Long Day
Thursday, December 3, 2020 at 6:47PM 
Doesn't Sky have such a wonderful look? I think so. She is so cute to me. Such a loving being too.
We had a lot of fun play this morning. Then we had the surgeon. Nathan has 5 arteries with 70% blockage. We could get a surgeon real soon or we could wait for this guy and get a date of January 22nd. We opted for this guy as Nathan's cardiologist said if he needed surgery this was the guy he would trust. So we wait. This was a no nonsense guy. If you opt to not get surgery you have a 10% chance of living for 5 years. After surgery you will wish you didn't have it for a couple of weeks and then you will improve and be glad. It is painful. There is no rehab due to covid. Yes you need nitroglicerine on hand and take a baby aspirin daily. Is there anything I can do to help between now and our surgery date? His response - that plane has already flown. There was more but what a blunt guy - they were right no bedside matter. But...the good part....
Nathan gets to be here for the pups departing. It sounds silly but - well it is important to him. To me too as he has never missed it. Plus 2020 will be over and 2021 will be better - it best be. LOL By March - still cold he will be better and then spring. Then summer and we have to buy an expensive heater but he can swim every day as I did this past summer. So good news...
Nathan is in the room where I do the blogs watching the Good Doctor with me. A guy has a tumour around his heart and he can now watch it and say - not me. As crazy as it all sounds we have a plan now so we feel much better.
Dogs are sitting all over him in the recliner and he is smiling. I like that and so do the dogs!!! We are going to miss Henley when she departs. Hope their move is going well. Henley has had an amazing time here.
Now that we have a plan, many dogs are coming all weekend for grooming. It's good to have dogs coming to mix things up!
Reader Comments (16)
Darlah he sounds like a no nonsense doctor and if fact although they can be scary you know that what they are saying is right. Sam's Heart Failure Doctor was called The General behind her back but she was, and she scared Sam but we knew she did everything possible to help him. The one thing we have to know is that time goes fast and January 22nd will be here in no time and then Nathan has turned the tables and will start the road to recover. We are so happy that Nathan will be there when we pick up Luna :)
Confidence and trust in a surgeon is SO important. Jan 22 isn’t that far off. Stay strong, stay safe and know we are sending our heartfelt best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Oh what a relief to finally have a plan - uncertainty is the worst. A Dr once warned me before a consult that surgeons are all egomaniacs and don’t sugar coat anything - That’s why they prefer their patients knocked out. The ones at the top really are the Christina Yangs and Tom Karacics of the real world on skill and personality :)
I will send you an email shortly about Ollie!
I feel for both of you. You got the bottom line and that’s what you want in a doctor. You don’t want them skirting major issues so you won’t be scared. It is what it is, but, there is something they can do about it. Then, Nathan will feel so much better after recovery. Now, that is something for both of you to look forward to.
I'm glad that Nathan has a surgery date with a surgeon you guys trust. On the plus side, now you have time to order pyjamas! So sorry you are going through all of this, but it sounds like you have a great plan. Soon you will be on the other side of this and then Nathan can recover. Sending lots of positive wishes your way!
Glad to hear you have a plan and a date. Skills are the most important, someone once warned me about the lack of bedside manner in a specialist.. I said I’m not planning to have dinner with him. It will all be worth it when Nathan has healed and is feeling great again. Sending hugs.
Glad to hear there is a plan and now you can move foward. Confidence in your Dr means so much !
Nice to see the picture of Sky ! I'm such a fan of that gal 😁😁😁
When we picked up Pablo on April 9, 2019, it was exactly 8 weeks since Grant had his open heart surgery. He had his aortic valve replaced and one bypass. It is coming up to two years now and he hasn’t looked back. The improvement is dramatic. He is able to do everything he did before. Nathan will go through some major discomfort for awhile but he will be rejuvenated and able to enjoy doing all those things he loves so much with new energy.
Step one, date set, done. On to the next task, puppies going home, excellent!
I had to look up those 2 actors, had to laugh. My laboratory partner/big brother in med lab college, nicest guy I had ever met and intellectually brilliant, went on to do medicine, then anesthesia and professor, and still practices, said just that in 4th year med school 'I wish my patients were all comatose so I can do the work I have to do'. I believe and trust him completely. You want that with your own healthcare.
Hi there you two. I am happy to hear that you now have a plan. It won’t be fun but it will be the beginning of the rest of a better life. We look forward to seeing you both in person again on the 17th. Take it easy.
Even ‘though there won’t be rehab available, there are at home gentle exercises they can give you. Walking and swimming as healing progresses will do the trick! Plus getting to play with dogs in the pool is a great mood booster! Best wishes!
It is a long time to worry about the upcoming surgery but it is also a good time to hunker down with the pups all gone soon (expect for Spirit's gal) and to be able to relax and take it easy after such a frenetic pace before Nathan goes in. It always sounds like you both know what is important and support that beautifully in your lives.
Thinking of you, Darlah, and of course, Nathan, as you move forward with this challenge. But knowing you both, you are up for any challenge and it is great that you have a doctor who you trust. Time to take a breath before January 22 to enjoy the dogs and spend some time together. You both continue to be in my thoughts.
Dear Nathan and Darlah,
Having a date and knowing you are in good hands, can be so less stressful !
Enjoy the cuddling and playing with the puppies ... they do have a way to make you feel better :-)
Wishing you a speedy and easy recovery Nathan, I know it will be hard but I'm sure you will feel so much better... Doing all that you love including swimming with all the doggies this summer.
My thoughts are with you both,
Susan
Darlah and Nathan, January 22nd will be here in a flash. You folks are always so busy. Enjoy a little quiet time until the surgery. Know that so many people will keep you in their thoughts and will say a prayer for the best outcome.
Stay strong Nathan! Awesome to know you have a great doctor, have a plan in place and now also have a target date that will come soon enough. Keeping you in our prayers!