Just got off the phone with my BIL - my father-in-law is in the hospital. He’d been having chest pains, and after some tests, his doctor scheduled him to come in for a heart catheterization (I think - I’m bad with medical stuff)
Anyway, he had that procedure today and the doc discovered that there’s a 75% blockage, so FIL is having bypass surgery on Monday. I’m pretty sure they’ll keep him in the hospital over the weekend. At least, I’m hoping they do.
On the positive side, he’s always been very active. At 73, he’s been building the cabinetry for their home, and he was getting ready to build some solid wood doors for the bedrooms. Apart from prostate cancer a few years back, he’s been in excellent health for the 20 years I’ve known him. And they live in Ocala, FL - an area with a LOT of retirees, so I’m sure the doc and staff and hospital are more than familiar with this sort of condition.
But, he is 73 and it is his heart, and he is stubborn when people try to put limitations on him. (Hence my hope that they keep him in the hospital over the weekend.) And then there’s my mother-in-law, who was born to fret…
So please, send any good thoughts, positive vibes, and extra prayers toward Ocala way. Thanks.
I just got off the phone with my husband. Needless to say, he’s worried and he wants to be here. Thank goodness for my freebie ticket from Southwest Airlines - he can come home easily. I told him to talk to his mother first before making a decision. It might be smarter for him to wait till after the surgery when he can help out or something. Dunno.
In the meantime, we’re just going to fret and wonder and worry and all that pre-surgical stuff. I’m fighting to stay positive - it’s just been 7 months since I lost my dad to a heart attack. I’m not ready to lose my FIL…
I truly appreciate your support and good thoughts.
My mom had this done at age 73 and she did just fine, and was in fact very rejuvenated. The blockage had made her feel tired all the time, and once she was healed from the surgery, you couldn’t hold her back.
Looks like it’s a bit worse than I was first told - multiple blockages - one at 90%. MIL is waiting for the surgeon to come talk to them - we’re pretty sure the surgery will be scheduled for early next week.
Nothing like getting slapped in the face by mortality…
FairyChatMom (My Florida Crush!:D) : He’s got a lot in his favor as active as he’s been, and because of the advances we’ve made in cardiac medicine, 73 isn’t the risk it once was, so be of good cheer and keep us posted!
I am sending you my very best wishes and Quasi-Huggs!