It was a normal day… and then it wasn’t.
Friday, October 14, 2016 at 10:11AM I asked Sara to guest blog today so that she could tell you about Sean’s and her experience this week:
Tuesday October 11th started out like any other day; school, work, running kids around, that kind of thing. We even decided to eat dinner at our favorite sushi restaurant. Yum! After saying goodnight to the kids, I found Sean in our room with a weird look on his face. When I asked him what was wrong, (pulling up Google at the same time—gotta love Google!) he said he was experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, his neck was hurting, and his arms were feeling heavy. As I listened to him talk, all of the color drained from his face and a sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead. He was experiencing all of the symptoms of a heart attack!
So…we got into the car and headed to the ER. Vitals were taken, EKG and chest X-rays done, along with a myriad of other things, and all we could do was wait. About an hour after that, the doctor came in and let us know that things looked fairly normal but they were going to keep him for another 5 hours so that they could take another blood test. Apparently it takes about 6 hours after pain starts to see irregularities in the blood. At that point we had pretty much convinced ourselves that it was something else like Pericarditis causing the pain, but around 5am they came to take Sean’s blood again and 45 minutes later another doctor came in and informed us that they would be taking Sean to a different hospital with a cardiology department because it looked like he was suffering from a heart attack.
I couldn’t quite process what the doctor was saying… how could Sean (at 41 and fairly healthy) be having a heart attack?! I proceeded to ask a million questions and they got him ready for an ambulance transfer.
To make a long story short, Sean went in for a coronary angioplasty and stent procedure where they went in through an artery in his wrist and were able to clear blood clots from his right coronary artery and put in two stents. Less than 48 hours after this whole ordeal started we were sent home. Sean is doing well and we are so grateful for modern technology, excellent doctors and nurses, and the love, support and prayers of countless family, friends and neighbors. Thank you!
Life is fragile, so as Sean says, “Live every day as if it was your last. No regrets!”
Reader Comments (11)
In the meantime, I think we need to put a call out for Thinking of You cards for Sean! What do you think? #Bringingthinkingofyouback!
I feel for Sean, you, and your family. My husband had his heart attack at 49.....he too was healthy and didn't seem like he could be having a heart attack. The whole time we were waiting for the blood tests, he kept telling me it was probably gas.....acid reflux! Yeah, right!!! He had a stent placed, also! He's 66 now! He has a wonderful doctor, and we follow his recommendations! So, my advice.....keep listening to your doctor.....find out how to prevent another occurrence....and do it!!! Life is wonderful and is a treasure! Think of this bump in the road as an opportunity!!!
Happy times ahead for all of you!
Kathy Maurer
Hugs and love to all.
And happy belated birthday Shelli!
When I read stories like this it continues to remind me I was 40 when I started working for Stampin Up and now just turned 56 this year. I am definitely a person that is not a picture of health. I am over weight and suffer diabetes. I had a kidney scare just over a year ago that really made me think about life. The thought NEVER leaves my mind about having that first heart attack! What it must feel like and will I survive it! I can't imagine why someone in his 40's, in good health, suffers his first heart attack over someone like me who is much older and not as healthy as I should be.
I am extremely happy to know he made it through and will be able to live and be loved by a loving grateful family. Amen!