Update on Family Health Crisis
Hey everyone, it's dsjones ... Deacon is staying in Q-C at least until Tuesday, but he wanted me to let everyone know what's going on...
Dad has about 25% of his heart functional. Apparently, he's had a silent heart attack (or many, the docs just don't know) in the past, because of the amount of scar tissue they found. That's why they couldn't do anything about the 100% blockage. When we arrived on Friday, he still looked gray, and they had him on a c-Pap to help his oxygen levels. By Saturday, he regained some color, off the c-Pap (they have him on a cannula, and we still don't know if he'll have to be on oxygen once he's home) and was maintaining well enough that they moved him from the ICU to Telemetry. He's scheduled for surgery tomorrow (Monday) to get a pacemaker/defibrillator. If all goes well, he'll be coming home on Tuesday. He has been told that he will NOT be able to work again, this heart attack has left his heart too weak. He's on liquid restrictions of 1500 ML/day (I believe) due to the strain it could put on his heart, has to quit smoking (duh) and has to cut out his salt and caffeine (these last two are the ones he's upset about). But he was in good spirits by the time we left this afternoon. Deacon will be staying with the family until Dad gets home.
I know I speak for Deacon when I say we would like to thank everyone for their help, hope, prayers and thoughts for our family during this tough time. We are forever thankful to you all!
Dad has about 25% of his heart functional. Apparently, he's had a silent heart attack (or many, the docs just don't know) in the past, because of the amount of scar tissue they found. That's why they couldn't do anything about the 100% blockage. When we arrived on Friday, he still looked gray, and they had him on a c-Pap to help his oxygen levels. By Saturday, he regained some color, off the c-Pap (they have him on a cannula, and we still don't know if he'll have to be on oxygen once he's home) and was maintaining well enough that they moved him from the ICU to Telemetry. He's scheduled for surgery tomorrow (Monday) to get a pacemaker/defibrillator. If all goes well, he'll be coming home on Tuesday. He has been told that he will NOT be able to work again, this heart attack has left his heart too weak. He's on liquid restrictions of 1500 ML/day (I believe) due to the strain it could put on his heart, has to quit smoking (duh) and has to cut out his salt and caffeine (these last two are the ones he's upset about). But he was in good spirits by the time we left this afternoon. Deacon will be staying with the family until Dad gets home.
I know I speak for Deacon when I say we would like to thank everyone for their help, hope, prayers and thoughts for our family during this tough time. We are forever thankful to you all!