kidsmoke Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Hey all, if I am a bit out of touch right now it's because my dad, 87, collapsed yesterday and had to be rushed to the hospital. My sisters were visiting, thank God, so they began chest compressions immediately and kept him alive until the paramedics arrived and took over. Dad's had heart problems for years and has a pacemaker.At the hospital they got him stabilized and sedated him heavily overnight. We of course rushed up there (an hour away) and I was reassured a little because he had good color, not that chilling gray tone. We stayed for awhile but came home because he was so sedated that he just needed to sleep and there wasn't any point in us standing around. I managed to get to sleep for a few hours last night but woke up around 5 a.m. and was too worried to sleep again. I've talked to my sister who's there in town, and she told me that while he is still stable, his heart is weak and he is unresponsive even though they have tapered off the sedatives. Not a great sign. I'm trying to stay calm, but of course inside I'm feeling like a panicked 7-yr-old. Everyone is saying there's no reason to drive up again until there's more news, but Brennan and I are going up anyway because I can't just sit here at home, and I feel the need to be close by even if there isn't a thing I can do. Good news!!! I was just interrupted in typing this by my sister Jeanne, who told me that she & my other sister had visited in the last hour...the doctors have asked that there be no talking to him or touching him because they don't want him startled as he emerges from the sedation, so Jeanne said it was weird standing there just looking at him! Anyway, as they stood there, Dad opened his eyes and Jeanne & Elaine were both certain that Dad registered recognition. He moved a bit, and moved his eyes. The nurse was encouraged. I'm feeling so much better for even this much! Please, friends, send all your best, and if you are so inclined, send up plenty of prayers. He's the best dad in the world (sorry if I'm a bit biased!) and we still need him. So much. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stooka Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Prayers and vibes to you and your family!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Magnetized Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 It's so hard to be in this situation for so many reasons, Donna--not the least of which is being just far enough away that you can't be there with your dad at a moment's notice. It's good that you have close family who are in the immediate vicinity who can keep you in touch. I was once in a similar situation and I think it caused my mom more angst and concern to have me hanging around the hospital when she knew it was a work week. It may be that your dad would feel the same way, and I'm sure he doesn't doubt your love and concern. So whatever you do, don't beat yourself up for things you can't do anything about. We are all sending you our very best wishes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jerrycray Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Hi Diane,My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I've been down this road with both of my parents. Feel free to call me if you want.Michael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
froggie Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 vibes from the land downunder, Donna! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
M. (hristine Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Much love to you and your family Donna. Keep us posted. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mpolak21 Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Sadly been going through a family health problem crisis also over the last week, sorry to hear this Donna. Hope all becomes well. --Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 Sadly been going through a family health problem crisis also over the last week, sorry to hear this Donna. Hope all becomes well. --Mike Mike, love and prayers for your own family health crisis! I hope we both have good news in the end. My dad is still hanging in there...doing ok, but heavily sedated. He is having an angiogram in a couple of hours, and we should know more after that. Brennan and Alissa and I are going to drive up there soon. It's an hour's drive to the north of us. We'll only be able to see him for a few minutes, and he'll be under sedation, but I need to see him. It just feels wrong to be an hour (or more, depending on freeway construction! Yesterday we hit a miles-long detour.) away when he's undergoing the angiogram. Yesterday, even under sedation, dad leaned his head against me when I kissed him goodbye, and began scrunching his eyes. I felt sure he was fighting the sedative and trying to open his eyes. He knew we were there. That was really reassuring, and so like him! He hadn't moved the whole time we were visiting, other than regular, steady breathing, so that deliberate move as I told him goodbye was a wonderful and startling moment. Thank you everyone for the warmth and support! (Michael, I know you meant Donna even though you accidentally typed Diane...her post was just above yours. I used to often get called Diane as a kid, I guess it's the name closest to Donna like Melissas getting called Melinda. ) Keep the good thoughts coming. I'll feel better once today's procedure is past. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Lots of love from our family to yours, Donna. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
theashtraysays Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Hey, best wishes for you and your family. Just being there will mean a lot... to all of you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted January 25, 2011 Author Share Posted January 25, 2011 This week is blurring into one of rhose surreal stretches of life that only make sense later, if then. I'm all goofy with sleep deprivation and stress and emotion. Dad's angiogram was scheduled for today around three p.m., but then his cardiologist had an emergency come up in a nearby city, and rushed off to that, and Dad got cancelled for today. They let the sedatives wear off to check Dad's neurological functions, and we got the good news we suspected when he followed directions to squeeze hands and push his foot against a hand. He even one-arm hugged both my sisters, and that had both of them (and me!) euphoric. I was informed of this development as I had almost reached Hesperia, where the hospital is. By the time I got there he'd been re-sedated, since they want him rested for his angiogram, now rescheduled for tomorrow morning. Three days now, and I've seen him repeatedly, but always under sedation! It's getting frustrating, I need to see him! Tonight I talked to him for awhile (with him out like a light) and then combed his hair since it was sticking up every which way. Quality time! But now I know that he knows I'm here, and close. My sisters told him too, and told him the whole family was in contact with each other, and told him his beloved cats and dog were being well-loved and looked after. Dad seemed to relax some after they talked to him. He's still got the breathing tube so he can't talk. My family will be taking his dog Maggie in temporarily, starting tomorrow. I hope our dog Noodle doesn't get too territorial! Maggie's a sweet little dog. My two sisters have to leave tomorrow...both have jobs they can't neglect any longer, so they'll be driving back up to northern CA. We had a nice long dinner together, tonight...terrific Mexican food...and then hugged and said our goodbyes. So now there's the angiogram to get through tomorrow, and if all goes well, the recuperation period. I love you all for your warmth, prayers, and support. It means so much to me & mine! I'll keep you posted. Thanks again, I love you all. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
augurus Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Good luck! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wise Enough Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Dads are awesome. I hope yours gets better soon Donna. Next time your there and he's sedated leave a big note stuck up next to the bed for him when he wakes up. I was asleep in hospital once when my dad visited and he wrote me a lovely note on the back of my nephews painting which was stuck up. Nice to feel loved even when no one is there. Hope your situation has a good outcome too Mike. On the postive side, its making everyone else appreciate their family which is something we can all take for granted. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 I can only hope someday to have lived a life where I am surrounded by such love when I'm ill. Best wishes to you and the family. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
choo-choo-charlie Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 sending strong vibes and strong prayers your way...this is all too familiar for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
embiggen Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 prayers and vibes to you and your family Donna. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Vibes your way, Donna! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 I can only hope someday to have lived a life where I am surrounded by such love when I'm ill. Best wishes to you and the family. Yeah. Vibes Donna. And Mike. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tugmoose Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Supersized vibes . . . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sunken mountain Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 All our prayers with you and your family Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted January 26, 2011 Author Share Posted January 26, 2011 Dad is better! He's getting his pacemaker replaced today with a better one that should function better for his particular needs. That's a very simple procedure, very non-invasive. Yay for non-invasive! It was overwhelming to finally see him awake yesterday. He was amazed that it was Tuesday...the last he remembered was talking with my sisters on Saturday. Everybody was pretty damned emotional around his bedside, as you can imagine, and the wonderful ICU nurses kinda let the rules slide and let about twice as many people in at a time as they were supposed to, to visit him. But oh, we needed it! How incredible to get to hug him and see him smile, if a bit weakly, and even laugh a little! It can't be said enough...people, give those you love a huge hug now. You just never know. Life is so fragile, and we forget that. Heading up to the hospital now. The pacemaker implant should be the last medical procedure they'll be doing. Thank you all...you who posted, and you who didn't but thought good thoughts on Dad's behalf. Thank you for every prayer, good thought, and good vibe. Getting him back is a miracle. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
M. (hristine Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Wonderful news, Donna! Sure been thinking about you, gal. Still sending all our love. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Awesome! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stooka Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 I'm so happy for you!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wendy Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Yay for Dad!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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