Moving Ahead

"Baby" Hornslet came with her mother this morning to give me a ride to the new hospital Jim has been moved to.  How cool is this, just strap the buggy case in and no one has to wake up.

Jim is in Ryshospital - The Royals Hospital.  It is a beautiful, huge, facility .

The Cardiac Recovery Section is on the 15th floor and has a fabulous view of the city.  We can see the communications tower right by the temple.

This is the surgeon, Dr. Christian  Møller who will do the surgery at 8 am in the morning.

Jim didn't make it for Family Night, but I did ,....

Recognizing More Tender Mercies

The obvious miracle of the whole heart attack was that it happened in the airport in the middle of the hall and that there was immediate, capable help.  And that it didn't happen 15 minutes before in the deserted hotel at 4.00 a.m or two hours later on the plan or even 6 hours later crossing the Atlantic.
But today I realized another wonderful tender mercy:  the tremendous support group and love we have here among the saints.  I probably know more people here than I do at home......

It was stake conference here today and they announced our change of plans, prayed for us, and asked people to remember us in their prayers.  Such an outpouring of love as people came up to give me a hug and offer help

 Jim also received an outpouring  as visitors came all afternoon.  The Buurs drove all the way back and forth from Espberg!

 And such lovely treats they brought!

People Are So Nice !

Jim had visitors yesterday and today which is helping pass the time....Thanks

 And they all come bearing gifts...so nice. The bottle of homemade apple juice was especially delicious. I have had all sorts of gracious people getting me to and from the hospital and church.

 I went to the Saturday Night Meeting for Stake Conference.  People were so kind and loving,  torn between happy to see me and sad about Jim.  He was remembered in the opening and closing prayers.
   Helle Bernskov gave me some of her special brew to ward for colds.  I will take it to Jim tomorrow to protect him from the bug I have had.

Lots of ginger, lemon, and honey

Hospital Food

There are many jokes about hospital food, but on Jim's ward it is a "come and get it."  Perhaps because so many of them ambulatory, they just put the food cart out and everyone comes and chooses what they want and takes it back to their room.

 When you are finished you bus your dishes back to the clean-up cart.

The physical therapist came and encouraged Jim to get up and walk several times a day.  Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, so Jim will move to Rise Hospital on Monday morning.

Plans

We finally have some concrete answers and plans.  Jim has arteriosclerosis in three arteries which will require bypass surgery.  His heart is also not functioning up to normal capacity, which is because of the shock it has had from the attack and probably from the literal shock paddles. And there are signs of fibrillation which may have caused the whole incident.  Having said all that, he feels great and looks super.  He has his computer which is cutting down on the boredom.

  The plan is for surgery next week, at least a week in the hospital recovery, possible insertion of a cardio defibrillator intravenously, maybe another week or two of rehab and then home.  If you were a Danish citizen they wouldn't let you fly for two months, but with foreigners they have a different insurance set up.  He said they have quite a few that come off the cruise ships...Until the surgery Jim will enjoy his hospital stay......  Check out the great pants and shirt, very comfortable.
   So we will for sure be home for Christmas!

  Air France and KLM, whose counter Jim collapsed in front of, sent these lovely flowers, very nice.

Just Taking It Easy

Jim was declared too healthy for the Intensive Care Unit and early afternoon was moved to the normal Cardiac Ward.  He was sad to leave Elisabeth, his fantastic nurse there.

 The nurses are very personally involved and here Elizabeth is handing over Jim's care.

 Great care and technology here, but the halls and rooms are a bit stark.  As you can see, Jim is getting bored, which is a good sign.

 We are waiting for one more scan tomorrow and then they will decide on the specific surgery needed.  We will definitely be having it done in Denmark, as the airlines do not carry heart-attack victims until they are better.

This Was Not The Day We Were Expecting!

Life can change in seconds.  This morning at 4.30 a.m. as we were at the check in counter, putting our baggage on the conveyor belt, Jim collapsed.  There was immediate help from doctors who were passengers on their way to flights, the Security Team and the Paramedics.  

 It was a pretty scary morning but I recognize the miracle of where and when it happened.  There is not another place we could have received such fast, skilled help. Another hour we would have been on a plane with not such good results.  The security helper at the airport said they see this more than you would expect.

 Thanks to  CPR a heart defibrillator, and skilled professionals, Jim is resting peacefully in the ICU at Gentofte Hospital  tonight.

And many, many thanks to Jesper Paulsen, our temple recorder, who came at 6.30 a.m. with his son Sebastian to give Jim a priesthood blessing and then stayed all day with me to help with the translation and for moral support.

Other people have been so kind, the Mordues for dinner and Sonne the Security Person at the airport who took care of all of our luggage and delivered it back to 4C on Priorvej until we know what is going on.   We feel very blessed tonight.