Cyberchase: Heart Attack

chapter 5

Laura and Junior eventually woke up, and ran to the kitchen.  " there you 2 are, we were just about to come get you" smiled Jackie. " yup, i have to work tonight, so you guys'll probably br playing around here today" smiled Bob. " i hate when they put you on the night shift. Bad things happen at night" frowned Jackie. " i know, but i knew the risks when i put on the uniform. Besides, if i don't stand up for the defenseless, who will?" Replied Bob. " i know, but sometimes i wish your job wasn't so dangerous" said Jackie. " even if i don't make it out alive, i want my family to understand that everything i did, from being a sniper in the Marines, to being a police officer, i did because i want to make the world a better place . If that costs me my life, then i'll go happy, Because my family lives in a slightly safer world" explained Bob. " you are such a good, and selfless man, and i love you for it" smiled Jackie. " and i love you, and Laura, and Franklin so much, that i would do anything to keep you safe" smiled Bob.

Jackie put some cereal on the table for the late-comers. " why does the milk taste different?" Asked Junior. " we use skim milk, it's fat-free" replied Jackie. " there are different types of milk?" Asked Junior. " yup, it depends on personal preference" replied Bob.
" can we go play hopscotch after breakfast?" Asked Laura. " sure, i'll go draw the hopscotch board on the driveway for you kids" smiled Bob.
" i wonder what daddy is doing" said Junior. " probably another batch of tests. He has a few milestones before they let him go home" smiled Jackie.

Meanwhile at the hospital, Matt was just getting up.
" how do you feel this morning?" Asked Inez. " alot like yesterday, i wanna go home" replied Matt. " i know you do, the doctor says you're doing well, and you should be going home by the weekend" replied Inez. " what should we get Junior for his birthday?" asked Matt. " i haven't had time to even shop for him. I've been so worried about you" replied Inez. " well, we can both shop for him once they release me" suggested Matt. " ok, but you'll have to use one of those mobility carts. I don't want you pushing yourself right away" said Inez. " ok, i won't push myself right away" smiled Matt.

" when do you want the boys over?" Asked Inez. " same time as yesterday. I'll be alert, and ready for hugs" replied Matt. " good, then we can brainstorm what to get Junior for his birthday" smiled Inez. " great, i'm thinking fun for him, but low energy for me" said Matt. " i agree, we don't need a 2nd heart attack. The doctor said you were lucky this time" smiled Inez. " yeah, i'm surprised this happened, generations of no heart attacks out the window" said Matt.

After several more tests, the doctor came in. " good news, your tests are all coming back good. If this keeps up, by tomorrow you'll be going home" he smiled. " we were just talking about going home" smiled Inez. " yeah, i'm feeling better every day, and i want to go home" agreed Matt. " well, your chances of going home before the weekend look good. You're a pretty tough guy" replied the doctor. " he's more lucky than anything" said Inez. " yeah, i saw the medical file. By all accounts, this man shouldn't still be alive" agreed the doctor.

" will i have any restrictions?" Asked Matt. " you certianly will. 1. You need peace and quiet for the first few days. Now i know that one of your kids has a birthday this weekend. Would he be fine with a small party?" Asked the doctor. " we already told him that he can have 4 other kids, but that's it" replied Inez. " good, now #2. No fatty meats, or saturated fats. Also avoid things like coffee and doughnuts. A cake will be fine, because i know you'll want to celebrate Matt's release, but try to avoid frosting. Now, the kids' birthday cake won't be an issue, as long as Matt avoids eating it" said the doctor.
" ok, no birthday cake, and stick to diet" agreed Inez. " #3. Don't push yourself. If you feel out of breath, or tired you need to rest.  Now, if he dozes off for a bit, don't wake him up unless it's for food, or company. He still won't be 100% for awhile. I also would avoid any romantic bedroom activities for a couple months" explained the doctor. " what about sports? He has a habit of yelling at the TV" asked Inez. " he can watch sports, but somebody needs to keep him from getting too excited" replied the doctor. " did you put any devices in after he was stabilized?" Asked Inez. " yes, and i should educate you on what we did. First we put in an Implantable cardioverter defibrillator, or ICD. 

These devices monitor heart rhythms and deliver shocks if dangerously fast rhythms are detected. Here are the do's and don'ts with this device.

Do tell the state you have an ICD. If you had an ICD put in because you went into cardiac arrest, you won’t be able to drive for six months. But if you had it fitted just as a precaution, the driving ban is one month. You can then drive again if your ICD hasn’t delivered any shocks.

Do always carry your device ID card.

Do tell staff you have an ICD when you go through security scanners, as it will set off the alarm. Walking through quickly shouldn’t be a problem, but you can ask for a hand search or hand-held metal detector check instead. The detector should not be placed directly over your ICD.

Don'ts

Don't dangle headphones round your neck or within 3cm (1in) of your ICD.

Don't put mobile or cordless phones, or MP3 players within 15cm (6in) of your ICD.

Don't wear magnetic fasteners near your ICD.

Don't use a TENS machine for pain relief, and keep electric-pulse body-toning tools below your stomach.

Avoid rough contact sports and sharp blows or trauma to the ICD device. Avoid hot tubs, swimming alone, or high places (i.e. ladders, trees or roofs) • Do not drive until your physician has given you permission. Avoid things like Welding. No smart watches either.

No more tubs of beer, and a maximum of 2 drinks of beer per day" he explained.
" can it be deactivated?" Asked Inez. " sure, but only by your doctor. It's easy and not painful" replied the doctor.
" what about sleeping position? He's typically a back sleeper" asked Inez. " no restrictions there, and i figured that out when i checked on him in the morning yesterday. How do you deal with his snoring? That's really bad snoring" asked the doctor. " it took 4 years, but i got used to it" replied Inez. " you're a strong woman" said the doctor.

Soon Bob, Jackie, and the kids walked in. " so, what's new in the outside world?" Asked Matt. " since you said not to tape paper to bald cats, i decided to shave words into the furr of not bald cats" replied Junior.  " why would you do that?" Asked Matt. " so people feed them, they're real skinny" smiled Junior. " what words did you spell?" Asked Inez. " feed me" replied Junior. " i'm proud you want to help the skinny stray cats, but don't shave their furr" smiled Matt.

" ok daddy" replied Junior. " any ideas on what you want for your birthday?" Asked Inez. " fun stuff i can do alone or with other kids" replied Junior. " that doesn't help much, but we can work with that" said Inez. " i'm getting a few ideas, but i have good news" said Matt. " what is it daddy?" Asked Junior. " it's looking like i'll be coming home tomorrow" smiled Matt. " really? That's great, daddy" smiled Junior. " yup, and we all can celebrate your birthday together" smiled Inez.