Bottlehead Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Jim R. on March 13, 2012, 06:09:31 AM
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For those of you who don't know, last Wednesday my dad was told he needed a heart valve replaced, a bypass and a carotid artery unblocked, and they wanted to do this rather soon. His surgery was scheduled for yestereday and indeed did happen. Got a call from my mom at about 6:00 pm saying that he had just come out of surgery, did great and the docs were all very pleased with the operation and his condition. They then moved him to SICU where he will stay until this evenig or tomorrow afternoon assumigng all continues to go well, but so far, so good.
When we talked to them Sunday evening, both my mom and dad seemed in great spirits and my dad's attitude was basically that he was ready, calm, and really just wanting to get on with things so he could get back to his normal life, have more energy again, and just be himself.
Thanks all for all the good thoughts/wishes/prayers!
-- Jim
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Bless him! I didn't know but he will be in my thoughts and prayers this week.
Isn't modern medicine great?
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Grainger,
Thanks, and yes -- I'm a living testament to the incredible things modern medecine can do -- but also use traditional approaches when they are more effective/safer (which is absolutely not always the case.) As in all things, balance is key.
-- Jim
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Very glad to hear that your dad is OK...John
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Thanks a lot John.
This afternoon's update is that my mom said he looked great -- better than in years, had pain, but no more than would be expected with these procedures, and they moved him to the telemetry floor ahead of schedule, where he'll remain until the send him home in a few days.
He's apparently sleeping well, which is really good.
Hopefully things will be uneventful and he gets to go home soon.
-- Jim
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Great news Jim and very well said regarding the "balance" statement...
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Wonderful news Jim, and what we were all hoping for!
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Sorry to hear your dad was ill but glad to hear he is on the mend. My best wishes to him and your family and I hope he is back to normal or better than normal soon.
Cheers
Mike
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They're good at that stuff. Similar thing happened to my dad; they did a test and the next day said "you need a bypass - how's Tuesday for you?". Told him it should last 15 years; it did more. Once recovered, he had more energy than he had for years.
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Great to hear your father came through well Jim, will pray for a speedy recovery. It has been 10 years since my Mom had a similar procedure, and she is as healthy as ever. I hope for similar results for your Father.
Take Care,
Shawn
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Glad to hear he's doing well, Jim!
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Just saw this. Happy to hear the procedure went well and hope your dad continues on the mend.
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That is really good news, Jim. God bless your dad (and mom)...no matter what, that kind of thing can be scary but when it turns out so well, it is so worth it. It's so good to hear that it went so smoothly.
John
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Wow, thanks everybody! It really means a lot to me to get all these nice, supportive comments and congratulations. My dad is a great guy and one who everybody who meets him just likes him, and of course he was the main influence in all my interest in electronics, building things, fixing things and of course the person who guided me to become who I am in all life facets. Everytime they come to visit my dad wants to see what I'm working on, wants to know if he can help with stuffing circuit boards for me, etc.
Anyway, no updates today, so all is going fine but I'm still not sure when I'll get a chance to talk to him -- maybe not until he's home; we'll just have to see.
You are a great bunch of guys/gals and I do love and value this bottlehead community!
-- Jim
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Things went really well today. Less pain and everything is looking great, so he's going home tomorrow afternoon. He's doing so well with this that they don't plan to give him a pacemaker -- which is pretty typical for this surgery.
All good news, and I'm looking forward to talking to him tomorrow when he gets home -- if he's up to it.
Thanks again to everybody for the good wishes nd moral support!
-- Jim
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Last update...
Dad got home late yesterday afternoon and immediately went to get some rest. We finally got to talk to him today and he sounds great -- like his old self but with just a bit more sparkle and life in his voice. The pain is mostly the incision and broken breast bone healing, but no infection and otherwise he's up and about today. The docs want him walking around a good bit but he still has to keep his legs elevated when not walking.
So, thanks again for all the good wishes, positive thoughts, prayers and all the support from the entire bottlehead community -- again, you are all just great!
-- Jim
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Sounds like things are going really well. Good news indeed !!!
ps. My dad had a quad bypass in his mid 70's and he's still going strong 10 years later.
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I agree with Paul J. My father had the same stuff. In the end, he ENJOYED 17 more years! I couldn't keep up with him on walks(kind of funny later). It is hard to go through for everybody involved, but I gaurantee it is worth it. I, of course, don't know you or your father, but can't help but tell you there are better roads ahead.
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Thanks much for the positive comments, Greg. Looks like this week he's feeling good enough that they'll be babysitting my two neices who live nearby while my sister and her husband are on business travel. That's a very good sign.
Thanks again,
Jim
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Hey Jim -
Coming in a bit late on this. I'm a cardiac RN. I didnt really have much concern for your dad with todays techniques. Pretty 'routine' stuff. Still really tough and stressful for patient and family. Cracking the chest open is a bit mind blowing! They are actually starting to do those surgeries without stopping the heart. Thats a bit scarry! Glad to hear all has worked out to date. I wish you all the best. Great community of folks here on Bottlehead!
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Hey Eric,
Thanks much -- and yes, iit is really quite amazing how far medecine has come (and still has to go as well), but thankfully, this is one thing that seems to be mostly routine these days. Still, any surgery on somebody who is 82 comes with more risk potential.
Yup, great community here, and thanks for being part of it.
-- Jim
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I glad to hear your dad is fine, modern med is awesome and helps me everyday. Make time out for your parents, my dad has been gone for over 15 years and my mom for over 40, I still miss them both.
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Peter, I can relate. Not one day goes by that I don't think of my father, a great musician, and it has been five years.
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Yes, wish I could spend more time with them but they live in California and I'm here in Colorado, and because of my health issues, travel is very hard on me so it ends up we see them when they come through here on their way back east every summer, and occasionally over the winter holidays.
-- Jim
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Jim,
please accept my prayers and well wishes. It is tough seeing our parents getting older.
Dave