I think my mom has had a heart attack...(Update in original post and Question)

[dliver316]

I live in Tennessee and she lives in Alabama. My aunt calls me today after I just talked to my mom and says they called 911 and are taking her to the hospital. She started throwing up and had trouble breathing. This is totally not like her to call 911. They checked her out at the hospital (EKG, labs, etc.) and sent her home saying it was gastritis. Well about 3-4 hours later, she called 911 again with the same problems. She even told me for some reason I feel like I am having a heart attack. She is only 56.
Well now her troponin (cardiac marker) is 1.86, she is in ICU, and going for a heart cath in the morning.
It is really hard for me to stay here in Tennessee when all this is going on. I am a nurse and it seems like I cant get any information from my family and I just feel like I need to be there...but she does not want me to come until after the heart cath if need be.
I feel like they should have done the heart cath tonight. I dont want to be one of those people who tells everyone what they should or shouldnt do, but it is hard when it is your own family. Stuff like this always makes me do even more for my own patients b/c it is horrible being on the waiting end of the spectrum.
Just wanted to vent a little and ask for prayers!

UPDATE AND QUESTION: Well I am in Alabama right now with my mom...I just couldnt stay so far away. I was able to go to the hospital and her nurse let me read her chart, which made me feel so much better to have info. Come to find out she also has 70% blockage of the LAD (left anterior descending artery). However, they did not stent that one. The doctor did not mention this to her, however he did say that there was an artery they could not see and they didnt know if she just did not have that artery or it was completely blocked. So he wants her to come back in 3-4 weeks and have a stress test. If it is abnormal, he will do another heart cath and stent. This does not make sense to me. I really dont understand why he just did not stent the LAD while he was in there. She doesnt have any renal problems so it cant be related to that with the dye. Seems to me that this is just extra stress to the pt, but I'm not a doctor so I dont know. I tried to call the office to find out, but the nurse was very rude and did not give me a good explanation for this.
Also she has a HUGE hematoma on her leg. I have only seen one worse than this. Her entire right thigh is completely black, but it is not hard so that is good.
Anybody else ever had a heart cath and then have to come back for a stress test and then another heart cath? Or have any info on this?

I want to thank everyone again for your prayers..you have no idea how much it means to me!!!

[SuzieB123]

Prayers going up for you! I would probably go there myself! If you have time to take off work and go...do it! You just never know what is going to happen and when you have medical background and nobodyt else in the family does....it is easier to be an advocate for her if you are there!
Keep us posted on how she is doing and I will keep your family in my prayers!

[couponlover]

I am so sorry to hear this. I am praying for your mom as well as you and your family. (((HUGS))) to you.

[qponqueen]

Prayers headed your way!

[shelleyf]

I will be praying for your Mother to be healed and for not to happen again. I am sorry to hear this. please keep us updated, I am expecting a miracle to happen for your Mom.

[oceanbreeze]

Sorry to hear this about your mom.

Don't ever apologize for feeling the need to tell others what they might need to do /check on when it comes to health matters. A lot of times it takes just *one* diligent family member to be the advocate for the sick person, which makes the difference in care given/ care taken.

Is there any way as next of kin that you can speak to her doctors about what is truly going on??

My nanna had a heart attack in FL, I'm in PA so i do empathize & sympathize with you how hard it is to be so far away in a loved one's time of need. Prayers are with you and your family...

[taylordvd]

You need to get on her Hippa list so you can talk with the doctors directly. Of course, I'm sure you already know that part.

[puakinikini]

I am so sorry that you are going through this. My grandfather is hospitalized and in critical condition and I know how hard it is to be far away and dependent on others for news and information. I am lucky that my mother was able to go - she is also a nurse - so now I feel a lot better. I will be praying for your mom.

[Lucky1307]

Praying for your Mom and you. Hope you receive positive update on her.

[dliver316]

Thanks so much guys for the prayers and advice!

She had the heart cath this morning and she had 80% blockage of the right coronary artery so they placed a stent. I still havent been able to talk to the doctor, actually he hasnt talked to my family yet either, but I was able to talk with the nurse manager of the ICU and she gave me some info. I still dont understand why they waited to do the cath until this morning when her troponin came back postive last night and she was having symptoms...makes no sense, and not what we would have done here. My aunt said they were kind of short with her when she came back the second time via ambulance, like "why are you here again" kinda thing. But when they found out she had an MI they became very nice again. However, I am just glad she is ok now. Still in ICU, but hopefully she will get out tomorrow.

I'm not going to go down b/c I dont think she wants me to come. I dont know if it is b/c it will stress her out to have us at her house (she is very OCD- and I almost mean that literally), or if she really just doesnt want us to make the 8 hr trip. I dont know, but it hurts my feelings. However, I dont want to do anything to stress her out right now...so I wont go.

Thanks again for the prayers!