Been otherwise occupied ...could use some prayers
 

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.

STaphanie,

Saying prayers for your dad and the team of doctors.

Hugs and Prayers,
Lexi

Prayers being sent your way.

Hugs,
Karen

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.

Prayers on the way...
 

Love and Light
Mel

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

All The Best
 

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)

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

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

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.

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

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,

Your Loving Father
 

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

Best to you, Steph
 

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

Photo of Dad
 

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/sho...oto=80&cat=521

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.

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

Steph,

Will add your Dad to my evening prayer.

Sending all good wishes to you.

Jean

count me in too
 

StephN,

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

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

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.

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

Steph...
 

sending prayers your way. Take care and God bless.

Rhonda

Only good thoughts and wishes your way.

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

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

Hugs
Christine

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

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

He made it!
 

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.

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.

Well, don't forget....
 

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

Dear Stephanie


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

so happy
 

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

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

Wow 84 yrs. old!
 

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.

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

Doing better - all of us ...
 

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...ons/icon12.gif

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