Update on my Dad....

[CAMary]

SO apparently they decided he had a mild heart attack during this latest pain episode (he has had intermittent pain and they were looking into a pulmonary/asthma issue as the cause as the heart had been ruled out ). My mom wonders why nothing was seen a few months ago during the full cardiac workup? They said the less-invasive tests are not perfect anyways on Monday they are sending him for a procedure (cardiac cath???) to see if there is a single small blockage or something more and then it will be determined of he needs either a stent or bypass??

I am concerned about leaving town, but my mom was insistent we keep all of our plans. She seems content this will all be resolved promptly (sort of unlike her - it doesn't take much to stress her out, usually...) after the tests Monday. I hope so - I am not comfortable leaving with things unresolved! We will go up and visit this weekend.

Gut is okay for now....

Mary

[Momster]

Hi Mary:

I have a friend who had an angeoplasty(sp?) done a year ago. He had a very bad heart attack and they were afraid they would have to do open heart surgery, but after the angeoplasty it cleared everything and he is fine now. Definitely more careful about his diet and has lost some weight and is exercising more and has a new lease on life.
I hope this is all your Dad will need and will be on the road to recovery soon. It sounds like your Mom is being strong and taking care of him.

Take care and have a nice holiday.

Love - Momster

[TendrTummy]

Dear Mary,

(used to work in a heart clinic.. ) A Cardiac Catheter isn't a huge deal. All of the procedures mentioned are all done thousands of times per hospital on a daily basis, so try not to worry.. Basically they're going to look inside the arteries surrounding the heart, searching for a small blockage that could be causing his pains and issues. If they find one, they will decide at that point whether stent or bypass would work, or both. A stent is, I believe, like a bridge or tunnel, basically substituting for the damaged portion of the artery. A bypass is sort of like on the freeway, where they take vein or artery materials from his leg or another place, and reroute the artery around the blockage. Both are basic, in and out procedures and most are very successful in reducing whatever symptom is happening. But that is if they find a blockage.

Hope this helps.. don't want you worrying needlessly.. but this is your father you're talking about.. and your father always holds a very special place in your heart, so even a broken arm can seem like a tragedy at times. (when my mom broke her arm, I started crying, not her LOL)

Love,
Christine

[starfire]

Mary,
Your doctors are correct, I believe, about the non invasive tests for heart problems. Some are better than others, for instance, an EKG tells VERY little unless the heart is acting up at that specific time.

An Echocardiogram is better. That's how they found that my husband's heart is not pumping enough blood. That prompted the heart cath which found 4 major blockages in areas that they could not easily access without him going on the heart/lung machine.

Where the blockages are located determines whether the by-pass(es) can be done without going on the heart/lung machine.

Prior to that, Bill had already had angioplasty twice (for two different arteries - heart attacks) about a year or two apart. They weren't using stints at that time. He did fine with the angioplasty. Those arteries did not plug up again. The 4 new ones they found weren't in places where stints were the best choice.

My point is, a lot depends on exactly where the blockage is located. Apparently, your's father's heart attack was a fairly mild one but there will still be some heart muscle damage.

A lot depends whether he is in very good physical shape. My husband was and he managed VERY well for a long time and his doctor is astounded that he is able to do the things he does today. A lot of people whose heart isn't pumping any better than his would be waiting for a heart transplant.

I think that your Father will probably do well (unless he has other complications). That's just a lay person's opinion.

I am so sorry this has happened, expecially at this time (when you have planned to go away). He will probably be fine but I sure understand your reluctance to go.

Please keep us posted about how he (and you) are doing.

Shirley

[CAMary]

Thanks everyone for your insight and experiences!!

My parents both did weight watchers a few years ago and lost a bunch of weight - my mom still looks great - but she is VERY active. My dad has intemittent sciatica and some arthritis in his lower spine - it makes exercise difficult - I keep bugging my mom to get him to swim at the community swim center - but he's not much of a water person....some of his weight has crept back on because of difficulty exercising. He had a bleeding ulcer about 7 years ago - so he can't take NSAIDs either, so it is tough for him to be too active...

I'm sure my mom will become his new drill sargent as far as lifestyle issues - diet exercise etc... are concerned!

Thanks again!

Mary

[annie oakley]

Mary...I got your Dad in My Prayers for a speedy recovery. Love Oma

[Lucy]

Hi Mary,

My hunch is that your dad's doc was very reassuring in his explanation of the "mildness" of your dad's heart attack, and in his explanation of the procedures to come.

Sometimes good preparation and understanding of the facts can make a world of difference, even to so-called "worry-worts." I hate for people to not explain things to me thoroughly before hand, but then there are others who'd just as soon you didn't tell them anything. I think the latter are rare though.

Will be thinking of your dad and family.

Yours, Luce

[Polly]

CAary,

Sending my best wishes for a non-eventful cath on Mon.

Love,

Polly