A month of thankfulness

I know, I know. I'm a few days late starting my annual blog of thankfulness. However, these days have been eventful with Dad in the hospital. With that in mind, today I am thankful for knowledge. As I walked into my dad's hospital room this morning at MCV, I was greeted by a research team. This team of cardio nurses was sent by Dad's doctor to discuss a new cath healing procedure. While we certainly know there are risks in participating in research, Dad felt the benefits outweighed the risks. As we all know, MCV is a teaching hospital. Dad's doctor is truly the best heart surgeon in the area. His team elected Dad to participate in this study. Basically a process was created to minimize the effects of a cath procedure. Normally patients must lie completely flat for eight hours or so after a cath procedure. Today they used a new collagen procedure to close the pucture to his artery created by the cath. No kidding, he was out of the bed and moving around in just a little over an hour. Remember, he is in the best teaching hospital in the state, and he has the best doctors and nurses. I am so impressed with the intelligence that surrounded me today. I am thankful for his doctor's detailed report. I am thankful for the rep who showed me and Mom a simulated procedure on a model. I am impressed! And, of course, I am thankful for my dad's good report - no blockages in or around his heart!