and then I start calling other friends and family.

They move him within the hour, but I don't get in to see him until the regularly scheduled 9:00 a.m. visitation. His son comes for that visit, as does DH's brother who works in the outpatient section of the hospital. DH is frightened, and we are all concerned. I stayed until the visiting time is finished, then make a Wal-Mart trip for groceries and other odds and ends. I went back for the 1:00 p.m. visit. They've done a Doppler test on his legs (checking on circulation and looking for blood clots) and scheduled a renal ultrasound for later in the afternoon. By the time I get back in at 5:00 p.m., he's had the ultrasound, but has had more breathing distress. The cardiologist came by and ordered a patch to help. The pulmonary specialist has ordered oral medication to help with the nicotine withdrawal, but in the meantime his dinner tray has arrived with no salt to season his food--that's right, folks, he's now on a low-sodium diet. The poor man has lost nicotine, caffeine, his over-the-counter pain medication, fat, and salt all within thirty-six hours.

We are blessed with so many people who have called or come by to see us. My school friends came right after school and stayed with me for about an hour. There were church friends who came starting at about 2:00, then again for the 8:30 visit. Two of the teenagers that have helped us with moving and other work at the new house came for the 8:30 visit, and one was there for the 5:00 visit, too. Four of our friends prayed over us during the 8:30 visit, and that will get us through this more than anything else.

I called my aunt on the way back for the 8:30 visit. I have thought all day about calling my mother, and then I remember that she won't be there to answer the phone. I will call my other aunts in the morning. They all love DH, and will want to know about his health. I am tired, and I am stressed. I will take a shower in the morning, I think, and wash my hair then. I have turned on the electric blanket and the dog and I will crawl in and try to sleep. It's just not the same with only two of us in the bed instead of three...