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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Sewhappie
Date: 11-27-2006, 12:05 PM (1 of 25)
I got a 4AM phone call from my BIL. He had to take my sister to the ER at midnight Sunday. They admitted her with a Heart Attack. The Cardiologist got there shortly after I got there and told her that she has to stop smoking, it has caused damage to her heart. She has smoked since she was in her teens and she's 59 now.
They are doing a cath on her and will able to see just how bad the damage is.
He also told her that it was good that she came in when she did because they have now been able to catch the problem in its early stage. Had she not, she most likely would have had a full blown attack within the next 48 hrs.
The other thing he also mentioned is how women will try and wait out the discomfort, which does more harm than good to the heart. SO, if you are having any chest, arm, back pains GO TO THE HOSPITAL, don't take a chance with your life!!!
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001
Total posts: 1427
From: lendube
Date: 11-27-2006, 12:59 PM (2 of 25)
So sorry to hear about your sister! Hope she does well soon and stops smoking!

What an emotional morning for you. Take care of yourself too.

:up: Lennie
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006
Total posts: 1548
From: Magot
Date: 11-27-2006, 12:59 PM (3 of 25)
sad news - but she is in the safest place now - hope all goes well the next 48 hours.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: Sewhappie
Date: 11-27-2006, 01:29 PM (4 of 25)
Update: I just got off the phone with BIL- she has to have a triple bypass. She has 3 blocks in the rear descending arteries and just how they are located they can not put in the stints, it would kill her. Right now they are saying the earliest they can do surgery is Weds AM.
My Nephew and DH now have their hands full!!! My BIL has heart issues and so do I- maybe we can get a 3 for 1 deal in the CCU!!!!!!
Plus to top everything off, we have to deal with her aging Golden Retriever too!!! I am getting my kids lined up to help with the "potty & food" detail with him.
(Sure she would have to buy a house clear on the OTHER side of the county!!)
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001
Total posts: 1427
From: cowqueenie
Date: 11-27-2006, 01:49 PM (5 of 25)
I am sorry to hear about your sister but am so glad things were caught "early". I don't know if you are a spiritual or religious peroson but I feel that prayer got me through a lot of my health issues. I will keep you and your family in mine.

As lennie said, just make sure to take care of yourself too. Sometimes we forget to do that when we are in the middle of helping others out. Keep us updated!

Jane
"A trip to the fabric store is my therapy"
User: cowqueenie
Member since: 10-30-2006
Total posts: 125
From: esrun3
Date: 11-27-2006, 08:28 PM (6 of 25)
So sorry about your sister, Take care of yourself! I'll be pulling for her with her surgery.

Please everyone remember, that while men usually have the "typical" heart attack presentations-chest pain, radiates to the L arm or jaw. women tend to present atypically-meaning it won't necessarily meet the "criteria" of a heart attack. When I had a gall bladder attack the first thing they did was check for heart problems because they weren't sure it wasn't a heart attack and I had back pain with that-not chest pain and was reminded by the MD on duty that women tend to present atypically. I had forgotten that since I do med/surg nursing and not tele. Good reminder though.
Lyn
User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004
Total posts: 2345
From: trini
Date: 11-27-2006, 08:34 PM (7 of 25)
Sorry to hear of your sister's emergency. She is in the right place where she will get the necessary help. Think positively and keep us posted.
Leila.
User: trini
Member since: 09-17-2005
Total posts: 74
From: Chrysantha
Date: 11-27-2006, 09:18 PM (8 of 25)
[[[ ]]]

Sorry..but meds are better today than they were yrs ago. (my Mom, Dad, Grandfather all dead due to smoking related heart attacks.)( my mother-in-law has COPD due to smoking, plus she's had cancer twice...).
(one of my bothers-in-law has had a heart attack, at 39, due to smoking.)

I never smoked, never cared to and I tell everyone I know DON'T SMOKE. ( I hounded my neighbor across the street till she stopped...I still tell her how good she looks not smoking...and she feels better too.)

Tell your sister to behave and stick around, you need to yell at her...(everyone needs to yell at their sister now and then..just to keep them in line:wink: )

I'll keep my fingers crossed that she'll be just fine !!!
(and she will....)
Chrys
User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002
Total posts: 2414
From: Sewhappie
Date: 11-27-2006, 11:28 PM (9 of 25)
Thank you everyone for your Prayers.

They are keeping her "drugged up" pretty good as she is now starting to have withdrawals from the Nicotine and was really having some "major hot-flash" issues. When I talked to her tonight to let her know that her dog has been taken care of for the evening (the potty & chow run) she sounded like she was on a bender!!! Plus they are able to keep her quiet and let her get much needed sleep.
I'm just affraid of what else they will find once they open her up since the Dr has told us that her smoking is what caused her heart problems.
It was about 22-23 yrs ago, all 3 of us sibblings went thru a triple by-pass with our mom (dad was totally out of it with worry then) that turned into a major thing with her. I don't know if DB and I can go thru another. one.
Then to top it all off, we had to check to see if we could move our trip to Vegas back to January and we can't. We will be out all the money spent!!! I will be able to stay with her the week before we go, but BIL and nephew are going to have to take off work to stay with her. Good thing our cell phone has the friends and family plan for free!!!!
Well I am going to try and go back to bed, my cousin called for get an update and woke me up.
Thanks again for all your Prayers.
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001
Total posts: 1427
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 11-28-2006, 02:48 AM (10 of 25)
Naomi please let me know if I can do something over here. I know prayers are needed but anything else just let me know. A phone call or two just to let it out email me the # and I will call you. I have free long distance. I know first hand about the smoking and what it does to the heart. My mother in law was only 62 and had a heart attach and was told to quit and she didn't listen. Her arteries were too small to put a stint in and she kept smoking and she didn't live much longer. Kick her butt if she gets out and lights up. I'll come help you if you need back up.

I have a hard headed man here that is smoking and I think he has COPD and won't quit. He says he has quit but he's still buying them and smoking whenever he can, between the coughs. His Dad had lung problems and his Mom had heart issues and you would think he'd see what he's doing but he don't. Let me know if you need someone to lean on and email me your # and I will call you back. In the mean time I'll pray for her and keep you all in my thoughts. Hugs susie
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005
Total posts: 1118
From: Sewhappie
Date: 11-28-2006, 09:03 PM (11 of 25)
UPDATE:
Doctor wants to wait until Thurs AM for surgery so he can get more tests results back that where run today. They won't have some until Weds.
Talked with my brother tonight, he is driving in from Indiana in the AM. I can't wait until he gets here, she and I really need him. Funny the older we have gotten the closer we get. He is 15 yrs older than me and she is 7 yrs older than me.
I take the Am shift to stay with her at the hospital. Her son gets there in the afternoon to relieve me and then her DH gets there after work and has dinner with her and stays until 7:30-8:00. Our cousin is also going to come in to sit with her too.
BIL told me tonight that she called him at 1AM crying her eyes out about the surgery. She is scared to death she will not come through. I can't let her know that I am scared too. Not only for her but for my BIL because he has some serious heart issues also. The Dr told me today that because of the location of her problem in the heart that it is a more serious condition than what BIL's heart problems are. But that the stress of all this is not doing his condition any good, so now we are watching him like a hawk.
They are keeping her drugged up on Valium and Vicodine. She is having SERIOUS withdrawals from the nicotine and the Nitro patches are giving her bad headaches.
She did get flowers today from some people at her job, and some of them visited her after they got off work. BIL told me that that helped get her mind off surgery, they had her laughing to tears.
Once I leave the hospital I go to her house to take care of her 11 yr old dog, picked up the place, ran the dishwasher and the washing machine. My BIL didn't even know that they have a DISHWASHER!!!!! He only knows where the remote & TV and Fridge are at!!!!! I laughed with that one. He said i didn't have to do the wash, I told him DS doesn't want pink whites!!!!
Will post more later, Thank You for all your Prayers and Well Wishes they mean a lot
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001
Total posts: 1427
From: moon
Date: 11-28-2006, 11:50 PM (12 of 25)
I am keeping your sister and your family in my prayers.
I know withdrawing from the nicotine is really rough,but,it takes about three days for the physical symptoms to go away.It helps that she is on meds to make her rest. That may help some with her fear as well. Try to get some rest and eat properly you and the rest of the family,it will help you all to get through the surgery and recovery period.
Keeping you all inmy prayers.
User: moon
Member since: 07-10-2006
Total posts: 16
From: lsoutherla
Date: 11-30-2006, 11:15 AM (13 of 25)
How's your sister doing? There are prayers in Georgia for her as well.
User: lsoutherla
Member since: 05-04-2006
Total posts: 72
From: Sewhappie
Date: 11-30-2006, 06:40 PM (14 of 25)
Thank you everyone for your Prayers. She was in for just over 4 hours and he ended up doing a triple by-pass. He explained it all , but my mind is to fried right now to remember what he said. They had a bit of trouble re-starting the heart, had to use jumper cables on the ol' broad!!!! They got her off the respirator around 4PM- she was very mad about having it in as long as it was. As long as she keeps progressing they should have her sitting up by midnight and walking by 3AM and into her own room by Friday afternoon.
When I left they had just given her another pain shot, the morphene was not working.
I came home called my girlfriend and just fell apart on the phone to her. I feel a little bit better now that I have gotten my nerves out. I should be back to my 'ol self on Friday when I go back in to sit with her.
Oh yeah, DS called me at 5AM this morning wanting to know where I was!!!! I told her I was just walking out the door when she called. I walked into the hospital room 15 minutes later. Mind you this is normally a 30 minute drive!!! My Mom and Dad and grandparents where working the traffic lights for me the WHOLE way. What was spooky was when I went to push the button for the elevator the door just opened and took me right to her floor- I never touched ANY buttons!!!!!!!!!
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001
Total posts: 1427
From: Chrysantha
Date: 11-30-2006, 07:50 PM (15 of 25)
Good signs all !!! Yay !!! may your sister have many, many happy yrs...(and tell her NO SMOKING !!!)

[[[ ]]]


Kath
Chrys
User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002
Total posts: 2414
From: esrun3
Date: 11-30-2006, 09:41 PM (16 of 25)
So glad your sister is doing well...she sounds like a fighter!! Keep us posted. I'll keep her in my prayers for a quick and healthy recovery
Lyn
User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004
Total posts: 2345
From: Sewhappie
Date: 12-02-2006, 08:18 PM (17 of 25)
She has been moved to the Step Down Unit and has had all the tubes removed. She is now able to get up and walk to the bathroom, but that's a chore for her. If she keeps going this good she will come home on Tuesday.
Thanks everyone for all yours Prayers they truly helped her.
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001
Total posts: 1427
From: Chrysantha
Date: 12-02-2006, 09:42 PM (18 of 25)
Good for you ALL !!! [[[ ]]]
Chrys
User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002
Total posts: 2414
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 12-04-2006, 02:01 AM (19 of 25)
Great News Naomi, Please keep us informed as to how she does as the days go on. And keep us informed as to how little sister is making out too. :wink: How's the Brother In Law sitting going? I know sometimes it's harder on the ones that are not the patient. When my Mother was in the hospital somedays I wish I could have climbed in the bed with her I would be so tired. Take care and the prayers are still coming for your family from here. Hugs susie
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005
Total posts: 1118
From: Sewhappie
Date: 12-04-2006, 10:44 AM (20 of 25)
She's Coming Home Today!!!!!!! This Is The Best Christmas Gift I Have Ever Received!!!
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001
Total posts: 1427
From: lendube
Date: 12-04-2006, 10:51 AM (21 of 25)
How absolutely wonderful! Must mean she's doing outstandingly well!

Good for her and good luck to everyone! :love:

Lennie
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006
Total posts: 1548
From: Patty22
Date: 12-04-2006, 12:20 PM (22 of 25)
Wonderful news Naomi!
Patty
User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006
Total posts: 1194
From: Magot
Date: 12-04-2006, 12:50 PM (23 of 25)
Can't find a dancing smilie but YAY!!
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: esrun3
Date: 12-04-2006, 09:06 PM (24 of 25)
Wonderful news Naomi! So glad things went well for your sister!!
Lyn
User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004
Total posts: 2345
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 12-04-2006, 10:02 PM (25 of 25)
Doing the happy dance here. Wonderful. I hate the hospital scene. Now you can relax and help her at home. You take care of yourself remember that little bit of advice. How's your blood pressure today? Enjoy the time you have with her girl and keep us informed at how she's doing. I know You'll be busy. Hugs susie
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005
Total posts: 1118
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