the HEART...it's important!

First off, thanks to everyone that has been keeping Brad in their thoughts and prayers this past week. It's been greatly appreciated! For those of you who have no clue what I'm talking about, let me fill you in...

Last Friday (yes, Friday the 13th), I got a phone call from Brad's uncle (who NEVER calls me...he's a texter). I knew something was up, and after he began with "I don't want to worry you...", my heart immediately sank to my stomach. Long story short, Brad's mom called 911 after Brad collapsed in her living room from severe chest pains. He had been up at Nana's house with Avery when he began to not feel well. He decided to drive down to his moms because he said he knew something wasn't right. After a short evaluation the paramedics decided to transport him to the hospital to see what the heck was going on. Insert me being called, kinda freaking out, and rushing to the ER.

I beat the ambulance there by about 10-15 minutes. Nervous wreck? Yep. Once he arrived he was immediately put into a room, and I was allowed back to be with him. It was terrible y'all. He was in so much pain, and scared because like everyone else, he had no clue what was going on. They ruled out a heart attack almost immediately (like before they transported him), but they still did an EKG and blood work to confirm it. They said because the pains were sharp, stabbing pains and not consistent, that a heart attack was unlikely the culprit. Brad was given pain medicine pretty quickly, but it took a few doses and a few hours before he was anywhere near comfortable. They took 2 rounds of blood (about 4 tubes each time), did a 2nd EKG, did a chest x-ray, and did a CT scan of his chest & head. After all that, which took about 6 hours, the doctor came back in his room to tell us he didn't know what had caused the severe chest pains.

WHAT?!?! What do you mean you don't know? I think Brad got a little irritated by me at this point. The doctor went on to explain that his job in the ER was to rule out anything emergent, that needed immediate action, and that was what he did. He said all he could do, at this point, was refer him to his cardiologist and prescribe him some medicine to help in the mean time. Me, being the calm, cool headed wife that I am, was NOT ok with that. I appreciated everything he had done, but seriously...a 25 year old, healthy man, does not just collapse with chest pains for no reason. I was wanting answers, and I wanted them then...I didn't want to have to wait. Guess what? I didn't get my way, and we left the ER with prescriptions. I was not a happy camper. Brad was just glad to be on enough pain medicine to finally be comfortable.

Saturday morning Brad woke up feeling better than he did the day before, but still not ok. He was incredibly sore, and had zero energy. Simply walking around made him out of breath :( Since this had happened on a Friday, and it was after 9pm by the time we left the ER, we had to just wait out the weekend before we could call his cardiologist and schedule an appointment.

Monday morning Brad called his regular cardiologist and they told him they couldn't see him until Friday. WHAT?!? Nope. Not ok. So, I called the cardiologist that the ER doctor had written the referral to and got Brad an appointment for that afternoon :) He assured me that he would be a good patient, and pay attention to what was said so that he could relay the information back to me, so that I wouldn't have to miss any more work and his sister could take him.

The cardiologist told Brad that he wanted to schedule an echo/ultrasound for him the following day, because he thought (after doing his evaluation) that there was some inflammation of his heart and that there was some fluid gathered in the sac that surrounds his heart. He assured Brad that it was all treatable, but he needed to see how much fluid was there to decide the best course of action. Me panic again? Yep.

Tuesday morning was his echo, and it was confirmed that there was some inflammation and some fluid, BUT that the fluid was a small amount that could be treated with antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory medicine. The doctor said this was all likely caused by a viral infection, and the inflammation is what initially caused the chest pains.

So, Brad is home (well at Nana's while I'm working) and he has been given orders to not do anything. Basically, bed rest. He has a follow up echo next Tuesday, and if the fluid is still there than it will have to be surgically drained :/ Yikes. Not being able to get out and run/walk around is killing Brad. He can't drive, or work, or anything. Thankfully, his pain is gone (which makes me think the anti-inflammatory meds are doing their job), but he still gets winded very easily. Hopefully, we'll get good results at his appointment on Tuesday and he'll be allowed back to work, and back to his normal self.

Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Getting that phone call, and seeing him in that much pain was terrible. It really only confirmed how much I love that crazy, obnoxious, funny, lovable man!

Don't Go Getting TOO Excited

Hello blogger world :) <--- yes, I like to pretend I have a MILLION people view and read my blog every time I post! I really don't even know where to begin, since it's been a while since I've written anything...so, I'll try and catch you up to speed before I get to the point of this post.

This little girl has kept her daddy and me on our toes lately! She gets into absolutely EVERYTHING, all the time. Thankfully, we were blessed with a happy kid (most of the time), who keeps us laughing. *WARNING: I'm about to go into bragging mommy mode...bare with me* I know I've said since the beginning that we had a talker on our hands, but I AM SERIOUS...this kid talks non-stop...and she's got a very good vocabulary, especially for her age. I tried writing down all the words and phrases she knew, but I stopped after 60! She'll probably get in trouble in school for her excessive talking...no clue where she gets that from ;)

Last month we went to the beach with Brads family. There were about 30 of us (give or take a few), spread out in about 12 hotel rooms. It was a great week...a much needed vacation for us. Avery WAS NOT a fan of the ocean, but she did enjoy playing in the sand, and bossing people around at the pool. We got lucky with Avery and her naps, because the last 4 days we were there she napped on the beach...for like 3 hours each day...it was wonderful :) Luckily, we get another beach vacation next month.  We'll be packing up and heading down to St. George Island for a week with my family!

Speaking of Brad (ya know, I mentioned him in the last paragraph), he took his GM certification test last week and passed!!! Woohoo!!! Now, he is certified and ready to take over his own store when one becomes available! He's moved up very quickly and has done so well since beginning with Taco Mac. I'm very proud of him :)

Is everyone sitting down? Good! Yes, I'm STILL running! I haven't been as consistent as I've wanted to be, but I haven't given up. I mean, it's HOT outside y'all. It's actually become a time for me to clear my head, and it's become more enjoyable. My goal is to run in a 5k this fall sometime...and by run in it I mean, actually run the ENTIRE distance. I know I'd be able to finish the race, but I want to be able to run the entire distance, and still not want to pass out and die when it's over. We'll see...I'll keep you posted on that.

Now, don't go getting all excited and everything, BUUUUUTTT I think I'm ready for baby #2. I'm not sure if i'm really ready, or if this little chunk-a-lunk (see pic below) has given me baby fever, but I've thought about it...A LOT lately.

Wesson is almost 8 months old already, and he is the cutest, squishiest, most adorable little baby (even if he does look EXACTLY like his dad). Avery's even gotten to where she doesn't care when I hold him, and willingly shares her toys with him...especially if he starts to cry...it's the cutest thing. I probably just need to borrow Wesson for a weekend. I'm sure my want for another baby will disappear afterwards :) Don't worry, I'm waiting it out (I've got a time frame in my head as to when I want to begin trying)...BUT after my experience with having Avery, I really thought i'd never be ready, and I would have to be convinced to do it again. So, i'm making progress!

Well, I think that about sums up the last few months for us. Thanks for toughing it out and surviving my scattered brained, random post. Have a great weekend :)

Love,
LG