Monday, February 15, 2021

Heartbreak

The snow kept falling and then we were awakened at 1 am on Saturday morning by our grandson Michael to get our phone.  Kristi, our DIL, wife of Travis, our 44 year old youngest child, called to tell us that Travis had a major heart attack and she had given him CPR until the paramedics got there to take over.  


He was taken to the emergency room and has been under the care of a cardiac team.  Our son Shawn went to the hospital to be with him and was there for almost 10 hours.


They put a ballon to assist his heart in pumping and we have learned they put 5 stints in.  They put him in an induced coma while they worked to keep him alive.  They warned us he might not come out of the coma or if he did he might not be the same person.  Needless to say we've been frantic and tearful and brokenhearted that our precious son was in such perilous condition and to be honest we could have lost him.  


Dayle took over by his side yesterday. Once they removed the balloon they were relieved that his heart was beating on its own and his blood pressure was good.  They planned to bring him out of his coma by raising his temperature and ceased sedation last evening.  Dayle called Kristi to tell her that he came to quickly and was following commands which meant he had brain function.  The removed the breathing tube and he was able to speak.  Needless to say we were all relieved and were cautiously optimistic.


He has continued to improve, Shawn is with him again today, keeping us all informed.  They are only allowing one family member a day and Kristi has a cold so can't go in and I can't go in as Dayle doesn't want me driving on the snow and icy roads, so his brother and father are taking turns staying with him.  Today he is eating and talking so things are looking up.  ::whew::  Thank you to my friends and family who have been praying for him and keeping Travis and the family in their thoughts.  


Back on the home front, Caleb has been helping me out while Dayle was with our son.  He's filled the pellet stove, fed and watered the chickens, fed the wild birds and switched out the hummingbird feeders as they froze.  He also had some boy/snow fun by digging out a snow fort of a big snowdrift on our deck.


The wild birds are happy to have some food.


The freezing rain came in last evening and all night we heard thumps and crashing ice cubes hit our roof and skylights over our bed.  It sounded like a war zone and made it hard to sleep, plus the worry about our son, I'm kind of like a zombie.  This is the view out of our bedroom French doors to our woods.  See the chunks of ice and bits of tree limbs?

 
Dayle texted me from the hospital to tell me to look in his armoire for a surprise.  He'd gotten a red velvet heart of chocolates for me for Valentines Day.  Sweet man.


Yum.


The Meadow blanket that Lucy at Attic24 blog designed and has a CAL (crochet-a-long) going helped me stay calm while I hooked away while waiting for news.  I was reading my dear blog friend Lucy's latest post and lo and behold, she'd visited my blog and shared this photo of my blanket and even shared a link to my blog.  What a doll she is!  Below I did a screenshot of her post so you can see what she said.  :-)


The image below shows you how Multnomah Falls looks during this storm.


My dear husband made us a loaf of banana bread for our breakfasts, I found the recipe on King Arthur's website and it calls for 3 TBS of orange marmalade and wow, it is delicious!


OK.. time to take the valentine tablecloth off and I have a new one to put on, I will show on my next post.  I hope to have a lot of good news, too.  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)  


48 comments:

  1. My thoughts and prayers are to your son and the families at this difficult time. May your son heal and be fine. It is so difficult to have your child ill and do little but prayers do help.

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  2. Oh again Teresa so much love sent to you all especially Travis and Kristi. Take care of yourselves too. ❤❤❤❤

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  3. Dear Teresa, what an awful shock! so very glad for you and your family that your son is recovering. I hope all goes well over the next few days. As I write my most positive thoughts are winging their way to you across the pond to help you through these difficult moments.
    Crochet has helped me more than once fill the gap during emotional times. Keeping my hands busy helps! Stay safe Amanda x

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  4. Hello Teresa. Thinking of you and your family. You have been in my prayers. I hope that your son makes a good recovery and can soon be at home. Take care. Hugs. Anne xxx

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  5. Sending healing vibes and thoughts to all your family. Glad to hear he is on the mend a bit!

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  6. Praying for a speedy recovery - God Bless

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  7. Dear Teresa, what an awful news you got about your son! Lots of love and warm hugs!! I will pray for him and for the family! I hope he will recover soon and will get home were he is needed!! Love to Kristi and the boys too!!

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  8. Thinking only good thoughts for your son & family. Be well.

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  9. Oh Teresa, first I must say I am praying your son has a full recovery. It's the worst thing in the world when our children are ill. I'm so glad to hear he is doing okay now. Sending you love and hugs, friend.

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  10. Oh, my gosh....I can't imagine. My best to the family during this difficult time.
    Araignee

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  11. Oh Teresa, I am so sorry about your son. So glad that he seems to be on the mend and hopefully will have a full recovery. I will keep him and all of you in my prayers. Your blanket really is beautiful. I just love the colors.

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  12. Continuing to pray for healing for Travis and strength and comfort for all who love and care for him as he heals, dear Teresa...your photos and narrative wonderfully capture some of the amazing results of the incredible snowstorm from which we are now recovering. Lis and Gary just got their power back on after nearly three days. Tim's place still is without power and he and some of his household are headed over to stay at Lis and Gary's. So glad for the cozy warmth of your home, with good food, a beautiful blanket to create, and loving family with whom to share precious life. Sending you love and ((hugs))

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  13. What shocking news for your dear mama's heart and I am pleased Travis is recovering. I am praying for complete recovery for him. That is a pretty blanket you are creating, something to keep you occupied.

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  14. You know my prayers are with all of you. I'm honored that you reached out to me this weekend. Dennis and I have been praying for all of you constantly. God keeps bringing Travis to my mind throughout each day. I wish I could be there for you physically, to keep you company and help occupy your mind. Crochet is a lifeline isn't it? How sweet of Lucy to mention you in her blog. Please call me anytime my friend. I'm so encouraged by the latest news and I know you are too.
    Blessings, love and hugs,
    Betsy

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  15. It is wonderful to know that your dear Travis is doing better. What an amazing gal your Kristi is. We wouldn't all be able to do what she did and most likely saving his life - wow!!! Thinking of you all and sending healing thoughts.

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  16. Sending you a big hug, Teresa. I was so sad to hear about Travis. You have the most wonderful family and I'm so sorry that this happened. My prayers are with you and your family and with your dear son Travis. ����❤️���� Pat xx

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  17. Let's hope Travis continues to improve and is able to come home soon. Such a worrying time for you all. Your blanket is looking beautiful. xox

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  18. Oh Teresa, I am so sorry that your son has been so poorly. I will keep you all in my Prayers.xx

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  19. Thinking of you all at this difficult time. Thank goodness for modern medicine. B x

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  20. Teresa, so sorry that Travis and Kristi and all of your family are going through this. It does sound as though he is recovering well, and I hope he continues to do so. The cardiac team sound wonderful, I imagine he is receiving very good care. Very hard for Kristi not to be able to go in at the moment, but good that he has his brother and his dad with him. I am sending you all my very best wishes, you are in my thoughts. CJ xx

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  21. What a worrying time for you all. So glad Travis seems to be recovering well. Keep strong and safe. xx

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  22. Oh Teresa, this is such sad news, what a shock for all of you. I am so relieved to read that Travis is recovering slowly and wish him all the best for a full recovery. Kristi is a star, being able to perform CPR on Travis until the paramedics arrived will have saved his live. She is one amazing woman! Thinking of all of you xx

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  23. querida amiga, cuanto lamento lo de tu hijo, espero que todo salga bien y que el se recupere pronto, estara en mis oraciones

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    1. Dear friend, how sorry I am about your son, I hope everything goes well and that he recovers soon, he will be in my prayers

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  24. Oh Teresa, I was sorry to hear that your son had a heart attack. How terrifying for all of you! I am glad to hear that he is recovering. Thank goodness for Kristi - her quick call for help and her CPR surely helped to save Travis. May he continue to grow stronger and recover fully!

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  25. Dear Teresa, how is Travis doing right now? Praying for you! Love!

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  26. Hopefully he will recover. That must be a shock for all. Best thoughts to you and your family.

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  27. Teresa, He's going to need lots of rest to recover from all that. In the middle of all the cardiac rehab, he will need rest. I am over the moon, that he is extubated and speaking and eating. Best case scenario!!!!!!!! Oh thank God. I'll keep praying for you all. He is in good hands . Nurses and Doctors truly care . He is young and strong in many ways. Lov eyou

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  28. My thoughts and prayers are with Travis and all those caring for him. Sending you love Teresa

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  29. Teresa, I love reading your blog, and so sorry to hear of your son's illness. You are all in my thoughts, and all the best for a speedy recovery.

    Regards,
    Pauline, New Zealand

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  30. What positive news about Travis's recovery. Our hearts go out to you and all of your family. Let's all remain hopeful. /Fay

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  31. I follow your blog from England and know what a close family you are - you are always so cheerful and positive my heart goes out to you as you watch over and nurse Travis back to health. Thoughts and prayers to all of you - from Oxford

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  32. I hope things continue to go well for your son.

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  33. thinking about you and all the family- all wishes for a rapid recovery for your son-
    Barb in Texas

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  34. Dear Teresa, I hope Travis continues to improve and can be back with his family really soon. I know what a close family you are and I can only imagine what you are all going through. Look after yourselves and take care in the bad weather. Lots of love and prayers from the North East of England. xx

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  35. Teresa, I am so sorry to hear about Travis, but it sounds like he is recovering well. Kristi no doubt saved his life with her CPR. Prayers for his continued recovery.

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  36. Dearest Teresa. I send love and hugs to you and your beautiful family. I know this heat attack route very well with my brother just 12 months ago. He is well now. It will be slow road to recovery, but hopefully Travis continues to improve and grows stronger every day. Its an amazing muscle that old heart and Kristi - what a champion, keeping her head in a crisis and keeping that oxygen to the brain going....you sure have one strong lady there. Stay strong and safe all of you. Love from Australia

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  37. I'm so sorry to hear about your son and I hope he is on the mend. Full recovery will take some time and I know you will all be there for him and his family.

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  38. My thoughts and prayers for you and your family. Hope Travis continues the journey to a full recovery.

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  39. Oh Teresa!!! I am catching up on blog reading and was so surprised to read of Travis' heart attack. Thank goodness Kristi was able to give him CPR and thank goodness he seems to be improving. Prayers and healing thoughts going his way. Stay warm and take care.

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  40. Sending Travis and your whole family strength and best wishes. Jo x

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  41. Goodness, Teresa. I was practically holding my breath just reading this post, so I can hardly imagine what you were going through, waiting, hoping, minute by minute. I am so relieved for you, for all of you, that he is doing as well as he is, and hoping that he stays stable, and heals as comfortably, completely as possible. Stay warm, safe, and assured that everyone will do their best for your son.

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  42. Teresa ~
    I have followed your blog for such a long time, & have always enjoyed your beautiful stories of life on your stunning farm with your darling family. My heart goes out to you & yours with news of your dear boy, & I am sending you light & prayers from California. God bless you. <3

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  43. Oh Teresa! That's really frightening for you! Like someone above wrote, I was also holding my breath as I read through your post. And it must also be so hard for you not being able to visit with him and be with him while he's in hospital. The medical advancements in treatment for heart conditions is so amazing these days. I'm sure they will do an amazing job and help Travis on the road to recovery. My mother in law had a heart attack about 18 months ago. She lives far from a decent hospital and had to be flown via air-ambulance 5 hours to the nearest hospital to be treated. She had a pacemaker put in and is now fully recovered. My niece had open heart surgery when she was just 5 days old. I feel your Travis is in the best of care and I fully believe he will get better. Sending you the hugest hugs and kisses from Kangarooland xoxoxoxoxox Louise P.S., I love that beautiful photo of Multnomah Falls. It looks so mystical! And how wonderful Lucy showed a photo of your blanket on her socials!!!

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  44. Teresa, as you know you have been on my mind and in my prayers. So gld your grandson can be there to assist you and that your dear Travis has Dayle and his brother by his side. Kristi must be a wreck not being able to be there. So much to be thankful for my friend.

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  45. Oh, Teresa. I've not read blogs in awhile so I missed this post. What a terrible time your family has had, but I'm so glad to hear that Travis is doing so much better. I do hope that he continues to improve and is able to go home very soon. Take care xoxoxox Tammy

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  46. I am glad that Travis is much better. Sad to read that he had a heart attack!! I just read this today as we have been out of power for days. Your snow looks cool and pretty!!! and so the does Multnomah Falls. It can be treacheous as well. Praying for Travis to feel better soon and be able to go home soon. I enjoyed the ice on our trees but not didnt' like the ice falling on the second night. I called them ice pellets. It would wake us up occasionally. Take care and hope you get to sleep better soon!! Virtual hugs and blessings!!! X------X

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  47. Oh gosh Teresa I have only just caught up on this. How awful, your son is so young. I am so pleased to hear that he has improved so much and yes this is often a wake up call to change life style. Thank goodness he gets a 2nd chance and can now do this, you must all have been so frantic. Sending huge hugs to you all. I hope he fully recovers really soon. How amazing and quick thinking Kristi was to do CPR, she saved his life xx

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