The worst day
I almost lost my dad today. They did emergency surgery to replace the valve. The mitral valve wasn’t working. I think one of the supporting muscles failed due to heart damage, probably from the initial heart attack, but exasperated by the surgery. It is a rare complication.
I missed seeing him by three minutes. We got a message to the OR nurse and she was able to tell him that I made it and I love him right before they put him under. I didn’t get to see him, but he knew I was there and that was the important thing. Mom and Joy said that they could see him failing right before their eyes as they were waiting for the surgery. He wouldn’t have made it even another few hours without the surgery.
I saw him in the ICU for a few minutes before I came home. He was asleep and they are keeping him asleep through the night. He is still intubated, and they haven’t gotten the blood thinners balanced out yet, so his wounds were leaking some. They had given him some blood products already, but it was still within a reasonable range for what he had been through. They had cleaned him up as much as possible, and they were going to put the restraints on when we left because he is so strong and they don’t want him ripping out all the lines out if he starts waking up. They are going to keep him as comfortable as possible overnight and hopefully be able to remove the intubation in the morning. According to the nurse, he was looking as good as could be expected. The nurse who is sitting with him tonight has 12 years of experience and seemed pretty sharp. He seems to be in good hands.
His hand was cold when I held it. He was yellowish from the antiseptic (his face was a good color, but the rest of him was odd colored to me). I don’t like seeing my dad like that. I pray that I won’t have to see him look like that again for many, many years.
Continued prayers.
Praying as well.
He is so healthy and strong, this will be a mere blip. It will all work out, and he probably won’t remember much of it either, if he’s like my dad. (blown aortic aneurysm, touch and go for about 3 weeks, full recovery 8 weeks.)
They had to restrain my pop too, and gave him loopy meds so he’s be less likely to mind it. Haldol and Ativan – schizophrenia drugs. He had crazy dreams too, one where he said he was the Secretary of State… Anyway. In our prayers.
I have the same prayer for you!
My thoughts are with you and your family.
How scary for you! (((Hugs))) My thoughts are with your family. I hope your dad has a quick and full recovery.
Positive thoughts — healing for your dad, peace for your family, and wisdom for the doctors and nurses