The wedding ones, I'm referring to. We're on the good side of for better or worse. Figure we're right in the middle of for richer or poorer. However, we're not doing too well in the sickness or in health department. Just so long as we don't go to the next step.
It's not impinging on the marriage, but this man of mine has proven to challenge this segment of the vows on a repetitive basis. Very recently on a trip to meet Blogless Marsha and Dave, halfway between our homes in the US and Canada, Mr. B experienced crushing chest pain. Long story short and one coronary bypass later this is what we've learned:
- If you live in a country with socialized medicine do not leave without travel insurance. The commercials are correct. Don't leave home without it. It looks like ours is coming though for us. The alternative was a much larger mortgage.
- If you happen to need emergency bypass surgery, Washington state is a good place to be. I can't imagine what would have happened if C's ticking time bomb went off while we were in Honduras.
- You can have a very healthy heart and messed up arteries OR you can have completely healthy arteries and one messed up heart. Heart disease takes many forms other than the traditional presentation you always heard about. Your situation requires individual attention.
- You may have had very sophisticated tests showing clear arteries, and despite being on cholesterol beating drugs and a decent diet, those arteries can clog fairly quickly, as in three years for Chuck.
- Don't assume your internal body parts are located where the text book
says they should be. The placement of C's particular artery, 2 cms into
his heart, made for the experienced surgeon's remark of it being the
most tedious bypass he's ever completed. - Friends have hearts of gold. I arrived back from the hospital each night to find monumental tasks finished, a well cared for dog and dinners prepared. And for the collective thoughts and prayers, we thank you.
- It's hard to be without family in a place far away from home crisis. Thank goodness for communications technology as in cell phones, skype and hospitals with wireless access. My daughter, the nurse, was able to participate in the post operative debriefing with me and the surgeon, outside the ICU via skype.
- You can make a significant difference in someone's life – donate blood.
- Simples pleasures make a big difference in coping with crisis. A hot bath, buttered lightly margarined toast, fresh fruit.
- Never leave your knitting behind.
Now go give your partner a hug, or in the case of a recent bypass, a kiss on the forehead (thanks, Joan B, for pointing that out).
Life's a Stitch 
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