Daddy update

Friday night. I am at home overnight, just to see and take care of my kitties, grab some new clothes and my prepared meals, and then head back up to Orange County to spend more time with my folks. I wanted to log on briefly before I head down to bed just to let everyone know how the surgery went and how Daddy's doing.

The surgery took about eight hours and became more complicated than was initially expected. They made seven separate grafts and there were only three planned, but he didn't lose any blood and went on and off of the heart/lung machine without any issues. He got to his room about four o'clock in the afternoon on Tuesday and, when we saw him for the first time on Wednesday morning, he was clearly tired but looked a whole lot better than I'd expected. He had already been up and walking (less than 12 hours after surgery) and had eaten solid food for breakfast. Each day since then, he's gotten a little bit stronger and does a little more. He walks at least a lap around the fourth floor, three times a day, and also has to do breathing and coughing exercises. (Imagine, if you will, coughing with your ribcage cracked open. Yeah, it hurts a lot from what I can tell, but he's doing it anyway, because it helps clear the lungs out after surgery.
Believe it or not, they're actually saying that they may send him home tomorrow, which is unfortunate because my mom is not ready for the responsibility and stress involved in taking care of him with all of the changes he's got to make to his life. I'm going to stay through at least Sunday night, just to help out, but I'm very afraid of how they're going to do when they're on their own. Daddy's got to change his diet (no salt, low cal, low fat), his activity level (either two or three short walks or one 20 minute walk each and every day), and his stress management practices (stress kills), and Mom's really afraid because it's very intimidating. Heck, it would intimidate me, too, and I know a lot about food, nutrition, and exercise!

Anyway, I'm going to bed now. Please, if you will, continue to pray or send good thoughts toward my parents' house - for Daddy's recovery and for Mom's mental health!

Comments

Anonymous said…
You're all in my prayers and I hope this invokes a positive change in your dad. Some people get meaner, some people realize the value of their life and their family after something like this. I hope the latter is true for him.

You're definitely in my thoughts.
~danelle
Anonymous said…
*hugs* Denise...I'm so glad your father came through the surgery okay! He has a long road ahead of him, but isn't it miraculous what surgeons can do these days?!

Hope you got some rest last night..you must be exhausted.
Thanks for posting an update. Glad he's doing well. It is kind of scary how quickly they send him home--I remember that when my dad had heart surgery a couple of years ago. His recovery took a lot longer than I expected (he was 75 at the time), but he's doing much better now. Sad to say, he didn't make most of the lifestyle changes he should have, but he's still hanging in there! Here's hoping you dad makes fast progress on the recovery and adjustment planes!
poopie said…
Great news Denise! Thinking about you and your family..
CaliGirl said…
glad to hear your dad made it through part one of his ordeal. now for part 2.

your family are in my thoughts.
big hugs...
Mia Goddess said…
Yay for successful surgeries! It's a period of adjustment, but if your mom's anything like you, she'll come through. Hang in there! - Mia
Anonymous said…
I'm so glad it went well. I hope the recovery goes even better, and I'm sure your mom will pull through and handle it, she will have no other choice and if she is half as capable as you it will be no problem.
theaddict said…
I am glad it went well too. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts. Hopefully the changes that need to be made will be easier than they think. Hugs.
. . . and for YOU, too, sweetie.
Unknown said…
Aw, honey, I'm so sorry! In my chemo haze I've fallen behind -- I didn't know this was going on in your family. On the prayer front: I'm on it! It sounds like there's going to be some real transition in your parents' house and in your family. Such is life. Hopefully, as Danelle wrote, some of that change will be positive....certainly some lifestyle behaviors will need to be imiproved. It's all a process.

Take care, friend. You're all in my prayers. Big hugs to you, Denise! :)
Anonymous said…
Thanks for letting us know what was going on. I'm glad he came through everything okay. Hang in there, honey. Everything's gonna work out.
Rebecca said…
You better believe I'm going to continue to pray. Hope everything settles down soon.
Unknown said…
I'm glad the surgery went well and your father is recovering so quickly! Good thoughts and hugs from the East Coast as he hopefully has come home already and attempts to make the changes he needs to. We both know how hard that is but I'm sure, with you and your mom to help him, everything will turn out all right :)
Noames said…
yay! Glad it went well, and hope the recovery continues to go well. Good luck to your mom, dad, and you!

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