A Halloween Adventure in Autism (11/12) New Thread Begun on TR Board!

[MEK]

Well, its been a pretty rough weekend.

Dad had some post-op complications; the surgery disturbed the ability of his heart to pace itself and his heart has been beating either very slow or very fast, and very irregularly. He will be getting a pacemaker today and hopefully will be coming home Wednesday.

I've spent the past three days/nights at the hospital and I'm pretty beat. I'm hoping to slowly catch up with your reports, but I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your kind thoughts and prayers.

Can I just reassure you that this is not uncommon at all after heart surgery, particularly aortic valve surgery. Atrial fibrillation (fast, irregular heart beat) happens in 1/3 of all patients that have heart surgery. When your dad was started on amiodarone (or whatever other agent they may have used) his heart rate probably dropped. As a result - the pacemaker! Atrial fib is usually a temporary problem, but it has to be treated to maintain hemodynamic stability. Without the pacemaker it can not be adequately treated.

I hope all goes well with the pacemaker today. I have to be honest with you. I have noticed that heart surgery patients really hate getting pacemakers. I'm not sure why this is, because compared to the original surgery, the pacemaker is a relatively simple procedure. I guess people just don't like taking home a permanent device.

 

[KathyRN137]

Can I just reassure you that this is not uncommon at all after heart surgery, particularly aortic valve surgery....

Hi Mary Ellen! Thanks for the reassurances.

My mom was completely wigged out by the thought of the pacemaker... not quite sure why; its really not such a big deal. I suppose it was just a "oh no, not another surgery" kind of thing. It took us the entire weekend to calm her down; she does not handle stress very well. I stayed with him during the overnights because if I didn't then she would, and that would have driven the staff (and my dad) completely crazy!

Its too bad that they can't put Xanax in a spray form; we could spritz it around patient rooms like Febreeze and then certain family members wouldn't freak out so much!

My dad is an electical engineer and the rationale for the pacemaker is very easy for him to understand; he's fine with it.

I will keep you updated...


Kathy

 

[MEK]

Hi Mary Ellen! Thanks for the reassurances.

My mom was completely wigged out by the thought of the pacemaker... not quite sure why; its really not such a big deal. I suppose it was just a "oh no, not another surgery" kind of thing. It took us the entire weekend to calm her down; she does not handle stress very well. I stayed with him during the overnights because if I didn't then she would, and that would have driven the staff (and my dad) completely crazy!

Kathy -

I hear ya'. I see so many patients and family members "wig out" over this. Very, very common reaction! I bet your mom will be much calmer once he gets his pacemaker. Then things will settle down and be back on track!

(p.s. I know you know what atrial fibrillation, but I included the explanation for anyone else who may be following along)

 

[KathyRN137]

Okay...

It took me the better part of the morning, but I think I'm caught up on all my PTRs! I will take a break and then tackle the TRs this afternoon, once I've put in a few hours of cleaning up this house.

What a disaster! It's amazing how messy a house can get when mom's gone for a few days! I'm working for the next three days, so I've got to get it done today! So...

"I'll be back," she says in her best Arnold voice!



Kathy

 

[jordanyosh]

I hope you can get some rest!

Continued prayers for your dad and family

 

[mrsksomeday]

Thoughts and prayers to you, your family, and you Dad.

 

[preschoolmom]

Sending more prayers. Thinking of you, your Dad and your family!

Try to take care of yourself, too!

 

[jcc0621]

GOod thoughts headed north Kathy

 

[Charleston Princess]

Kathy, try and get some rest! Lots of prayers and hugs for your dad and you!

 

[Dreamer & Wisher]

I am so sorry to hear about your Dad's complications. I will keep him in my prayers.

I hope you got some rest.

 

[princesskelz]

Well, its been a pretty rough weekend.

Dad had some post-op complications; the surgery disturbed the ability of his heart to pace itself and his heart has been beating either very slow or very fast, and very irregularly. He will be getting a pacemaker today and hopefully will be coming home Wednesday.

I've spent the past three days/nights at the hospital and I'm pretty beat. I'm hoping to slowly catch up with your reports, but I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your kind thoughts and prayers.

wvdislover: Missy, I'm so sorry to hear about Sarah's accident. Billy broke his wrist a couple of years ago and the cast was a real pain. I hope she feels better soon!

Try to remember to take care of yourself as you get over the flu... we moms tend to put ourselves last.

Kathy

sending hugs and pixie dust your way!!
Here's to a better week for your family.
10 days

 

[moparop]

Thinking of you guys Kathy! I hope the surgery went well and your dad (and mom) are recovering from the ordeal well. Also hooing that the days back at the office this week will be easy ones for you!

 

[joy13]

Sorry about your Dad's complications - but glad to hear things are starting to get better. I have been there with parent's with serious health problems - it is very tiring!

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

Kathy and family

 

[wvdislover]

Well, its been a pretty rough weekend.

Dad had some post-op complications; the surgery disturbed the ability of his heart to pace itself and his heart has been beating either very slow or very fast, and very irregularly. He will be getting a pacemaker today and hopefully will be coming home Wednesday.

I've spent the past three days/nights at the hospital and I'm pretty beat. I'm hoping to slowly catch up with your reports, but I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your kind thoughts and prayers.

wvdislover: Missy, I'm so sorry to hear about Sarah's accident. Billy broke his wrist a couple of years ago and the cast was a real pain. I hope she feels better soon!

Try to remember to take care of yourself as you get over the flu... we moms tend to put ourselves last.

Kathy

Kathy, I'm so sorry it's been such a rough weekend. We'll continue to keep you dad in our prayers. Hope the pacemaker takes care of everything!

Sarah is doing rather well. We've only had one major meltdown (at 2:30 am, of all times...DH took her for a ride in the car with classical music to calm her down). Got a good report at the orthopedist today and she is now able to participate some in dance class, with caution. Flu is winding down in our house...everyone started getting back into normal life again today. You're right, though, we moms do usually put ourselves last. On the worst day of my flu, I took my DD's to the dentist, went to K-Mart, Kroger, and the library before crashing at home I guess we do what we need to so life will keep going. Think I can fit in your suitcase when you go to WDW? It'd be kind of nice to go back to our "happy place" and escape all this

Please continue to keep us updated on your dad's conditions! Enjoy getting ready for your trip!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Sorry to hear about the rough weekend with your dad. He is in my prayers. I hope you are managing to get some rest with all that is going on...it can wear you right down if you let it.

 

[KathyRN137]

Hey everyone! Time for another Dad update....


He had a pacemaker put in yesterday, but spiked a temperature of 101 at midnight, so the surgeon wants him to have a few doses of IV antibiotics and a normal temp before he leaves. So far today he has had a normal temp, so hopefully he will come home tonight.

I'm glad because the longer you stay in a hospital, the greater chance you have of getting an infection. He's been up out of bed and even walking around in the hall.

If he is discharged tonight, I may take another trip down the shore to make sure everything is okay and to give my DSis a little break. She's been shuttling Mom back and forth and handling the phone calls, etc. She sounds pretty tired.

Thanks again, I'm sorry I haven't responded individually to everyone, but I've read all your posts and have been truly touched by your kindness and concern for my family.

Kathy

 

[mousescrapper]

sending lots of HUGS...



and prayers....



J-

 

[Charleston Princess]

More prayers that your dad gets to come home today -- it's certainly encouraging news that he is up and moving around!

 

[Dreamer & Wisher]

Praying for you Dad to be fever free and heading home.

Very sweet of you to think of relieving your sister.

My sister had to care for her MIL before she passed. None of her three daughters ever gave her a break or helped my sister out. They weren't very supportive and it was very stressful on my sister.

I hope he gets to go home tonight.