I woke up back in the Cardiac Care Unit.  The only familiar faces are mom and Dr. Mary Sidawy.  Mom, in black since my dad had passed away, eyes swollen and red. Dr. Sidawy showing her usual caring, sweet smile this time coupled with a look of concern. Mom by now knows of Sarciodosis. She’s asking Dr. Sidawy questions she cannot find answers for.  What is this disease? Why did I keep it from her and others? What next?

I told mom I was fine. That seemed to make her cry harder. I asked her to stop, I couldn’t see her cry.  Dr. Sidawy took her out and sent the others in.  Nawara, and Dr. Salem came in.  She seemed visibly upset, he kept his composure and humored us with stories from his residency in the ER.

Throughout the evening, other friends and family members came to visit.  Nawara says there is a mob in the Hospital Lobby, but the Cardiac Care Unit only allowed visitors in pairs.

It may sound strange, but I really can’t figure out why everyone’s so upset.  I feel fine. I now have a battery that should keep my heart ticking, even longer than it might have before.  Beyond that, I felt safe, so why is everyone looking at me with pity and concern?

Later in the evening, Dr. Esposito, a Kaiser cardiologist stopped by.  Flipping through my chart, he declared that when I had the cardiology studies in April, I had first degree heart block.  He was not surprised that I now have 2nd degree heart block!