29 June 2010 Our 25th Anniversary!

Today was going to be another big sightseeing day, probably our last big day trip out of Heidelberg. We planned to see 3 of the 4 largest cathedrals in Germany: found in Speyer, Mainz, and Wurms. We had seen the Cologne cathedral in 2005, the 4th. Speyer is a small town only about 20-30 miles from here, which turned out to be lucky. We had a wonderful strawberry milkshake and an EisKaffe which sounds like iced coffee only is ice-cream and coffee. This was even better as it was ice-cream in espresso. Kathy had been having some heartburn since breakfast, so didn't really enjoy hers. Yet we headed over to the cathedral, only about a block away. By the time we got there, she was feeling worse, and headed to a spot with a half-wall against which she could lean. I asked if she wanted to go any farther and she said "no", so I went and got the car for her to rest in. We re-parked and she insisted I go look at the cathedral while she rested.

The cathedral was huge, and Romanesque as differentiated from Gothic (later Middle Ages). Speyer Cathedral was built in the 30 years between 1030 and 1061. They were working on the organ, and at one point the repair person played a couple lines... fabulous, I wish I could have heard a concert. I walked around the outside and around the inside, but couldn't really enjoy because I was concerned about Kathryn. So after about 20 minutes or so I headed back to the car. There I found her not resting, hot, and rather uncomfortable. We headed back to Heidelberg.

Once back, we stopped at a pharmacy for antacid tablets. She took about twice as many as indicated, but no relief. I asked one of Nicole's friends whom we should call, and she called the military rescue unit for advice. They took charge and came right over. Suddenly our world was topsy-turvey, and the rest is history: an ambulance ride to University of Heidelberg hospital, a consultation with the medical personnel there, blood tests, and the news that she had a heart attack... not large, but the blockage causing the attack required action. At about 6:00 they came and said "we have a space opened up and can do it now" so off they went with barely time for a goodbye kiss. It was pretty scary. (Not to mention the fact that she speaks no German, and mine is not up to snuff for deep conversation, to say nothing of medical discussions. Fortunately, many of the staff speak some English (from little to adequate) and some speak quite good English. The doctor who did the angioplasty spoke excellent English. After an hour or so, he came out and informed me that all had gone well and she was doing fine.

What a way to spend a 25th wedding anniversary. After, as we talked, we spoke of how good it was our beloved children and families threw the party they did when they did, and we DID have a wonderful anniversary. We also were thankful for the five fun-filled days we had enjoyed in Heidelberg.