ONE SCARY EVENT

3/23/2026

Sunday appeared. Leon was up at 5:00 a.m. and went back to bed at 9:00 a.m. not feeling good. His buddy joined him. Then at about 9:20 he asked me to take him to the hospital feeling that he was having another heart attack. Oh, my gosh, we head 2 miles to PenBay Hospital and after administering an EKG they did a second one to confirm the first one. That showed he was definitely having a heart attack. Then the room went wild! There were six doctors, nurses, and interns surrounding him while putting all kinds of equipment on his body. After a discussion he was offered two choices - stay there and have a chemical solution or go to Portland and have a stent put into the clogged artery.

A helicopter was needed to fly him to Portland - wasting no time.

Off he goes as I stand by our car thinking will I ever see him alive again! The doctor had painted a dire picture of this situation and I was to go home and wait for a call from Portland. Michelle and Jeff came over and waited with me. It seemed like forever before I heard from a Portland doctor calling to tell me that the surgery went well and the stent was in place. Leon was in ICU and would not be awake til late in the evening.

Today, Monday, Michelle and I took off to Maine Medical as Leon was being released. I just can't believe this whole thing! Talking about "hospice" one minute and then visiting him at the hospital 1 hour and 30 minutes away...ready to come home.

As I looked at the piano sitting in a corner of the 4th floor, I thought to myself while tears swelled, I've been through this with a brain aneurysm. In a minute of time our life can change drastically. I am very happy that Leon is alright and home where he belongs, watching TV with Spencer lying on his lap. It's not our time to leave this earth.

44 Comments

Barbara Chase

3/23/2026 09:21:13 pm

Barb. I am so sorry you have to go through this. So glad your husband is home where he belongs. Sending hugs, Barbara Chase

Barb

3/24/2026 01:54:54 pm

I feel those hugs, Barbara!

Melissa Finn

3/23/2026 09:23:42 pm

Oh Barb, Wow! This is crazy, so glad he is doing good now. So glad you got him to the hospital in time. I am sending love and prayers to you both. 🙏

3/24/2026 01:55:53 pm

Thanks for the prayers, Melissa. It was so scary!!

Vicki Swanson

3/23/2026 09:30:30 pm

Barb, so sorry for your scary situation. Grateful that things turned out ok. Eldon and I think of you often. We pray that things are good enough for you to be here this fall for the class reunion.
We will continue to pray for both you and Leon and send lots of hugs 🫂
Vicki and Eldon

3/24/2026 01:58:19 pm

I can't wait for the reunion this fall! You both are often in my thoughts as well. Every time I see Eldon on FACEBOOK it makes me happy, Vicki! Hugs to you both!

Jessica Seebach

3/23/2026 10:10:40 pm

How scary for you both. I’m so glad everyone is home and resting. Take care.

3/24/2026 01:59:38 pm

Thanks for loving thoughts, Jessica.

Teresa Scharnhorst

3/23/2026 10:29:00 pm

Oh wow that was very scary. Glad all went well & Leon is doing well & was able to come home. He will heal much better in the comfort of his own bed & with you & Spencer by his side.

3/24/2026 03:08:27 pm

Totally scary,, Teresa. Spencer and I are treating him like gold today, He's been out and about - so feeling better. Thanks for your kind thoughts.

Pat

3/23/2026 10:35:38 pm

Oh Barb, I know how scary that can be since Bob had a cardiac arrest in 2017, and I almost lost him too. I am so happy he told you to take him to the hospital. God is not ready to take him as yet...prayers of happiness for the both of you! Love Y'all!

3/24/2026 02:04:15 pm

You know just how I feel, Pat. You never think about such a thing happening and then all at once it does. I was just so happy the hospital was so close. Love you both!

Kerry L

3/23/2026 10:49:26 pm

OMG - I had tears in my eyes. So glad he is going to be ok- love you both to bits- pls give him a gentle hug 🫂 from me.

3/24/2026 02:06:29 pm

Your HUG was delivered, Kerry. We were so very lucky how it all turned out.

Vicki and Jack Bertch

3/23/2026 11:12:22 pm

So glad this serious and scary episode has a positive ending! What a scare! Please take care of yourself so you can take care of Leon. Sending healing vibes.

3/24/2026 02:08:43 pm

Serious and scary is right. Thank you two for the caring thoughts. Leon will be fine!

Deryn Fox

3/24/2026 04:37:57 am

Barb I’m so sorry to hear of this news but also delighted Leon is back home . Praise the Lord
Praying for a complete recovery for Leon and strength for you as you continue to look after him.
With loving memories ❤️🙏

3/24/2026 02:11:58 pm

Oh, Deryn - thanks for your kind words. I just know things are going to be alright. Leon is up and in his regular routine.

Linda Sink

3/24/2026 06:12:47 am

I just saw your email. I am so so sorry. Y'all are in my heart and prayers. Please give my love to Leon!

3/24/2026 02:14:28 pm

Do you even believe that happened, Linda? It was so scary. I will certainly give Leon your love!

Sharon Tipping

3/24/2026 07:56:33 am

Barb, we are so thankful Leon is doing well. I know you and Spencer are caring for your special patient. Sending love to all of you.

3/24/2026 02:20:36 pm

Leon is doing fine. Bounced right back after such a scare, Tipping...for both of us!

Connie Brunskill

3/24/2026 08:51:33 am

Our thoughts and prayers are with both of you.

Our lives can change in a split second.
Hugs to you guys

3/24/2026 02:24:45 pm

Oh, Connie, you are so right. We should all live happily each day to the fullest because you never know what might happen. Hugs back to you!

Mark and Jan Stenson

3/24/2026 08:55:47 am

We are so glad this episode had a happy ending. Makes us all realize just how fragile life can be. We had a friend pass Saturday night. One day-full of life. Gone the next. Be well and God Bless.

3/24/2026 02:27:31 pm

We, too, are thankful, Mark! And know just how it feels to lose someone in an instant. We have experienced that several times. Thanks for the kind thoughts!

Carol Latta

3/24/2026 09:30:55 am

Barbara I am so sorry you and Leon had to go thru this scary scenario. Thank God Leon listened to what his body was telling him and thank God for the expertise of his medical providers. I have no doubt Spenser is pumping loads of healing seratonin into Leon, as he lies in faithfulness next to him. Bless you💕

3/24/2026 02:30:13 pm

Carol! Do you even believe that happened? It certainly was a "scary scenario". It's as if Spencer knew what was going on before we took off for the hospital. Thanks for the thoughts, Carol.

patty witt

3/24/2026 09:47:49 am

Healing thoughts and prayers for both of you. If needed help, just email.

3/24/2026 02:33:05 pm

Oh, Patty, do you even believe that happened? One minute things are going like they should be and then all of a sudden we're rushing to the hospital. He's doing just fine already.

Cybil & Matt

3/24/2026 11:22:50 am

So glad Leon is home & doing well! How scary for you!💞

3/24/2026 02:37:51 pm

Oh, Cybil, "scary" is a good word to describe that whole day. I'm writing the whole situation down - remembering what happened.

Sue Harder

3/24/2026 11:27:50 am

Barb,
I'm so sorry you both had to go through this! You, Barb, are so much stronger than you give yourself credit for! With you and Spencer at Leon's side, God will bring you all through this!
I'll be praying for all of you!
Love y'all
Sue

3/24/2026 02:42:51 pm

Oh, Sue, God already has brought us through this whole experience. Leon's up and planning a dinner party for this weekend. And Spencer! Hasn't left his side. Many hugs sent your way.

Judith K Sullivan

3/24/2026 11:57:37 am

Barb, John and I are so thankful that the surgery went well. Leon is lucky to have you, Spencer, Michelle, and Jeff there for support. Pleaseknow know that John and I are sending all our thoughts and prayers your way. Love, Judy

3/24/2026 02:46:07 pm

Oh, Judy, we are so lucky to have a great hospital around here. Maine Medical is absolutely the best. Leon is doing just fine. Just got back from the grocery store!!!

Barbara Jirsa

3/24/2026 01:41:35 pm

Oh Barb, so glad Leon is back where he belongs and all fixed up! Know the feeling. Good thoughts being sent your way.

3/24/2026 03:10:37 pm

We've all experienced such happenings and it is NO FUN. Thanks for the loving thoughts, Barbara.

Terrie Perrine

3/24/2026 01:58:11 pm

Barb I am so sorry to hear about your scare but so glad that it turned out ok. we have to live life to the fullest each day.
I still think about Susan and how quickly she went.
Take care. Thinking of you
Terrie

3/24/2026 03:13:35 pm

Terrie! It's so good to hear from you. I, too, think about Susan so often and still can't believe she is gone. We must plan a painting day together with Barbara or you guys come to the house for pizza! Would just love to see you.

Darby & Erin Wittenburg

3/24/2026 08:33:12 pm

Thank you for sharing Leon's story. Life is so precious and this is surely a loving reminder! SO GRATEFUL for skilled doctors and nurses, Spencer, the conversation about needing to go in, and of course Leon's #1 ~ YOU! Take good care of you, two!

3/24/2026 09:22:43 pm

It just takes a day like we had to wake us up, Erin. Your life goes along peacefully and then something that could have been tragic happens. I will have a hard time when that experience DOES happen. We will take care of each other. Thanks for your thoughts.

Deborah Molotsky

3/25/2026 05:36:41 pm

Barb, This was a scary story! I’m so glad that he knew what was happening and to know he needed to go to the hospital. Reading it through your eyes I think the worst part was as you said watching him fly off in a helicopter with that question in your heart. It sounds like he was in good hands with the professionals. Happy ending with being home together and with that sweet loving dog as the photo shows! Best to all❣️

3/25/2026 08:06:22 pm

Oh, Deborah! It is so good to hear from you. It was a very scary day, everything happening all at once, speed of all involved saved Leon. The nurses, the helicopter being there immediately, the doctors and nurses at Maine Medical Center prepared...just wonderful. Thanks for your thoughts. They mean so much!

HAPPENINGS

ONE SCARY EVENT

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