I didn't update yesterday.
WARNING: READ THIS NEXT PARAGRAPH FIRST!!!!
Before i go into the story of why, I need to first tell you that Lynn is OK and she is *finally* resting comfortable in the CICU unit at Providence.
Now for the rest of the story.
For Mother's day, Lynn died. Her heart stopped last night at about 9:50 pm*. She was shocked with paddles and brought back to life about 30 seconds later. She was given CPR and she is now fine. there is some bruising from the CPR, but otherwise she is fine. The threshold for brain damage is 10-20 mins so her intellect is still all there and she shows no sign of depressed motor or congnative skills.
Flashback: we went yesterday aftrnoon to have tea with Lynn. Packed up some decaf tea and lounged around her room for a while. She was under sedation, but was very very happy. However, she was not on any nitro. This turned out to be the problem.
Now we get to our lesson for the day, and this lesson should be shouted from the rooftops. To every woman out there:
IF YOU DO NOT GET SATISFACTION IN PAIN RELIEF OR SYMPTOM RELIEF, YOU MUST CALL YOUR DOCTOR ASAP. DO NOT SETTLE. DO NOT SAY "GOOD ENOUGH". PUSH THEM.
Women are afflicted with a particular stigma in the medical world: Their symptoms are not those of men...specifically for their hearts. They are fundementally different. Learn what they are, learn how they may manifest, and then use that knowledge. Do NOT let them tell you "Its in your head" or "Its just anxiety." Women drop dead from that, gals.
No one believed that she was still having angina, and the floor nurses wrote it off as being anxiety based. Going contrary to doctor's orders, they moved her to the main floor. I have lodged a formal complaint and her Cardiologist is furious. Shakingly furious in fact.
The bad news is that she now gets a kick-starter installed in her chest (defibrilator), the good news is that they now believe her. No more questioning her symptoms. This is real, quantative, and deadly.
She finally has their attention.
*coincidentally, a woman gave birth about the same time, in a different section of the hospital, to a 6lb 9 oz baby boy. Named Logan. Logan: we wish you all the best. Somehow, I personally hope that you got a bit of Lynn's soul in the passing. It will serve you well.
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