My dad's post surgery

[Kangy]

Had a VR on Wed, and got taken of venilator on Saturday. Saturday was a good day, then yesterday the removed the morphine drip and just giving regular pain meds. He was agitated, and his bp was all over the charts.
Yesterday, they showed some fluid backing up on lungs they ordered a face mask for oxyegen. Today they did a new chest x-ray and it show no change, so they have called in a pulumary specialist.

Please keep us in your prayers. Any suggestions, please let me know.

Kangy

 

[Ross]

Will do. Some of us have some speed bumps to go over before we get to level pavement.

 

[nngbwh]

Your dad will be in my prayers. Sorry to hear about your dad bumpy recovery. And welcome aboard Kangy !

 

[mainframe]

Glad your dad is doing better. Sometimes there is a step or two backwards but it sounds like he is making progress.

 

[Cris N]

Prayers for your Dad - done. Hope he's feeling better real soon.

 

[escargome]

Hey Kangy,
Most times VR surgery is a BIG kick in the pants. So hang in there and give your dad as much support as you can. Ask lots of questions of your dad's doctors. Talk to your dad as much as possible to help him calm himself. Remind him that together you guys are a team and you will get through all this. I shall keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Lily]

Yeah, it wasn't an easy surgery. And it seems to me, from what I've read here over the years, that some complications are fairly common. I had a couple. I had some agitation also, was very scared, I think from too much pain meds around day four. Did they expect to have him on the vent so long? I haven't read your first post here so don't know the history. Hoping for the best. .

 

[Johan]

Thinking of you and your Dad. Pain was not my problem but could not breathe properly, BP very high, anemia (had to get 2 units of blood), insulin problems, sounds bad but it all cleared up with the standard treatments these spesialist doctors are adept at. Here is hoping that your Dad will be over these initial bumps soon so that his steady recovery can begin. Please give him my special well wishes. Look after yourself as well, he needs you! More than you may realise.

 

[Mileena46]

Sending up prayers for both you and your dad! I hope things turn around for him soon!

Mileena

 

[tobagotwo]

It's common for sugar to spike after surgery, requiring insulin. Erratic BP and arrhythmias are par for the course for a while. A certain percentage of people will have hallucinogenic or semi-psychotic reactions to morphine or other pain drugs. Fear is common, especially if there is difficulty breathing. There is also some breathing restriction with chest tubes, if they're still in, which can be scary. It's not that unusual to get some fluid in the lungs or around the heart within days or weeks of the surgery. Sometimes it goes away with drugs, sometimes they have to help get it out.

Is he confused and agitated or just agitated? If he's not confused, that's to the good.

The only thoughts I have is that he should have his upper body raised more toward a sitting position than lying flat, and they should be getting him to walk, if he's capable at this point. Movement is going to help, even if it's in the bed. Obviously, he's not in condition to do the Jitterbug, though.

Time helps. Hang in there. He's in my thoughts.

Best wishes,

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Kangy -

Did your Dad receive an "Inspirational Spirometer" for doing Breathing Exercises?
If not, he needs to ask for one. If so, he needs to use if Frequently to help (re)inflate his lungs and force out fluid accumulation. I was told to use my Incentive Spirometer for 10 minutes every 2 hours I was awake.

Walking, even short distances at a time, will also help. As will keeping his upper body elevated (30 degrees or moe).

I'm *assuming* he is still in the hospital. If so, what does his Surgeon say about the fluid accumulation in his lungs?

'AL Capshaw'

 

[colsha]

Obviously he'll be in our thoughts.

On the other hand, he's definitely in the best place he could be with access to doctors, surgeons, etc. If the agitation doesn't subside soon, then ask the doctors/nurses, etc what could be done to reduce this for him.

And you must try to keep a calm facade as well.

Good luck

Col
------------------
Coarctation Repair 12th August 1999.

Aortic Valve Replacement with St. Jude mechanical valve anad aneurysm repair 22nd February 2010. Now Dacron aorta from the new valve to the end of the Coarctation repair (over the arch).
1 x fusiformThoracic aneurysm @ 4.4cm being monitored.

 

[Kangy]

Update

Update

Thanks everyone for their suggestions and prayers the support from others who have been there is overwhelming.

Yesterday, they got him up and put him in a recliner chair for quite a while. His bp is stable, and he is progressing slowly. PT came in because there was some concern of a mild stroke but he did everything PT said, all they found was some weakness in the left leg, all else onleft was A-ok. No more fluid backup he is coughing it up.

One thing was an inflection on lung, but with meds, he had no fever last night and so they are positive about that.
Kangy

 

[nngbwh]

Take it one day at a time. Sounds like he's improving a bit. Thanks for the update.

 

[Superbob]

I had some of that: overtime on ventilator, then an oxygen mask a couple of nights. But gradually progressed out of it. Sounds like he is making steady progress, despite the bumps in the road. Sending my best vibes for a recovery that gets smoother and smoother from here on.

 

[lovemydad]

Prayers for continued recovery for your Dad.

Mel

 

[Nancy]

He's coming along and it all sounds like he is on the right path.

 

[Johan]

Thanks, Kangy for the update. Looks good and these developments are all positive, he is definitely on the mend, every day will be better, he will be home soon... I had similar isues and went home on day 9..

 

[Kangy]

Progress is still slow. It has been day 9 since surgery.I have been keeping is sprits up my telling my dad that what he is going through is normal based on the past experiences, I have read on this bb. Yesterday day was not enough fluid out up so more laxix. Also when he leaves hospital he may have to go to an inpatient cardic rehab for 3-5 weeks. So we shall see.
Thanks for all your prayers and information. It really helps.
Kangy

 

[Nancy]

Many people have fluid problems after this surgery. The IVs that are hooked up are partially to blame, since they use a saline solution vehicle to move drugs into the body. So it isn't at all uncommon to have to have additional diuresis for a time (Lasix or others). And his heart is probably not pumping efficiently enough right now to rid the fluid because he has been so sedentary.

Going to inhouse rehab for a time will no doubt help him to regain the strength he has lost and get his heart rate where it should be so it can function better for him.

But let me say this, do be very vigilant when he gets moved to inhouse rehab. They sometimes do not take good medical care of their in-patients. Their focus is on rehab. You should watch every little thing that is done or not done for him, amd make sure that his medical situation is addressed along with the rehab. You will need to be his advocate there.