Angel on my shoulder
Traveling home from work in the far north on Thursday, I had landed in Smokey Jackson hole airport and met my Bride, gathered my bags and started to drive off, traveled less than a mile, I experienced shortness of breath, and made her drive. Traveled another 1 1/2 mile and had an elephant foot on my chest and a little gremlin twisting barb wire around my heart and lungs, note to self, second box checked, another mile, broke out in profuse sweat and pain began to emanate from left arm, 3rd box checked, told Bride to go directly to JH hospital and walked in and surprised the girl at the ER counter by saying “ could you get me some assistance, I’m having a heart attack “, Wow that kicked things in gear.
They ushered me to a triage stall, ran a quick EKG, then quickly moved me to a larger room across the hall with all the bells, whistles, and crash gear, had me hooked up to something that looked the ticker on the NYSE, pumping me full of a myriad of drugs, anti clotting and morphine and dilaudid. During this time, I asked for a wooden tongue depressor, they looked at me like I was crazy, and I asked again rather forcefully, get me a wooden tongue depressor, they understood later when all drugs had kicked when I told them I was gritting my teeth so hard from the pain that I thought I was going to crack my teeth and also to keep me from crying out like a child, it damn sure hurt.
Head ER Dr came in said “prep him for medevac” to Idaho Falls, originally the plan was by helicopter to land at JH hospital but smoke too bad, so they brought in a fixed wing Pilatus PC12, had ambulance ride back to the airport I had left awhile before.
During flight, flight nurse administered 2 shots 10ml of Fentanyl, they hustled me to the hospital, in another ambulance ride, then prepped me and straight to Cath lab, to determine what they/I was up against.
They prepped for a groin entry as a back up and entered Catheter in right arm just above the wrist. Luckily, I only had 2 arteries blocked and they rotor rootered them and then placed 2 stents and my heart went back to playing nice. I had been having a heart attack continuously for nearly 4 hours at that time, so in my subsequent stay here at the hospital, I’ve have echocardiogram and they read it to have minimal damage to the heart and are saying it was because the anti clotting meds were administered in Jackson so quickly at the onset of the event. And my pumping efficiency is in mid normal range.
Been in hospital 2 nights and they convinced me to stay one more to continue to hit me with Lasix to get water of my lungs and heart, got 5700 ml 1.51 gallons yesterday in 2 shots and 2700 ml / .71 gal so far today in 2 shots. Nickname me “I P Freely”.
My Bride and I both feel there was some divine guidance as either route we would have taken home from Jackson would have had areas of no cell service and little towns we would have traveled through, the EMT’s likely wouldn’t have been able to provide the immediate care the Jackson hospital did.
Puts a kibosh to my elk hunting plans for next week, just road hunt deer out on the desert I guess.
Good news is no restrictions on returning to work.
Mule
Comments
Darns! Nice recovery.
Never hurts to have a spare angel in your pocket.😉
WOW…… Happy things went well in the long run !!! Quite an experience to say the least…. Prayers for a full recovery !
Scary!
Glad that angel was with you. Get better each day and fully recover.
Glad to hear you're still with us, Dave. I'd hate for you to leave us before you had a crack at those North Fork bull trout!
Thanks Steve, really a bucket list item now.
Thanks all.
Mule
Some would say you were lucky.
I say you're blessed.
Sure glad your doing alright.
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
I'd say it was down to your knowledge and response. Lotta guys would have said get me a beer and I'll be fine tomorrow.
Glad you made it, smart move on your part.
Yessir that is a myocardial infarction. Heart attack. Looks like you got some very good medical care. Hang in there buddy.
Glad you ok and knew to get help ASAP
And not brush it off and just a nuisance or indigestion
And yes if any one goes in to the ER with chest pains it's red carpet trement they won't Chace it
And yes a story Goes with how I know .
but for now, glad your with us and going Good
You are a lucky man.
The Lord was definitely with you… I'm glad you didn't try and brush it off or something. Sending prayers for you 💕 🙏
"Independence Now, Independence Forever."
John Adams
Darn Mule. I'm so glad you were able to get help as soon as you did. So happy it all turned out for the good. Prayers for your continued recovery.
Glad you made it out ok . Been there ,done that,got the stent too. Now we need t-shirts !
Praising the Lord and thankful that you are still green side up.
Your harrowing experience truly exemplifies my belief in Angels Mule! Sure glad you had all of the right people, care, and equipment at your disposal all at the right times and places!
My prayers go out for you for a full recovery. AMEN
Very glad to get to the end of that story with a happy ending. You definitely are blessed to have it happen when and where it did. Prayers for a full recovery sent from Here in Texas. Take care of yourself.
glad you got help when needed get well soon
prayers from Arkansas
Good news is always welcome! Sorry you had a MI, but glad you got the treatment you needed. I suggest you buy a lottery ticket! 🤑
Awesome that everything went well. Will pray for a quick recovery
David, some prayers ask for you.
Easy does it for the future, slow with caution will be a good plan.
Take the best of care for yourself !!