I just talked to the nurse again and they have found the area that is causing the problem and has started burning it. She didn't know how long it would take but she said that he was very comfortable. So, prayers are being answered.

Things are going well. The nurse called at 8 and said they were just getting started and that he was fine. I just talked to her again and they are still mapping his heart to find the area and he is still doing well. Once they find the area they can begin the laser treatment.

The wait begins! They came and got Bill about 6:45. Dr. Lan said it will take about 3hours. Pastor Paul from Emily's church came by at 6 for prayer with us and said if I need anything to let him know. He lives here in Memphis and can get here pretty quick if we need him. He's new to the church, very young but very nice.

We had a much better night last night. We weren't bothered as much since he doesn't have any IVs right now. We were even sleeping when the pastor got here which really surprised us since they said they were going to get Bill at 6.

As soon as they call and say they have started the procedure I'm going to head to the cafeteria for some breakfast. I got some coffee from the nutrition room but the only food I have in here is jelly beans and I don't think that would be a good breakfast!

As soon as I know anything I'll get this updated.

Wouldn't you know it, as soon as I left this morning Dr. Lan came in! But he told Bill to have me come over to the office this afternoon and he would explain what he was going to do, so I finally know what the procedure is called that is going to be done and what it entails.

It is called an ablation and it starts out like a heart cath. Probes with electrodes will be fed into the heart through the femoral artery and the electrical activity will be collected. When the area is found that is causing the irregular heartbeat it will be removed with the laser. Dr. Lan said it's like going fishing, but wanting to catch a specific fish. It will take about 3 hours and then there will be a 6 hour resting period where Bill has to stay pretty much still. The pacemaker replacement is still on for Friday morning and then he will be monitored for the week-end to see if everything has worked.

While I was home this morning he had all of his IVs removed and was able to shower. After I got back with his electric razor (which he absolutely hates) he shaved while I went to Dr. Lan's office. Cardiac Rehab also came in and they took a little walk down the hall. Emily's new pastor who lives in Memphis came by and said he will be here in the morning before the procedure. I don't think that Charlie will be able to be here because of his other job, but that's understandable.

The rest of the evening we are going to sit back and watch the World Series, although it may be an early night since we didn't get much sleep last night. Until tomorrow, goodnight.

Oh what a night! Our nurse told us that the care in this section is not as intense as the care in ICU. She came in about 8 and said that we would not be disturbed most of the night. Well, let me tell you...vitals were taken at 12 when we suddenly got a new nurse, 1 of the IVs started beeping at 1, vitals at 2, labs at 3, vitals at 4, another IV ran out at 5, vitals at 6 and 7! If this is less intense it must have really been terrible in the other unit.

I'm going home today to pick up a few things and get my flu shot. Since this was just a recovery day with nothing really going on we figured it would be a good time to do it.

We haven't see the drs. today, but it's cath lab day for Dr. Burnett. I don't know about Dr. Lan. I would like to find out more about the laser procedure, for my own reasons. Maybe someone will be in before long.

So, this is it for this morning. I'll let you know more when I know more. Have a great day!

Thanks for updating this Phillis. I was finally able to get the internet connection to work and get on myself. It is amazing how wonderful your friends are! I've read so many posts on Facebook from so many people that it's unbelieveable.

We are now out of ICU and in a step-down room. For those of you who want to call and talk to Bill since I forgot his cellphone the number is 901-226-2405. His nurse today is one of the nurses that he had the last time he was here and she remembered him.

I haven't talked to the doctors yet. They came in before visiting hours this morning. I don't know if they will be back this evening or not.

Phillis did a good job with the last post so I don't really have anything else to add to it right now. Thank you my friend! When I have some more news I'll get it posted.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2009

Here is the latest news concerning Bill's journey. Yesterday he was airlifted to Memphis (I think this the 4th time, maybe he has earned his wings or at least a front seat). Beth called me this morning said Bill had a good night, her night was choppy to say the least. She slept a little and read a lot. Bill is going to be moved from ICU to a room sometime today. His pacemaker Dr. is going to preform a laser procedure Thursday, he thinks there is a possibly he may be able to repair some of the damage to his heart, and then Friday they will replace his pacemaker, so it will probably be Monday before they can come home.
I suppose you have guessed that I am not Beth, I am Phillis her partner in crime. She us unable to log on at the hospital so I am updating this for her.
Bless his heart, Bill is not a good patient. Heaven help if he actually tells someone he feels bad or has pain. From what I gather he was feeling bad Monday, shortness of breath and coughing possibly from fluid build up, and he would not go to the ER. Beth called his Doctors office and they said to get him to ER ASAP. Finally he went and once he got there is BP dropped and he needed to be shocked one time. He was sedated for that. Good thing is he never lost consciousness. Beth told me she was really impressed with Blytheville Hospital and with Dr. Fergus (he is a surgeon at the hospital)
Beth told me his Doctors nurse lit into him this morning. He could have had is pacemaker read by Memphis but he did not want to. I am glad she did. He needed his butt chewed. Beth told him if she hadn't called home yesterday when she did, she would have come home to a dead man. Well enough said. I will post this for better or worse LOL. Beth may not ask me to update her blog after she reads this LOL.