Too good to be true...

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I haven't written anything for a while, I've been dead busy with a new job, transitioning and having a great life. As the title of this blog suggests, I should have known it was all too good to be as perfect and wonderful as it seemed.

A little over a week ago, Hubby went to his new cardiologist and had an echocardiogram. As it turns out, its a good thing that he flatly refused to take the stress test the doctor wanted him to take, it would have killed him. 14 years after his heart attack, they have finally discovered that he has apparently had a hole in his heart the whole way along, has had since birth. As much as he has been in and out of hospitals, I'm frankly astounded(And more than a little pissed off) that this was never discovered before.

Anyhow, it has been getting worse(larger). The doctor told him he was amazed he was still alive(They keep saying that about both of us...:). So all that means that he has to have surgery ASAP. They are gonna try some sort of patch job first(I'll find out more later, don't know specifics yet) but if that doesn't work, its full on open heart surgery and he has about a 50/50 shot. I don't have a bad feeling about it, so I don't think its time for him to take the dirt nap.

Now the real truth is that I can tell myself all these comforting things all I want to and it doesn't make a damn. I'm not ashamed to admit I'm absolutely terrified. I'm determined not to let him know that though. I've had a couple of major crying jags, but I was able to hide in the bathroom and keep it(mostly)quiet. I have to be strong for him now, it might help his chances. We've been here before, his heart attack in '97 was the hardest thing I've ever been through. My Valentine's gift and birthday gift rolled into one that year was a live husband. All I want is that same gift again.

Anyway, I'm going into this thing with the attitude that its good we found this thing and it can be fixed. I'd rather have a chance than wake up with a dead husband some morning. All the positive outlook in the world doesn't change the odds though. If the worst happens, I expect I'm gonna need some serious help, I just can't picture being able to function at all. Its likely I'll wind up living with my sister until I'm functional again.

I'm lucky that she is supportive of me and has made it very clear that she wants me to present as myself. Even if the worst happens, I will not be alone by a long shot. Its just that I can't imagine living without him. I don't want to.

I'll leave this alone for now, but I wanted to say something. I'm not asking for sympathy or even support, just letting folks know what's going on with me.

Thanks for reading.

Abigail Brower

Comments

Husband

My father had open heart surgery when I was 14. My dad exercises all of the time and eats healthy. Its very stressful so make sure you have friends and family around. Best wishes

hugs :)
Michelle SidheElf Amaianna

Who said 50/50 !!!

They were doing open hearts in about 1970 that were pretty primitive and the survival rate was pretty good. This is 40 years later, and you can't imagine what progress they have made. The biggest power here is attitude. This may sound like bullshit, but I believe it and I am not metaphysical type at all. The power of your attitude can flow into him and give him strength to survive. It can also permeat the room and make all those involved feel better about things. Even if you are not religious, prayer to the God that you do not know can be powerful.

My prayer for you all.

Khadijah

I will be praying for him and you hon

praying for both of you. keep yourself well, and know you can vent here if needed.

"Treat everyone you meet as though they had a sign on them that said "Fragile, under construction"

dorothycolleen

DogSig.png

Upcoming Surgery

Abigail,

You will be in my prayers. I can't imagine just how terrified you must be. Remember, now that you've told us, there will be many people praying for you. Please, if there is anything we can do let us know!

Blessings to you and hubby,

Beth

Surgery

I don't know if this helps but I threatened my dad's doctor's life implicitely if anything happened during surgery to my dad. I was really scared for him. Nothing did I hope you have it scheduled at a major university hospital because they have some of the best surgeons out there.

hugs :)
Michelle SidheElf Amaianna

Things are good

Considering maybe a year ago he explicitly said there was no way you were going to transition and now you are doing so and somewhere between there and here you still have a relationship and love him dearly. Sounds like a good thing and that he is very fortunate to have such a devoted wife and partner. That will go a long way to helping him recover and get back to a healthier life. When its all said and done he should be a new person with this load taken off of him and gradually pulling him down. I pray it goes well for him and for you as well.

Too good to be true...

Theide, unless I am sadly mistaken, the surgeons will basically take his heart off line to use surgical thread to close up the hole, then restart his heart. I myself have a heart murmur that slightly increSES MY CHANCE OOF A HEART ATTACK.

    Stanman
May Your Light Forever Shine
    Stanman
May Your Light Forever Shine