Gained Weight - My Dad

[Marguerite53]

OMG - pericardial tamponade ...I researched that, now I am really scared over here...Do I mention this to my parents??? I dont know what to do...is this an emergency or do they go to the ER??? He was going out today to have his trucked worked on. I am really nervous.

I would not mention that to your parents! Let the doctor do that.

You know, doctors do answer phone calls on weekends!! Perhaps they should give their cardio a call and run all these symptoms/questions past the cardio. It really sounds to me like it is NOT an emergency, but it COULD be something the cardio would want to know about. Doctors are used to getting calls at all hours.. and this way, you don't have to mess with the receptionist or the nurses... you get right to the doctor! Have them call. You're a nervous wreck, and trying to stay off cigarettes. Not fair to you. Have them call!!!

I'm sure it will all work out.

Best wishes.

Marguerite

 

[jojofromct]

Hi Again...I talked to my mom. My mom spoke to my aunt who is a nurse and she advised to call the surgeon on Monday just so my dad can be seen. She said its not an emergency but he should get it checked out and they will probably put him on a pill. I feel a little better BUT say it IS fluid...or surgery related...I am worried about his heart...Every time my dad gets a nasal cold he gets some shortness of breath...but its hard to say IS THIS FROM THE COLD? He is not losing sleep, from what I hear he sleeps better than ever. So, Not really sure what to think. I wont lie, I am REAL nervous. We are going out to dinner with my parents tomorrow. So I will see them. ( i want to smoke today, I dont have cigs in my house...but the tempation is there today....my nerves are high)

 

[WayneGM]

I know it's easier said than done, but try not to think too much about this. Thinking too much can blow things out of proportion. You can't worry about the "what if's". It'll drive you crazy. The important thing is he is going to get checked out, and then you'll know one way or the other, and if there is a problem it can be dealt with. Take it one day at a time. Don't let this drive you back to smoking. Best wishes to you and your Dad that this is nothing to be concerned about.

 

[jojofromct]

I am a WHAT IF girl...I try not to be but I am...So my mom called me again...my dad left...he is going to the bank then to myUncles to watch a game and have his truck worked on. I am so nervous. So is my mom, and she said maybe she should have told him NOT go to. Then my mom and I were talking, what if its his new valve NOT working right...He told my mom this morning she felt better before and now he feels yucky - he is getting a cold for sure...is it the weight gain or something more serious such as fluid, can the new valve reject the body??? I am really sorry for me being this way...I told my mom to call the surgeons/cardio office and she said she will Monday...I dont know what to think, I feel like I did before the surgery all over again...but MORE stressed this time it feels. I want to cry, you probably think I am a bit nuts right now but I really just want to cry (Pmsing minus smokess equals NUTS). Should my mom have kept him home or what???

 

[jojofromct]

My dad called my mom when he got to my Uncles. My mom and I thought maybe we get to nuts? I was raised nuts...so yah. Anyway, my mom said he is a bit quiet since yesterday. WE both think the casino was TOO much for him. He is six weeks post surgery...still too soon...He is tired and now has a cold. My mom and I said this, that weight gain could either be from normal gaining or fluid...she will call Monday and see what the docs say. My dad is a quiet guy to begin and not feeling well makes him MORE quiet. He has been doing so good maybe this weight gain has him a bit depressed. My dad promised if something was wrong, if he felt something he would tell us but sometimes its hard to believe because he doesnt want us to worry or be scared. I know GOD will watch over him. BUT I am nervous about this today.

 

[Bina]

Can't you force him to rest?......like tie him down while he's sleeping?....Men are silly critters.

 

[jojofromct]

LOL Bina. Nope, he is gone at my Uncles already. He is just going to watch my Uncle while he works on my dads truck...and then they are going to watch the UCONN game. I am just nervous, my dad has been doing so good...the past 2 weeks he hasnt walked much...I think he got lazy for a little bit...then the casino yesterday, now a nasal cold...and some "winded" feelings (we know thats shortness of breath) that happens from time to time (Not all the the time but going upstairs and up hills) and now this weight gain thing in two weeks too...so yea, I am being the typical nervous JoJo...and I cant even tell you what I am doing, I am eating Munchkins right now...OMG...

 

[Bina]

Then try not to worry for today and hopefully he will have some chicken soup for dinner.
Mmmmmunchkins.....enjoy.

 

[Lynlw]

I am a WHAT IF girl...I try not to be but I am...So my mom called me again...my dad left...he is going to the bank then to myUncles to watch a game and have his truck worked on. I am so nervous. So is my mom, and she said maybe she should have told him NOT go to. Then my mom and I were talking, what if its his new valve NOT working right...He told my mom this morning she felt better before and now he feels yucky - he is getting a cold for sure...is it the weight gain or something more serious such as fluid, can the new valve reject the body??? I am really sorry for me being this way...I told my mom to call the surgeons/cardio office and she said she will Monday...I dont know what to think, I feel like I did before the surgery all over again...but MORE stressed this time it feels. I want to cry, you probably think I am a bit nuts right now but I really just want to cry (Pmsing minus smokess equals NUTS). Should my mom have kept him home or what???

Didn't he go to a casino yesterday? that could tire anyone out. Think about how when most people go back to work as 6 weeks and say how tired they got. Has anyone (a doctor) said his valve might not be working? If not I wouldn't worry about it. I know everyone is different but Whenever Justin had pericardial fluid post op he didn't feel good at all and couldn't have done a day trip and he is alot younger. He didn't even want to go to a friends house. Does your Dad have a fever or anything?

 

[Ross]

From doing nothing to going to a casino is enough to exhaust anyone this soon! He needs to keep up with the daily walks and such for a good while yet.

 

[jojofromct]

the only thing that was said 2 weeks ago is the ECHO showed a very tiny leak but the cardio could not HEAR the leak. He said its part of the healing and its OK and not to worry - yeah right, we are still worrying about that too.

 

[Ross]

the only thing that was said 2 weeks ago is the ECHO showed a very tiny leak but the cardio could not HEAR the leak. He said its part of the healing and its OK and not to worry - yeah right, we are still worrying about that too.

I think I really need to spank you. Hon that is normal. Most everyones leaks at first, but as the tissue grows around the sewing cuff, it seals it up. Don't worry about things that don't need to be worried about. Not long ago you were scared dad wouldn't make it. Dad made it just as we said and that was the worst part of this whole deal. All this stuff going on now is trivial. Don't take everything that crops up as being a major problem. It's not. It's all part of recovery. Recovery is long and hard. Definately not for the weak.

 

[Nancy]

Agree with Ross wholeheartedly. Your dad is going to have to heal in his own time, on his own schedule.

I believe he is having a wonderful recovery.

The initial healing time is about 6-8 weeks before a person feels human again, and your dad is way ahead of that.

The other part of the healing can take up to a year, no kidding. It is slow and deliberate.

The body heals cell by cell, not in great big pieces.

Heart surgery hits every part of the body to some extent, and they all have to get back to normal over the course of this year of healing.

Patience is a virtue

 

[ponygirlmom]

There are many, many variables that can cause weight gain or loss after surgery.

You've already mentioned one: SNACKING!

Other people have mentioned water retention. I am living proof that you can retain water internally without getting puffy ankles and hands. Water retention can be harmless -- perhaps caused by certain meds -- or problematic, like the kind I had, when I had fluids squishing my lungs from the outside.

Your thyroid can go wacky in the months after surgery. My thyroid hormone levels have been bouncing around, and sometimes you could see every rib I had, and sometimes I gained.

And then some meds, like steroids, can cause weight gain.

I really have the feeling that your father's problem is SNACKING. But it wouldn't hurt to make sure that he's not retaining water.

 

[jojofromct]

Gosh I really love you guys! My board, my friends! I will keep you posted after tomorrow...Have a good night guys. JoJo

 

[jojofromct]

Oh and another thing INR is so stinky aftger surgery to get it theraputic...I think my dad was theraputic for a week so far in the past 6 weeks, as of last Monday his INR was 4.2 and they want him between 2.5 - 3.5 - so yeah a bit high...I know, I know...it takes time...they got him on Warfarin now 11mg every day except Wednesdays, he takes 10mg...They do NOT change the dose majorily at all, its a slow change...I am starting to understand this more and more now, THANKS ROSS too!!!

 

[Ross]

Oh and another thing INR is so stinky aftger surgery to get it theraputic...I think my dad was theraputic for a week so far in the past 6 weeks, as of last Monday his INR was 4.2 and they want him between 2.5 - 3.5 - so yeah a bit high...I know, I know...it takes time...they got him on Warfarin now 11mg every day except Wednesdays, he takes 10mg...They do NOT change the dose majorily at all, its a slow change...I am starting to understand this more and more now, THANKS ROSS too!!!

This doesn't surprise any of us that are on it. Sooner or later, dad will realize that if he wants to be in range, he's going to have to do it himself.

 

[jojofromct]

Hi again. My dad is going for a EKG at 3:30 today due to his shortness of breath coming up the stairs. I will keep you posted. I am nervous.
Thanks everyone - JoJo

 

[jojofromct]

My dad is having a Echo Cardio Gram NOT a EKG - what is the difference...yeah I am nervous over here.

 

[Nancy]

The EKG is the one with the little stickies all over your chest that electronically measures various heart functions.

An echo cardiogram uses a transducer which the tech presses on the chest to see what is going on inside with the heart, the heart valves and chambers. It can also take many measurements of the internal functioning of the heart and shows in colored pictures what is going on. These pics can be saved for the doctor to look them over, on film, and I think in CD form.