When the Coming Home Queen Almost Went Home=

Our university has a wonderful Homecoming tradition – the selection of two Queens. The student body elects a student Homecoming Queen and the Alumni Board of Directors selects a Coming Home Queen. Last week end, my wife was the Coming Home Queen.  The honor includes being recognized at the Friday night Alumni Banquet with an interview by the University President; riding in the Saturday morning Homecoming Parade; and being recognized on the field at half-time of the Saturday afternoon football game, along with the other Homecoming Queen.  What is not included, but was included this year, was an ambulance ride and a four-hour visit to the local hospital Emergency Room. Prior to the Friday evening banquet, my wife’s stress level was higher than I have seen it in sixty plus years of marriage. Following the banquet, as the stress began to go down, her body reacted – extremely high pulse rate, blood pressure difference in two arms of twenty points, face almost as white as a sheet, etc. She had recently been under the care of a Cardiologist for tightness in the chest and breathing difficulty.  It all hit Friday evening.  Our grandson was with us.  He is an EMT Advanced.  He did what he was trained to do.  His quick action and clear instructions may well be responsible for her still being with us.  The Ambulance Nurse explained the seriousness of her condition and the need for urgent hospital care, but she was refusing to go to the hospital.  We cleared that up quickly and off they went.  The ER staff did their job with skill and care.  A Monday visit with her Cardiologist confirmed a diagnosis of AFib and additional prescriptions.  A Tuesday visit with her Primary Care Doctor further confirmed her diagnosis and a caution to avoid stress.  If anyone has a Manual on avoiding stress, please tell us how to get a copy.  She is not completely back to normal, but a lot closer to home, than she is to Home. BTW, when she was told that she didn’t have to be in the Saturday parade or make it to the half-time presentation, she replied, “Yes I do” and she did. The Bible speaks of a persistent woman (Luke 18:1-8).  My wife could be the modern version.