We have a plan.

The angioplasty is our planned course of action. The doctor who performs these procedures came to speak to mom after we left this afternoon, and he told her that the doctors have agreed that the angioplasty is the best option. I admit that I am relieved that they do not have to open mom's chest, sternum, and stop her heart to perform surgery. We pray that this course of action will prove successful. Unfortunately, they do not plan to complete the procedure until at least Friday, as they want her kidney to be in top condition. Although most people go home very quickly after and angioplasty, mom may have to stay in the hospital afterward as well to allow her kidney to get back up to speed. We will see.

Mom wishes she did not have to stay at the hospital to await the procedure, but we were given an example of why she must. Her IV was not working properly this evening, so they took her off her medications until the IV nurse could put a new line in. After about 20 minutes, mom began to have some pain directly below her heart area. We got the nurse, who put her back on the nitroglycerin, and the pain went away. Clearly, being here at the hospital is the only option until the procedure clears those blocked blood vessels.

Interestingly, the pain she was experiencing was the exact pain she had about two weeks ago. She started having this "stomach ache" early one evening, and it her hurt her most of the night. She thought it was a stomach problem. It now seems clear that she was having heart trouble, and did not recognize it. We are very blessed that she did not have a full heart attack.

Thank you to all who are leaving comments for mom, and for all your prayers. I will try and post a picture of mom later...don't have the camera cord here right now!