Last Wednesday (March 21), my Dad went into bypass surgery (began at 8:30). Less than 3.5 hours and 5 bypasses later, the surgery was complete and he was being moved to the Critical Care Unit. Around 1:30, we were able to see him and he was already rousing from the anesthesia. Our visit was very short as he was attempting to let us know he could hear us. About an hour later, we were allowed back in. He was still very groggy, but able to open his eyes a little more and let us know that he was aware of our presence. By this time, the breathing machine had been turned back from 10 to 8.
We saw him again around 6:00. The breathing tube had been removed and he was able to talk a little. He reminded us of what he said when he left the pre-op room - "I'm just going to take a nap." He also said he figured he'd lost his tan, but we assured him that his color looked great. I can only say that it was an awesome thing to see my Dad that alert after such a major event. He would not let me leave that visit without reaching over the bed to kiss his forehead. You can imagine that was difficult for me with my belly, so he even extended his head toward me so that I could reach him. He said he loved me and Samuel - talk about doing a heart good! There was another visit that night at 9:00, but Samuel and I had to go back home for some rest.
The next morning (3/22), I was there bright and early (well, it wasn't really bright at 5:30) so I could see him at 6:00. He was awake and waiting on us. He relayed the events of the night... the nurses came and sat him up on the side of the bed and touched his feet to the floor. He also stood 'by himself' for about 10 seconds. We had a nice visit and then left for breakfast and showers.
When we returned at 10:00, we were informed that he had been moved to a room. We found him all settled in his bed and ready for a nap. He was able to sit up in a chair for all his meals. Sometime that afternoon, he walked the full length of his hall (we later found out it was around 1000 feet) with the assistance of a nurse. All this with IVs sticking out of his neck and chest tubes hanging from his body.
Friday morning (3/23), the doctors removed the chest tubes and he was able to walk more freely up and down the hall. This would be his last trip with a nurse or rehab rep... they released him to walk with somebody in the family. Around lunch time, they came and removed the IVs from his neck making his load even lighter. He continued his regimen of eating, sleeping, walking, sleeping, sucking on a machine to expand his chest, sleeping...
Saturday (3/24), they removed all his bandages to let his incisions "get some air". We also received the first sign of 'hope' that he could go home the next day. He continued his regimen of eating, sleeping, walking, sleeping, sucking on a machine to expand his chest, sleeping...
Sunday (3/25), around 10:00, the doctors came in and released him to go home. They wrapped up the paperwork and and let him out around 11:00. A brief time later, he walked through the front door of his home. We all had big smiles of joy!
Since then, he's continued his regimen of eating, sleeping, walking, sleeping, sucking on a machine to expand his chest, sleeping... We are all very proud of him. He has worked hard to get this far, and I know he will only get better as time goes on.
My brother created a web site just for my Dad.. there's some funny stuff there if you're interested: http://web.mac.com/cswhite.
The next morning (3/22), I was there bright and early (well, it wasn't really bright at 5:30) so I could see him at 6:00. He was awake and waiting on us. He relayed the events of the night... the nurses came and sat him up on the side of the bed and touched his feet to the floor. He also stood 'by himself' for about 10 seconds. We had a nice visit and then left for breakfast and showers.
When we returned at 10:00, we were informed that he had been moved to a room. We found him all settled in his bed and ready for a nap. He was able to sit up in a chair for all his meals. Sometime that afternoon, he walked the full length of his hall (we later found out it was around 1000 feet) with the assistance of a nurse. All this with IVs sticking out of his neck and chest tubes hanging from his body.
Friday morning (3/23), the doctors removed the chest tubes and he was able to walk more freely up and down the hall. This would be his last trip with a nurse or rehab rep... they released him to walk with somebody in the family. Around lunch time, they came and removed the IVs from his neck making his load even lighter. He continued his regimen of eating, sleeping, walking, sleeping, sucking on a machine to expand his chest, sleeping...
Saturday (3/24), they removed all his bandages to let his incisions "get some air". We also received the first sign of 'hope' that he could go home the next day. He continued his regimen of eating, sleeping, walking, sleeping, sucking on a machine to expand his chest, sleeping...
Sunday (3/25), around 10:00, the doctors came in and released him to go home. They wrapped up the paperwork and and let him out around 11:00. A brief time later, he walked through the front door of his home. We all had big smiles of joy!
Since then, he's continued his regimen of eating, sleeping, walking, sleeping, sucking on a machine to expand his chest, sleeping... We are all very proud of him. He has worked hard to get this far, and I know he will only get better as time goes on.
My brother created a web site just for my Dad.. there's some funny stuff there if you're interested: http://web.mac.com/cswhite.
No comments:
Post a Comment