Friday Update
Christy and I arrived at the hospital at around 2:15, or so. We had to drop off the kids at their Grandma’s. Once we got settled in the Cath Lab waiting room, I ran to the bathroom for a quick “pit stop.” As I was about to open the door to come out, I heard an alarm out in the hall. Then – my knees almost went out on me…
“Code 99 in the Cath Lab. Code 99 in the Cath Lab”
Instantly, any available nurse or doctor or tech ran by the bathroom (which was across the hall from the waiting room). Christy and her step-mom looked like they were about to break down. My father-in-law was the only person having a procedure done in the Cath Lab. We thought he was dying or dead.
The next few minutes were probably the longest time of the past week. I know it wasn’t too long, but it felt like an eternity since we didn’t know anything. Shortly, some of the nurses/docs/techs started to leave, returning to their previous activities. We finally managed to stop a couple of them. They told us everything appeared under control and it was an issue with his breathing, not his heart.
We were under the impression that Codes were called out like that if there was a flatline and they needed more help. We came to find out that they issued the code to get the anesthesiologist there quicker so they could intubate him as soon as possible.
My father-in-law was conscious during the procedure, and began to tell them, “I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.” Then he stopped breathing. They put a tube back down his throat. They’re not exactly sure why he stopped breathing, which isn’t very reassuring. After they got him breathing again, they finished putting in the pacemaker.
I have an amazing sense of relief. Christy, on the other hand, is stressing out even more. She was told by a nurse this morning that pacemakers are not really a big deal anymore, and there’s nothing to be concerned about. Someday, this staff will figure out that nothing is ever easy or routine when it comes to treating my father-in-law.
The good news is that the pacemaker is in and functional. He survived another “near-miss.” He’s getting rest tonight. He definitely needs to recover. I truly believe the only reason he is still alive is through acts of God. Whoever is praying with us – please keep doing it!
We’ve decided to hold off my drive home till Sunday. We’ll figure out how to get the rest of the family home later. Christy wants to stay at least another week.
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