My husband had a heart attack today

[focusondisney]

@mommasita I just saw thread now. I’m so glad your husband is OK, such a terrifying thing to go thru. A lot of your husband’s reaction is normal. He’s in denial & just as scared & shocked as you. It will take him a little longer to come to terms with what happened. Hopefully having your son home will help him relax & adjust to the new normal. Best wishes to you all.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

I sure know what you're going thru - I came home late Friday afternoon on 09/20/2024 to my husband having a stemi heart attack in our living room. Called ambulance & they got him to the hospital in time - ER doc said if I'd been 10 minutes later getting home he'd have been dead. Right side was 100% blocked & left was 70% blocked. Had quadruple bypass surgery the following Monday 09/23/2024.

I have no one to help me where we live so all handling & caregiving has been on me. He's mostly angry & hateful probably because he's scared but it's aLOT especially since I also work full-time. Mine doesn't follow directions or listen either but then again, he never has - I finally told him last weekend that I shouldn't be working harder to keep him healthy & alive than he was & I was done fussing at him & molly-coddling him - that's helped me considerably though he's a bit confused by my new attitude.

The whole ordeal has been horrendous in every way - wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

 

[mommasita]

I sure know what you're going thru - I came home late Friday afternoon on 09/20/2024 to my husband having a stemi heart attack in our living room. Called ambulance & they got him to the hospital in time - ER doc said if I'd been 10 minutes later getting home he'd have been dead. Right side was 100% blocked & left was 70% blocked. Had quadruple bypass surgery the following Monday 09/23/2024.

I have no one to help me where we live so all handling & caregiving has been on me. He's mostly angry & hateful probably because he's scared but it's aLOT especially since I also work full-time. Mine doesn't follow directions or listen either but then again, he never has - I finally told him last weekend that I shouldn't be working harder to keep him healthy & alive than he was & I was done fussing at him & molly-coddling him - that's helped me considerably though he's a bit confused by my new attitude.

The whole ordeal has been horrendous in every way - wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Oh I send you giant loving hugs. I wish I was closer to help you out, or even sit with you. it is a lot.
If ever you want to chat, feel free to message me

 

[AnnaS]

I am glad to hear he is home and EMT got him to the hospital in time. Thinking of you both.

 

[mommasita]

You are all the best. Thank you. Today I was successful with zero panic attacks, so to me it’s another win.

Big man/boy home , it feels so nice. Husband is the same, so one week today which is unreal.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Thank you
That really pisses me off when they don’t pull over, move over, etc.

He is ok, but it’s not so easy at home. He is going into the garage. I am working from home .. having some panic attacks. He is not listening 100%. He is sitting here with pain now, so I think he’s overdone it. Can’t listen these 55 year old men. I had a serious talk with him, I am the one who is petrified it seems, the garage is not more important than his health, or my mental health

Maybe tell him to clean up the garage while he is out there, because neither you nor your son want to deal with it if he should pass.

 

[disney-inspired]

Here is another thread I never hoped I’d have to start

He was feeling off at 10, I told call 911, no he said it was from lifting a tire
I text him every 30 min, nah I’m fine he tells me.
I’ve been 5 days into a stomach bug, and still no solids, so was not thinking my best

At 3 my BIL at the garage calls ambulance is on the way, he can’t talk,and seems to have trouble breathing they hook him up and confirm the hospital. My husband calls me to tell me he loves me and they not make it, so they told him it’s time to call your wife . He did make it, one stent in one Artery, and they saw plaque on the other. Am uktraound tomorrow if that is to be treated with meds or another stent .

So many thoughts beyond the obvious, last week we were away, I’m thankful it was not there. I dispatch ambulances ALL DAY LONG , but them being there in 4 min is exceptional. The cardiologist told me that he nearly did not get to the hospital on time, I’m going to find that call, the team, amd thank them internally.

Oh my goodness, how harrowing. I'm so glad that your husband made it in time and praying for his speedy recovery.

Also praying for you because that is such a scare! I hope you rest right along with him.

 

[Giraffe_Zen]

Here is another thread I never hoped I’d have to start

He was feeling off at 10, I told call 911, no he said it was from lifting a tire
I text him every 30 min, nah I’m fine he tells me.
I’ve been 5 days into a stomach bug, and still no solids, so was not thinking my best

At 3 my BIL at the garage calls ambulance is on the way, he can’t talk,and seems to have trouble breathing they hook him up and confirm the hospital. My husband calls me to tell me he loves me and they not make it, so they told him it’s time to call your wife . He did make it, one stent in one Artery, and they saw plaque on the other. Am uktraound tomorrow if that is to be treated with meds or another stent .

So many thoughts beyond the obvious, last week we were away, I’m thankful it was not there. I dispatch ambulances ALL DAY LONG , but them being there in 4 min is exceptional. The cardiologist told me that he nearly did not get to the hospital on time, I’m going to find that call, the team, amd thank them internally.

I'm really sorry to hear this happened but so glad they were able to get him to the hospital in time and help him.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Huge hug dear Mommasita. Please do take care of and be kind to yourself. I'm also so glad your son is home! Prayers extra continuing.

Dory, hug and many prayers to you, too!

 

[CGB]

My heart go out to both of you as I've been in your shoes. It was July 2016, the day before we were supposed to leave for a Disney vacation, when my husband (57) had his heart attack. He drove himself home to tell me he needed to go to the emergency room (why? he didn't want two cars at the hospital). I yelled at him the whole way there (because he drove past TWO emergency rooms to get home.) He had a quadruple bypass the following day. A month after he came home, he had an infection in his chest incision and went back in the hospital for another week. We hooked him up to daily intravenous antibiotics at home for another month. Believe me, by the time we got him back on his feet, I wasn't playing. And honestly, his experience was so serious that he knew change wasn't optional.

He quit smoking immediately. We gave up red meat, reduced salt, counted saturated fats and cholesterol, and stopped frying food. I learned how to cook a new, healthier way. We stopped eating out so we could control our diet. After his cardiac rehab was finished, he continued to go on their maintenance program. I paid to go with him for three years afterwards (I still do when I'm not in school over the summers). Even now, he still goes to cardiac rehab twice a week to remember his *why*. I adjusted our new diet again when the heart meds began wearing on his kidneys. I watch and track his bloodwork numbers closer than the doctors. All that said... he's in excellent health today. He worked 5 more years after his recovery and retired almost three years ago.

***REMEMBER*** Be sure to take care of yourself too. It's hard... really hard... to watch your spouse go through the experience. It can also be hard dealing with their stubborn and hard-headed attitudes in the middle of it. The experience is hard for them mentally as well as physically and they won't admit how much until later. I saw my husband at his absolute lowest point in life... he literally couldn't get out of bed without my help. And I refused to let him give up. We leveled up in our partnership during that experience and so will you. Allow yourself some grace... you deserve it.

 

[SpaceMan5]

Hey @mommasita

It was shocking to see the thread title and then doubly so when I saw it was you!

You have always been there for me and the fellow DIS'ers when we are going thru rough stuff....always quick with kind, encouraging and positive words.

Now it's my turn along with the previous DIS'ers to say our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Make sure to take of yourself! Please remember that everyone's recovery period can vary greatly. Some doctors will say you should be good in X number of days but DH needs to listen to his body and it might take longer. Us guys can be stubborn and need some reminding at times.

Take care

 

[Poohbear538]

Hi @mommasita
Just dropping by to say you, your husband and family are in my prayers during this stressful time.
I think about this often as my husband and I get older and it scares me to death.
Take care

 

[Snowysmom]

Mommasita I just saw this thread. So glad your DH got to the hospital in time and had such a great medical team to help him. I know you are taking good care of him but also please take care of you! Good thoughts and prayers for you, your DH, and family.

My PSA since losing my DH due to him not taking care of himself is to tell my friends to make sure you take of yourself and tell your loved ones when you are not feeling well and follow up with the care you need. It helped one of my coworkers whose stepdad was not taking care of himself at all. When he learned about my DH it got his attention, he got the medical care and life changes he needed, and now he is doing much better. I don't want anyone else to go through what I am going through.

 

[weewuvvdisney]

I just some a quote this morning. Someone was told to "Take care of your Husband's Wife" Works the other way around too One day at a time.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

New week loving prayers and hug Mommasita.

 

[SpaceMan5]

@mommasita Hey, how are things going?

 

[mommasita]

@mommasita Hey, how are things going?

Hello, thank you for asking. He had his f/u appt at the cardio rehab. The cardiologist told him that his ekg was perfect. His bloods all normal. He dropped 12 lbs. He told me, as I could not take any more time off, that the Dr. Actually told him that he was extremely healthy. I am just confused. How can one be that healthy 3 weeks later. Maybe it is me, Mrs doubtful, . They only want to see him in a year, unless he feels that he needs to see the Dr, then he can call for an appt at any time.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Huge hug Mommasita and extra praise to God. Healthy prayers continuing for you both.

 

[lanejudy]

Just seeing this now -- so sorry for the stress of the past month's events. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

How are you doing dear Mommasita?