A broken heart

After having a wonderful Sunday day date with my daughter, I was even more excited to see my Daddy that night.  We have been trying to figure out for a few months now when a good time would be for him to come out to help with a few house projects.  I not only wanted to spend some time with my Daddio, but he had been wanting to help put the finished touches on his grandsons rooms for a while now.  On a whim, Saturday night he text me to let me know he would be out Sunday night after work.  I was excited, to say the least, not knowing what lay ahead for both of us.

Sunday even he arrived, with no hitches, and we both stayed up a little too late talking about our to-do list was while he was here.  I still had no idea at this point even how long he was going to stay.  It was just nice to have him with us, so I didn't care.  We finally got to a point where I had to get Kar down for her night-night.  We were both going to need our rest, we just didn't know it yet.  The next day would inevitably be one of the hardest days I have had to endure.  There are only 2 other times in my life that I can think I have felt close to this, but I'm not sure that they can even be ranked in the same category.  Either way, each time has shaped my life in some way, Monday morning, July 21 would be no different.

Monday morning started out just as another Monday morning, however it wouldn't stay that way very long.  It was just a few minutes before I was to leave for work that I knew something was wrong.  I didn't know it at the time, but my Dad was in the beginning stages of having a heart attack.  I don't want to relive all of the moments, I'm not sure that I could if I wanted to anymore.  At this point, I am just extremely grateful that I was home and that my Dad was at my house, and not at home.  This must seem like a strange thing to be thankful for, but if you know where I grew up you would understand.  If Dad was back at his home, I would of been getting a phone call that I don't want to get for a very long time.

I am grateful that the Ambulance and crew were at my house within a few minutes of calling 911.  I am thankful that my daughter was able to sleep thru the crazyness and be whisked away by her babysitter before she was able to see anything.  I am thankful for my husband rushing to be by my side and be strong for me when I was not able.  I am thankful that the man sent out by the ER doctor to get me for information was, not just a Chaplain, but a Methodist Pastor.  I grew up in a Methodist church, so a little piece of home was there when I needed it.  I am thankful for Pastor John (as I later found out his name) was able to guide me with each step, to direct us thru the hospital that holds more people than what my hometown's population is, and to be able to check in on my Dad as he was undergoing his "procedure".  I am thankful for the Doctors, nurses, and staff that moved so quickly to fix my Dad's broken heart.  I am extremely thankful for Renee, the CCU nurse that was assigned to my Dad.  She was wonderful, not only to my Dad, but to me and my family as we sat by his bedside as much as were were allowed to.  Also, to Pastor Steve and congregation at Reynoldsburg Baptist Church, who blessed us in ways I never expected.  To the many people on Facebook that sent prayers, it was felt and I can not thank everyone enough.

After a 3 days in the CCU unit, Dad was released to a "step-down" unit.  I felt that now was a good time, with him being a big stronger, that a little visitor would do him some good.  This is the best cardiac rehab that Columbus has to offer.  

It was a few days later that my Dad was released.  A few days of rest was needed at my house before he was able to make the long trip back to PA, but I was glad for the few extra days to have him at my house.  I needed him there, with me.  I needed to see him in my house, okay, breathing, living.  I needed to make sure that my nightmare was now over and I could try to get back to a "normal" day again.  

I don't think that things will ever be "normal" again for me, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.  I've already made some decisions, some changes.  As life moves forward, we live each day for today.  As my Seester said it best....Give someone a hug today, tell them you love them.