Dad Update

I am home from my trek to see my father in CityOfMyBirth. I am pleased to say that the bypass went well, and Dad is already out of the ICU and into a private room. I was very apprehensive about him coming out of the surgery and coping well with it, given his status as a burn victim, and with all of the attendant medical difficulties that encompassed; but he ended up doing very well.

My brother and I got to talk with his surgeon yesterday, and we were told that Dad ended up having only a double bypass, instead of the quadruple they were fearing that he would need. One of the main arteries of his heart was already completely blocked, and could not be repaired, so the doctors bypassed the other two main arteries, and closed him up. I was very relieved when the surgeon said that there was no lasting damage to the heart muscle.

It's always a very scary process to see one's parents infirm or unwell -- to see those larger-than-life figures laid low. My father, typically a jokester, actually made a fairly good patient -- following the guidelines laid out for him, doing everything that the nurses asked, and being in a good frame of mind. Being my father, he was already hard at work bedeviling the nurses. I got to spend the better part of the day with him before I had to head for home, and was very glad that he come through the surgery so well, and with a good attitude.

Thank you to all who wished him well. It does my own heart good to know that my blog friends were thinking good thoughts for him, and for me. I thank you all for your prayers, and your virtual hugs. I appreciate the support more than you can ever know.