My husband, Jerry is in the CV-ICU following emergency triple bypass surgery late yesterday afternoon. He is very lucky to be alive.

As most know, he is a crosscountry trucker, but only works part time now, semi rtired. He was suppose to leave out earluy this morning for Kentuckty, deliver there, and then go ove to Chicago and pick up a load coming back this way. We went over to Walmart in Aransas pass after lunch yesteday and picked up supplies for him to take-alwasy takes a cooler of food plus crinks, juices, snacks, etc. We walked out of thestore an dhe said "Those hog dogs with salsaI ate for lunch has given meindigestion. I sure hop I am not getting acid refluxagain." We pulled out and he had driven about a half a mile (is about 5-6miles from our house to wlamart) when he said "I have to pull over. My chest is killing me and my left arm hurts." I told him that wa not indigestion, it was a heart attack...and I would drive. Due to my vision problems I havenot driven in 3 1/2 years But I got behind the wheel.

okay, our house is about 5-6 miles duesouth of Walmart, and the little hospital/ER is about 4 miles due west of the store. They are on paralell roads, onloy 4miles apart. I happened to remember that this one side road cut across ot Ave. A which the hoospital is on, so i cut down it and we came out real near hospital.

As soon as we walked it, they him straight back. This hospital is tiny and the Er only has like 4 beds init and he was the onmly one back there. They were going to do ekg, x-rays, etc, and when I heard" Code blue, er, coode blue, er" I knew they were calling the crash cart for him. after about 30 minutes the doctor came out and took me back. He said if we had been a few minutes longer getting there Jerry would not have made it. Had barely gotten him back there and the bottom of his heart stopped working and they had to zap him to get it started. If I had not known of thatshort cut and cut off about 15 minutes, he would haebeen gone by the time I got him there.

The doc said they already had an ambulance on the way to take him to the big hospital inCorpus and had called cardiac doctor to meet him there. In just a few minutes he was on his way. Well, I got home and I called his work to tell them he was in hospital, called sons, etc...one of the few times I had trouble reaching youngest who was at work in Corpus. I managed to drive a little, but no way could i drive the 25 miles over to Corpus in the traffic. When I called the hospital to see if Jerry was in a room or ICU they told me he was being prepped for surgery right then.

Younest son picked his 9 year old daughter up from school, which is on the other side of hospital and they stopped and he foudn out Jerry was in surgery. He called about coming to get me and here we had a catch 22. If he drove the 50 mile round trip to get me and get me back and the surgery ended before we got back, we would not be able to talk to to the doc and found out any anything. I told him to just stay there and called me after the surgery.

He called about 8:15 or so--surgery was over. Jerry had a triple bypass and his arteries were 99% blocked. He was still in the operating room while they prepared fro him in ICu and we would not be able to see him last night, so no use Randy coming and getting me and taking me down there.

We went this morning and caught the doctor. He said Jerry did great in surgery and was doing really good now and wa stable. He is on breathing machine (routine) even tho he has no problme breathing on his own, and they are weaning him off of it. He has about 10 different bags of IV drip with all kinds of meds and is hooked up to 5 or 6 machines and wires going EVERYWHERE. He will be in ICu probably another 49 hours and then in room for mostly like 2 weeks. He will be getting therapy there and when discharged, depedning on how he is doing, he will either come home and hae home therapy or go to a rehab like I did following my hip surgery lat Sept. The doc expects a full recovery.

HOWEVER, Jerry is gonna have to change his life style. He has to QUIT smoking, wothing I hae told him for years. He needs to exercise, which he doesn't do, would rather lay on the bed and read or sit in recliner and watch TV. His eating has to cahnge bigt time. For me, breakfst usually means a bowl of oatmeal or oat ceral or shredded wheat. For him it is 3 fried eggs, 3 pieces of bacon, 3 biscuits topped with a ton of sausage gravy. I cant ontrol breakfst here, but not when he is on the road. He likes piles of mashed potatoes with gravy, friend okra, etc. Lots of stuff he doesn't need.

I know I don't get to the doggy boards very often, but wanted to tell this. Prayershealing thoughts needed for hubby,

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HONEY-- 1ST BIRTHDAY, GOTCHA DAY 12-7-2002
AND
MY GOLDEN BABIES AT THE BRIDGE, BUT FOREVER IN MY HEART
SCOOTER--6-14- 1994 -- 8-22-1999
BUCK 2-8-1995 ------5-15-2007
HUNTER 8-19-1999--10-16-2003
KAYCEE 8-19-1999---5-25-2008

Goldens bring light into the world.

My goodness how frightening for you all. Wishing you and Jerry all the very best for a good continued recovery.

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Countess Lyra von Fluffypants

Lots of good thoughts and prayers for you and your family. Wow! What a great job you did getting him to the ER under such scary conditions.

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Oh my word, that was scary! Thank goodness you took the shortcut. I'm glad to hear he's doing well and the doctor expects a full recovery.

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AYLA: Simply put, you were wonderful. (2-16-91 - 11-21-98)
ADDY: My fun, personable & terrific little girl. (4-23-97 - 1-30-11)
ANNIE: How do I know there are absolutely great dogs in shelters? Because that is where I found you. (? 99 - 11-21-09; Gotcha Day: 5-19-01)
RINDY: Thank goodness for rescue organizations, my super sweet girl! (09-01-05; Gotcha Day: 1-8-11)
FINN: It's almost time to head to the pond, happy boy! (8-25-11)

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband, great to hear he came through the surgery well and he's recovering. Wishing him a speedy recovery. Great job getting him to the hospital so quickly.

Keeping him, you and your family in my thougths and prayers.

oh man, sending prayers for you and your family . praying that your hubby makes a speedy recovery.

Many prayers for Jerry. He was so lucky that you got him to the hospital on time! ((HUGS))

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I will be praying for Jerry and your family. How wonderful that you were able to get him to the hospital on time! God gives us strength to lift cars for those we love.
Please let us know how he's doing.

Lord, I pray for those who need You. Please hold us close, keep us safe, heal us, guide us, forgive us, love us. Amen.

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You did a great job getting Jerry to the hospital. It's amazing what we can do when we have too. Sending prayers for his continuing recovery. Take care of you too.

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Zoe, Rockwall Nantucket Breeze, BN, CGC, Delta therapy dog
Zeke, our introduction to the world of Golden Retrievers

Oh heavens, prayers for a speedy recovery for your hubby....that sounds quite scary, glad everything turned out fine....take care...

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