October 23 – “Loop Recorder Day”

Yesterday was the big day.  Chris was to receive her loop recorder that will track her heart activity 24/7 for the next four or five years.  It is a tiny, paper clip sized creation that slips right in under her skin just above her heart.  Technically still a surgery because it involves cutting and invading, this one was billed as a real piece of cake.  Quick slit.  In and out.  Five to fifteen minutes from surgery beginning to walking out the door.  Hmm.  Should have suspected something.

 

We checked into the hospital right at 7 a.m.  security didn’t even attempt to stop us.  Guess we looked legit enough.  We were the only patients in the Cath Lab, where the surgery was to take place.  In fact we were along with just a nurse or two, along with the front desk person.  She was really nice, by the way.  At one point she asked if Chris had been outside of the United States of Texas lately.  “United States OF Texas.”  I asked about that designation.  She backtracked and insisted she said, “United States OR Texas.”  Gotta love having a hearing problem.  Makes the world so much more interesting.  Oh, and we received a text from April as we were checking in.  She was just touching base with us to let us know she was at work, so she was nearby if we needed her.  Always good to know. 

 

Here’s a quick timeline of events:

7:40 – IV, bloodwork, monitors hooked up

7:45 – Met the rep from the monitor company

9:15 – still waiting to begin.  Chris getting a headache.

9:50 – They finally told us the doctor was caught in a traffic jam.

10:06 – I finally got kicked out.  They are ready to get it done.  Again … “Should take 5 to 15 minutes.

11:15 – Interesting definition of 5-15 minutes.  They came and got me.  All done.  I got there just in time to listen to the guy explain how the thing works.  All we had to then was wait for the doc’s final orders – the discharge papers. 

Chris told me that they had told her the doc wasn’t just IN a traffic jam.  She actually CAUSED it.  Someone ran into her on the way to the hospital.  Chris said she was talking 90 miles an hour.  Chris finally said, “Doc, slow down.  Take a few deep breaths.  You’re about to cut into my chest and I want you in control.” 

12:15 - Still waiting for the discharge papers.

1:11 – Still waiting.   Just informed that the nurse manager is now involved in trying to get the discharge papers. 

1:30 – Papers finally arrive and we are set loose.  Phew.  Longest “5-15 minutes” of my whole life.  We stopped at Randall’s on the way home for Chris’ antibiotics.  The Luza’s were there, so we got to catch up with them a little bit.  Always fun to catch up with old friends.

 

Enough about that part of the day.  We are home now.  Chris is really sore but doing fine otherwise.  Ezra called this morning to check in on Nana.  Really.  Daddy was in the shower, so he got on Kel’s phone and FaceTimed me.  First question was, “Did you just get home from Nana’s surgery?”  That was followed by, “How is she doing?”  Nothing quite like a four-year-old checking in on your health.

 

Speaking of Ezra, I guess I buried the lead.  Kel got this text from Christina early this morning:
            “They woke me up at 1:30 a.m. and moved me out of ICU.”

Yep.  And the plans are to move her to a rehab facility in Webster toward the end of next week.  Things are moving along …

 

Saw this on the glove of Astros relief pitcher, Kendall Graveman, last night (Go Astros, by the way.  On to the World Series):

Ephesians 3:20, which says: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”

 

Father, thank you for the good news from Christina.  Please ease Chris’ soreness and maybe work it out where this contraption will figure out what is going on.  Amen.