Really Upsetting News

[shipperx]

My dad has been feeling badly, and he has a congenital heart defect. They came up yesterday for a doctor's appointment today and apparently the news isn't good.

The doctor believes they're going to have to do valve replacement surgery. This is a REALLY dangerous operation. One friend's grandfather died in that sort of operation. My brother-in-law's father almost died during that operation and barely recovered from it (and died barely a year later).

Mom is really upset. They're heading home (my sister telling her to sell their house in Monroeville. Which... they should. Not sure what they're actually going to do in Monroeville. It's probably at this point mostly psychological comfort seeking on their part.)

Nothing to do but worry at this point. My sister (the M.D.) will call Mike (my Dad's cardiologist. She and Mike went to med school together).

Basically, just really bad news coupled with an inability to do anything about it but be worried and upset. That's always really, really difficult. When something bad happens and you can do something then at least you have something you can do. This is just sit and worry and hope.

Comments

[sp23.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear this, Lisa. My own dad is ill, so I know exactly how you feel. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thanks. My sister's advice is to keep as positive as possible.

[sdwolfpup.livejournal.com]

That is upsetting, I'm so sorry to hear that. :( I'll think lots of healthy thoughts for your dad.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[hazel75.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. I'm hopeful that the surgery goes well. Not that this helps, but my grandfather had to have that surgery (had an artificial valve put in the sixties/seventies -- before I was born) -- it went well for him, and he lived for years afterwards. It is very dangerous surgery, though, and I sympathize with your fear.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thank you. That helps.

[rustybitch.livejournal.com]

My best wishes for your father and your family.
*Also thinks healthy thoughts*

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Hopefully my sister will have better information soon.

[queenofattolia.livejournal.com]

Oh God, Lisa, I'm so sorry, but I'm also sending positive vibes your way. And just being a loving and supportive daughter is all you really have to do right now. Take care.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thans for the vibes. Hopefully everything will work out well.

[nmissi.livejournal.com]

Hon, I'm so sorry. I'll be thinking of you and your family, and praying it all goes well.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[cy-girl.livejournal.com]

My Dad's had a quadruple bypass a few years ago and they recently thought they'd have to do a valve replacement but after the heart cath, they decided to treat it with medication instead.

I hope things go well for your Dad. :::hug:::

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the empathy.

[calturner.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with you. *hugs*

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[paratti.livejournal.com]

I hope everything goes well.

(((Hugs))) you.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[fishsanwitt]

Lisa, I'm so sorry.

My mother had a heart valve replaced (this was in 1990) and she recovered really well, and so I'm sending good thoughts to you and your family.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. That's encouraging to know. Glad you mother is doing well.

sorry to hear you're anxious

[klytaimnestra.livejournal.com]

It is a very anxious time. Far more valve operations are successful than not, but of course what one wants is a success rate of 100%. A friend of mine's father had a valve operation a few years back and he's doing fine now, so it does happen, though! I hope it all goes well. When will they be doing the surgery?

Re: sorry to hear you're anxious

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

We don't know yet when the surgery will be scheduled. Since Mike (his cardiologist) is a friend of the family (he's been my sister's friend since they were in pre-med in college together) she was going to speak to him tonight for more information about Dad's options and what kind of scheduling needs to be done.

[thedeadlyhook.livejournal.com]

Awful news, I'll be thinking of you. I can offer, however, that my father's had that surgery (his second open-heart, after a bypass) and so has a friend of mine with a congential value problem, and both did well, although it is a long recovery. It's the sort of thing where making sure you're getting the best surgeon you can should be the priority, and it sounds like you've already got that covered. My best hopes go out to you. (hug)

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thank you. That's encouraging to know. Glad your father is doing well.

[pelinxf.livejournal.com]

I'm very sorry to hear about this Lisa. I hope he fully recovers from it. Best of luck to him. :: hugs ::

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[timeofchange.livejournal.com]

So sorry.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[gamiila.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear your dad's so ill; no wonder you're all so worried. Sending good vibes and prayers your way.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thanks

[marajade71.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry to hear this. I hope he recovers quickly. *Hugs*

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the good vibes. Hopefully everything will be okay.

[sarahlynnl.livejournal.com]

I hope that it goes ok. Good Luck and you and your dad are in my prayers.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

Oh, man, that really sucks! I hope your father is one of those for whom the surgery does work! And yes, it’s very hard to have to do nothing, but I’m glad your sister will be able to understand and explain all the ramifications.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

She's going to speak with Mike (Dad's cardiologist) tonight. Mike has been a friend of the family since my sister and he became friends in pre-med in college. So we do know and trust him a great deal. My sister should have more information soon.

[cordykitten]

I hope for the best for you - I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[http://users.livejournal.com/opalescence_/]

My father-in-law nearly died afterwards in 1999, too. For some reason, all his systems started shutting down, and he was in really good health other than the valve prolapse. But he is doing well now. He ticks. :-) I am so sorry to hear this. Your family is in my prayers!

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thank you. That's encouraging to know. Glad your father-in-law is doing well.

[skipthedemon.livejournal.com]

You'll be in my prayers.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[xionin.livejournal.com]

wow, my thoughts are with you and your family.
i hope everything works out.

::hugs::

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[hannahlee-ann.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. I'll be praying for your dad and your family. *hugs*

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[nutmeg3.livejournal.com]

I'm sending good thoughts your dad's way, and yours, too. Let us know how he does, OK?

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

I will. Right now I'm not sure what's going to happen when. I called my sister and she isn't sure what kind of scheduling we're talking about. Mom really didn't say (I could tell she was upset when she called. I haven't been able to get into contact with her since). My sister was going to call Mike tonight and get as precise a picture of the situation as she can so that we'll know more about what kind of timeline we're looking at.

[fer1213.livejournal.com]

What an awful situation. If it helps at all, a collegue of my husband's had this surgery four months ago and he's fine now. *hugs*

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Thank you. That's encouraging to know.