Dad's Release

Dad is being released today. His coumadin levels are not optimal, so we have to stay here until he reaches 2.0-3.0. Today they were 1.6, but the doctor says they are increasing at a rate that he was willing to let us go to a hotel.

Thanks again for all prayers and thoughts and calls.

Dad's motoring around

The therapist had to chase Dad down today. Said he was a blur in the hallway. He can keep the three blue balls up in the air now and is walking all over the place. He's doing really well. The only thing keeping us here is getting his coumadin level (getting it to) therapeutic level. That's somewhere between 2-3 and takes about 3 days to get it there, then several weeks to get it to 2.5, which is Perfect.

So he's doing everything he can do to get out of here (again). He wants me to tell you all how much your thoughts and prayers meant to him. It's absolutely amazing what he is doing right. There will be some therapy work when he gets home because his new scar is right drab on top of his old scar. So apparently he needs to keep the inside muscles from hardening into a hunchback type position by doing stretching the inside muscles w/o hurting his outside stitches.

But he's doing great, looks great, and Joe, Dad wants his ducati back.

Saga Continues

Don't ask why, but today they started Dad back on Heparin (he'd been on it during surgery and in the ICU) he's also on coumadin (think maybe they are trying to kill him?) We don't know why, but he has to be on the heparin for 48 hours, so it's a no-go for him getting released OR tomorrow. Maybe Tuesday. We're hoping. He's still doing really well on recovery. He's walking and is impressing his physical therapist. However, we just really want out of here and would like what seems like our life-sentence to be commuted.

I will let you know what happens tomorrow morning when the drs. check in.

Hurray!!!

Dad's finally been moved to a regular room!!!! I am now able to stay with him all day. He's been up and walking with me and seems to be recovering with a difference like night and day from the last time. It's so quick and he's doing so well. It's almost amazing the difference. We don't know when he'll be released, but are hoping that it will be soon as he is doing so well. You can now call, he can take calls. Cell phone for Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Room 6020.

Dad's Surgery 7-10-2008

Dad had to have the valve put in. The doctor couldn't fix his. He has a machine one, we decided that would be best. He woke up when I went in the ICU to talk to him, but they want him sedated until tomorrow.

He's in the ICU trying to wake up. Then they're going to extubate him, probably tomorrow morning. Aunt Leslie is with me. Been a great help. Dad's going to sleep tonight and maybe be moved out of ICU to regular cardiac room of hospital tomorrow. (Hopefully)

Angiogram

Jack just had his angiogram. They were concerned about his bypass operation not taking or that it wasn't working. But the angiogram showed that his bypass is working fine. So the only problem he has is his aortic valve. Hopefully, everyone thinks it should be an easy surgery, with a quick recovery. We're hoping. Unfortunately, it's still open-heart. They're estimating a 5-day stay which will be very different from the 11 day stay last time.

Check in tomorrow for the surgical updates.

What's happening 7-9-08

Hi. Jack/Dad did pre-operative tests yesterday and we talked with the doctor. FYI, he is considered the 4th best surgeon in the world for these types of surgeries. Hope that helps some.

The pre-op tests are baseline tests to compare with after Dad's operation. Today he's getting an angiogram. That is a test that goes up through his femoral artery and into his heart and they take pictures. I had one done and it was very cool to see. They are concerned that maybe his bypass did not take and there may be a problem there, but there may not be. And they would like to get a good look at his failing valve.

Somehow the graft that they placed in your Dad is crooked. That's why the artery is leaking. Dad thinks it may be related to a 2-hour coughing fit that he had while I was up at Teletha's. He swallowed something down the wrong way and couldn't stop coughing. It was pretty bad. Anyway, whatever the reason, the graft is not straight into his heart. The doctor says there is an option that he may ("may") be able to attach the valve back up to the graft. If so that would be great. Otherwise, Dad wants the tin man valve. He doesn't want to be opened up again. As you may understand.

He's been great, but he is not really happy to go through this pain again. It will be much harder for him this second time, because he knows what is going to happen. He does appreciate the calls, please keep in touch with him (not this morning). He's being very brave (as always) and wants to do this so he can keep being a father and grandfather, so let him know how much you love him.

I'm lucky, my sister, Leslie, is coming out to be with me for 3 three days. Especially the day of the surgery. She keeps me sane. Last time she brought coloring books. I was so stressed out, she brought those out and we started laughing and colored coloring books for Jack's hospital room. She got me through those 12 hours of surgery.

I'll be more on top of things tomorrow and let you know how it's going as the nurse tells me that way you can know, as soon as I do, how things are progressing.

Love you all.

What's going to happen

Dad is going in for tests 7-8 and 7-9. They "may" admit him to the hospital on 7-9 for pre-surgery and because he's not doing well. I will keep my computer with me (now that I know Cedars has an internet I can use) and update you on the surgery as they update me during the day of July 10th, so there might be a few posts on the 10th.

Thanks to all for their prayers, etc. Keep in touch. After the 13th, Jack should be able to have phone calls. I'll be sure to put that in my posts so you all know.