Well, Monday, July 19 we were scheduled to leave Waukon after being there a month. Had a planned itinerary along the way to get to Colorado to meet up with Greg and the toy hauler on Saturday. Sunday the Smiths would join the group and head into the REALLY high country for a weeks worth of activities in the Colorado Rockies.
Based on a very abnormal stress test on the previous Friday, mom had a cardiac cath scheduled for Monday but we were optimistic she would just need a simple balloon or stent.
Based on a very abnormal stress test on the previous Friday, mom had a cardiac cath scheduled for Monday but we were optimistic she would just need a simple balloon or stent.
We left at 8:30.
Everyone was ready for send-off. To Infinity and beyond!!!
We got 180 miles south to Newton, IA (home of the Iowa Motor Speedway). Got situated in the rain-soaked park with a huge puddle outside our door.
Then I got the dreaded call that mom needed emergency triple bypass surgery the next day. OK! After a few phone calls, my brother-in-law met us halfway and I went back to Waukon. Jim, Beth and the boys continued on the planned trek.
Tuesday, July 20-Dad and I left Waukon at 4 AM to head for LaCrosse, WI (50 miles) to see mom before she headed for surgery. It was unbelievably foggy but we made it on time. She had 4 blockages and 3 by-pass grafts. The surgery went as planned and she was out of ICU in 24 hours. We were lucky enough to be asked if we wanted to utilize one of the 7 guest rooms for 3 nights free of charge. I was the designated overnighter for the week so this was a wonderful surprise. As we were waiting in the waiting room, the 3 sisters were stitching away
Then I got the dreaded call that mom needed emergency triple bypass surgery the next day. OK! After a few phone calls, my brother-in-law met us halfway and I went back to Waukon. Jim, Beth and the boys continued on the planned trek.
Tuesday, July 20-Dad and I left Waukon at 4 AM to head for LaCrosse, WI (50 miles) to see mom before she headed for surgery. It was unbelievably foggy but we made it on time. She had 4 blockages and 3 by-pass grafts. The surgery went as planned and she was out of ICU in 24 hours. We were lucky enough to be asked if we wanted to utilize one of the 7 guest rooms for 3 nights free of charge. I was the designated overnighter for the week so this was a wonderful surprise. As we were waiting in the waiting room, the 3 sisters were stitching away
It was dad's 82nd birthday so he was treated to a cupcake in the waiting room.
Saturday, July 24- Flash forward to Saturday. There is no need to document every detail BUT mom was called "Miss Independent". Everyone was amazed at her unbelievably fast recovery. She was a model patient except for one time when she got out of bed by herself and went to the bathroom and then got back into bed. I watched her and was shocked. There was a sign in the room that said CALL- DON'T FALL, meaning you need a nurse every time you get out of bed. She got a lecture over that little shenanigan. I have to give alot of kudos to all of the Gunderson Lutheran hospital staff. They were all very accommodating to all of mom's needs and even gave us the guest room for a 4th night. The coolest amenity for the patient was their system of room service. They have a superb restaurant type menu with items to choose from. The patient or hospital staff call down to the kitchen whenever the patient is ready to eat. The tray comes up usually within 10-15 minutes. The employee announces "room service" when they come in the room. It's pretty cool AND they have a great varied menu. I was impressed.
I also need to add that there was a picture in mom's room that included a quilt with the "Grandmother's flower garden" pattern. Most people will not know what that is but it was most appropriate for a quilter. She even told the surgeon he would not make a good quilter because her incision is not in a straight line! That got a few laughs!
We worked toward a discharge of today with the social worker being able to get approval for mom to get transferred to the Waukon hospital for a few more days of recuperation and therapy. She accomplished getting approval from Medicare, which was a miracle. No one else believed mom would qualify because she was doing so well. When we left at noon the Cardiology PA said mom was "above average and phenomenal". Need I say more?
She'll stay in the Waukon hospital for a few days and we will get her home and back into her routine. I can tell you---it won't take long!
Meantime the rest of the family is ready to hit the high country of Colorado tomorrow.
Saturday, July 24- Flash forward to Saturday. There is no need to document every detail BUT mom was called "Miss Independent". Everyone was amazed at her unbelievably fast recovery. She was a model patient except for one time when she got out of bed by herself and went to the bathroom and then got back into bed. I watched her and was shocked. There was a sign in the room that said CALL- DON'T FALL, meaning you need a nurse every time you get out of bed. She got a lecture over that little shenanigan. I have to give alot of kudos to all of the Gunderson Lutheran hospital staff. They were all very accommodating to all of mom's needs and even gave us the guest room for a 4th night. The coolest amenity for the patient was their system of room service. They have a superb restaurant type menu with items to choose from. The patient or hospital staff call down to the kitchen whenever the patient is ready to eat. The tray comes up usually within 10-15 minutes. The employee announces "room service" when they come in the room. It's pretty cool AND they have a great varied menu. I was impressed.
I also need to add that there was a picture in mom's room that included a quilt with the "Grandmother's flower garden" pattern. Most people will not know what that is but it was most appropriate for a quilter. She even told the surgeon he would not make a good quilter because her incision is not in a straight line! That got a few laughs!
We worked toward a discharge of today with the social worker being able to get approval for mom to get transferred to the Waukon hospital for a few more days of recuperation and therapy. She accomplished getting approval from Medicare, which was a miracle. No one else believed mom would qualify because she was doing so well. When we left at noon the Cardiology PA said mom was "above average and phenomenal". Need I say more?
She'll stay in the Waukon hospital for a few days and we will get her home and back into her routine. I can tell you---it won't take long!
Meantime the rest of the family is ready to hit the high country of Colorado tomorrow.
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