The following is Grover's Adventures in Hospital Land thus far:

Tuesday, May 19:
Grover finished walking the dog at around 10:30 AM, and had some shoulder pain. Thinking it was just muscle pain due to weather changes, he took some Tylenol. However, the pain did not go away after 30 minutes and his fingertips started feeling numb.

He called me at work, and said he might need to go the ER, but didn't want to interrupt my workday. What a silly goose. I immediately left and took him to the nearest ER, where we waited for about two hours for him to be seen. He explained what happened and his initial exam didn't reveal much. As the physicians and technicians continued to monitor him, his EKGs started showing unusual signs, so they sent him to the heart catheter lab. The results of that showed three arteries blocked about 90% or more. The immediately admitted him to the hospital.

After arriving at the hospital and getting settled in, the physicians said they could not operate on him that day or the next because the ER physicians gave him a blood thinner that stays in the body for about 3 to 5 days. They will have to monitor his blood work and wait for a time when it's not quite so dangerous for a bleed out during the procedure.

Wednesday, May 20:
Grover is settling in and enjoying the waiting, the hourly vitals checks, and the myriad other things that nurses and technicians do to a poor body that is relegated to a hospital bed. His blood work reveals a lowering of the blood thinner, but not enough to schedule a surgery. Later that night the doctor schedules the surgery for 10:45 AM the next day. All is right with the world at this point because movement forward is happening.

Thursday, May 21:
10:45 AM rolls around, Grover has not eaten since midnight the night before. The physician checks his heart and hears Grover's rumbling tummy through the stethoscope. My Papa Bear has a "rumbly in the tumbly." lol..

45 minutes later, we find out the surgery is being scheduled for the next day because the blood thinner may still cause excessive bleeding. *sigh* Who knew the waiting game would get this serious, eh? We order Grover some lunch (Turkey burger with lettuce and tomato, sugar-free chocolate pudding, and water), and he immediately falls asleep afterwards. (Who knew that waiting would take it out of ya?). I finally leave his bedside to take care of the dog and other items around the house.

**Y'all are gonna be so jealous! I bought him an automated recliner with a lift assist mechanism. This will allow him to not only sleep in a reclined position, but will help him stand to maneuver around the house. huh? huh? See, I gots my baby's BACK Y'all!!**

Now we just found out the surgery is on again for 7 AM tomorrow, May 22.

Whew!! What an adventure. And not one I wish for Grover or myself to go through ever again.

Thank you all for your love, devotion, prayers, and thoughts through this grueling time. Cathy has kept me informed of all your well wishes.

I will reiterate what I said to her this morning. I can't tell you how grateful I am for your communal love and support of my Papa as he goes through the difficulty of finding and accepting his identity. I also appreciate your love and concern for me as I support him and all of you in this effort. You all have saved him from a life of misery and pain because he has a place to express himself as well as gain and explore friendships he would have in any other capacity. I wish you all the best in whatever endeavor you wish to take and know my love and gratitude for all of you will never diminish.

God (or any other deity you worship) bless you and keep you safe, sane, and happy.

Much Love,

Paula Young
Understanding Spouse