When Mom doesn't Know Best

Everyone knows Mom's treatment for whatever is ailing you is to go outside get some fresh air and exercise. I think I was about 10 years old when I first learned her treatment approach for our colds or aches and pains. I can remember that cold snowy day and I didn't feel well enough to go to school. Mom knew the perfect remedy was to go enjoy the fresh air by hitting the ski slopes at Peek-n-Peak. Fresh air and exercise wasn't a remedy just for colds it was the old stand by for what ever ailed you. I can remember many walks with mom and Connie where mom would tell us she got a Rx from the doctor, maybe an antibiotic and after two days it just didn't seem to be kicking in and that maybe she should stop the pills and what she really needed was a good long bike ride. I can't count how many times before moms knee replacement she would be stumbling on her bum knee aching and she would just reply "no it doesn't hurt to bad... I just need to walk a little further and it will be better".


So... over the last couple months when Dad would mention "Gosh!!!I seem a little short of breath on the tennis court" mom could easily diagnose this as maybe needing a bit more warm up time or just aging (dad after all is approaching 78 in July) or it could be that he is playing Austrialian doubles where its him against two on the other side of the net. Mom also would be quick to note that sometimes when she starts out on a big hill biking it takes here a few minutes to build up then shes fines. Well dad being a little wiser about what was going on and this may not just be typical aging went in for a physical including a stress test. Thus began his very quick relization that a serious problem was going on. After the surprising results of the Heart Cath. it was apparent that dad was suffering from multiple major heart blockages.


Here is Some Art Handiwork From Dad Heart Surgeon Dr. Fitzgibbons

So now it was the doctors calling the shots. He was to stay in the hospital until Bypass surgery could be done. Dad and mom watching Wimbledon just a couple hours before being wheeled down for surgery.

Once down to the OR Staging area again we waited. Unfortunately no tv here. Dad remained pretty calm. Finally the go ahead that dads surgeon, who by all the staff refer to him as a genius was ready to fix his broken heart. (actually his heart was strong and healthy just clogged arteries but broken heart sounded so much more poetic)

Ready to Roll

It was a long stressful afternoon. Hamot Hospital provides a beeper for the family so that they can walk outside, have lunch or whatever. It was very nice to be able to leave the OR waiting room occasionally and have lunch and enjoy the fresh air. Here is a picture of mom waiting for the final beeper signal that we could go see dad.
So now the GREAT news. Dad is really doing well. Surgery went great. The doctor reported he has one heck of a strong Heart.

Many thanks for the hospital staff at Hamot including all the small things they do to make such a stressful time more comfortable. Dads Heart surgeon and anesthesiologist were absolutely amazing.

Many thanks to Dianne who stopped mom and dad from going to play tennis last week and from lifting weights at the YMCA. Thats right... after dads stress test he had a week until the Heart cath. So when Dianne called to see what they were doing and mom stated they were going to the court to hit some balls she brillantly advised him not to do any athletic activity until the cath. Who knows what could have happened. But what we do know now is dad was very near a fatal heart problem and now he going to be better than ever.

Stan...... you better start practicing your tennis game.