My dad had a second heart attack

snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
So, Right now my dad is on the way to the charity hospital. They don't do surgery on heart attack patients, they can only stabilize. After they stabilize him, they will have to drive him over 2 hours to the next hospital that will do surgery. My mom called me a few minutes ago and told me that my dad's pain has gotten a lot worse then it was a little while ago.
I don't know what I would do without my dad. He's my friend and my employer! He has helped me out more then anyone else in my life and he has taken care of my mom all of these years. I don't know what to do without him.
For those of you who are religious, please pray for my father, and my family through all of this. I probably won't be on the boards for a little while so I can take care of everything and go to the hospital. Just please pray for all of us. Thank you.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
You and your family will be in my prayers....think positive thoughts....they are able to do A LOT today for treatments
 
beth

beth

Administrator
Staff member
Snake, we are with you and your family. Let us know how you and dad are doing as soon as you can.
 
scott t

scott t

Active Member
My Prayers are going out to you and your Family Snake, Like I told Jerth I will light a Prayer Candle for you and your family also. God Bless My friend...
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
They gave him some meds that broke up the blockage in his artery. They are now prepping him for an open heart tripple bypass. I'll know more later this evening when he gets out of the emergency room. Only two people are allowed in the CCU at a time, so I'm going to wait to go to the hospital until they get a room.
The worst part is that he's uninsurable - no insurance on this heart attack. I'm worried not only for my dad, but having an income for my family as well.
 
bionicarm

bionicarm

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/387586/my-dad-had-a-second-heart-attack#post_3411517
They gave him some meds that broke up the blockage in his artery. They are now prepping him for an open heart tripple bypass. I'll know more later this evening when he gets out of the emergency room. Only two people are allowed in the CCU at a time, so I'm going to wait to go to the hospital until they get a room.
The worst part is that he's uninsurable - no insurance on this heart attack. I'm worried not only for my dad, but having an income for my family as well.
Bypass surgery isn't as radical as it used to be. You'd be amazed how easily and quickly the procedure can be performed. They'll probably take vein graphs from his legs to be used for the bypass.
You sure they can't try angioplasty and put in stents, instead of doing a full-blown bypass?
 
reefraff

reefraff

Active Member
My father in law had triple bypass in his late fifties. He just turned 82. It is serious surgery but if your dad is in otherwise good health really isn't that big a deal, least not like it was 30 years ago.
No insurance is your biggest concern. Once you make sure he is through the surgery you should consult an attorney and see what the options are. The hospital will also have a social worker that can help on that end too. Being able to tell him not to sweat the finances will make his recovery go a lot smoother. Having him stuck in the hospital worried about losing the house or whatever isn't a good thing.
 
bigarn

bigarn

Active Member
My Dad was 87 and had a quadruple by pass. He's now 91 and doing great .. they've come a long way. Hang in there and think positive thoughts.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Thank you all for the words of encouragement, thoughts, and prayers.
The cardiac surgeon is going to be performing the operation at 7 in the morning. The stints that were in his heart were 90% blocked, and they couldn't put more in, they have to bypass it etc. etc. I don't know much about it all, I just hope everything goes smoothly. He won't be able to return to work for the next two months, if he survives the surgery. It will be hard on us all, but I think we will make it in the long run.
My mother is pretty good at finding charity money and loopholes in the system. She knows all the in's and out's of the medical system. I'm not worried about them being able to pay for all of the medical expenses because it will all be taken care of one way or another. I know my dad will be ok, but I am worried about paying my bills for the next two or three months.
I know they have made terrific advancements in medicine, but you don't know how you feel about it until it's your mom or dad on the operating table - even yourself.
 
bionicarm

bionicarm

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/387586/my-dad-had-a-second-heart-attack#post_3411583
Thank you all for the words of encouragement, thoughts, and prayers.
The cardiac surgeon is going to be performing the operation at 7 in the morning. The stints that were in his heart were 90% blocked, and they couldn't put more in, they have to bypass it etc. etc. I don't know much about it all, I just hope everything goes smoothly. He won't be able to return to work for the next two months, if he survives the surgery. It will be hard on us all, but I think we will make it in the long run.
My mother is pretty good at finding charity money and loopholes in the system. She knows all the in's and out's of the medical system. I'm not worried about them being able to pay for all of the medical expenses because it will all be taken care of one way or another. I know my dad will be ok, but I am worried about paying my bills for the next two or three months.
I know they have made terrific advancements in medicine, but you don't know how you feel about it until it's your mom or dad on the operating table - even yourself.
If he had stents already, and the arteries clogged again, that's why they have to do the full bypass. Don't worry about him surviving the surgery. If he was in good health otherwise, I'm sure he'll be fine.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
No, my dad doesn't keep up with his health. He's overweight, he doesn't get any exercise other than messing with hunting equipment and his pigeon breeding hobby. I'm really worried. Right now a persons hands are in my dad's open chest rearranging things.
Well, I'm off to work - maybe it will all work out and be ok, I'll know by 11am today.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
So, update :
My dad is out of surgery, there weren't any surprises, so I guess that's a good thing. It's going to be an hour or so until anyone can see him. I'm at work, taking care of the shop and what-not. Someone's gotta do it. Maybe I will get to see him later this evening. Usually it's only one person at a time for the first two days - so my mom will mainly be there for him. My wife has been very supportive throughout all of this, God bless her. I'll probably get to see him Wednesday at the earliest. The worst part of it is over, I hope. Now he'll have to concentrate on getting better and in better health. The next heart attack, if it does happen, will probably be a lifetaker.
Thank you all for the encouragement, support, and hugs. I need it.
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
I'm 6 years out from my triple bypass. They did me on a Friday night and sent me home the following Tuesday afternoon. I was tired a lot, and had a few aches, but nothing that a little Tylenol couldn't handle after the first 3 or 4 days. You might expect your dad to have ups and downs physically and emotionally - that is normal, and will even out as time passes. Good luck to your dad and his support people - it will be hard on you too.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
He's doing well, sitting up and talking and walking around a little bit. He called me today to talk to me a little while. It was really good to hear his voice again. He won't be able to drive for six weeks and he won't be able to do any kind of work for about 8 weeks. He's going to be ok, I know that for sure now. He's just glad that I'm here to take care of the shop and do the work while he is gone. I'm happy that I'm here for my parents too. It will all work out.
Now we just have to worry about medical bills, yay!
 
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