This morning I took my dad to see the heart specialist for his annual ultra-sound.
My dad was born with a seriously messed up heart. Just how messed up wasn't discovered until he was in his 70's at which time he had heart surgery to repair it. Now, he and his heart are 80.
Today, he had two different technicians do the ultra-sound. They gave each other glances, made notations on his chart, and generally seemed more concerned than the technicians in the past ever seemed.
I started getting nervous.
What I saw on the screen looked like Northern Lights. At times it looked like the Musical Fountain in Grand Haven, sans the music.
Once, I was sure I saw Rodin's "The Thinker". Yet another view looked like a feasting Jabba the Hut.
They viewed every nook and cranny of his heart. I did not see Jesus, although I know he is in there.
When we went back to a consultation room to talk to the doctor, a nurse came in and said they would be doing an EKG. She kept asking my dad over and over again if he had noticed any changes in the past year.
My nervousness increased. When nervous, I get all jokey, and don't know when to quit. If THGGM was there, he would have stopped me, but he wasn't there. I blabbed on.
My mom was doing great. She actually answered most of the questions, and answered them correctly. She might not remember what season we are in or what day it is, but she does have great recall of my dad's medical records.
Then the doctor came in.
I was braced for bad, or at least not AS good of news as before.
I was wrong. His heart remains stable. So stable, in fact, that they have stretched out his appointment for next time by another six months.
My dad's heart specialist is a wonderful doctor. His bedside manners are impeccable. He always listens so intently to everything my mom says, even when she gets somewhat confused (although, she didn't today). He never gives false hope, but always is encouraging. I've heard from a friend that he takes his vacation time to do surgeries in third world countries. I really like him.
When your heart doctor gives you an appointment for a year and a half, and actually plans that you will be there for it, well... I believe my dad left with a bit more pep in his step!
Be still MY beating heart.
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3 comments:
How blessed you are to still have your parents with you! Both of mine are gone now, my Mom in 1989 and my Dad just recently at the end of March this year. I am so glad to hear your Dad's appointment went well! My "Baby Boy" goes in for his check up THIS morning...he's such a big boy for his age, too. Rolling over all over the place now, sprouting his first tooth the other day. Judy, they'll be graduating from high school before we know it, haha! He and his mama won't be here until later this morning so I'm sneaking some extra computer time on here...I thought by being home full time taking care of Dylan would mean I'd have time to be on the computer during the day...NOT!!! Sheeesh, if anything I have less time than ever, ha! But my "baby boy" is more important than this piece of plastic, metal, and megabytes is any day. Are you sweltering where you are?? We're heading into a weekend of 100+ temperatures. At least here in Portland, weather like that only lasts a few days here and there, and the humidity is bearable. Still, I'm stocking up on bags of ice...I go thru it like CRAZY on hot days! :-)
That's great news!
A year and a half: that's great.
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