Friday, May 29, 2009

Update

Just to let you know, I have been diverted from my normal routine. I started to write about Memorial Day over a week ago. It's not my most pleasant story as I was one of ten who was drafted out of a University as a test case for Viet Nam.

Then, a dear friend Jerry, who had a pacemaker put into his heart last December, suddenly fell ill earlier this week at lunch. He has been a close friend of Judy and her family since she was a teenager. Jerry was told to call 9-1-1 and get an ambulance. He was rushed to Alexandria Hospital and his pacemaker went off in the ambulance. He was put under, and the doctors took a day and a half to get his heart restabilized. He is awake now.

Next week, Jerry will have a procedure done at Fairfax Hospital. It's called an ablasion. They are going to try to get the electrical signal working correctly to his heart. He is scared. The doctors have told him he can go home and report to Fairfax next Wednesday. He declined to leave the hospital. I'm not kidding when I tell you he's terrified.

My brother-in-law Lou and I will be spending a lot of time with Jerry. We both live more than an hour away both hospitals. On the other hand, when a friend needs you this bad, you go and you stay.

I hope you will forgive me if I disappear for a while. I need to study for an exam I must take by June 26th, Jerry is in serious shape as one needs a functioning heart to live, and I seem to be devoid of blogable thoughts. I am taking my books with me, and letting Jake bite me a couple of times before heading out into rush hour. See you as soon as I can! I hope all is well with you!

12 comments:

Dark Cloud Nine said...

Good thoughts for Jerry. Fortunately, fear is not a good predictor of how things turn out. He is in good hands.

Having friends to take care of is almost as important as having friends who will take care of you... :)

WanderingGirl said...

Best of luck to Jerry! Hopefully the laser ablation will do the trick and he won't have to worry about pacemakers anymore.

And good luck to you on your test!

Spellbound said...

My love to you all in this difficult time. Let me know if I can help.

Wicked H said...

It's what friends do for each other. My best wishes to Jerry. If I can help in anyway you know how to find me.

Brook said...

It is so wonderful that you can and will and have taken the time to be with and support your friend. May all go well with him and you(Good Luck on the test!)

Mel said...

Sounds like he's got reasons to be frightened. I'm glad that remaining at the hospital was an option for him. Scares me what they'll send people home with today, yaknow?

*Sending prayers and positive thoughts* I do hope for things to go well for the fella...and for you.
Thank goodness for good friends.

katherine. said...

we'll look forward to your story...even if not the most pleasant.

you are a good friend I am sure...it would be very frightening to have a pacemaker not making the pace...and all

warm thoughts and prayers for you all.

Anonymous said...

I can well understand his fear. It's very good of you to be there for him. If you can't be here too, well, it can't be helped. I hope to see you soon, and that you have good news.

Alison said...

Spend time with your friend. *hug*

The CEO said...

Hi y'all. Jerry does have a reason to be scared, his heart isn't working right. Research indicates that there is an 85% success rate to Laser Ablation surgery. His surgeons have told him that. Jerry has heard he has a 50-50 chance. Today he asked me to put the odds into terms he could understand. Jerry likes horse racing. I told him that when Secrtariat went off at Belmont at 1 - 2, that his odds were worse than Jerry's. Jerry lit up for the first time. (1 - 2 roughly translates to a 75% chance). Other than that, I'm going for a positive mental attitude (I'm the patient and I'm here to help!) Surgery is Thursday!
Until then!

Pamela said...

Glad you can help him. And you get to study to boot!

Wicked H said...

Just checking in to see how things went today. Hopefully Jerry is resting comfortably after a successful surgery. You, Jerry and all involved are in my thoughts.

Hugs....