Checking In

We got checked in to the Emergency Room around 3:30 and John was whisked away while I finished the paperwork.  By now, I have learned their SWAT team routine; get him assigned to a room, assess the situation, hook up to EKG, get vitals, listen to heart and breathing, get X-Rays, take blood, start oxygen (depending on situation) and start an IV.  Of course, I was slurping on my milkshake during all of this....and yes, John helped me with it.

Doesn't take them too long to determine what may be the issue du jour.  Today, obviously, the excessive heart rate was something that had to be dealt with, but was there anything else going on?  The rapid heart rate had happened before, so I was prepared for the procedure.  Basically what happens is this, they hook him up to several machines and then injected a drug into his IV that would shock the heart into a proper cadence.  The doctor told him his heart would "feel" like it was stopping, but it wouldn't, and it would only take approximately 20 seconds.  At least that is what he said.  About 15 people were in the small room watching the procedure.  Apparently, this must be something that isn't done very often and it was a learning experience.

As the drug was administered, I placed my hand around John's.  I could see the monitor and was watching the heart rate, still around 160.  It took only 3 or 4 seconds before the heart rate dropped like a rock and settled around 85.  As soon as it was over, the doctor asked John if he was okay.  "Sure," he said, "it was like going over the big drop on a roller coaster."  After John's heart rate stabilized, everyone cleared out except the nurse.

John being John, figured the mechanic had fixed the car and it was time to pay up and go home.  But, the doctor told him he would like to keep him overnight just to monitor his condition and if all went well, he would be released first thing Sunday morning.  So, off he goes to the Heart Center for the night.  John saw this as an opportunity for PCMH to fill their coffers and an empty bed for the night, but, he did make the decision to stay.

During all of this, I had been communicating with Lauren on her flight from St. Louis.  She had a long lay over in Charlotte and was scheduled to arrive at PGV airport around 11:30 that night.  Luckily, she signed up for standby and was able to get on an earlier flight and was due in around 9:15.  That was great news, she would be able to spend more time with John.  He wanted me to leave soon cause the flights are usually early into Greenville, so, while John was being whisked to his room in the Heart Center, I scurried over to the airport to retrieve my baby girl, and yes, the flight was early, just like John said.  John asked me to pick up a Wendy's hamburger and fries while I was out, so after picking her up, we stopped and got him a burger.  He sent us a text and let us know he was in Room 517.  It was a joyous reunion, Lauren was home, John was feeling good and we sat on the bed with him, talked, and munched on our goodies from Wendy's.

Soon, it was time to go home. It was late, he was doing fine, and John needed his rest.  And if all went well, he would be home tomorrow.

PCQ