My Dad - UPDATED

kat · #1 (**permalink**) 04-18-2002, 03:01 AM

A while back, Steph posted about my dad - he was in the hospital following a heart attack and his heart had been seriously weakened by this. He's been on medications since, trying to strengthen the heart so that they could attempt surgery to repair the damage.

Last Friday, he was called by the surgeon who told him that she could not operate on him as the drugs simply could not make him strong enough to live through the surgery and she had sent his case before a medical review board to have it transferred out of their HMO and into another facility. The review board agreed with her findings and now my dad is a heart transplant candidate at Stanford University.

He has to go in for preliminary testing on Friday & could be in the hospital as soon as Monday for the transplant procedure (I think the nurse said something to him about "procedures?" but I'm not sure because I got the info second hand from my mom who's still in a state of shock).

As you all can imagine, I cancelled my plans to go to Vegas with the group, but I don't know how much I will be around until things are a little more settled with my dad. I'll try to keep you all updated as I know more.

Please keep my dad & mom in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this. It hasn't even been a full year since my mom had her heart surgery, so I'm really worried about her health as well.

juliet57 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-18-2002, 09:19 AM

I will keep all of you in my prayers, especially your Dad.

Corganiacs · #3 (**permalink**) 04-18-2002, 10:22 AM

kat, will do. i hope everything in the end will work out well for your mom and dad.
-corg
keep us posted.

doddad · #4 (**permalink**) 04-18-2002, 11:08 AM

Hoping for the best.

cinifini · #5 (**permalink**) 04-18-2002, 11:19 AM

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your mom and dad.
I know what you are going through and I wish nothing but the best for your family.

Keep the good thoughts - keep smiling - and keep strong!!!

Airslady · #6 (**permalink**) 04-20-2002, 01:33 AM

You and your family will be in my prayers ((((((KAT)))))))

NiteOwl · #7 (**permalink**) 04-21-2002, 05:42 AM

Kat, you..your mom..and especially your dad have my prayers! I just lost my dad a few months ago so I know how hard this is on you. God Bless...

devlina2u · #8 (**permalink**) 04-21-2002, 12:22 PM

Please keep us updated. Is he doing better? I hope so....

Ttulipss · #9 (**permalink**) 04-21-2002, 11:42 PM

Prayers, Kat, to you and your parents! Please keep us posted! Special prayers to your dad that they will find a "match" for a new heart for him!

ILoveElf · #10 (**permalink**) 04-27-2002, 06:25 AM

Your Dad and all of your family will be in our prayers.Hugs

kat · #11 (**permalink**) 04-27-2002, 07:34 PM

Dev,

He went in for testing and they've put him on about a dozen different drugs while they wait for him to get strong enough for surgery. From what I understand, at least one is an anti-rejection drug that they say he needs to take before the surgery can even take place and they've scheduled him to go back in June.

Right now, we're trying to take things on a day by day basis and feel incedibly lucky that he was able to get into the transplant program. We're just hoping that there will be a donor available once he's strong enough for surgery. If not, he will need to use an artificial heart until one becomes available, but it would be so much better for him if he only had a single operation.

As I know more, I'll keep you updated. Thank you so much for the prayers & good thoughts! I know they work.

Pipanella · #12 (**permalink**) 04-27-2002, 08:23 PM

Thanks for letting everyone know, Kat. Yep, those prayers DO work, I know it for a fact. We'll keep 'em coming!!

kat · #13 (**permalink**) 05-13-2002, 01:22 AM

My dad passed away yesterday afternoon. According to the doctors, it happened quite suddenly and was over in under a minute.

I wanted to thank all of you who have sent me emails & prayers - I know that he's in a better place now without any more suffering.

Please keep my mom in your prayers as she goes through an incredibly difficult time. My parents had been together 52 years and I am worried how she is taking this.