Hi all. Don’t know who all is particularly religious or anything like that, but if you have any sort of belief in the Man upstairs, or at least feel there is power in positive vibes, I’m asking for them now.
Yesterday morning, my brother Greg had a heart attack. My cellphone battery was low, and family members were trying to contact me, but couldn’t get through. I hooked it up to the charger last night and went to sleep. When I woke up this morning, I found an email from my sister telling me what happened.
He’s currently in Intensive Care awaiting the doctor’s decision on whether or not they’re going to do an angioplasty or full open-heart surgery. He’s awake and alert, and crabby as hell for a cigarette, which I’m going to assume is a good thing – as opposed to being out cold and non-responsive, anyway.
I’m 2800 miles away and can’t just hop on a plane and go down to Georgia on no notice, but in the meantime, I’m a basketcase. I love my brother dearly and would rather be there than here right now. If you could find it in your schedule to pause and say a few words on his behalf, I’d greatly appreciate it.
Now I’ve got to figure out how I’m going to be able to work…
So sorry to hear about your brother Data. I’m Catholic, I’ll put in a good word for you with the Man upstairs…
I know this is a pointless thing to say but try not to let it get you down too much, keep thinking positive thoughts. There’s a lot of people here on the forum that will be thinking of you.
And yes…the fact that he is conscious and asking for a cigarette is a good sign
Oh wow, Data, i’m really sorry to hear about this! It’s even worse that you’re not able to be there right now, when i know you’re just about crazy to know whats going on firsthand and be there for him. Do you know what will be the deciding factor on which type of procedure they decide to do, or which type of angioplasty it’ll require. With any luck it’ll be coronary instead of carotid… But you have my good blessings and good luck to pass on to him, which is saying something since i’m Irish. Oh, and if you can’t get any work done today, i’m sure your bosses will understand. I’m not sure i would even be able to work right now, so i’m impressed by your dedication! Best wishes Data!
Thanks, Xiphoid and MFG. I’m not worried about me. If I work, I work, and if I don’t, I don’t. Right now, all I care about is my brother’s well being and his family. He’s married with a son and daughter, both at ages where they’re very sensitive and need their father. (14 and 10, respectively).
As far as the procedures, I’m still sketchy on the details, as my sister’s email just said he had the heart attack and is ICU and to call mom. I called her, but she was talking to three people at once, and that as soon as she knows something definite, she’d give me a call. She’s a basketcase, too, as she’s the type of person who worries over everything. If you guys could also pray for a bit of peace of mind on her behalf, I’d be grateful. Her name is Linda.
Anyway, I’ve got to head out the door. I’ll post updates as soon as I find out.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your brother D4. My grandfather just had open heart… a valve replacement and double bypass. These situations are certainly stressfull and it’s important to stay posotive. Keep your head up man - everything will work out.
Thanks again, everyone. Latest report is that he’s doing fine and awaiting an angiogram, where they inject dye into his bloodstream to find the blockage. Sometimes the dye itself can dislodge it, which would be good. In that case, he’d go through whatever recovery treatment they’d give him. If not, the next step is the balloon angioplasty. Should that not work, then it’ll be a bypass. My mom said he was bitching about wanting a cigarette so much that they gave him a nicotine patch and some sort of mood balancer that starts with an A, the name of which escapes me.
Anyway, the results of the angiogram will at the very least give an idea of the severity. Thanks again for your words of encouragement. I deeply appreciate it.
My brother had his angiogram this morning and they said that the procedure removed the blockages, but get this! I’ve got goosebumps and chills just thinking about it…
The doctors said that it looks like the blood vessels in the back of his heart REROUTED THEMSELVES ON THEIR OWN to compensate. They’re going to keep him another couple of days for observation and recovery treatment, but it looks like they’ll be sending him home in a couple of days.
I’m not very religious in terms of going to church every Sunday, but I do believe in God and I am 100% sure He did this. Holy crap, I’m damned near euphoric!
Thanks to God and thank all of you for sending your prayers and well wishes! This is the best thing ever right now and I can’t tell you all how relieved I am for my brother, my dear, worrisome mother, and everyone who’s been on pins and needles the last few days!
That’s so awesome for your brother and your family! I’m sure you’re feeling soooo much better right now. I’ll still keep sending him some good blessings from me to help with the recovery period, but that goes to show the power of the human body to fight to survive. Great news!
Oh, and if you can’t get any work done today, i’m sure your bosses will understand. I’m not sure i would even be able to work right now, so i’m impressed by your dedication! Best wishes Data!