Update on my dad...

[Jim R.]

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

[Laudanum]

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.

[4krow]

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.

[Jim R.]

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

[earwaxxer]

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!

[Jim R.]

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

[petercintn]

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.

[4krow]

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.

[Jim R.]

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

[wullymc]

Jim,

please accept my prayers and well wishes.  It is tough seeing our parents getting older. 


Dave