Update on my dad...thanks for the prayers and please keep them coming!

Good AM! 

I want to send thanks to Kat for keeping you all posted for me and to all of you for your prayers and kind messages.  They mean everything to us right now!

Well, my dad went in yesterday morning for his heart cath to see what was going on and they found that one artery was 100% blocked (we knew this already), another one was 70% blocked, another was 50% blocked and severely "diseased" as the doctor put it and the last was well on it's way.  His cardiologist wanted to get the surgeon to review the records and films and then we make a plan from there.  Well, the plan is open heart surgery...anywhere from one to three bypasses but they won't know the extent until they get in there.  We are all nervous and scared and praying like no ones business! 

He is on a medication (a blood thinner) that he needs to be off of for a minimum of 5 days before surgery.  Well, with his stints in place and some other issues...he can't be off of it for that long.  So now the plan is to have him NOT take it on Sunday and then he will be admitted into the hospital on Monday morning.  They will put him on another kind but they will have to keep a really close eye on him with it.  As long as there are no emergencies (with other patients) he will be having his surgery first thing on Wednesday morning.  He will be in surgery for several hours (should start surgery about 7:30 and we shouldn't hear anything from the doctors until 12:30 or 1) and then he goes to recovery for a few hours.  After that it is 1-2 days in ICU then 2 days in the first step-down unit then 1-2 days in the second step-down unit.  If all goes well he will be coming home that following Monday.

He is really scared for a lot of reasons but one is because when they wake him up he will still be on a ventilator.  He has to be awake for them to remove it and it will take 30-60 minutes to get that done. 

I am not very good at asking for a lot...I like to do on my own but I am asking for help now.  Please, send prayers up for my dad. 

Thank you all so much!

Tam,

I am so sorry to hear about your dad and hope all goes well. I will keep your dad and family in my prayers. Keep us updated.

Melanie,

Thank you so much!  I will update as I can...or have someone do it for me!  Thanks for the much needed prayers.

Tammy Im sorry to here all this hun your dad and you guys are all in my prayers and if there is anything I can do let me know what hospital will he be at and dont every hesitate to ask for anything thats why we are here and friends. Sending lots of hugs and prayers take care of yourself and froggy.

Thank you so much, Melinda!  Right now we need the thoughts and prayers more than anything.  That may change as things draw closer!  He will be at henrico Doctor's, Forest Campus.  They are one of the top 50 heart centers in the US!  I will keep you posted.  :P

Tammy,
Prayers going out to you and your dad at this difficult time. Hope that you can find some time to just be.
Peace and love to you,
Cindy

Thanks, Cindy.  The prayers are very much needed and appreciated!  There will be plenty of time to "just be" later...right now...my daddy needs me! 

Goodness Tams...your Dad's got a lot on his plate, that's for sure.  I know this is a scary time for all of you, but try to focus on how much his quality of life will improve once they've got him fixed.  My fil had triple bypass several years ago & he's still going strong.  Cantankerous as all get out, but doing well.  Keep the faith, Hon.  Of course ya'll will be in my thoughts & prayers as well.  Don't forget to look after you & Frogger too...that's a precious little life you got hitchhiking with ya!

Extra big hugs for you & your family!!

Thanks, Ann!  The positive thoughts and knowing someone else was greatly helped does wonders for me.  I can't wait to share with my dad when I get home!  I am doing the best I can for me and Froggy...not a lot is staying down but I can get the protein shakes and water and iced tea to stay down...just not much food.  Well...something is better than nothing!  Keep the prayers coming, please!  We really do need them!

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  Sherry