Retirement is a week filled with Saturdays and Sundays interrupted only occasionally by a holiday.

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Saturday, April 21, 2007

A Friend In Need

Last night we went out to dinner with our longtime friends…Hubby’s grandgodson Joey’s Grandpa and Grandma. Grandma is having cardiac surgery next week and I could tell by the look of worry on her face that this is weighing heavily on her mind. Apparently, as the cardiologist explained it recently, Grandma has an extra “electrical junction box” in her heart which causes an extremely rapid heartbeat intermittently. The rapid heartbeat episodes have been far between and short in duration until recently when she experienced one for several hours. This led Grandma to her regular doctor who, in turn, referred her to a cardiologist specializing in the electrical components of the heart.

On Wednesday, the “electrician cardiologist” will use a sophisticated instrument to go in through the shoulder or groin to find the nerves which are causing the rapid heartbeat and zap them. Hopefully this procedure will permanently fix the problem so that Grandma can go on with her life without any more rapid heartbeat episodes or restrictions. The procedure is done as Day Surgery so hopefully Grandma will be able to go home late in the afternoon with an expected recovery time of a week.

I hope everyone will keep Joey’s Grandma in their thoughts and prayers as she undergoes this surgery on Wednesday and then through her recovery. She’s a wonderful friend who deserves only the best.

17 comments:

Lynn said...

I will definitely hold Joey's Grandma and Grandpa in my thoughts and prayers. Too bad that she couldn't have the procedure done right away, so that she wouldn't have so much time to fret and worry.

Susie said...

I actually have a friend who had this type of surgery and it helped tremendously.
Keeping Joey's Grandma in prayer...

Linda said...

I will definitely send good thoughts her way. They have made so many strides in cardiac surgery that things they hadn't even dreamed of short ten years ago are now routine procedures so I'm sure she'll be just fine - though I can fully understand the trepidation!

rosemary said...

Hi Joan, thanks for visiting...we have several things in common..sort of. I recently worked in a Library as a "tech2" and am now on the Board. Love to read, read, read. I read your most recent posts...I do remember Spin & Marty, but I think my kids watched that show as well as MM. "Couple a three" means three...my dad used to say the same thing..couple is 2 to me, few is three, but my dad grew up in Ohio so maybe there is some connection to where one was born. If it is OK, I would like to add you to my blog roll. I really enjoyed your posts.

Midlife Mom said...

Will keep Joey's Grandma in my prayers on Wednesday. It's so hard to wait to have a procedure done, I think that is worse then the procedure itself sometimes.

Renee Nefe said...

will definately keep her in my prayers. I'm with the comment about it not getting done right away. I would rather the doc do it immediately than to make me wait.

I should wear a sign that says "do it nor or you won't see me again" the next time I'm at the doc's.

Pam said...

Hi Joan - Finally I am playing catch-up with my favorite blogs... Sorry to hear about Joey's G'ma - I sure know what the waiting and worrying is like so I will remember her and the family in my prayers.

meno said...

I am happy to think good thoughts about your dear friend. Good luck to her.

Joan said...

Lynn: You are right...it would have been much kinder had the doctor done the procedure right away.

Susie: Thanks so much. It helps to know that others have benefited by this type of procedure.

Linda: I agree about the strides in medicine. I was pleased when I learned that this type of surgery is now done as an outpatient procedure.

Rosemary: Welcome and thanks for catching up on my posts! I am honored to be placed on your blog roll and I would like to reciprocate.

Midlife mom: I agree. It's mostly the anticipation that causes anxiety when it comes to health issues.

Renee: If you come up with that sign, I might just need to borrow it the next time I need to have some medical procedure.

Pam: Thanks so much for your prayers. I know you have just been through the "waiting game" and I'm glad to know that your husband's news was so great!!!

Meno: Thanks so much for keeping her in your thoughts. I know Joey's Grandma will appreciate everyone's good wishes.

Patti said...

I also agree that anticipation of a procedure is worse than actually getting it done.
That's good that it is same day surgery.
I will keep your dear friend in my thoughts and prayers.

Joan said...

Patti: Thanks so much for keeping good thoughts for Joey's Grandma. Although Wednesday is only a few days away, for her I think it seems like forever.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

i know amazing things are being done now and new stuff all the time. sarge has had some heart surgery himself. he is doing really good now. and thanks for the visit. where in europe? stay tuned! it's a honey of a trip....

smiles, bee

Joan said...

Empress bee: I'm glad to hear that Sarge's heart surgery was a success and has helped him. And now I am really really curious about your trip...can you give me a hint??? Oh please....

Renee Nefe said...

I saw what you did for Lynn. You're an awesome sister...hope the dinner was yummy.

Patti said...

What did she serve for dinner?
;-)

Joan said...

Renee: Thanks! The dinner was most yummy AND we all played with the Wii after we ate!!!

Patti: She served tasty vegetable soup and vegetarian tacos. Hmmmm....

Anonymous said...

I will keep her in my prayers too.