Dad Update

Ugh. This is really starting to get frustrating - especially for my poor dad.

Last week, he went to the ER with an allergic reaction to one of his meds. They took him off that, and put him on benedryl and something else.

His last chest x-ray showed a lot of fluid building up around his lungs. They put him on meds early last week to try to drain the fluid and say he may need to have a small (easy) procedure done to drain the fluid if that doesn't work. This would require an overnight hospital stay, but isn't supposed to be a big deal. He wanted to do it late last week to get it over with (my wedding is this Saturday). The doctors refused, wanting to give the meds more time to work. He doesn't go back to see them until Wednesday, which is the last day my dad will do the procedure before the wedding. He said if they don't do it Wednesday, it'll be next week. He doesn't want to be in the hospital Thurs or Friday night. (Friday is the rehearsal dinner, Saturday the wedding)

I of course told him to do whatever he needed to do to get better.

Then last night, he broke out in hives everywhere and didn't sleep. He went to the cardiologist this AM who adjusted his meds again.

He was having very bad coughing fits. Though they are getting better, they aren't totally gone. He's definitely coughing much less. Supposedly the coughing is normal.

His EKG today showed another abnormality - spasming in one of the by-passed arteries. This happened right after the surgery, then his next test was fine, now it's abnormal again. They think they can control it with meds. Hopefully that's the case. The cardiologist also thinks there is swelling in his chest cavity. He goes for an electrocardiogram tomorrow, then Wed for his next chest x-ray and to meet with the surgeons about the fluid in his chest... Hopefully the meds will work on the fluid and he won't need the procedure. If they do have to do it, I hope they can do it Wednesday. I don't want him to wait.

He's 3 weeks post-surgery and flat out told the doctor today he hadn't had the surgery. He feels so much worse now than he did before the surgery. of course he KNOWS that the surgery prolonged his life, and that a heart attack would have been fatal, etc., etc., I think he just feels like he probably would have made it through my wedding and been fine and could have had the surgery afterwards. I NEVER would have let that happen, of course. NEVER. He needed it done, we all know that. But he's down and so frustrated that he won't be feeling 100% for the wedding on Saturday. (Yes, I know this is common post-surgery, and he has someone to talk to and a support system in place!)

All I care is that he will be at my wedding - and he'll be there to walk me down the aisle, dance with me, etc. But he won't get to do any of the fast dances because he can't get his heart rate up, etc. It only matters to me that he's there, but... I want my dad back.

I sort of feel that the doctors gave us a much better prognosis for how he would be 3 weeks from the surgery than he really is. I'm hoping he sees a big difference in how he feels this week, but we won't know until it happens, I guess.

Has anyone who has been through open heart surgery with someone gone through these same complications? My dad is in a unique position going into the surgery. He was extremely fit and active, thin, and otherwise very healthy. I think he's frustrated because he doesn't feel the same way right now. I know it's a long recovery and hope he'll be much better in another 3 weeks or so. Can that be expected?

I'll end with the good news - Other than the complications above, he feels good. He isn't in any pain from the surgery or anything.

I just hope he starts to feel better soon. I don't care that he won't be cutting a rug at the wedding, but I KNOW he does, and I know that's really frustrating him right now. I'm the youngest and the only girl in my family - and the last to get married. He's down that he won't be 100% that day. I just look at it as at least he'll BE there and be here for many years to come thanks to the surgery.

Please for a speedy recovery and that he has a good day on Saturday.

Re: Dad Update

for your dad's recovery.

My mom has been through a lot since she has her first series of heart attacks a year ago. She was having coughing fits because she was in congestive heart failure. Thankfully, since your dad has seen a cardiologist, it doesn't sound like this is even an issue. Her lungs were filling up with fluid but they were able to reduce this with lasiks. Try to be patient, I know it is hard. It may seem like everything is hitting you all at once but take one piece at a time. You can't control these things, you can only deal with them one piece at a time.

Re: Dad Update

I'm going through some similiar issues with my Mother right now and it is brutal

Hang in there and many 's that your Dad feels better soon

Re: Dad Update

Your Daddy needs to walk you down the aisle

....

Message edited 3/4/2013 12:26:01 PM.

Re: Dad Update

Posted by Ambersmom

I'm going through some similiar issues with my Mother right now and it is brutal

Hang in there and many 's that your Dad feels better soon

Re: Dad Update

Thank you everyone!!

I just realized how long that was (unnecessarily perhaps!)

Thanks for the hugs and the prayers. When I return from my honeymoon, I hope to post many pics of me and my dad on my wedding day!

(oh yeah, me and my husband, too!)

Re: Dad Update

I am keeping you and your dad in my thoughts.

You will have a glorious wedding day!

Re: Dad Update

Re: Dad Update

Posted by dita

Hi Kara! I'm sorry to hear your Dad is having such a difficult recovery.
My Dad didn't have complications with the medication but he did have the coughing and that is normal. Best Wishes for Saturday!

Re: Dad Update

prayers going up!!!!!