Update-Friday 6/26/15

As you may be aware I am now the proud owner of a St. Jude Pacemaker. Picked it up from Amazon with Prime shipping. Gotta love on-line shopping.
Seriously, a special thank you to all our friends and family that followed my crazy journey the past 2 1/2 weeks. Your prayers and support are very much appreciated by both Carol and I. Modern medicine is such a wonderful thing and its truly amazing the quality care, professional knowledge, attention to detail and accurate diagnosis you can get from a hospital in a town of just 2,000 people. They even had a helipad which allowed for my rapid transit from Afton, WY to Idaho Falls, ID. It's a  hard squeeze to get a pilot, two EMT's and an overweight 74 year old into a Bell helicopter. The EMT sitting behind me finally had to put his hand on my shoulder and ask me to lay back and stop rubber necking as we were flying over the Caribou National Forest of Idaho. That was about the same time my cardio version unit kicked in and gave me 25 straight shocks to get my heart in rhythm. That was not a fun part of my adventure. Everything is good now and I see my doctor near the end of July so they can interrogate the pacemaker. I'll start back at the walking park in the next few days and Carol and I can keep busy working around the house and taking day trips.

As John Wayne once said...."Courage is being scared to death--but saddling up anyway".


Love, Dad.....Big O

Mission Accomplished

Half way there !!

Got to Casper after a beautiful 6 hour drive in time to visit Lou Tauberts Ranch Supply store in old downtown serving homesteaders with goods since 1919. I'm sure a source of supplies for my Dad's (Smitty) parents as he spent most of his young life in this area. Then met up with Bub & Sue at the FireRock steakhouse for a delicious "comfort food" meal. On to the Black Hills to continue the adventure in the morning. Owen is doing very well and now has 3 nagging "wives" to remind him to keep his left arm below his waist. Looking forward to his first real shower in the morning.

Black Hills or Bust

FRIDAY:
"We had a restful day. Everyone tested their blood pressure at home and a-ok. Packed up food and clothes for our early departure to Casper for the night and on to the black hills for an adventure with other couples, that Sharon has been planning for a while.  Will take lots of photos and notes along the way.
Dad's doing really well. The incision is a little sore and rest is a necessity but he has been incredibly involved, clever and funny."

SATURDAY:
"Left right on time for our road trip . Packed to the brim."

On the road again.........just not in a helicopter this time :)

Finally Home To Star Valley

 

Thursday Afternoon

The doc just left ....gave us the ok and I can't believe he can do anything but raise his left arm. Two more follow ups to watch for infection etc. They use screws now to hold the wires in the heart so there is less danger of pulling them out. Now we are waiting for the discharge nurse and that could take an hour. We have the Cox's ribs waiting for us at home so "getter dun pleeze "
He said he would be a "10" if he had a shower and that could happen at home!

Big O with his 19yr old BYU-Idaho nursing student :)

Thursday morning update

He's using 13% of the pacer and can't raise his arm for few weeks or more until it heals.
2am was a great hour for him. He marched around and avoided the bed pan if you know what I mean. We're getting all the things checked off here this morning and waiting for the doc. Dad just got his breakfast and I need to help.