You’re looking at this picture and may or may not be wondering why I’m calling this man my superman. No, he’s not faster than a speeding bullet nor can he fly but this man is stronger than he looks. For those of you that don’t know this handsome man is my husband. By the end of this post you’ll understand why he’s my “superman”.

This picture was taken the day after his quadruple bypass surgery 6 months ago. I’m tearing up just thinking about that weekend and how that has changed our lives. To look at him today you would never know he had surgery, only the tint of a scar remains.

In the spring of 2016 Danny and I started on fitness plan (sounds so much better than saying dieting doesn’t it, smile). Now mind you Danny has always battled high blood pressure and for most years was not on any medication (yes, we know he should have been). The other part is we always try the natural way before we resort to using medications. With that being said the goal was not only to lose weight but to be healthier.

As time went on our nightly walks was starting to become difficult for him. We would have to stop several times along the way due to him feeling short of breath. Then right before our anniversary trip to Hawaii at the end of June he was at his worst. The simple act of walking up the stairs or even carrying a bag was difficult for him.

I know what you’re thinking, believe me I do, you’re thinking why didn’t you take him to the doctors then if he was that bad? You’re right I should have but what do you do when they are extremely stubborn? I respected his wishes and we went on our unforgettable and most treasured trip to Hawaii with his brother and wife.

During the trip and after we came home he had started feeling better, well that was until the autumn. Danny started working some remodeling assignments for his brother and the symptoms started once again and as time progressed it was getting worse. This time around we were able to convince him to see a doctor.

What a journey those few months were with the doctor appointments and the testing. We would be lying if we said we weren’t worried at times. It’s funny because we try to empathize with others as they go through a situation such as this but you don’t know until it happens to you.

The first concern was that the EKG was abnormal so off to the cardiologist we went. While waiting the results of the Echocardiogram his blood lab results showed that he was severely anemic (right before Christmas). Both the cardiologist and the primary doctor agreed that the anemia could be the cause of the shortness of breath. Just when we thought we were done with doctors, the primary sent him to a gastroenterologist.

In order for the gastroenterologist to do any testing he needed the cardiologist to sign off due to the abnormal EKG so it was back to the cardiologist we went. The next test was the nuclear stress test so meaning using IV’s and medicine rather than the standard exercise test. At this point we are realizing it’s more serious than we were thinking. Not even a hour after the test the call came and the follow up needed to happen as soon as possible. The next step in the plan was to do a cardiac catheterization at the hospital. This is when the situation started getting scary.

It’s Thursday evening and here we are following doctors orders and sitting at the emergency room of the hospital. I had to giggle a tad at the technician who did the EKG due to the fact he came out to me and said the EKG was abnormal, well no duh sir that’s why we are here (no I didn’t say that to him but will admit I was thinking it). Needless to say he was admitted and the following morning they prepared him for the cath. The many things that crosses the mind when waiting alone while your loved one is having a procedure, scary. The nurse had told us that if all was well it would be a hour so when she came after a hour I thought awesome it’s not bad.

Into the recovery room we went, thinking that all is going to be great and would be going home later. That bubble burst quickly when the doctor came in and said Danny needed bypass surgery. Our hearts sank and the whirlwind of emotions soon followed. To be told that one of your arteries is 99% blocked and the others are 70-90% in multiple places, shocking.

I remember driving home that evening to gather the necessities and just bawling. Here is the love of my life, my best friend, my lover, my everything here on earth and there’s a chance I could lose him. I know, I know my mind automatically thought the worst case scenario. It’s happened to others, its the reality of the situation.

During that weekend the cardiac unit nurses were nothing short of amazing and took good care of Danny. They made sure he was comfortable and understood the procedure that he was facing. The surgeon was amazingly friendly and not at all what we expected (not sure what we were expecting but that wasn’t it, smile).

The day has arrived Monday January 16th, 2017, the life changing experience. To watch your husband being rolled to the surgery room then await the periodic calls with updates is nerve wracking to say the least. Thankfully one of my good friends was able to stay with me along with 3 of our kiddos.

As was mentioned earlier this picture was the following morning after his surgery. Cannot explain the feeling that came over me when walking into the room and seeing him in the chair. Regardless of the tubes that was still on him he was alive and smiling at me. Danny started walking down the hallway soon after the picture was taken, which even amazed the therapist and the nurses. They had to tell him to slow down, imagine that. It was all uphill from there, tube after tube was taken off and that Friday afternoon, just 4 days after surgery he was able to go home. At his 3 week follow up with the surgeon he was cleared to drive and at 3 months he was cleared to lift over 5 pounds. Now at 6 months he is putting in our new flooring, slowly because we are telling him to (smile).

Were there struggles during these six months? Absolutely there were, you just don’t go back to normal after an ordeal like that. It brings to mind the vows that we took when we married; “for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer”. We took those vows seriously and while we may struggle with eating right and exercising we struggle together. What he feels I feel, we are one in the sight of God. Now looking at his fading scar every time I run my fingers down it I’m reminded of God’s grace of allowing my husband to live. I tell him it’s his battle scar, we do not know why we had to go through it but we did and one day it will be revealed but for now we live in gratitude and praise. My husband will always be my superman.

 

 

 

 

 

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