Update on Dad

Here's an update on what has gone on and what is going on. I really wanted to take a picture of my dad because I think he is very cute in his gown, or "skirt" as my mom calls it and he even got some "tights" when he came to the VA, but I doubt he would appreciate me sharing that on here! :o)

Overall things are going pretty good. At first dad was in SICU (Surgical Intensive Care Unit), in the beginning he was nervous because it was the VA (which is notorious for not being good) but he ended up liking the nurses and was pleased with the care, which they were required to do vitals every hour, yet the nurse was in there a lot more often.

After his first day there (Thurs.) that night, after visiting hours were done and we had all come back home, they moved him to MICU (Medical Intensive Care Unit), because the need the room in SICU. So far we have not been as impressed with this area of the hospital. Twice, the nurses have asked why he's in there and not in a normal room. Which has given dad and mom different negative feelings, which some are being "misplaced", "not wanted", etc. Of course, we have nothing to do with being there but it was the Cardiologist's doing.

Also the nurses have not been as personal and friendly, which feeds into the feelings mentioned above. In the MICU, they usually only check vitals every 4 hours but when I was there yesterday evening the nurse was in there more often then that, so maybe they were talked to by the dr.

Overall, spirits have been good. Yesterday was the most stressful day for mom. Some of the things that fed into that, was the afore mentioned situation, and my uncle (dad's bro) and aunt were down and they were leaving. Dad took it very hard, and it seemed to be just about as hard on my Uncle Jerry, which then in turn was hard on my mom. The conclusion I came to today from different comments she made is, she needs one of us girls with her almost constantly no matter who else is around, mainly for when dr's or other medical personnel come in with information.

The mood -- Dad is calm yet there is some nervousness, which who wouldn't be. He has always been nervous about "going under" for different things. He also has sleep apnea so he doesn't handle laying flat on his back well unless he has his CPAP machine on. For the most part, Dad is in good spirits and the mood is light. We can always find things to laugh about. On occasion you can see the vulnerability and anxiousness in his eyes, but he's being a great patient.

Physically -- At first Dad was on total bed rest, yesterday he was given the "clear" to get up to go to the bathroom but that is all. He also has a problem of when he gets scratched or wounded he can bleed and bleed (I think it's because of his diabetes or some of the meds he is on), but now that he is on blood thinners in prep for the surgery, he can really bleed. Yesterday evening and this morning he has had a bloody nose. I told him it's because they moved him from the 4th floor to the 5th and it must be the altitude difference. ;o) So they just pack it with gauze and use a saline spray every 4 hours. The nurses have also had a hard time finding veins for IV's. He's been poked... I don't know how many times...but a lot! Last night alone when I was in there, it was 3 times. This morning they finally put in a PICC line.

It is basically just a waiting game until Monday morning. We aren't expecting much changes or anything new to happen. Tomorrow evening we are planning for the whole family (kids included) to go up to his room and pray with him. The surgery is scheduled for 8:30 am, Monday morning, so they'll take him back for prep around 7:00am. Jeff, and maybe Matt, are going to use their "clergy" status to get back and pray with him before surgery.

The kids have done really well. They are just staying around the house, playing and staying entertained. Jeff has been very willing to stay around and keep an eye on things while the rest of us come and go. The only bad thing is Landon's been sick. He's been running a high fever since Tuesday. I took him to the dr. yesterday and she thinks it is just a virus that is going around, which they run a fever for about 5 days. If he's still running a fever by Monday we are suppose to take him back in for x-rays to make sure it's not pneumonia. The poor thing missed his last two baseball games and the closing ceremony where he gets a trophy.

In closing, we are seeing God's hand in so many things. From the decisions that were made, to the places and times. I'm hoping to write it down sometime so the family can look back and remember the good He has done, and I might just share it with you! :o)

Some specific things you could pray for:
1) Peace to surround and consume my dad, and the rest of the family.
2) That God's favor be upon dad at that hospital.
3) The doctor's and the surgery Monday.
4) Landon's healing.
5) That no one else gets sick.