Thanks, everyone. 

As it turns out, he has 9 blockages in 3 of the major arteries, one 100%, and a few smaller blockages in other ones. He was immediately admitted after the cath and the doc made arrangements to have him transferred to a larger area hospital this morning for further tests during the weekend while the Plavix gets out of his system, and is scheduled for his surgery Monday morning. The doc told me this is the worst case he's ever seen, the extensive blockages, which is why he wants this taken care of ASAP by the best guy around. One of my husband's uncles had similar blockages in his carotid arteries back in the 1970's, long before all these miracle meds and treatments were developed. Another uncle, with no prior history of cardiovascular  disease, dropped dead while riding the snowblower, and each of these guys had completely different lifestyles than we do, so there must be some genetic component to this. 

The surgeon doing the procedure is the Chairman of Cardiothoracic Surgery for Barnabas Health and a former head of a similar unit in Cleveland Clinic, so hopefully he believe in the Esselstyn way of eating, or at least heard of it, as opposed to every doctor here.

His first meal after the cardiac cath, while still having to lie flat on his back, was a turkey sandwich with chicken noodle soup. At dinner, his tray contained a chicken cutlet coated in congealed globs of some yellow sauce, 6 (I counted) green beans, mashed potatoes with the butter already congealing on top of the mound, tomato soup (again, with congealing grease goblets on the surface), and chocolate pudding. Both meals were served with a can of ginger ale soda and contained salt and extra butter with the silverware and condiments pack. (sigh) I'm glad I had my container of rice and veggies on me!

So, today I'll arrive at the hospital around 8am to catch the doctors and await the ambulance that's transporting him. My husband said he doesn't want us to go to the new hospital today because  1) the heat (It hit 102º yesterday, heat index 112, and the same is forecast for today), 2) traffic is a bitch in that area of Newark, NJ, 3) He doesn't want MY heart over-stressed (My BP is up this week, no surprise), and 4) they'll probably keep him busy with those other tests as soon as he gets settled in. Whether we honor that request or not is still up in the air. Ditto tomorrow, when thunderstorms so severe have been warned of since Tuesday of such intensity that The Weather Channel has had a red warning box around the day in its 10 day forecast. We do know the roads between us and the hospital flood severely in any rain, so as much as it pains me I may have to listen to him and not visit. At least we'll have all day Sunday together, and you can bet your bippy that I'll go with a bag full of already-cooked potatoes, some already cooked veggies, and a few pieces of fruit to munch on, because I certainly don't trust any hospital cafeteria and know the only places to eat around there are fast food joints.

Scribbles, I was so surprised yesterday just going to the stores to get him some PJ's and slippers at how many people we ran into, that either they or their spouses had bypass surgery, one guy as young as age 42! I don't know how all of you (spouses) survived the stress! I know this is just the beginning of a long road ahead, and it's beginning to feel over-whelming already. And this heat!! Not even 5am and it's already 85! I'm stressed enough over just that because it affects my asthma and BP, causing me and my son (also asthmatic) chest discomfort! Now add my husband's situation on top of that?!?!