Medicinal Miracles

So I'm sitting here today in a hospital in Idaho Falls. Since this kind of adventure tends to happen frequently in all of our lives, I guess I'll will touch on the amazing part of our culture known as health care.

If you think about it, it is astounding what is possible in today's world, compliments of medical technology. Take this morning for instance. We received a phone call from my mother-in-law, telling us that her husband had experienced a heart attack. Not cool. So we (my husband and I) flew to Idaho Falls . . . going the speed limit mind you, since we are very safe drivers . . . picked up Kennon's sister on our way up, and arrived in Idaho Falls around 1:00 p.m. this afternoon

In the length of time that it took us to arrive at the hospital, my step-father-in-law, Bob, had been rushed from the Rexburg hospital to the one in Idaho Falls by ambulance, endured an angioplasty procedure, and was in a hospital room recovering when we arrived. And he looked great, all things considered. Whew!!!

They discovered during the procedure that a collection of small clots was the culprit. Luckily they were in a lesser vein---the main vein looked good. The heart specialist decided that it was too risky to try to remove the clots, so they'll be using blood thinners to take care of the problem.

My step-father-in-law is 83 years old, but he looks and acts like he's in his 60's. It is still amazing to me that he is alive lying in his hospital bed this afternoon, joking around with all of us about his very busy day. ;) And you should hear what he has ordered for his meals tomorrow. =D Today's adventure hasn't slowed him down a bit.

We're all very relieved that things turned out the way that they did. We know that we're still not out of the woods quite yet, but for the moment, all is well. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the fast-acting medical personnel who responded as quickly as they did. In Rexburg, Bob was given medication to keep things going until he reached Idaho Falls. And here in Idaho Falls, he has received excellent care.

So while things in the world may seem a bit scary and dismal with regard to the economy, etc. think about how lucky we are to live during a time when precious lives can be spared because of the technology that is ours.

I suppose I'm a walking example of that as well. I'm a Type 1 diabetic who uses an insulin pump. I've been told by my diabetic specialist as well as the eye specialist that I see a couple of times a year, that this technology has not only spared my life, but it has kept me from developing complications that used to be quite common for diabetics. I still have to watch what I'm doing with regard to diet, exercise, etc. but the pump makes it possible for me to lead a fairly normal life.

I could go on and on, and but I think you get what I'm saying. We live in a remarkable time and tremendous things are possible because of the advances in medical technology. So on those days when life seems to inhale, ponder the good stuff taking place. This afternoon, I'm counting my blessings for the tiny miracle we witnessed today. ;)

P.S. My step-father-in-law (Bob) is currently discussing a trip to Alaska that he will be making with my husband and a few other family members this summer. I don't think today's adventure made a dent in any of his future plans. =D Way cool.

And be sure to visit the neighborhood and check out all of the neat futures available there.