July 7 PM Update
It‘s been a busy day here at Emory Midtown Hospital! Josh has had a full spa evening: a good bath, a scalp and back massage, and finally a shave! He looks 15 years younger, and I think it made everyone feel better.
We saw a few doctors today, and everyone is gearing up for a Tuesday morning surgery. Josh hasn’t experienced any chest pain in about 6 days, which is fantastic. He’s not on any medications other than Heparin, a fast-acting and fast-leaving blood thinner; the final results of his “wash out,” or the process of removing all the high-powered blood thinners he received in the Emergency Room, have passed through his system. This was important, as doctors did not want to do surgery with blood thinners swirling about; it increases the risk of extra bleeding, which could delay his recovery.
Every bit of extra heart strength we can get, we will take. Over the last 4 days, his troponin levels have gone from over 50,000 (it maxed out two different lab tests) to 9,000: meaning his heart muscle is healing. This morning when the medical staff were doing their rounds, I saw the unit’s medical director smile as the RN reported the 9,000 number. I’ve never been happier to see someone smile in my life.
We will probably see a new report on his troponin levels tomorrow; cross your fingers and say a prayer that they continue to trend down as much as they have the last few days. Every other vital, level, reading, test or study has been great, so we know that despite his heart being a little sluggish, nearly every other part of his body is working at 100%.
The heart pump remains, but we’re hopeful that it will be removed just after his surgery or soon thereafter. He won’t be able to get up and do a little dance for a while after the surgery, but once the balloon pump is out he will at least be able to bend at his hips and move his right leg around. Of course, the plan is always subject to Josh’s body, but we’re hopeful.
Josh is taking every opportunity he can to nap, which is right up his alley. He’s also closely watching Wimbledon, which is why I’m glad I packed my noise canceling headphones.
Tomorow will be a big day of learning for me and Mrs. Vickie (Josh’s mom). We hope to find out more details about the surgery he’ll have, how long he’ll remain in the ICU, when he’ll be able to leave the ICU and get his own room, and finally, when can he go home! Of course, when any of those things happen will depend on Josh and how quickly he bounces back from the surgery.
There’s lots of questions we have, and we’re trying to gather our thoughts and make sure we’ve asked every single solitary question we can think of. The staff here are amazing, and we’re sure that we will get them all answered.
Thank you for all the kind texts and calls. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to respond to more of them. Josh also thanks you. It‘s a little of a struggle for him to use his phone, but when he can he’s trying to return as much of the love you guys are sending as possible. Please keep sending pictures! They are giving all of us life and, sometime, laughs.
Heart Health Tips
If you know Josh well, you know he’s a model for doing all the right things for his health. He chides me daily, and rightfully so, for my poor diet, my lack of exercise and my on-again, off-again love affair with a good cigarette or candy-flavored vape. It’s one thing to read a CDC study, but it’s another to have a hard, cold reality smacked in your face.
So, during all this, I’ve traded my Elf Bar for a patch. If it can happen to Josh, it sure as hell can happen to us smokers. Grab some gum, pop a lozenge, or lick a patch. Whatever you gotta do. Know I’m with you and also miserable but determined.
