Saturday, December 13, 2008

Update on Dad.........

I talked to him this afternoon......he sounded so much better than he did last night! He is still most likely going to have to have some sort of surgery. What they are thinking about possibly doing is going in laparoscopically and spraying that sticky stuff all over inside his chest cavity....all over the outside of his lung and inside......etc....while he is under general anesthesia...so they can actually see this time where they are spraying it and making sure all areas are covered. The doctor said dad has so many of those blebs (bubbles) all over his lungs that even if they removed part of it that had burst.....there were too many other blebs that would remain that could still burst so that would not really fix the problem. So it sounds like maybe the best thing next will be to try spraying that stuff all over inside via open incisions and scopes...etc...so they can see where it is going and make sure all areas are covered!

When dad arrived at the hospital his lung was collapsed 30%.....and then soon it was 50%......and finally he moved or something and it collapsed completely. So they had to do a new chest tube....in a new location.....an even BIGGER tube....and this time it is bothering him a lot more than last time. He is still coughing up stuff and afraid to cough as he is afraid his lung will collapse again but they told him to cough up the stuff and now that he has a chest tube in he should not fear his lung will collapse. The tubing to his lung got a kink in it once and cut off the suction and he could not breathe much at all which caused all the ICU team and staff to rush to his room to figure out quickly what was wrong. They finally discovered a kink in the tubing and got that worked out and all was well again.

The tube will be in at least until Monday and soon they will talk about the next step which is probably going to be that procedure in surgery. IF all goes well Dad asked if he might be back home in time for Christmas and the doctor said if all went well and nothing unforeseen happened he should be back home for Christmas.

Dad sounded very thankful he could breathe again and to be honest that he was alive....and I know he as well as all of us appreciate your thoughts and prayers. Keep mom in your prayers too as she is worn out. I swear when she called me real early this morning and her voice was cracking and she said "you are not going to believe this but..." that I did think the worst news was coming next from her mouth to me over the phone but that was not the case. It has been a mix of emotions and strangeness to say the least the last 24-48 hours and mom I am sure is about exhausted.

33 comments:

kinnigurl said...

Melinda - I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I hope everything turns out well for him. I'm sure your mom is worn to a frazzle too! You and your family are definitely in my thoughts.

Libertine said...

Sorry to hear that Abe is having so much trouble. Hope they can get it all fixed so that he can be home by Christmas.

Dan said...

looks as if the medical staff at least have a planned course of action! I pray that it is effective for Abe.

Patty said...

Good morning Melinda, thanks for posting this, I will refer people to come here rather then me try to post on his blogs and mine. I will just post your site. Thanks. Have to get myself dressed. Melissa and Audrey will be gone for lunch today. And your Dad had told me to stay home today, but I thought I would surprise him and go down and eat lunch with him. I can order a tray for only $5.00. I guess after 53 years, even though we don't talk a lot while I'm there, he just seems to relax more knowing I'm sitting there in the same room. He's mentioned so many times he didn't know what he would do if something happens to me and I'm not there to help him. So if you call him this morning, don't tell him I'm coming, I'll just surprise him. Love you.

Anonymous said...

Tell Abe that his Panama fans are pulling for him to be home for Christmas.

Kathleen McQueen Wright said...

Love to Abe and to all!! People he does not even know are praying for him!!
I am so glad they found the problem.

Unknown said...

Abe's a strong guy. He will fight this again and come out on top. Pl. convey my best wishes for a speedy recovery to him...Thomas from India.

Dawn Fine said...

Best wishes for a healthy speedy recovery for your dad...

Leora said...

Thinking of Abe and your whole family at this difficult time. Feel good, everyone.

Rottlady of the Ozarks said...

Prayers are coming from my family to yours. I hope everything works out ok.

Anonymous said...

I am so very sorry you are all going through this. Please let your dad know all his blog friends are pulling for him, and send prayers and best wishes his way.

We're all thinking about your mom, too. I know how hard something like this is on family members, especially spouses, and even more especially after 53 years together.

Ineke said...

Unbelievable!
I don't know what to say, but that you and your family are in our thoughts and i wish you all the best of luck and strenght.

Dina said...

More prayers from Jerusalem for Abraham, your mother, and you, Melinda, and the whole family.
The big Blog Family is with you.

imac said...

Prayers and best wishes to Abe/Patty and all the family.
Thinking of you all.God bless.

Stewart/Julie (imac-shemac)

imac said...

Prayers and best wishes to Abe, Patty and all the family.
Thinking about you all.God speed.
Stewart/Julie (imac/shemac)

Linda G. said...

My heart and my prayers go aut to you all.

Rune Eide said...

Please give my regards to both. I now how they must feel.

All the best to you all and I hope for a speedy recovery for your father.

Hilary said...

I feel so bad for your Dad, and of course his family. I hate that this is happening and will continue to send healing thoughts and wishes for a speedy and full recovery.

Tomate Farcie said...

Thanks for the update. We are thinking about you all, and keeping our fingers crossed. Please also tell your mom to remember to rest a little!

SaraG said...

Thank you for the update on your Dad. I hope they figure out what to do and get it done so he can enjoy Christmas at home with his family!!
Take care ABE!! and Take care Abe's awesome family!

Reader Wil said...

Thank you to keep us informed Melinda. My thoughts are with you all. I hope there will be soon hope that everything will be right again.

Unknown said...

Best wishes to you all from Nottingham UK. I hope he is home for Christmas and can have a quiet, but enjoyable time together.

judi/Gmj said...

good reporting and THANK YOU! Please let your mom know you all are in my prayers.

Maria Verivaki said...

there are so many people who want to know how your dad is - he's been so supportive of bloggers and he is very much missed in the blogging world

Sandy Maudlin said...

Thanks so much for the updates. He and your mom are both in my prayers. May all of you be together for Christmas.

Anonymous said...

Oh no..I am so sorry..I have been in ICU unable to breath and that absolute panic that it causes. It is hard to describe, but I know having someone sit there and just be there was a great comfort so I send strength to the family members as it is exhausting....

Mental P Mama said...

I am so sorry about all of this sad news. Maybe they can fix it this time, though, and he can be home for Christmas. Sending up prayers for your parents, and all of you.

Lori Schmidt (LoriProPhoto) said...

Melinda give both your Mom and Dad a huge hug, not too hard though, from me and tell them I am praying for both of them, your Mom needs to get some rest. I know the frustrations of dealing with the Home Health Industry and Hospitals around this area so I feel your pain. I could tell you all sorts of horror stories about the visiting nurses and home health aides that would make you hair stand on end. Just be assertive and insist on what you think he needs, they are compelled to comply. Take care and hoping for better news tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update. Sure hope Abe gets fixed better. I know not breathing enough is scary; even with my little asthma. Warm 72 in Texas. Take Care. Charles

mommanator said...

I will continue to pray for dad and family!

Nancy said...

I know this is a hard time for you all, but it does sound like they can do something to keep this from happening again. And there he is wanting to be home for Christmas, bless his heart. I know your mom has to be worn out from all the running, not to even mention the stress she has been under, too. I continue to pray for both your mom and dad!

(((((( HUGS ))))))

sandy said...

I'm so sorry your dad is going through so much!!! I will put him on my prayer list and absolutely hope and pray that he has full recovery from this...And holding your mom and all of you in my thoughts!!

Tara's Talk said...

I am still thinking of you Abraham!!
Get well soon!

Tara