Monday, March 14, 2011

My family has experienced Serendipity. Who knew?

Some of you have been participating in Studio30Plus' writing prompts, and I must say I have enjoyed the reads. Oh, and the good folks over there featured one of my blog posts in the Weekend Spotlight, so thanks for that. If you have found your way to my blog because of them, welcome! I really don't care how you got here, as long as your ass is here. Now click that follow button and no one will get hurt.

I am kind of glad they put up a new one yesterday, because I was totally at a loss as to what to write about this Monday morning. Except for the fact that I am REALLY not liking losing an hour of sleep to this whole daylight savings time crap. I am not a morning person anyway, so making Krissy get up an hour earlier is really not a good way to start the week. It will probably take me a couple of weeks to get used to this mess, so bear with me. Grouch in the house, folks! I'm going to try hard not to take it out on you all.

Back to the topic at hand.. The prompt for this week is....

Serendipity - Luck that takes the form of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for.
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Source
The first thing that came to mind is the story I am about to bestow onto you. (Did I use that right? Screw it.. It's Monday morning so who cares???) I went with my parents on a trip to Pittsburgh a couple of years ago and when we were packing their truck up to come back, we were all taking turns hauling the stuff up the hill for my father to pack it all up. You see, my aunt's house (which used to be my grandparents' house) is on a freaking hill like you wouldn't imagine. Of course, if you've ever been to Pittsburgh and probably parts of West "By God" Virginia, you probably know what I'm talking about. I see those light bulbs going off for some of you. (Damn, that's bright for Monday!) Something like this one to the right.. only prettier...

Anyway.. You have to either park at the top or bottom of the hill, so either way you have a climb to load the vehicle. Dad, of course, is the Chief of all things packing because he has the military precision of being able to load lots of crap into a small amount of space. While we always go on trips with lots of stuff, we always come back from Pittsburgh with a ginormous amount due to the extensive Steelers and Penguins merchandise that must be purchased on every trip.

Needless to say, my suitcase and every other item was loaded down pretty much to bursting. I actually told my father who is in his 70's to let me know when he wanted to throw my suitcase into the truck, and I would do it. The man is strong as an ox and always has been, but he is getting older, ya know? Of course, he did it himself anyway. After the trip, he starts complaining that his shoulder hurts and proceeds to tell us that he thought he felt something when he loaded my suitcase into the truck. NATURALLY, it's Krissy's fault! We wouldn't have it any other way.

The shoulder doesn't get better so he goes to the doctor. There is definitely a tear in his shoulder so they do a stress test to make sure his body can handle surgery. They end up finding a blockage in his heart! Serendipity, right?! This would be a valuable thing to know, no? Ha! Krissy is not at fault anymore, but she is a freakin' genius if you all didn't know that. Well, my family still blames me, but still...

Source
They send Dad in for a cardiac catheterization which is a procedure they do to determine the amount of blockage. They are expecting to have to put a stint in to help him out. They end up finding that his main artery is like 80 or 90% blocked. (I forget the exact number now.) My perfectionist father is the only one whose body would find a way to pump his blood a different way since he had this blockage.

They tell him he's a perfect candidate for this new robotic procedure where they do surgery on the heart, but they are able to go through in between his ribs instead of cracking his chest open. The only problem is that there are only 5 doctors in the country who do this procedure, so we have to go to Atlanta for it. Okay, so tell us when.

They end up running all kinds of other tests on Dad while he's waiting for his surgical date. Dad tells his doctor that he's been feeling a bit dizzy lately and sometimes nauseous. Turns out the man has a freaking brain tumor! Okay, do I get a pat on the back yet?? Huh? Do I? All because of MY suitcase, the doctors found a just-about total block in my father's heart and a freaking brain tumor, people. Seren-freaking-dipity, I say!

Dad has since had both the heart surgery and brain surgery and he's doing great. He has more energy, (Wouldn't you after opening up that kind of blockage so your heart can actually pump the way it's supposed to?), they were able to lower his blood pressure medicine to very low levels, and he's feeling a hell of a lot better overall. They have even recently decided he doesn't need the shoulder surgery because he's been kicking butt in physical therapy and isn't in pain anymore.

We all like to say he has an angel looking out for him, and I'm sure it's my brother-in-law Art who passed away almost 4 years ago now. But I like to think I had a hand in it... or a suitcase, anyway.

18 comments:

Abby said...

I think you deserve more credit than the lame surgeons who actually performed heart and brain surgery. If you hadn't brought this issue to light, they wouldn't have done a darn thing.

That, my friend, is why I never pack light. I will have what I need in my suitcase and possibly save the world.

Lyndylou said...

OMG!!!! You meant to do that with the suitcase huh?? Amazing and funny in a weird....um...kinda way!

Cheeseboy said...

Great news for your dad. SO cool that you were able to find the doctor and procedure that he needed.

Oilfield Trash said...

Good news for your dad.

And I would agree there is someone upstairs looking out for him.

VEG said...

Wow, coincidence can really work out big! I'm happy your dad's doing well and better than ever in fact. I think you should totally gloat and expect some sort of reward now. Or at least a big cake. All for yourself.

Krissy said...

Abby.. See, you get me! My family harasses me about packing too much STILL, after I did all that to safe his life. No respect, I tell ya.

lyndy.. Serendipity says LUCK, not planning. :)

Cheeseboy.. The doc was great, as were all the nurses in Atlanta. So glad they didn't have to crack his chest open.

OT.. I definitely think so because I don't even want to think of what would have happened if it had gone undetected.

Assassin.. Ohhh, how about a cookie cake?! That would be awesome, and I think totally deserved! I love that you get me, too.

Rebecca said...

great news hugs

THUNDERCAT said...

There is indeed a god and HE IS SO GOOD! That is super amazing your dad is doing well! *super hugs*

Amy Cappelli said...

Hells ya woman- you deserve a pat on the back, a high five, an Oscar(?)It is amazing how that story unfolded. I am so glad that he is doing well and it's all your fault. Perfect post for serendipity.

Al Penwasser said...

Serendipity and Pittsburgh all in the same post. You are a talented writer.

Oh, and...Serendippitydoo: when you try that goo in the back of your mom's medicine cabinet and it actually holds that cowlick down so you can take your cousin to the Senior Prom.

Glad to hear your father is doing well.

BB said...

That is one helluva story. I'm trying to catch up on all the ones I've missed. It'll take me 2 days. Glad to be home.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

That's very uplifting. You've got a spunky father.
xoRobyn

katsidhe said...

Thank God you insisted that your elderly father lift that heavy suitcase for you!

;-)

Seriously, that is serendipity at its absolute best. I'm so happy that your dad is alright, Krissy. Fantastic use of the prompt and such a nice feel-good story. :-)

On My Soapbox said...

When my mum was getting tested before a scheduled hysterectomy, they discovered breast cancer! So, instead of getting her uterus removed, they took her boobs instead. Yikes!

Yvonne said...

I'm so glad your dad is ok!

Anonymous said...

That is some story. Glad he's okay!

Don said...

Dr. Krissy comes through for her Dad who may be about my age as well as a fellow Air Force retiree. I think her Dad owes her numerous hugs and smooches for what she set in motion that has improved his health.

Krissy, if your Dad doesn't promptly pay his bill, let me know and I'll enjoy paying it for him. :-)

Best wishes to all involved.

Krissy said...

becca.. Hugs to you, too!

Thundercat.. Thanks so much. I thoroughly believe that, too. *super hugs* back atcha...

A Cappelli.. I'm glad you think I did the topic proud! An Oscar? I love that. :)

Al.. As it should be, putting the two together. Thanks!

Barb.. I'm not caught up and I wasn't gone. LOL Good luck.

Robyn.. You can't keep that man down, I'm telling ya. Glad you found it uplifting. That made me feel great!

Kat.. That means so much that you think it fit the topic perfectly. Wasn't it wise of me to do that for my dad, especially with his hip replacements, too! LOL

Soapbox.. Yikes is right! But at least one helped lead them another, probably bigger problem. I hope your mum is doing well.

Yvonne.. Thanks!

Adorkable.. Thanks!

Don.. I think Dad paid me back in so many other ways over the years. Thanks for the offer to pay his tab though. :)

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