The waiting...

I wrote this Saturday evening, but we had some issues getting food for Mark, so I dropped this and took care of that and so finally here I am posting this blog at 4:30am Sunday....

"Well, A LOT has happened since my last blog! I'm sitting here in the waiting room (thankful for the little things like WiFI, my sweater and lenient nurses that usually let me stay on after visiting hours....)

For those who haven't heard, the stress test (last Thursday) was, well too stressful! After only 3 minutes on the treadmill the Dr. had Mark taken off. Nitroglycerin administered and a few minutes of rest before continuing with a chemical stress test. I didn't realize, but a stress test includes a set of nuclear-type scans pre and post actual "stress test". Even the pre scan was abnormal, but the post scan showed definite problems and he was taken by ambulance to the hospital from Locust Grove Dr's office. We were told he would be observed in CCU and would undergo a Heart Cath Friday morning.

Mark felt some serious anxiety about the test, but the experience itself was far better than what he imagined. The 6 hours of no movement following the cath, a different story, but today has been better. There have been other obstacles along the way nosebleeds (one more than 4 hours long!), nausea and headaches...but we know that God has been with us in every moment. Last night we were reminded of how much worse some people in rooms around us have it and thanked God for His grace.

This morning, Mark & I had a good time just talking about the crazy ride we're on...we can see God's protection on us already and although so many things are uncertain right now, we know that He isn't uncertain and He is in control!

The road ahead....the heart cath showed significant coronary artery disease that has been present for much of his life and clots in one of the larger arteries on the right side of his heart as well as several arteries with blockages. For 72 hours he is on a specific medication to try and open up some blockages and get rid of the clots....the positive in the findings is that because this is chronic, and because God created us so amazingly, his heart has formed some new little arteries to try and bypass the damaged ones. Even better is that his heart muscle appears to be great, very strong and no damage!! This will help with recovery and just continuing to have a great quality to his life, actually it will probably be better because he'll be getting the blood flow he needs without causing his heart to work so hard for it!

The plan, try to sneak Trenton in to see him as much as possible!! Seriously, we were able to get him in this afternoon, but won't attempt it again. I caused quite a stir, but it was worth it for Mark and T to see each other!! Sometime Tuesday, once the 72 hour drug is complete, he will be transferred to Emory, where they will do another heart cath. Treatment will be based on the amount of change brought on by the medications.

Ways to pray for us....

1. Encouragement! For Mark especially!

2. Good results from the medication.

3. Peace for Trenton-he knows something is wrong and it's uber hard for this Mommy to leave him for so long (although I'm incredibly blessed to have Mom here taking care of him)!

4. Strength for Mark, today he was feeling weak.

5. Rest for us all!

I do feel so torn! I love my boys more than anything in this world and having them so far apart is not easy. I cry leaving each of them...I'm definitely looking to God, leaning on all the encouragement and support and taking things day by day.