American Gam

“If I only had a heart…” ~ The Tin Man

Sometimes on these journeys we hit a speed bump, a detour, a delay, a road block, get a flat tire, or have a complete breakdown. Sometimes on these journeys we even get stuck…

Back on June 16th we were camping at Malibu Beach RV Park, also called Surf Outpost. It’s a beautiful place, up high on a bluff overlooking the mighty Pacific Ocean and the Pacific Coast Highway. We had reserved a spot for the three weeks prior to Treva’s son’s big wedding. I awoke that first Monday morning and said to Treva, “Since we’re gonna’ be here for three weeks why don’t we stop at the Malibu Urgent Care Center, the one next to the market, just to chat with a doctor about why I might be having this shortness of breath and heartburn?” Treva was thrilled. I had been having these symptoms since just before leaving New Hampshire ten months ago so she was more than happy to go. (Yes, I was in denial.)

So before we went to the market for our usual compliment of eggs and avocados we met with Dr. Katz, an awesome twenty-five year ER doctor, who did a routine EKG test to see what my heart might be doing. According to the results he said I probably had some “serious” artery blockage to my heart and “abnormal readings.” He then said I should go to the hospital. I said, “Okay, we’ll go tomorrow or the next day.” He said, “No, I’d liked to call 911 right now. I’ve already talked to the top surgeon over at St. John’s Hospital and he will be waiting for you.” The rescue squad arrived ten minutes later.

Gulp…!

So…I spent the next two days in the hospital being tested before a surgical team, on Wednesday, cut into my right wrist, went up my right arm, and probed into my heart cavity to see if a stent or two could be employed to open up my clogged arteries. This is called angioplasty. The answer was a definitive…no. They found three (of four) arteries were almost 100% blocked. The only answer was triple bypass surgery.

Gulp…!!

So…two more days in the hospital being tested, poked and prodded before a much bigger surgical team, on Friday, opened my chest like a can of sardines, stole some fresh blood vessels from my legs and arms, and bypassed my old blocked arteries that connected to my heart. Yeah, it was that simple and only took eight hours to complete.

Gulp…!!!

Here’s a block of pictures courtesy of Treva for those who wish to see what it was like for me in the hospital…

I spent a few more days in the Intensive Care Unit learning to deal with the pain and eating hospital food before they released me on Tuesday…eight days later! And I thought we were just gonna’ stop and chat with a doctor before going to pick up some bacon and bananas!

Well…that was all two months ago…

These last eight weeks I’ve spent much of my time recovering in my gravity chair, which is outside on our patio in the shade. I stare at the ocean, watching the dolphins and the whales swim northward. There’s some sailboats, lots of helicopters, the occasional surfer, and a whole bunch of pale-white tourists trying to brave the icy waves of water crashing on the shoreline below. I try to read books but the pain is too distracting.

A coloring app on my phone distracts me from the pain…somewhat. Kodi lays by my side when we’re not taking walks around the RV park. And my private nurse, Treva, takes excellent care of me, making sure I eat healthy meals, helping me dress, and making sure I don’t miss my battery of required medicines.

Yes, it’s now two months later and I’m happy to say I’m doing very well. Cardiac Physical Therapy has helped, along with Malibu Beach and my faithful companions. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our reservations for Yellowstone National Park and extend our stay here in Malibu for an extra six weeks but we will be continuing our adventure and heading back to New England starting next week!

I’m happy to say I also made it to Michael & Stephanie’s big beautiful wedding on Fourth of July weekend! Everything was about it was perfect!

I am thankful to the amazing team of doctors and nurses at St. John’s Hospital, to all my family and friends for their support, and to my lovely Treva for driving me everywhere and taking such good care of me in so many ways.

If you have symptoms, get checked out. If I hadn’t gotten this taken care of, our trip into The Badlands of South Dakota could have been a one way for me.

My sister said this was “one of the highest mountains you’ve probably climbed.” True. And still climbing. But I can feel my repaired heart pounding away and it feels like I’ve been given an another twenty years of life on this planet. Coincidentally, on the first day in the hospital I put this quote on my phone desktop…

I hope you never have to climb a mountain as high but if you do remember one of my favorite quotes. It’s an old Yiddish proverb that says… “A man can endure more than ten oxen can pull.”

The gam continues…