LONG POST ALERT

Y’all just look at my best friend!!!

July 19th at 10:30pm Don Bonkowski was bent over my bed attempting to wake me up. After a couple attempts I woke and he was bent over holding his chest.

Me - just waking up, asked the question “Donnie, whats wrong?”

Donnie - my chest hurts real bad. Ive already taken two nitro

Me - ok. Do I need to call the ambulance? Forget it, I will get you there quicker.

In my night gown, no shoes, no socks

I say “lets go”.

Get him in the car, put the flashers on and we head to Baptist Health La Grange

Was not his 1st choice but…..when talking about a heart attack - you have seconds.

Upon getting to hospital - they get him in swiftly.

EKG comes back negative.

However his troponin levels went from 24 - 36 - 364.

At this point they call his cardiologist and Donnie ask to be transferred to UofL Health - Jewish Hospital in Louisville Ky.

(Can you believe a NURSE in the ER at Lagrange made the comment (what a joke???)

I immediately went out to the nurses station.

1. Its the patients choice

2. You should not be discussing a patient in war shot of other patients.

When I asked her what the problem was.

She preceded to tell me that Louisville doesnt have a cardiac floor()

I’m professional but livid at this point.

This was the second time this nurse was poking fun at a patient.

Just 30 mins prior she was talking about another patient right outside Donnies room. Names, condition, everything - a full break of HIPPA.

Long story short - another Nurse came in to apologize stating she was “NEW”

Even worse in my opinion. HIPPA should be fresh in her mind as well as her oath.

I digress.

We get settled into Jewish and a heart cath is ordered.

Now - I don’t know what Leslie Bonkowski Gross or Jennifer Kobman were thinking BUT I was NOT thinking they were goong to come back and tell is he needed a QUADRUPLE BYPASS!!!

Donnies been working Eagle Creek Golf Course daily and door dashing daily to make ends meet. Golfing monthly with his buddies. Helping me move. Very active. Doesn’t smoke. Like where and how? To say I was shocked……understatement.

The look on Donnies face was about the same.

80-90% blockage in all arteries!!!

The cath also confirmed a heart attack BUT by Gods grace the heart muscle was NOT damaged.

Over the next couple days lots of testing while in preparation for surgery.

Surgery day comes July 25 th . He is surrounded by family and many prayer warriors throughout the country. Thank you to everyone that has prayed, continue praying, do tes to the go fund me, shared it, checked in on him, etc

Surgery was a success , they took the arteries from his legs.

He was up standing and walking day 1!!!

He was in ICU for only 24hrs!!!!

He gets moved up to a regular room and continues to just blow everyone away.

Now im not saying he dod not have hiccups along the way- Lord knows he did.

His heart rate was crazy. 80 to 156 to 220.

His blood sugar would range from 80 - 302

(He liked all the attention from the pretty nurses)

His IV machines would beep constantly due to the amount of different meds going.

Due to his heart rate being in AFIB on Thursday July 31st they decided to take him down to a procedure where they shock your heart back into normal rhythm.

It worked!!!!!

Everything seemed to level out at this point and he was released to come home August 1st.

**Jewish Heart and LUNG**

Can not rave about them enough. The nursing staff (RN, LPN and CNA were absolutely amazing!!)

Dr. Galio - Wonderful Surgeon with great bedside manner!

Since being home Donnie is working toward having his “normal” life back. Hes diligently doing his ling exercises( he has a bit of fluid bud up in the left lung).

Walking daily. ( 6-7 minutes at a time)

He has graduated from the walker to cane.

Nurse comes out 2x a week.

PT come out 2x week as well.

He still has about 10 weeks until able to return to work.

On top of all this - prior to the heart attack and surgery he was dealing with skin cancer on his head. He was due to have surgery on. So that is still something that has to be done sooner than later.

All of this to say…..

1. You don’t have to have ALL the signs of a heart attack to HAVE a heart attack .

Donnie had chest pain and a little tingling in his fingers.

(Listen to your body)

2. Your life can change in the blink of an eye. If you think it can’t happen to you….you are wrong.

3. You don’t have to smoke, be overweight, inactive, or crappy diet for this to happen too. Donnie is the exact opposite.

4. The bills are pouring in. He is a very proud, yet humble man. $425 have been raised thus far. (Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This man is the most giving you will ever meet)

The need is greater.

Please continue to Pray.

God knows the need.

Share this as much as possibly to reach the ones that God knows can make an impact. Every $1 counts and makes a HUGE impact.

Financial struggles can really hinder the healing process. Stress, Anxiety and worry about things out of your control.

I sincerely appreciate all the prayers, shares and donations to my best friend.

I will leep you updated!!!!

Im so gratefull God didn’t need Donnie - don’t know what i’d do wothout my best friend!

Thank you for taking the time to read.

❤️Jenn