January 28, 2014 - Vic developed sudden shortness of breath and had to be taken to the ER. After a few hours of running various tests, it was determined that he had a massive saddle pulmonary embolism. Translation - he had a very large blood clot in his pulmonary artery leading out of his heart and down into both of his lungs. Within four hours, him and I were being whisked away in an ambulance which then transferred us to a waiting jet headed for the nearest hospital in Miami. There he underwent a procedure which placed catheters in his heart and both of his lungs which injected a clot-busting medicine directly to the clot. His heart was under extreme stress. Testing revealed that his right ventricle was dilated three times the normal size, his pressure was greater than 50, and it wasn't pumping the way it should be.
February 5 - After spending 3 days in the ICU, and then 5 more days in a regular room, he was discharged from the hospital. The placement of the catheters dissolved nearly all of his large clot and his heart was almost back to normal size, pressure was 35, and it was pumping correctly. We spent the next 4 weeks in FL while he recovered enough to make the trip back to Gtmo. Doctors have given him a great prognosis!
March 5 - We returned to Gtmo, met with the doctors here, and together determined that the best choice for Vic would to not continue to live on the island. We have wonderful doctors here, but they are very limited with their facilities. Any major emergencies require patients to be sent to the states. That process can take precious hours that some patients simply don't have. It is a risk too great that our family isn't willing to take.
All of this brings me to this week. Our family is leaving GTMO permanently, headed for another Navy Base back in the U.S. We leave in just a few short days. Our hearts are broken, and yet full of hope knowing that God is fully in charge. Wherever He leads, we will go! Above all, we are thankful for the experience of living here and that Vic is alive. I will cherish every bit of our time here and look back with the fondest of memories!
I know that you will leave with a sense of having lived in Utopia for the entire length of your stay in Guantanamo Bay. There is no place on earth quite like it. The circumstances of your forced sudden departure are terribly unfortunate, but time will prove it was a wise decision. Immediate medical attention commensurate with the medical condition should be available if needed. I'm sorry your family must leave, but when it's time, it's time. Thank you for the blog during your stay. I, for one, have found it an enjoyable read whenever you somehow found time to write.
ReplyDeleteAlas, only today have I found your website and spent a pleasant 20-30 minutes rummaging through your posts. First, I'm sorry to hear of your having to pull up stakes to leave Gitmo, which was my home for 14 months in the early 1960s. But I think the positive tenor of your postings and the improved access to medical attention for your husband and family portends a happy future for you and your family. I plan to return to your website in coming days to recapture some of the experiences you shared. I was taken by your insight into the reality that ALL leave Gitmo sooner or later, and quite inspired by your sunny disposition. And your writing and photography makes the site a very enjoyable place to visit. I hope you'll leave it up for a time! Good luck to you and your family. Larry Miller, Spearfish, SD
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ReplyDeleteMy husband is looking at a contract job for 3 years . There is just the 2 of us. Kids all grown and I am wondering if it is normal to not have wife accompany or no visits
ReplyDeleteMy husband is looking at a contract job for 3 years . There is just the 2 of us. Kids all grown and I am wondering if it is normal to not have wife accompany or no visits
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