New Dad Update

Ok...dad had the heart cath yesterday. He has to have triple or possibly quadruple bypass. It's NOT pretty. The MAIN right artery is 99% blocked in one spot in 70% in the other. The right side main artery has 2 60% and a 50% blockage...the branches off the right artery have a 90, 75, 50 & 60% blockage.... EEK!! SOOOOO...they can't schedule surgery until Tuesday and they want him in the hospital until Tuesday, cuz his heart is a walking time bomb. Well to say he has been difficult regarding this matter is a TOTAL COMPLETE UNDERSTATEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's unhappy, he hasn't had a cigarette in 2 days (now 3), he's scared, (He won't say that...but guess what...at age 67 he has NEVER had ANY surgery before in his life!), and anyway, so he is not being the sweet fella I know him to be MOST of the time. I got so infuriated with him last night, I just had to walk out the room so I wouldn't a) Get mad and start fussing or b) SMACK HIM! LOL! It took us 45 minutes to convince him to stay in the hospital until surgery on Tuesday. He has agreed to stay on an interim basis...if he gets upset enough, he says he's out of there! argh. SOOOOOOO Finally, we have gotten him to agree to stay, we get him settled, I had my private temper tantrum, I tried to negotiate with the nurse SOME way to get some nicotine into him (by patch or sneeking him out the door for a second) and get back in ......make list of stuff he wants....leave, go move his truck from the other hospital to his house, get his stuff from his house, go BACK to Emory. I find him asleep so I just dropped his things off and left. No sooner do I get home, get p.j.'s on and settled (about 10pm) and I get a call from him that the surgeon (who I haven't met) has shown up and says if he has a good night he can go home today.... WHEW! Sorry for the long windedness... SOOOOOO The dilemna now is this... I could at least go home and feel comfortable that he was well taken care of so I could sleep....NOW...if he goes home, where he lives there is NO one to monitor him...and the doc who did the heart cath said he could have an eurythmia and he'd be gone in a second. I know if I call all the time, he'll be irritated at me. sigh....and now here you sit with me early this morning...and my quandry........... Thank you ALL for your offers of assistance, you all rock so hard (as my kid would say). All I need right now, is continued prayer and maybe some more B-12!!!LOL! I'm pooped. Take care all and I'll let you know what goes down.... (I'll try to keep the next post much shorter!)

Wow...........sounds almost exactly what we went through with my Dad! They found my Dad's heart issues on a Thursday, they wanted him in the hospital until Monday for the surgery. His surgery ended up being quadruple. My Dad also REFUSED to stay in the hospital. As I'm sure you know, you can't force your Dad to do something he does not want to do. I don't understand why the doctor, knowing your Dad was a smoker, didn't allow him to have the patch for the nicotine w/d. I will keep you and your Dad in my prayers. I know what you are going through. Debbie J Duncan patient 01-14-02 lap-rny 01-15-02 leak repair surgery (non smoker, non steroid taker) 01-29-02 surgery to see if I had another leak, NO thank goodness SEVERE COMPLICATIONS 45 days in ICU, 33 days kept alive via ventilator 30 days in a rehab hospital, had to learn to walk again Now, one happy girl.......LUCKY to be alive

Tami, my heart goes out to you. I know what a quandry this must be for you, I experienced something similiar with my dad and his lung cancer. It's tough, not knowing excatly what to do. We'll keep you in our prayers. James

You can make yopur post as long as you want. I have added extra prayers for you and your dad. Hopefully he will stay where he is until he can have his surgery. If you need anything just yell. I will do what I can. I have to run to Charlotte to see my sister. She is in the hospital up there with a blood clot in her right lung. Praying for her too. Hugs, Debra =^..^=

Tami, I am so sorry. Men can be so difficult. Especially the older they get. I wish the best for you and the decisions you have to make regarding your father. I hope things will go well for him on Tuesday. God bless him. Keep the faith. Elle

he will make it just fine ...My grandma at 70 had this done in feb i think it was and she made it with flying colors ......so i know he will make it ....and isn't it strange how they can say you need surgery right now but we cannt do it for three days ?? they put my grandma off for a week ..i dont get it ....but eveything will be fine i just know it .....And remember i am the B12 queen ...i can meet you in the shady ally and sell ya a shot LOL LOL LOL LOL Laura

Tami, MEN! I don't know why they are so stubborn when it comes to medical care. I hope your Dad stays in the hospital so that at the very least you could have some peace of mind. You & your Dad are in my thoughts and prayers gal!!! LOve ya, Tonya

Tami, Thank you for your well wishes for me, I certainly wish the same for your dad, you and your family. My father is a type I diabetic (he's been diabetic for 50 yrs now. He's 68 yrs old now), and he had to have quadrupal heart by-pass a little over a year ago. I know the stress and nervousness you feel as a daughter. People have said to me, "Heart by-pass surgery is so common now, and has come a long way". That is true, but when it comes to your own family member, your own dad....it doesn't matter. Just a little advice for you....prepare yourself for seeing your dad after the surgery. It scared me seeing my Dad hooked up to all these machines, but just remember it's all there to help him. I trust he will be just fine, just stay strong!! Kelly

Tami, You are in my thoughts. WOW, I was worn out just reading what you have been through in the last 24 hours. My prayers are going up for your Dad. I can't believe that the Dr. would release your Dad and then have him come back for surgery. Yes I would it all has to do with insurance and forms I bet. It is easier to send him home then fill out the forms to keep him safe. (blood boiled) Well you stay strong for both of you. I know when my Mom saw that I was scared then she became very nervous. Each other emotions became contagious. Love ya Lynn

Keeping you and your dad in my prayers! (((((HUGS)))) PAULA