Update on my dad (and a little about me)

ReneeBeth · 11-19-2004, 01:09 AM

He made it through surgery. They were able to repair his valve (put a ring around it) and fix some other little things. That was the first half of the surgery, which took 3+ hours. Then they were able to do 4 bypasses and assess his heart for which device they'll need to install at a later date (the 2nd half of the surgery took 4-5 hours). I guess he needs 2 different devices, but he can go without them for now and they will be put in when he's a bit better.
So yes, he made it. He isn't fully sedated, but they have him on enough pain killers to keep him out of it for the most part. I guess he did wake up a bit and was able to acknowledge that my brother and his wife were there and talking to him, and that he was ok.
So, first BIG step down, now we are on the rollercoaster ride to recovery. Long long road ahead, but at least this part is finally done and over with. I guess he'll be on the breathing machines and feeding tubes for quite awhile. He won't be able to do much with his arms for 6-8 weeks (his ribs are wired shut, so too much with arms hurts/can rip things open). I won't be able to contact him until he's moved into another room, but when he is my bro will hold up the phone to him so he can at least hear me.

So...I guess I can breath a little easier now.

Lets just hope this rollercoaster ride is mostly uphill, not down.

As for me, I reschedualed my ob/gyn appt for Tuesday...so finally I can get that done with. The bleeding stopped for a day or so, again, and then, again, started again. I don't know what the hell is going on down there. Maybe the surgery pissed off things or something, I don't know. So hopefully at this appt I'll get some answers, and find out about my chances of TTC again.

I just took my pain killers, so I will be drooling all over myself shortly so I shall depart now.

SheriKCMO · 11-19-2004, 02:59 AM

Renee,
WHEW!!
I'm really glad to hear that your dad was strong enough for surgery and that there is a plan in place. That is awesome news. I hope he heals fast and surprises everyone.

I'm sorry your bleeding isn't over. I'll bet you're right about the surgery stirring things up again. Good luck with your appointment.

Yesterday I heard the old Elton John song called "Daniel" and got all teary eyed for your son. Do you know this one? Not all of the lyrics apply, but "I miss him so much" sure do.

Thank you so much for the update. We need some good news once in a while and to know that you are hanging in there.
((Hugs))
Sheri

VivC · 11-19-2004, 05:02 AM

It's about time, girl! I'm glad your Dad's doing okay (as well as can be expected, anyway). He's going to go nuts not being able to do anything for himself, so I hope your brother can keep him on the straight and narrow!

My bleeding stopped a few weeks ago. I'm not too sure about my doctor. I had my two week checkup while still spotting. That's when he removed that stitch he had missed. Then, he told me to get blood drawn on CD3 so he can check my hormone levels, then come back two weeks after that. He didn't take cultures. Aren't they supposed to do that? After all, I did have an infection, hello?

Anyway, if he doesn't do cultures at the next visit, I'll just find another OB sooner than I planned and get in for a checkup. This OB's nice, but I don't trust him with a high-risk pregnancy after all of the disagreements between him and the peri. I was planning on finding a high-risk OB and having a pre-pregnancy appointment to make sure we were on the same page. I may just have to do that a little sooner than I thought.

I'm still having cervical twinges, and some in my uterus. But I don't have them as often as I was. Now they're only bad when I spend too long sitting on a hard chair (go figure).

AvivaElona · 11-20-2004, 01:37 AM

Renee, when did you post this? I've been checking and checking the board to see if you said anything and must have skipped right over this somehow! Bad eyesight I guess.

I'm glad he made it through I know he has a long road ahead I'm praying for him to be ok and live to see his next grandchild.

Is it possible the bleeding stopped and then your period started? The first period can come right away like that, and sometimes is a little weird. I hope that's what it was.

Let us know how the appt on Tuesday goes.

Viv, I never had a culture done after my infection either. I think they assume if you get all the placenta out the infection goes too? Anyway, I had several post partum visits because I was having some odd pains (turned out to be a sub clinical bladder infection I got after leaving the hospital). And they never did a vaginal culture. It never even occurred to me that they should.

Aviva