There are few real-life angels and it's rare when we have one in our lives.  I am so blessed to have many angels in my life and there is one, in particular, that I dedicate this photo to.  She's an incredible friend and I love her dearly.  You know who you are and that my prayers are with you as you walk through this life.  There may be some tears but there will be a lot of laughter for you know how we are when we get together - you are my angel! 

Now, onto another kind of angel, the type that kept an eye on my dad this week.  Mom and I took Dad to the hospital Monday night due to chest pains; chest pains worse than he's had before (a man who had two open heart surgeries and three bypasses, and countless angina episodes).  The ER doctor did not like what he saw and kept Dad overnight and that overnight turned into three nights.

Around 3am on Tuesday morning, Dad's heart went into A-Fib (out of rhythm) and he realized the feeling was the same feeling he had two days before his last mini-stroke.  When his heart goes into A-Fib, the blood pools in a chamber of the heart and then it forms blood clots, one of which, broke loose and caused the mini-stroke.   

Dad's cardiologist saw him on Tuesday and ran a lot of tests then decided to do an angiogram Wednesday morning since he continued to have chest pains despite the blood thinner and nitroglycerin IV drips.  Not a good sign. The angiogram didn't show anything significant that would cause the severe chest pains so the docs were perplexed.   

The chest pains began to lessen and his condition stabilized and planned on releasing him Thursday afternoon, but before he left, they did a cardiopulmonary test.  We don't know the results yet but should hear something Monday.  His doc wants him to have an MRI of his chest and more blood tests.  

It's a great feeling to know that Dad's docs take good care of him and are digging deeper to find out what's going on with his heart.

Dad is happy to be home and Mom and I are keeping our eyes on him since he's unsteady on his feet and is on two new medications.  My siblings were great this week, pitching in to help and be there for Dad.  We're truly blessed to have angels as parents.   

This is a poem that I wrote for Kayla a while back and I've modified it.  She passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2008 after years of courageous battle with cancer. 

Few souls were as strong
And wise as you were.
You were and always will be an inspiration,
To both the young and old,
The way you fought the demons.
With your grace and faith.
By taking the negative
And only seeing the positive,
Embracing life and love,
Refusing to give up, even at the end.
The light within you will never fade,
For your spirit is far too strong.
Keep your eyes toward the light,
Refusing to see the dark.
May your family and friends be blessed,
With peace, love, and your sweet spirit,

Never to part.

Rest in peace, Sweet Kayla, you will always be in my heart and memories.

With Love,

Karen 

You can visit here and leave comments for her Aunt Susan and for Kayla's family.  You may also click here to light a candle for Kayla.