Been otherwise occupied ...could use some prayers

[StephN]

My parents have been with me for a week now and we have been putting Dad through all the hospital visits leading up to his open heart surgery tomorrow. He will be having 5 to 7 bypasses and a procedure to hopefully correct his atrial fibrulation. He is 84, but otherwise in OK health with no other major disease processes.

All is ready, and Dad is now in the shower using the special antiseptic soap they give to use presurgery.

This is a BIG deal in our family as Dad has been an absolute rock all these years, and given of his time, energy, money and talents very unselfishly to anyone he could help. His pastor even wanted to come to town here for the surgery but Dad talked him out of that.

More soon. And thanks for any prayers and good thoughts.

[lexigirl]

STaphanie,

Saying prayers for your dad and the team of doctors.

Hugs and Prayers,
Lexi

[Karen Weixel]

Prayers being sent your way.

Hugs,
Karen

[rinaina]

Lots of prayers for your dad coming your way. Wow, he has done so well in his 84 years of life and I hope his surgery is a huge success.

[MGordon]

Love and Light
Mel

[Chelee]

Sending nothing but GOOD thoughts his way. Here's to your Dad being back on his feet & feeling good in no time. I am going to have him in my thoughts and prayers. Sending healing thoughts for a fast recovery.

Chelee

[IRENE FROM TAMPA]

To Your Dad Steph.

He Seems To Have Lots Of Good Things On His Side So Am Sure That He Will Rally Through His Surgery.

Take Care Of Yourself (and Your Dad)

[janet/FL]

Steph,
I knew I liked you. Now I know why. You take after your Dad! Sending positive vibes this AM that your Dad sails through the operation and that the atrial fib is corrected.
Hugs,
Janet

[Mary Anne in TX]

Best of luck and wishes to you and your dad and all your family for a safe and successful surgery.

[Sheila]

Steph

Your Dad and my Dad are the same age! Saying prayers for a smooth surgery and perfect outcome....he's lucky to have you taking such good care of him...he must be a wonderful man, Dad, husband...look at the daughter he raised!
You will all be in my prayers during this time.

[Andi]

Steph - my prayers are with you and your family! Here is hoping your dad's surgery goes smoothly and he has a speedy recovery.

[sherri]

Hi Steph,

I'm sending positive energy from Vancouver to you and you father. I wish the best of luck for the surgery and recovery.

Big hug,

[vickie h]

STEPHANIE, SENDING YOU AND YUR FAMILY PRAYERS FROM CALIFORNIA...MAY GOD BE WITH YOUR FATHER THROUGH HIS SURGERY. lOVE, VICKIE

[AlaskaAngel]

StephN, with all the goodwill you have shown so many of us over time you have a huge storehouse of goodness that by any measure should be yours to draw upon for you and your family at times like this. Hope the stress will soon be replaced with relief.

All good thoughts are with you,

AlaskaAngel

[StephN]

Thanks everyone - your words mean a lot to us. As Dad says - no prayers are stronger than those who have faced true adversity.

Getting ready to take Mom to the hospital now. Dad did not want her to come at the crack of dawn and wait around for the 5-6 hours on top of long surgery prep time.

Here is a link to a photo of my parents I posted in the Photo Gallery some time back.

http://her2support.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=80&cat=521

[Vi Schorpp]

What an absolutely beautiful couple! The best of luck to your dad, mother and you. My husband had a quadruple bypass about 9 years ago. They had him up and walking in no time. I pray the same for your dad.

[suzan w]

Prayers to you and your family from "the other side of the water"!!! Hope everything goes well.

[Jean]

Steph,

Will add your Dad to my evening prayer.

Sending all good wishes to you.

Jean

[Joy]

I'm sending so much to you and your family today. Thank you for sharing.

[tousled1]

StephN,

I will keep your father and your family in my prayers.

[Margerie]

I hope your dad will be resting comfortably soon. He sounds like he has a big heart- and it should be easy to fix it! Take care of yourself also friend. Hugs and prayers to your family!

Margerie

[Barbara H.]

Hi Steph,
I just arrived back from work and read your post. Your dad and your family are in my thoughts. Thank you so much for posting the picture. They are a beautiful couple. Let us know how everything goes.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.

[Cathy1]

Hi Steph,

I will be praying for your wonderful dad! You are so special and have always been a great help to me. May the Lord watch over your dear father and bring him safely through his operation. God Bless and Keep You All! Cathy

[RhondaH]

sending prayers your way. Take care and God bless.

Rhonda

[Becky]

Only good thoughts and wishes your way.

[caya]

Hi Steph,

Sending good thoughts your way from up north in sunny(today at least) Toronto Canada.
Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to your Dad.

Caya

[Christine]

Your Dad is a fighter. I guess we know know where you got it from. Our prayers go out to him.

Hugs
Christine

[Lolly]

BIG HUGS from us to you...

What a beautiful couple! Just want you to know my dad had Quintuple Bypass 2 years ago, and did just fine. He has multiple chronic health problems and even so came through with flying colors, all things considered. It's so wonderful they could come to you for the time being, that will go a long way towards helping him get back on his feet.
Please give your parents our best wishes.

<3 Lolly & Frank

[Belinda]

Best wishes to you and your family - will be sending positive vibes your way - B

[StephN]

Through SEVEN bypasses and the procedure for the atrial fib. It was a long ordeal for all of us, and I did not get home with Mom until 10:30 last night.
We only left the hospital when Dad was breathing on his own, his heart rate numbers were better and he was talking like himself. I took my cue by when Mom was comfortable leaving him.

You would not believe how many IV lines and pumps they had with fluids of all kinds going into him. We are used to IV's with our treatment, but this was like 8 or 9 different pumps going into a couple of main lines.

They are removing some of the lines and drains today and we are on our way to the hospital. My younger sister was there at 8 am to help out with his breakfast, but the nurse told me "he helped himself." He also has not complained much about pain, which is also good.

Your prayers and positive energy were much felt and appreciated.

[Barbara H.]

Hi Steph,
Thank you for posting this news. It sounds as if he is well on his way to recovery. I wish your parents and family all the best and you remain in my thoughts.
Barbara H.

[AlaskaAngel]

He has YOUR genes, you know, and they are very stubborn fighter genes....! I enjoyed seeing the nice photos of your indomitable forebears.

You are right, the pain is the next challenge, according to our in-law. That, plus having to take things much slower for a while. If he has your genetics that won't be so easy -- I KNOW.

Thanks for the update, StephN,

AlaskaAngel

[lindaw]

Dear Stephanie


thinking of you and your family and wishing you the best.
love
linda

[Joy]

to hear the good news and I'm STILL going to send those speedy recovery prayers his way. Get some rest for yourself too.

[Bev]

Glad all is well. Enjoyed all the pics of dad and HER2 members. Love and prayers. Bev

[kareneg]

StephN,
I am sending your father all my prayers and well wishes...

[Adriana Mangus]

Stephanie: Sending you best wishes and lots of prayers for your Dad.
I understand completely, I was very close to my father who passed away 8 years ago. He's was a sweet and supporting father.

[MJo]

Life goes on. Wishing a successful operation and quick recovery for your dad. I also wish you (and me) successful surgery at age 84.

[StephN]

Thanks for your sweet thoughts and prayers.

Dad finally made it out of intensive care around 5 pm yeasterday - a full NINE days after his surgery. A condition that was not thought to be very important became exacerbated with the surgery and he could not stand without getting dizzy or even passing out! They finally got him on some med that has helped correct that and his is now on his feet a bit and getting stronger every day.
Poor man is just starved for some real solid sleep after this long in the hospital.

His cardiac surgeon wants him to stay here with us for 10 days after getting out of the hospital later this week, so we will be looking at what special equipment, bed etc. will be needed.

Last night Dad told me: :"Well, I never intended to spend the WHOLE month of March with you!" Guess he just thought he would be his normal "Viking" self and walk out of there in a few days... http://www.her2support.org/vbulletin/images/icons/icon12.gif

[Esther]

Great news Steph! Glad your dad is on the mend and things went well.

[Margerie]

Glad to hear your spunky dad is on the mend. It is interesting about hospitals- you are supposed to rest and they make it impossible!!

I hope you have good luck finding his medical equipment. I am sure the food will be better at your place too!

[TriciaK]

So glad your dad (and you and your mom!) made it through all this! My husband and I (only in our 70's) both made it through bypass surgeries last summer. It has made a big difference in how well we feel now. Even though they say it takes about a year to really recover, we both felt better within a few months. My husband had A-fib and is still on coumadin. I was not breathing well without oxygen and couldn't go above 4,000 ft. altitude, but now can go over 7,000 with no problem. It is not a fun surgery but there was surprisingly little pain. I hope your wonderful dad does as well as we have and it makes a very positive improvement in his quality of life. The pictures are great. I can see where you get your good looks and fighting spirit! We are vikings too, Wendell is 1/4 Danish and I am 1/2 Swedish. We send our love and prayers to all of you! Hugs, Tricia