Daddy's Heart Attack

Where do I begin? I have so many thoughts, concerns, feelings, emotions, pains, etc. going on that I don't even know why I am writing on here. But, I feel like this will help me sort through some of the emotions that I have experienced over the past 48 hours or so.

First off let me start with a brief history of dad's heart. In the past ten years he has had 2 open heart surgeries and 12 (now 14) heart caths done and several stints. About a week ago he went in for his anual stress test and the test didn't come out good. He was scheduled for a heart cath for Dec. 2 and was told to go on about life as normal until then.

Sunday evening Dad was ready to go back to New Orleans so that he could be there early Monday. Just so happens mom went with him. They arrived at the apartment, went about their business, got ready for bed, and once in bed he started coughing. He told mom he was having one of his "episodes" meaning that his chest was just tight like it had been several times over the past two weeks. Within a few mins, he was up, coughing more, getting sick and mom called an ambulance. Thankfully, the apartment we have is only 2 blocks from one of the best medical schools/hospitals. They determined for sure it was a heart attack and he was taken for a heart cath. Nothing much came from that. For some reason they tried to say there were no blockages and that they would run test to determine the cause of the heart attack (first red flag...how can you have a attack with no blockage?) Dad was on a respirator and there were no answers coming forth that were in any way satisfying. Monday was the worst day of my life. It took him a while to become sedated, I was sick of hearing from all of these "medical students", I was sick of people being so loud, I was scared, I hated seeing him so uncomfortable, I hated the feeling...period. It was so long. I felt like it would never end. I cried a lot, and yet tried to stay strong... but I didnt know what else to do. I didnt know how to handle this. This was so scary. Thankfully our neighbors, Lori and Danny, drove Jared and I up to new Orleans as soon as we were told so they were with us to. I was fed up with having no answers, so was mom and Lori...so Lori pretty much made it to where a doctor (the MAIN doc) had to come and talk to mom by the end of that day. Shortly after making the complaint, he showed up. Dont ask me his name because they are all foreign and wonderful, but I can't say or spell any of the names, the only one i can remember is "Dr.B"...but i'll get to him shortly. So we were finally given some ANSWERS, they just were not the exact answers we wanted to hear. Turns out, dad did have blockages (duh!) and they had to get in there quick. To make a long and emotional story short (because I am starting to get weary writing all of this, im gonna move forward quickly, may leave out a lot of small details and time lines etc, just bear with me please!) Later that night dad went into cath and came out with new stents and thankfully NO heart pump (that was a possibility). He was still on respirator. Throughout the night he spiked a fever and continued to stay on respirator but his EKG was looking pretty good. In the procedure they found that there was a lot of damage and his heart is very diseased. Doctors pretty much told us there would be no more "repairing" of this heart and then referred and transferred us to the "heart transplant specialist team" of Tulane University. (we were told later on by a lady who's husband had a heart transplant that usually you can not even get into this hospital for heart conditions without referral...aren't we lucky we didn't have to have one!!! Talk about God! We moved right on in!) So our next step is to check out timelines yada yada yada about a heart transplant.

This morning they started to wing dad off of his sedation. I won't go into the hardships of today, they will only make me cry. It was rough emotionally today...not as bad as yesterday, but when the strong man of your house is upset...Oh Lord, okay I need to stop. The goal though was to get him off the respirator by the afternoon! And did God come through!!! At around 3:40, after hours of anticipation and being uncomfortable were coming to an end. They removed the respirator. He was able to breath on his own!!! He was so ready for that. That tube was really bothering him. When I left he was drinking and talking very little...but building strength.

We still have a long road. A very uncertain road.

Again, I apologize for not being more in detail. A LOT happened that I am just not ready to go into. I dont even think dad realizes just yet how much danger he was/is in. My biggest fear is that he will suffer. I pray he never will.

Dad's first comment today after the tubes being taken out was "water, happy halloween"...haha. He was a month off but it was so good to hear him speak!! I was able to kiss him on the cheek and hug on him a little. It was such a comfort. He also didn't realize how long he had been "out". We explained a little to him but I think my mom, doc and him and going to talk more to update him. For the moment we are enjoying him...his talking, being awake, breathing, and becoming stronger.

I can not tell those of you who have been praying and supporting us, how thankful we are enough!!! You just do not know. We have had MANY blessings and are SOOOO thankful for them and we praise God even in our tragic time. If you are facebook friends with me, go back and read my post...a lot of the updates were put on there.

Major blessings that were what I believe Gods way of making a path for us: Mom was with him. Two blocks from hospital. Best heart care hospital around the south apparently. The heart transplant specialist team and needing no referral!!! Having an apartment near to rest in. Having our family (dads brother and sister-in-law) having Lori, Danny, and Edwin (dad's boss). One more BIG BIG blessing that I can not speak of right now...because its a surprise. :) You guys will know soon! 

Please keep praying. Thank you so so so so so so so much! We love you alllll!

I PRAY WE NEVER AGAIN HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS!!!!! This has been tragic! But GOD IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!