Pat was transferred to rehab yesterday, but not to the facility we had wanted. It seems Arcadia can't handle the 10 liters of oxygen he now requires, so he's at Seacrest Village. He was there before (two or three years ago) and it's only a mile and a half from our home, so it's okay, I guess.
Left the hospital at 1:00 to meet Barbara at the Food Pantry. Stayed to help there until 4:00, then stopped at Seacrest to be sure they knew about his arrival and get the paperwork I have to complete. Just had time to swallow a few things from the refridge--can't even remember what, I think a bowl of peas and some blueberries--then go next door to Frank and he and I went to rehearsal.
Finished up about 9:00, went in to pick up some stuff to take to Seacrest, then got my car and went there. Pat seemed reasonably comfortable and the nurse (male) was nice. Stayed an hour or so and got home at 10:30. Unwound with my popcorn and wine, although I had to drink Chardonnay, as I didn't have time to replenish my supply of Taylor Country Red. Was so tired I hardly knew the difference, anyway.

Got to the hospital about 11:00. Pat about the same in most areas, but breathing continues to be worse than usual, which is bad enough. Kidney and heart doctors came in. A. was there when I came in and we went downstairs to have lunch together; she leaves for California this morning. Pat is eating little--didn't touch his sandwich for lunch and had only tea and cantaloupe. He is losing weight. I found Bill and Mary in the heart surgery waiting room. Son got through the bypass and is recovering, I was glad to hear.
Left at 3:00, as I needed to stop at the store and run a few other errands. Terrific rainstorm and there was an--I swear--30 minute holdup on the parkway right before my exit. Got home to receive a nice phone call from Frank; he and Barb invited me to dinner. Of course, I accepted, although it's a long way to travel: several yards, as it's right next door. Had a good dinner, with the welcome accompaniment of White Zin. The D.'s also invited me to dinner tomorrow, when they're having the M.'s over AND to see "Evita" by the Our Gang Players on Sunday. I accepted both with pleasure.
I'll go in this morning, but will leave by 1:00, as I told Barb I'd help her out in the Food Pantry this afternoon. Tonight, Frank and I will go to the Manahawkin Elks hall to see the venue for the murder mystery show on the 29th. Of course, it's always understood that any these plans can be cancelled at any time, depending on the situation.
Hmm...there's an enthralling short story by Flannery O'Conner called "A Good Man Is Hard To Find." It's too long and involved to go into here, but at a pivotal point, one of the about-to-murdered characters cries desperately, "We have a sit-u-a-tion here!" (Imagine a southern accent.) I can never hear or read the word without that popping into my head.

Went in--my new "in"--at 11:00 and left at 3:00. Dinner with Susan and Walter was postponed, so I was able to go with Vivian to the Wellspouse dinner in Manasquan. Didn't get home until 10:30, then had my little glass of wine, so slept through our 7 am start and didn't walk. No matter, I need the sleep, I guess.
Talked to the pulmonologist. Pat's cat scan showed no lesions or tumors--great news or it would be if his lungs weren't completely shot from the COPD. His breathing seems more labored than usual. They put his oxygen up to 10 liters (it's been at 3), but that can't be done casually, as there's some kind of carbon dioxide problem--just can't remember how the doc explained.
The case manager was in and Pat agreed to go to rehab when he's discharged. (Geez--sounds like he has a substance problem.) Not sure when he'll get out; he's still pretty bad off and we're very concerned that he hasn't been out of bed since Saturday. The physical therapist will be in to see him.
Was delighted to have Pat's old friends (from high school), Bill and Mary S., who live in Florida, visit him while I was there. Their son was in a floor above awaiting a bypass.
Ray and Barb, Frank and Barbara visited him last evening and he got calls from several people. If only all their kindness and good will could get him better.

At Atlanticare from about 11 to 4. Only good news is that Pat is back on a regular diet (albeit hospital food). Brother Larry and old friends Flo and Jack called Pat and me. Lots of concerned, supportive of e-mails from other famiily and friends.
Went to rehearsal with Frank last night, but told director Tara there's a real possibility I won't be able to be in the August 29 show at the Elks Club. Luckily, I have the hostess part, a small one, and not the more pivotal one of Ivana.

Went in to the hospital in the morning, stayed until after lunch, went home, then back until 8 pm. Cardiologist and pulmonologist came in; former said Pat's heart attack was "not insignificant," latter that he'd get lung treatments. Later, we were told his potassium is dangerously high; he was given a thick, brownish liquid medication that looked loathsome. Is eating very little; food now pureed. Pulmonologist didn't like the fact that he had been on liquid only, as his ankles are so swollen.
P. and N. just called on the web cam. I've been so involved with Pat that I didn't have time to worry about the Tokyo earthquake. P. said they felt only a jiggling and little damage was done.

Pat is in the hospital as of early yesterday morning. I woke at 3 am because of him thrashing around and making an odd puffing sound--I always know this is a low blood sugar episode. Jumped up and got him orange juice, which I have ready in a squeeze bottle. However, he resisted it, wouldn't drink it, and was very combative, puffing and waving his arms around. I got a glass and a flexible straw, but he wouldn't take that either. Finally, after 25 minutes (by the clock) of trying, I got him to drink some of the o.j. with sugar in it. He seemed somewhat more coherent and I gave him a jelly sandwich (you're supposed to follow simple sugar with complex). He ate that, then it occurred to me he should have the peanut butter after all, for the fat, so I made him a half, but he ate only part of it. He started acting the earlier way again and by this time, it was 4:15, so I called 911. They came, worked over him for about a half hour, then took him in the ambulance to Atlanticare. I followed in the car. I was alarmed when he told me he threw up twice in the ambulance.
We were in the emergency room until noon and he threw up three times there. They had taken an EKG and blood tests and so on, and the upshot is, they say he had a heart attack. He had no pain or tightness or anything else, but this has happened before. About 16 or 17 years ago, he was told, based on the EKG, he had had a heart attack. Once he was in his room, we talked to a cardiologist, and he confirmed this. Of course, his breathing has gotten much worse over time and maybe more so in the last few weeks (though it's hard to tell).
I stayed with him when he was finally transferred to a room (at noon) and had lunch, then left to go home and clean up, change the bed, and so on. Went back at 5:00 and he seemed pretty good; however, he threw up again and the doctors aren't sure why. Could be his heart or the hiatal hernia he's had for awhile, or something else. This is very unusual for him--I can't remember the last time he was sick to his stomach.
I left at 7:00 after A. came in. Was exhausted, as I had been up since 3 am. Will call hospital now and go in this morning.

The usual on the domestic front. Called Julie L. because Susan had said she was interested in the acting company. However, when she found out we invariably rehearse and meet otherwise at night, she decided it wasn't for her.
A. changed the sensors on the garage door. However, it continues to malfunction and when she called the company, it was determined to be a bad wire, not the sensors themselves. I'll return and get my $34 back and Mike will re-wire.