In yesterday’s post (Part 1), we were at the point where all the pre-op testing for my husband Fred’s heart surgery had been done, and he was set to go. Those two weeks between the testing and the actual surgery crawled by, but we kept busy trying to get some Christmas decorations up and holiday shopping done, since we didn’t know how much he’d be able to do when he got home from the hospital.
Finally, on a cold, rainy December day, we hit the road and headed for Cleveland, Ohio, home to the Cleveland Clinic, the #1 cardiac hospital in the US for the past 29 years. (That fact alone helped to reassure both of us that Fred would be in the best of hands. We felt so fortunate that he had the option of going there.)
When we checked into the hospital at 5:30 am on December 6, I was given a neon green pager. It was to be my lifeline to the operating room during Fred’s surgery. Periodically, a high-pitched beeping would alert me that there was a new message.
My heart pounded as I read “9:01 AM THE PROCEDURE HAS STARTED”.
I felt nauseous and close to tears when I read “9:48 AM – MAJOR PORTION OF THE PROCEDURE IS UNDERWAY”.
Relief washed over me when I saw “11:26 AM – IN FINISHING PHASE OF SURGERY”.
And, finally, tentative optimism began to grow as I read the last message “12:45 PM REPORT TO DESK J1-2 FOR SURGEON’S UPDATE”.
While all that was going on, I sat at a table in the waiting room, working away on my sketches. The distraction of planning pages, drawing, and trying to manage a water brush (not my favorite tool!) kept me from focusing on what was happening minute-by-minute just down the hall from me. Intent on what I was doing, the hours passed fairly quickly.
Glancing up occasionally, I saw almost everyone else mindlessly scrolling their phones. I was so thankful I had something creative to occupy my mind. It would have all been so much harder without my sketchbook.
Post-surgery sketches (Part 3) coming tomorrow!
16 Comments
Isn’t it wonderful to have a heart based touch point to turn to in times of stress. For me it is knitting or needlepoint or sketching/watercolor. It’s crazy to think so many people don’t have any kind of hobby at all! So glad I have passed this down to my daughters.
Hugs to you and Fred, I’m so glad his outcome was great!
I’m glad you’ve found how rewarding it can be to have something creative to fill your days and keep you on track. When I haven’t sketched for awhile, I get a nebulous feeling of disatisfaction that just won’t go away until I have some time with a pen in my hand. I guess some of us are born that way – it’s a need that has to be filled to be happy.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment – I love hearing from you.
You are a pro at making lemonade out of lemons, and your creative abilities know no bounds! Thank you for sharing what you and Fred have been through. I’m sure it will be a big help to others in similar situations. Love to you and your family.
What a great way to make the time fly by. How blessed we are to have creativity in our lives. So happy to hear everything worked out well. I have a friend who had this about 7 years ago and he is in his 90s now. Love reading your journal about the surgeries and best wishes for a very happy, healthy and blessed New Year. (I hope your mom is doing well.)
So grateful to hear your dear husband Was in such good hands and the surgery was a success. So grateful for these amazingly wonderful Drs. And hospitals! And yes. Thank you for showing us your very helpful way of living through this stress
Hi Leslie…. experiencing yours and Freds unfolding Heart story, through your sketchbook, is quite a page turner! I got chills reading the messages from the little green pager…wow. Im so happy for you both, that this has turned out so well, and that Fred continues to recover …even better than before!
Cant wait for chapter 3 😉
Thanks, pal! I got some chills myself when those messages alerted me to all the cutting and stitching going on just down the hall…eek!
Leslie I’m so glad you posted your story and sketches. My daughter has a heart murmur she’s had since a baby but hope and pray she will not need to go through what Fred did.
I’m so glad he is healing nicely and hope he will be driving soon.
Fred didn’t need surgery until he was 71, so she probably has a long way to go. And the doctors acted like he was a youngster. Most of their patients having this type of surgery are even older.
What a saga, Leslie. I’m so glad Fred came through it so well. You are amazing to be able to concentrate and be so creative during stressful times. I got nervous looking at the green pager. Thanks for sharing. Carol
Hi Carol – I had a love-hate relationship with that little green pager. Every time it went off, it startled me, and I almost jumped out of my chair. And I’m not sure whether I was better off knowing when they were opening up his chest or not. I guess maybe it was better than just wondering and worrying. And the beeper was such a cute color – how could I not like it, right? 🙂
Fred is one fortunate man to have you beside him…and you’re fortunate to have him. The doctors and other staff sound pretty amazing too!! That green pager was such an amazing tool to help communicate and comfort!!
You have made this difficult time a gift to all of us by sketching, writing and painting! You’ve given us insight. Thank you!!
Hi, Julene. I really debated about sharing all this. You’ve confirmed that it was the right thing to do. Thank you.
Your journal is both inspiring and heart-wrenching. Thank you for putting yourself out there and sharing your personal story with us. So happy to hear that your Fred is doing well. Anyone with that great smile must be a wonderful guy! Happy 2024!!
Thanks for taking the time to write, Sharon, and for encouraging me about sharing here.
Thank you again Leslie,
You’re sharing is a wonderful reminder to keep the creative spirit alive and active no matter what the circumstances. I tend to categorize my time between “creative days” and “non- creative days”.
To integrate my creative self into my everyday life would be a life giving step for me. To become an Everyday Artist would be wonderful 😊
You really inspire me!
May Fred’s healing continue to progress smoothly.