Mom

Her chest hurt tonight. So did her jaw. She didn't want to go to the emergency room, some figurative arm twisting got her there. Sis stayed in the car, since only one family member could be with her. This was about 8 p.m.

They gave her an EKG when she first came in, then took her to a treatment area to check her vitals and have a more thorough exam. The doctor promised her something to help her pain and alleviate her symptoms. They took her for an X-Ray. The medication didn't arrive after she returned, and, about 40 minutes later, Mom said the pain was worse. I found a nurse and explained the situation. Mom got baby aspirin and nitroglycerin. Then she had to use the restroom.

Standing nauseated her and once I got her back to bed, I went to find an emesis bag. That alarmed the nurse. The doctor decided to admit her and they were going to schedule an angioplasty probably Christmas Eve, but maybe next week. He ordered a second EKG. Five minutes after it had been taken for review, the nurse returned with several other nurses. Lots of things happened at once and I went to call Sis to let her know. When I got back in the room with Mom, her lips were blue and they were prepping her for an immediate angioplasty.

Mom sent us home. 30 minutes ago we got a call from the cardiologist who performed the angioplasty. Mom had a heart attack between the second EKG and the procedure. Her artery was totally blocked. They put in another stent, her tenth, and she will have to have at least one more angioplasty before she can come home, probably on Christmas Eve.

Sis has surgery on her wrist on Wednesday. I'm glad I'm here to help with the situation.