Matt is doing really well. After he spent 4 days in ICU and then another 3 days out of ICU but still in the hospital, they finally let him go home. Then it was my turn to take care of him. I felt like the time they just sent me home from the hospital with a newborn. What am I suppose to do now????
He was sent home with a Life Vest. It's actually a defibrillator vest that he has to wear all the time. If his heart suddenly stops, it will shock him. He has to wear it for 3 months, and if his heart functions don't improve, they will implant a defibrillator inside his chest. The funniest thing is the way this thing looks when he wears it. For the first week, if he had his shirt off, the girls and I would walk past him saying "Nice bra!"
The only diet restrictions he is on right now is his sugars. He as type 2 Diabetes and, from what I could tell, the meds that he was on before wasn't really controlling it. He now has to give himself insulin injections after each meal. It's not too bad changing our diets, I found a lot of great recipes online and I bought a cookbook named 1001 delicious recipes for Diabetics. I am also trying to cook fish at least once a week. This is huge because I HATE fish. But I am willing to try it for the sake of his health. We also take a walk as a family after dinner.
The biggest lifestyle change is that Matt and I have both quit smoking. I know that we should have done this a long time ago, but it took something this major to finally get it through our thick skulls! I am officially 2 weeks smoke free!!!! (Matt's a little longer because I finished off the carton that we bought before the heart attack.)
It's not as hard as I thought. We just have to remember if he smokes, he dies. If I smoke, he dies. Easy peasey lemon squeezey!!!
The worst part was that poor Matt had to spend his birthday in the hospital. But I tried to make the best of it for him. I brought him some party hats and his birthday present consisted of board games and card games. I sat in the hospital with him all day and played games with him. I also took a few pictures.
He just went for his "post heart attack" stress test, and the doctors were impressed with how well he's doing. There are 5 phases to the stress test, and he got through 3/4 of the 3rd phase. Most victims only get through 2 phases.
It's a long road, but we are all heading down it together and Matt is doing great.
8 comments:
Well, good lord almighty. Had no idea where you had gone or that Matt had a heart attack. Glad to hear you are both changing your lifestyle in order to save his ticker from another attack.
Hubby used to work at Medtronic in Tempe and write the test programs for the parts that go into their pacemakers and defibs. Let's hope that Matt does well and that no implant will be necessary. All my best to the two of you!
Di
He looks so cute!
Love the pic of both of you also.
Good luck on the quitting smoking, my hubby quit 15 years ago with a staple in his ear and hypnosis.
Great job on the quitting smoking!
That's great that they're giving Matt a trial run before getting a defibrillator right away. Most of our docs seem to go straight to the surgery these days.
You are such a great support for Matt. I'm glad to see you both doing well and going strong!
I'm glad to hear that Matt is doing well. I hope it stays that way!
You should share some of those recipes. My Mam is diabetic, so any new recipes you can share would probably be appreciated by her. Not to mention the fact I'm always looking for new recipes to try. I'd especially be interested in any that are vegetarian, or that can easily have the meat removed or substituted for something else.
I just typed a report yesterday about someone with a LifeVest, I hadn't heard of them before. Interesting technology and I hope Matt's "heart" cooperates so he doesn't have to have the defibrillator. good job for both of you to stop smoking and for making the healthier choices in your lifestyle!
betty
Welcome back to bloggy land hun. Could you lay a bigger one on us? I read your last posts and the two of you have gone through so much! Stay strong! Will keep you in my prayers.
Matt looks like he's doing pretty good - I love (and covet) his spongebob hat!
I hope Matty doesn't need an implanted device - and that the diabetes is brought under control (that can be hard!)
What I really hope for is - that you get some time to just enjoy a low-key no-stress involved few months to share each other and to rest and recover for the trauma of this ordeal.
Once Matty bounces back, you are going to need it!
I miss you guys! It's been too long!
I'm so glad Matt is recovering well and that you're both hanging in there. Geez, a lot has happened since we last chatted.
Sending huge hugs and the very best wishes! Take care...
XOXO
Anna
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