posted on August 10, 2000 04:25:15 PM new
Hi folks. Thanks to all of you who have kept my family in your thoughts and prayers this week.
My dad will be at the Cleveland Clinic for at least another week, possibly longer if they decide to procede with the pump device that is in testing. It is called The HeartMate, or Left Ventricular Assist Device. They have placed a heart cath type item with leads on his heart that monitor all the heart activity. They have placed him on a medicine called Amiodarone, which is a scary med from what I understand.
His condition is stable but poor. His heart rate is irregular, he has PVC's all over the place, and very low blood pressure, around 85/40 at best. He is very ill, any thing they do for him will be last ditch and experimental.
We stayed up there for two nights, and came home today for a bit. My mom will go back there tomorrow, and may try to find a room to stay, but Cleveland is booked solid right now due to a convention, and some Sheik from over seas. He has a huge group with him, and has taken over an entire floor at the hospital as well as an entire floor at the Guest House lodging across the street.
I was able to log on using Free Juno, but had trouble with busy signals and maintaining a connection. There is a computer tucked away in a remote area of the hospital that I found out about, so I could use MSN Messenger to chat with my hubby and send mail using hotmail. I'm home, tired, stressed, and planning on enjoying my Comfortaire Bed tonight.
posted on August 10, 2000 06:16:20 PM new
Meya - I'm sorry to hear about your dad's heart condition. The Cleveland Clinic is a good place for him to be, though, and it sounds like there are lots of medical professionals looking after him there. Today's medical advances are truly amazing, so I hope he can benefit from the experimental technologies.
I'll keep him in my thoughts, too. Get some rest - it will help you to stay strong for him, and for yourself.
posted on August 10, 2000 06:54:38 PM new
Oh, Meya! We're rooting for you and your Dad. Others are right--take a deep breath & try to relax (know that's hard!). They can do amazing things these days. Keep yourself fit & calm so that you can lend strength to him & a positive attitude--which I have found in times of stress & illness means a great deal to the body's healing powers.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Everyone is right don't let yourself get run down physically and mentally.
I can empathize with the feelings you are going through right now. Just place your trust in the Doctors and your prayers. Both can do wonderful things.
posted on August 11, 2000 10:53:14 AM new
Not much new to report today, I haven't heard from my mom or brother who drove to the Clinic this morning.
I did however blow up at my kids this morning, and will no longer be doing any of their laundry. It was amazingly fast to do the few small loads that hubby and I needed done!
I am also not playing Taxi for my second oldest son for his job. It is a 15 minute walk for him to get there and he will do just fine.
Sometimes a person just has to feel appreciated. I've been taken for granted for much too long around here.
posted on August 11, 2000 11:05:30 AM new
Lots of luck with your dad, Meya. My grandmother had a type of open heart surgery to repair a leaky valve, in 1954. She really was very sick; close to the end. At the time it was very, very new and she was one of the first ten to actually have that type of surgery, I'm told. She lived 22 more years after that. These new procedures do increase life. There is cause to be optimistic. May your dad benefit from the wonderful advances in medical technology.
posted on August 11, 2000 02:52:32 PM newMeya I agree with jamesoblivion. Today's technology is so amazing - miracles every day. Add a ton of prayers to the mix and we do have reason to hope.
BTW, I've made changes in the household when I felt underappreciated and over-stressed... I think a good shake up is a very good thing - and should be done on a regular basis. You're entitled.
You are perfectly entitled to acting out on your stress. Right now you need to take care of yourself and it's not going to hurt a thing for your family to pitch in and take care of themselves. Think of it as a lesson in life skills for them. DON'T FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!
JamesO,
You did a good thing in writing about your Grandmother. We all need to know that medicine is changing and there is much more hope now.
posted on August 12, 2000 05:07:12 PM new
Time for another update...it is Saturday evening, 8 p.m. eastern time. I had a phone call from my mom who was up to the Clinic to see my dad today.
He didn't have a good night at all, his cardiac function was just "not good". They had to move the heart cath unit to the other side of his neck and he has an infection in the side where it started. Mom said he was very quiet and not eating much at all. The night had left him pretty worn out so he also slept a great deal. His blood pressure was back down to around 80/40.
He had been doing a tiny bit better the day before...it turns out they don't to that one procedure at the Cleveland Clinic as it is not one of the hospitals in the study. It would have to done in AnnArbor or Pittsburg. There is a possibility of some type of pace maker, or maybe shocking his heart back into rythem, but his condition won't stand any of that right now.
The doctor took my mom aside to double check on his wishes concerning his Living Will etc, so he is officially DNR (do not rescusitate). Hubby and I are going up there first thing tomorrow, it's about an hour to an hour 1/4 depending on traffic.
Please excuse the spelling...my brain has turned to mush.
posted on August 12, 2000 05:14:46 PM new
Meya - You, your Mom and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers. At times like this, I wish I knew how to comfort with words, but I don't. Just know there are lots of us with you in spirit, if not in real time.
