"The last thing I expected was for my 55-year-old husband to have a heart-attack," Cherolyn Conway says. "We didn't realize he had any heart issues. But we learned he had 75% and 95% blockages."

As Jack Conway was checked into the emergency room, Cherolyn had to run back home to get medication information the doctors needed. Finally, with Jack admitted, Cherolyn realized she'd forgotten her own medications and personal effects. But she wasn't about to leave Jack's side to get them until the tests were over and results received.

"You're trying to think of everything you'll need and gather i...