Bob and Bev

Last Thursday night, Jim was taken by ambulance to Shady Grove. After imagining his heart, the doctor explained it was not a heart attack, but both ascending and descending branches of his aorta had torn. He called a surgeon at UMD, Baltimore who said he would not operate. I went home after 2 am, knowing that he most likely would not survive the night. When I got back to the hospital the next morning, Jim had survived and the doctor's attitude had done a 360. He called UMD again and the surgeon there agreed to operate. The sedation was backed off enough to see if he was responsive and he most certainly was. The helicopter team came quickly. Jim's daughter, Heather, and I were within minutes of the hospital around noon when I got a call from the surgeon saying they were about to start an 8 hour operation and the visiting hours were over at 3pm. So, we U-turned and headed back home. The next day, the hospital instituted a "no visitors" policy.

I've been able to talk to him twice and the first time doesn't count because he didn't have his hearing aids yet and wasn't really with it, either. I'm hoping I'll be able to talk to him today. He has been getting progressively stronger. They had him sitting in a chair by Sunday. He's been walking to PT. He has failed the swallow test so far, but most likely will pass it today because he is clearing mucus better and his voice is much stronger according to the nurse I spoke with last night.

Jim had none of the known risk factors for this event, such as drug user, high blood pressure, family history, etc.

Heather is setting up a "caring bridge" so people can get updates easily. I'm sending her a list of email addresses and I will put your address on it.

I'll rely on you to disseminate this information to Mark and all the bridge players that you know in common.

I'm holding up well all things considered, i.e. I'm not a complete basket case yet. I don't need anything and I've gotten to know neighbors I've never had a conversation with before. Because of Jim, I'm petrified about the virus.

Thank goodness for TV, internet and cell phone.

Hope you are staying healthy.

Marilyn