Hey guys. I just had the rest of my day ruined and possibly the rest of my week, and I need to let a little out. My dad has had heart problems for the past few years and needed a bypass surgery, but proved to be allergic to the medicines that are used to relax the heart muscle during the surgery. The doctors said he could take some medicine and that would help out for the most part. So, for the past couple years he has been doing everything the docs. told him to do sucessfully. Over the past year or so, he has really been getting sick, tired, out of breath etc., and has been in and out of the hospital a couple times. He went in today to get an angiogram done and see exactly what was going on, and, turns out that he has 100% blockages on one side of his heart and 80% blockages on the other side. He has to see his doctor Mon. to schedule a quad. bypass, in which they will be using an experimental medicine to relax his heart. This does not encourage me. I am worried as I have ever been. Not only about this procedure, but the responsability that suddenly fall on my shoulders should anything happen. My mother is in poor health herself, needing a kidney transplant and on dialysis, and she dosent drive. My youngest brother drives, but he is 16 and still in school. I also have another brother who is 20 but mentally retarded. Not that I would mind helping my family out, I love them with everything in me, but I am not sure if I can handle this. My wife told me that God wouldnt throw me anything I cant handle, but I am starting to wonder. Maybe, I am just letting it overwhelm me. Thanks for letting me vent. This really has me off my rocker and I couldnt keep it in.

 

Brace yourself, and understand that all things come in due time.

I wish I could brightly say that everything is going to be fine -
But I can't, and you need to prepare yourself for the worst.

You might resent me for telling you this just like I am, but it is true. if I softened it, it would not be fair - there is a distinct possibility that the time has come, you should look at that and try to see it in a way that is positive. If you can.

Both of my parents are gone, they lived wonderful lives - but the one thing we know about this life is that it is over some day. Do not think of it as a bad thing! It is something natural that happens sooner or later. We do that.

I often think late at night if the phone rings, that my Momma is calling to talk, even though it has been a few years since she passed away.

It will be like that, IF it happens. It may not...

The only thing meaningful that I can truly offer you is to keep them alive in your thoughts, values, and who you are.

You are your parents hope for the future - you are their dreams...

Try to be happy.
Live well, because it is what they want for you...

 

All I have to say is good luck, and my prayers will be with you, your father, and the rest of your family.

Ryan

 

BigDaddy, your wife is right. Not everybody here believes in God, and that is their choice. I am not here to change their mind. If you trust him, he will do whats best. It may not seam like it. However, compared to suffering, going home to God is a much better choice. You will be able to handle it. Sounds like you have a good family.

Think about what GreyWolf has said. You do need to prepare yourself. The man has some good wisdom there. Think back on what you had with your parents and remember that.

With in the last 8 months, my mom went in and has a hip replacement. A 99% blockage in her heart, right side. And now is on dialysis for the rest of her life. I know where you are coming from. The last thing that I want is for her to pass on. Same as you. All that I can do is to pray for her and be there. I let her know daily how much I love her. I, like you, have the support of my wife as you do with your wife. She will help you.

If you ever want you can E-mail me. We can either talk or I can Pray with you. I am here if you need someone.

Tom

 

You and your family will be just fine. There is nothing to be ashamed of, nothing that can't be fixed, and nothing you can do or say to change the problems your family has. Just keep your head a half inch above the water, and keep breathing; living on the edge of insanity is not that unusual. You will not be the first person to feel pain and stress in this crappy world and as long as you keep your honor and self-respect you will have the world. So, try and be strong, because that is all you can do, give love, be truthful, and forget about what may happen tommorrow, just make sure you have a good plan for todays problems.

Make sure you discuss with your father, in great depth, about the situation, you must know his intentions, and be his strong cornerpost.

 

Thank you guys so much for the encouragement. I was kind of freaking out earlier, though I still am a little worried. I went to visit him earlier and he dosent seem to be to worried, but he always has been that way. I really do appriciate being kept in your prayers. I was running on the point of insanity earlier and everytime the phone rang I would jump and not want to answer it. He has to go to his doctor Mon. to schedule the surgery. I guess the only thing I can do is take it one day at a time. I will keep you guys posted.

 

My dad has had a quad and a triple bypass and he sure felt a lot better after both of them. He is on the waiting list to see the heart doctor again and may need another or maybe angioplasty again.
It's pretty scary thinking about what could happen but bypass surgery is a routine thing now and according to my dad not a big deal. I still worry about him though and that's normal.
I too believe that God doesn't dish out more than you can handle. Whether it seems good or bad it's what's meant to be. He knows what he's doing