Geobabe’s and my mom (and UncleBill’s MIL) had a heart attack last night. She’s had a stent placed in an artery that was completely blocked and at this time she is resting comfortably at the hospital.
Our mom is 74 years old give or take a year (I’m having a senior moment myself and can’t remember what year she was born) but until this episode has been as healthy as a mountain goat. You might recall that two years ago last month she took my son to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro; She would have made the summit was it not for problems with her knees. She exercises daily and has a healthy diet except for her ice cream jones so this heart attack was unexpected.
The cardiac surgeon expects her to make a good recovery but doesn’t know how much damage was done to the heart muscle. Her symptoms made her think that she had indigestion so she delayed going to the hospital for about eight hours. Her nurse commented that women sometimes don’t have the “elephant sitting on chest” pain that men describe so women are less likely to recognize the pain as coming from the heart. This is unfortunate because early intervention can limit the damage.
I’m shaken but optimistic. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated.
My prayers will be with your family, hang in there!
If I can offer some encouragement, my Dad suffered an aortic aneurysm almost exactly one year ago. Most people don’t even make it to the hospital with this type of attack. I truly believe he is healthier now than he was before the attack. Same as your mom, he was the picture of health before this incident, at least we thought he was.
Since she was healthy before the attack she’s much more likely to recover I would think. That’s how it was when my father had his attack.
Will your mother be having further work, like bypass surgery? Please keep us posted. I will certainly pray for her. I don’t know her name of course, but God does, so if I say “Anita’s mother” in church tomorrow, He’ll know whom I’m talking about.
My mom had one about a year ago, and thanks to modern medicine she’s fine now. If anything something like this opens our eyes to what someone truely means to us. Our thoughts and prayers to you and your mom and her speedy recovery. Keep us updated and stay positive…
My heartfelt thanks to everyone for your care and concern. I’m grateful to be able to call on my SDMB friends for support.
I just got back from the hospital and can report that she is doing well. They want her to stay flat on her back until they’re sure that the incision on her leg where they went in with the catheter is closed up. If all goes well they will move her out of CCU to a regular room in the cardiac wing tomorrow and she might go home on Monday.
My mom has always been proud of her vitality but she says the heart attack has shaken her self confidence. I think her emotional recovery is going to be as important as her physical recovery.
Prayers and good thoughts for your Mom and you and all of your family, Anita.
I don’t have any personal experience with this, but I’m sure there must be some type of support group or therapy specifically for people like your mom who have been very active. I know there are lots of examples of people who have had heart attacks and come back to be as healthy and active as before.
Hope she has a speedy physical and emotional recovery.
I can understand your worry and fear, Anita. My mother is in her mid seventies, and is slowly going downhill physically. I worry every single day that she will also fall victim to heart problems, strokes, or just fall…period. She also does not, in any sense of the phrase, take care of herself. Nothing like your mother seems to.
My prayers and good thoughts go to you and your family. She sounds like a strong lady, and I hope everything works out okay for her.
Two years ago I had a stomach operation go bad and I too had a difficult time emotionally. It shook my confidense badly. However, as time passed, so did my emotional issues and I am mostly my same old self. Sending more warm thoughts your way.
I hope she has a quick and uneventful recovery. It sounds like she’s in great shape to come out of this just fine. Having loving family like you nearby during the next month or so will probably do her a world of good in itself. You and your family have my sincere best wishes. Please keep us posted.
