As most of you know, Ken had a heart attack on 10/17. It required double bypass surgery for repair. He had surgery on 10/18 and returned home on 10/25. He has to have around the clock care just to be able to use the restroom and make adjustments to the way he sits or lays down. He is not able to drive and has to sit in the back seat to avoid the airbag for now. We will visit the possibility of driving on 11/17 when we see his cardiologist again(we have a chest x-ray that day). Dependent on how the healing is going they will see what he is able to do. Cardiac rehab begins on 11/7 for the intake appointment and then they will schedule appointments from there. From what we have heard it is 1-3 times a week. Pairing all of this with Kens 2021 diagnosis of a form of Muscular Dystrophy in October of 2021. It is slowly decreasing his ability to do all the things he is used to doing on his own. Simply rising from a chair requires him to push himself with his arms(something he cannot do post-op and now requiring my help). He was let go from his job in the RV industry back in early April and he took up full time Uber driving, mostly for ND students and families. It is currently his busy season with Holiday breaks approaching and he will not be able to make those infamous Chicago trips for a while.
I am off work on unpaid FMLA leave to assist Ken until he is somewhat functional again. I have no idea how long this process will take, but expect it to take at least 3-6 months until he's back to his presurgery self. I cannot stay off work the entire time, so I will go back as soon as he can drive. We have 6 children at home and $0 income until I can return to work. (Fingers crossed that will be late November/early December).
We are not ones to normally ask for help as we are used to helping others. However, at this given time we are battling hard and need some support to get through this storm. We so appreciate the messages, texts, visitors, meals, gifts and love we have already received. We hope to pass it all forward when we are able or when you are in need later in life.
