Patrick Haley out of surgery

[Mr.Haley's Daughter]

Just wanted to let everyone know that my Dad had his double valve replacement surgery today as well as the cut & sew Maze procedure and he's doing well. They made the first incision around 8 am and completed the surgery around 12:00 pm. Dr. McCarthy said his mitral and aorta valves were much worse than they had thought and couldn't believe he was as active as he was. They replaced them with the Bovine valves. Also, to everyones surprise, his heart went back into normal rhythm after the maze procedure, before he was off the operating table! Dr. McCarthy told us the day before that it could be up to 3 months before the heart could possibly go back into normal rhythm so this was an added surprise! We were not able to see him until around 3 pm in the ICU. He was still pretty much unconscious but would occasionally lift his arms and move his legs around and struggle with having the ventilator tube in. The nurse said that was normal but I found it a bit distressing. Guess thats to be expected. I knew it would be hard to see him with all the tubes and stuff. The nurse said he was doing great and his heart was beating in a nice strong steady normal rhythm. That would be the first time his heart has stayed in normal rhythm in over 2 years! She said they would be taking the ventilator tube out around 6 pm and suggested we come back after that, as everytime he hears our voices he would struggle with the ventilator more, because he's trying to talk and can't so he panics. We didn't want to get him more distressed so we left and will go back to visit him around 7 pm. So far the doctors and staff at North Western in Chicago have been fantastic. Such a different and better experience then what we went through a couple years ago at Barnes in St.Louis when he had his failed pulminary abilation with complications that caused more problems for him then when he originally went in.
-Jill Haley Rose

 

[twinmaker]

Thank you so much for letting us know about your dad. And I'm so thankful that everything is going so well. It's wonderful that his heart is back into a normal rhythm. Please don't get too distressed about all the machines and tubes. Even though I was heavily sedated with morphine, I still remember fighting the ventilator tube. I think that's a good sign. Please let you dad know how pleased we all are that he's on the other side of the mountain and doing so well. Linda

 

[Phyllis]

So glad to read such great news! He will be much happier once he is off the vent and you will be greatly relieved to see him tonight. Give him our best wishes for an uneventful recovery- he's off to a great start!

 

[Debrinha GT]

Just wonderful!!

Just wonderful!!

Thanks for letting us know! That was great news!! Continue to keep us posted on your dad's recovery whenever you can.
Débora

 

[Mary]

Your father sounds like he is progressing really well. That's terrific news! Please tell him we send our well wishes and hope that he continues on a "bump free" recovery.
Mary

 

[geebee]

Great news and thanks for the update. Hope the rest of recovery is as successful.

 

[Nancy]

Great news. Congratulations to Patrick!

 

[hensylee]

Thank you, Jill for letting us know about your dad. I am sure it was a hard experience for you all. We always want to know how our member is doing.

Tell him I hope the truck missed him this time around while he was on his way up and over the mountain. And that we are right hear rootin for him and waiting for his safe return.

 

[Cris N]

Jill,

I'm happy to hear your dad is out of surgery and doing well. I'm sure you are quite relieved. I hope the rest of his recovery goes smoothly. Be sure to tell him to take it easy and listen to his body.

Cris

 

[Karlynn]

So glad to hear things are going well. He remains in my prayers for a smooth recovery.

 

[Georgia]

Thanks, Jill - appreciate your taking the time to let us know how your dad's doing. This is suh a trying time for relatives; my hubby about had a stroke when he saw me post-surgery - even tho the nice little nun had warned him that it wouldn't be a pretty sight.

Congrats to your dad and hope the road is smooth from here out.

 

[jkn2kids]

Happy things are going well Pass our good wishes along to your dad

 

[Mr.Haley's Daughter]

Patrick Haley doing excellent!

Patrick Haley doing excellent!

Thank you everyone for all your kind thoughts, words, and prayers. This is such a great site, I've learned a lot over the last several months about Dad's condition and what this surgery would be all about, thanks to everyones generous information on this site.
Dad said you are right, he feels like he was run over by a Mack Truck! But the doctors say he is doing absolutely great. They couldn't be happier. They have moved him to a regular room and have taken most of his tubes out. He did his first couple of walks today, and did very well. He was exhausted after the walks which we know is to be expected. His biggest complaint is difficulty swallowing and throat soreness, which the doctor said was from the ventilator tube, which ended up being in his throat for over 15 hours. If my brother hadn't come back over to the hospital at 10 pm, he might have had it in until the next day. The night nurse wouldn't remove it, said he wasn't ready yet, but my brother could see that Dad was very much awake and very distressed. My brother gave my Dad pen and paper and my Dad managed to scribble "Choking" on it. So my Brother found another nurse who said they could take it out now. Patient advocates are sooooo important !
Dad's heart is still beating in a nice steady normal rhythm as well. He said he feels such an enormous sense of relief, like this huge weight was removed from his shoulders, now that he finally got through the surgery and it is done and over with. He looks really great. Good color and very alert, and his sense of humor is back already as well.
I will pass on all your get well messages to him.

 

[BAV Pt's daughter]

Glad to hear things are going so well. I was SO relieved when I could tell mom's sense of humor was back so soon also. (She made it known as early as ICU, while the ventilator tube was still down!) Best wishes to him for a speedy, uneventful recovery. Keep him walking, but dont overdo it!!! Keep us updated, please!!!!

 

[Phyllis]

Sounds like things are going great. Send him our best wishes and tell him we are looking forward to his first posts from home.

 

[Karlynn]

What a great report! I pray that he will continue to do so well.

You are SO right, having someone around to see after your interests is so important while in the hospital. Your brother gets a big pat on the back for advocating for your Dad.

Best wishes to you all.