We went to bed around 8:00 pm last night after visiting with Irene and making several calls on the Bat Phone. Connor and Jon called to wish me well.
I could not sleep for some reason, so it is 3:40 am, and I am finishing off yesterday’s Daily Diary!
Alexa sounded off at 4:00 am, and I headed to the shower and used the preoperative soap that kills the germs! Mary and Irene also were also stirring. We were in the car, pulling out at 5:00 am sharp and arriving at the hospital lobby at 5:20 am.
Irene and Mary entered the prep room with me and got me ready. I had to wear a backless gown, the cutest little socks, and NO undies! I of course faced away from Irene but I heard her giggle to herself somthing like, “Cute buns!” I should have charged for the peep show!
Irene was with us the entire time and she admired by medical uniform. Even the shirt was matching thanks to Mary who always dresses me nicely.
I was taken into the pre-op room, hooked up with tubes, and changed into the hospital gown! They “prepped me” by shaving certain areas of my magnificent body, which, will go unspecified; I thanked them for providing warm blankets! The girls were freezing.
She kept us company; Irene is fantastic!
I had my doctor with me, who explained everything that was happening! I even took their suggested valium and Benadryl pills; I was a good patient.
Mary prepares to send me off.
Saying goodbye when the movers came to get me, and off we went to the operating room, which seemed to be 10 miles away! Yes, I was wearing my crown indicating that I took the pills and dranks the water! With my head cover, I looked like a very ugly Unicorn!
The nurse asked me if I knew what they were going to do; I answered, “Yes, a head transplant!”
I was surprised I was NOT knocked out (they could have if I were wiggly). I heard the doctor talking and saw the X-ray machine moving at different angles above my heart area as he explored all the arteries!
I asked what they found and if I would need a stent. I was amazed when the doctor said, “All is clear!” I was ready for him to say, “Oh My, we can’t stent you, so we will have to open you up!”
The test I underwent last week revealed ai had at least two blockages. I found out that during a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, the original blocked artery is not removed. Instead, a surgeon grafts a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body to reroute blood around the blockage.
I have old and new arteries after the bypass surgery eight years ago!
At the end of the procedure, he announced that the arteries added to bypass the plugged ones were clear as a bell, and I was pronounced: “He is healthy but old!”
The doctor went to tell Mary, Vicky, and Irene, and they were ecstatic. Vicky took Irene to our house so she could go home and get some rest.
Back in the room, I was a tad groggy and was surrounded by four people who I could not make out because of the bright lights behind them. I was telling the three “nurses” about how I med MAry when two of them had to leave the room, leaving one person behind.
I continued my story when Mary said, “Paul, do you know who this person is?” I, of course, said, “I had no idea!” Mary then announced that our son, Joe, was in the room. I stretched my neck and squinted my eyes, and sure enough, our wonderful son was right there in his old man’s room. I was almost brought to tears!
We are so lucky to have Joe and his family in our lives!
I had to stay on my back until noon because of the holes in the groin area, which needed to begin healing. I was released into my doctor’s custody/recognizance at noon, and we went home.
We headed home with Dr. Mary at the wheel. I was strapped into the trunk, surrounded by pads, a fire extinguisher, and three first-aid kits; I was taking no chances.
Dr. Mary and her male nurse, Scout, cared for me all afternoon. Every time I started to get up, Scout would growl and get the doctor.
At 6:00 pm, we walked over and visited with Jeff for our evening wine and neighborhood gossip session.
Since we were up at 4:00 am, we hit the sack at 8:00 pm! There goes our circadian rhythm!
Scout stayed close to us all night long pretending to be asleep!!
We watched a goofy science-fiction movie before calling it quits!
Goodnight to all of you who called, texted, cards, letters, smoke signals, and emailed during this time. It is warm to know that so many prayers are being said and that so many of you care about this old buzzard. God bless You All. Special thanks to Irene, Vicky, and Joe for watching out for Mary, my excellent partner in life!
