Thursday, January 6, 2011

To Life

My mom's heart stopped this morning.


Did reading that make you sick? My stomach churns every time I've said that to myself today. 


My mom's heart just. stopped.


She had gotten out of bed to go to the bathroom. She returned to bed, said something to my dad, and when he responded, she just... I don't know... didn't say anything.


I don't know how you know that the person lying in bed next to you who was okay a second ago has just experienced cardiac arrest before your eyes, but this is the point where I say Hallelujah for a father who is a physician bordering on paranoia (a condition he refers to as "complete awareness"). And I thank Heaven that he happened to be home (not on call like he usually is). And in bed too (gosh, what if he'd just happened to get up and make himself breakfast?). She's still alive because of him (and the 5 minutes of chest compressions he performed before the paramedics could make it with a defibrillator).


If you know my mom, you won't be surprised to learn that she's more chipper than ever, laughing it up, only annoyed that she's strapped to a hospital bed.


I'm sure that's part of the reason we've had dozens of people concerned for her welfare. They love her. 


If you're among those people, she's going to be okay. 


Tomorrow they'll install an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator to prevent this from happening again. (Yes. My mother. The super-fit 48 year-old with a pacemaker.) After tomorrow, I'll be able to sleep again.

10 comments:

  1. Your post just made me sick. I haven't seen your mom in a long time but I still remember how much I love that woman. I have a friend that had to get a defibrillator when he was 21. He called it Phil. I'm so glad she's ok. We'll be praying for her to stay better. Tell her I love her!

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  2. I am so glad she is going to be ok. I knew she would move on to joking about it as before the day was out. Scary stuff.

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  3. Oh, geez. I've got a sudden heart problem right now and that's my nightmare scenario. Thank goodness she's OK. God bless.

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  4. at first I thought you were joking! That is crazy. I am so happy to know she is doing okay. I love her. Tell her I said hello and hope things keep going well for her.

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  5. I saw that on Brittany's blog today and I was freaking out. What a blessing that your dad was home!! I hope your mom does well from here on out. How scary that must have been.

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  6. How frightening for you and your family, Elise. I am so sorry. I hope she continues to get well and get back to "normal" soon.

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  7. So so scary. I'm glad your dad was there!

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  8. Oh, Elise, I am so glad she is okay (or will be with her new equipment)! What a blessing that your dad was home.

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  9. only your mom would get up and joke about that afterwards. so glad your dad was there and new what to do, and that she is okay now.

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  10. Elise, please give our best to your mom. Blessings be upon your family!!!

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