I will start by saying that my DH's family has a history of heart disease. Grandfather died at 38, my DH had bypass at 55 and his brother heart attack at 55 (but survived). So I am always worried about heart issues and emergencies.
On Thursday noon, my DS 32 called; I presumed he was working an afternoon shift and they needed childcare for the shift exchange, his wife gets off at 4:30. But no, he told me he had been having some chest pains overnight and in the morning, couldn't get to see his doctor until next week, so was going up to emergency to get looked at. I immediately went over to look after the little grandson 18 months. For some reason I wasn't really expecting anything serious, perhaps a bad case of acid reflux, but you don't fool around with chest pains in this family. He looked uncomfortable, but not pale, had no nausea, so he drove himself up to the ER (emergency room).
About an hour and a half later, my DIL's mum pulled up, and the look on her face I immediately knew something was wrong. She told me that my son had had a heart attach and that I should go right away up to the hospital. I was shaking but able to drive myself, stopping to pick up my DH along the way. Thank goodness we live in a small town.
Getting to see him the doctor and his wife were there, saying that yes he had, and was still having a heart attack, and that they were arranging a flight to a central hospital with a full cardiac ward. We live in the north of British Columbia, with a small hospital. There were two choices of cardiac specialty units, Vancouver or Kelowna, and whichever accepted him first was where he would go. DS was in discomfort. but not horrible pain, and was already receiving drugs and was stable. What we don't have available at our hospital is angiogram or heart MRI, which is why they wanted to ship him out immediately.
The medivac flight was arranged for about 5 pm, but his wife would only be able to go with him if there was room, and the medivac staff ok'd it. We got word that yes, she could accompany him, so she went home to pack a bag; DH went home to pack a bag as well and I arranged a commercial flight. Our daughter living in Victoria was able to arrange a flight as well. Luckily we have family in Kelowna, so my SIL was able to meet everyone at the plane and bring them to the hospital.
Sorry this is so long, it feels cathartic to get it off my chest.
At the last minute, the medivac staff said that my DIL could not go after all, so she needed a commercial flight as well. Our local airport has only one flight a day which had already left, so flight for the next town's airport 1.5 hours away was booked (my DH had already left to get on that flight). poor DIL drove like mad to get to the airport, and she made it by the hair of her chin. Meanwhile I was arranging childcare with my DIL's mum, it was decided that I would stay and help care for him.
Son arrived around 9pm in Kelowna hospital, he was assessed, medicated and a cardiac ultrasound was done. At this point is was thought that he wasn't actually having a typical heart attach since they could see no blockages. Thank goodness.
My DH and DIL arrived by midnight, went to the hospital to see DS was settled; got the good news that there seems to be no heart damage, but they don't know the real reason for the pain.
They suspect myocarditis, which is an inflamed heart caused by a virus. They will need to do an MRI to confirm this, but are treating it as such until this can be done (most likely Monday). He is stable, the pain is dulled by medication. While myocarditis can indeed cause heart failure, it seems he went to the hospital just in time, and is now in treatment with more answers to come in the next few days.
Meanwhile, my DIL's mum ( I'll call her Lucy) and I have been taking turns with the little grandson, plus two dogs. My other son and wife have been a great help as well, mostly with the dogs. Lucy has been doing night shift, sleeping at the house, and I have been over most of the days. She has been wonderful, but still works, so we will see how this week will go. I'm a bit tired, emotionally and physically (chasing little one!), but knowing that my son is being well cared for and there so far seems to be no permanent damage is reassuring.
Sorry, this is almost a book... thank you for reading if you have gotten this far. Any positive prayers or thoughts will be gratefully accepted.
