she's in the lucky 5%

So there I am in the heart-cath lab waiting room, keeping it together by grace & will power; heart "events" in hospitals are never easy, and especially not for me. Also shredding my nerves is another occupant of the waiting room who is loudly and with a strong Poughkeepsie accent narrating to her companion her daughter's adventures in the hospital in which staff wondered if she'd self-harmed, but mom informed them that, no, it was just all the fights she got into. I'm pretty sure they were talking about a girl and not a dog.

Then in walks Dr. Gowara (previously known as Guerrerra, oops). I'd met him before the procedure, and he'd been hyped by everyone--the Sharon nurses, the Sharon cardiologist, the Vassar staff. He was said to be excellent, "very talented", "the best". His father is Indian and his mother is Welsh. We figured the light would change and the monitors would all beep with excitement when he entered. The hype was not in vain. Dark, handsome, soft spoken, intense gaze--Linda's word was "dreamy."

But back to me in the waiting room. Dreamy Dr. Gowara appears at the door, beckons me into the hall, and there gives me a heart-murmuring little look: "really positive," he says. I wonder if I've heard him correctly. The last doctor to say important things to me in the hospital said, "I'm sorry to tell you your husband has passed away." But this is not what dreamy Dr. Gowara has to say! He has to say that Linda's arteries are great, fantastic, excellent for her age. There are no blockages at all. He had been nearly positive he'd have to stent her, but no, she is in the lucky 5% that don't have blockages. The cause of her heart event could therefore have been mild inflamation (brought on by virus or other thing) or a tiny bit of plaque now dissolved or in a small (thus inessential) branch too small to see. In short, prognosis is very good. She should rest up and get better. Chances of future heart events are low. Her heart rocks (but we knew this metaphorically!). They plan to release her tomorrow. I almost cried with relief.

So, Tony is coming in from California tonight/tomorrow, and he's going to stay with her up in Amenia for a few days while she rests up. We'll take it from there.

Despite my big-city reservations about entrusting Linda to Vassar Bros. Hospital Poughkeepsie, it turns out they are an excellent hospital, and nationally ranked. They have free wifi everywhere, so while we were hanging out in Cath Lab Holding, we consulted the interwebs and found out they've won several awards, especially for their cardio units.

Thanks to everyone for good thoughts and prayers. They really help!