Newton-Wellsley Hosptial, 1880-1995

Today marks the second time in all of my eighty-one years that I’ve wakened in the hospital on my birthday.  On both occasions I was accompanying someone else.  The first time, on February 28, 1936, I was with my mom at the Newton Hospital in Newton, Massachusetts. This time I’m with Nyel at Legacy Emanuel in Portland, Oregon – a continent and a lifetime away!

I don’t believe I planned the first hospital stay and I certainly didn’t anticipate this one.  On the other hand, you never do know with Nyel.  He definitely has a habit of catching me off guard on my birthday!  Last year it was 80 long-stemmed red roses, the Rose City Mixed Quartet and surprise party all planned in secret and taking me totally by surprise!

The Announcement

This year, we were both surprised when a ‘regular check-up’ with Nyel’s cardiologist segued into his admission to the hospital yesterday.  That Nyel!  He really knows how to show a girl a good time – which is exactly what he said of himself when the doctor came by to see him on his evening rounds last night.  I think I need to have a little chat with this sweetie of mine when we him get out of here.  I do believe that going into heart failure is a rather extreme measure to take in the interests of birthday fun.

Four Generations, 1936

This time, we were aware of the beginning signs of trouble as early as Thursday so his already scheduled appointment with Dr. God on Monday seemed perfect.  And it was.  He was able to come into the hospital on his own steam and it looks as though he will get poked, prodded, tested today and have his first “procedure” (a cardioversion) tomorrow.  After that… we’ll see.  Maybe an adjustment in medications.  Maybe another procedure – an ablation – and meanwhile, more fine-tuning.

Nyel – February 28, 2017

No projected ETD yet, though.  Our stay will probably be less than our ‘usual’ six days which is what it’s been the last three times (Oct. Dec. Jan.).  And, hopefully, this time they can get him calibrated for a much longer duration of stability!  That would surely be the best birthday present ever!

Meanwhile… I was interested to learn that the original part of the Newton Hospital campus – the part where I made my debut all those years ago – is now on the National Register of Historic Places.  Is it just me, or am I right in connecting those dots and thinking, “Of course it is!”