I was feeling badly because I’d missed the earlier post about his surgery. But since it’s been postponed, then I’ll send all my best wishes and good thoughts and powerful healing mojo Wednesday morning.
Sending all my good wishes and luck your way, and wishing the best of luck, strength, and everything to you and your family.
Add my good wishes to the list, tonight and tomorrow morning. I hate waiting myself, and I’m no good at it, so I’ll send you wishes for more patience than I have.
Take care,
CJ
*I’ve never been able to help anybody I love when they need it.
*
Sounds to me like you already have. And your dad would not want you to worry. He knows you care, and that’s enough. Don’t beat yourself up.
i hope things go well for him. i’ll be thinking of y’all tomorrow.
I’m sending my good wishes and prayers out to you and your family, Bosda. Take care, and I hope everything goes well.
F_X
((Bosda and family))
Hope all goes well…
Adding my prayers and good thoughts for your Dad as well as for you and your family. You’re doing plenty just by caring and being there. I’m sure it means a lot to both of your parents.
Is your Dad having additional bypass surgeries? (Don’t feel you need to answer that if it makes you uncomfortable to talk about it. )
Bosda, I’ve already prayed for your Dad and I’ll continue to do so tonight and tommorow.
I’ve been through this myself. My Dad was forty-seven when I was born and had his first heart attack when I was nine months old. The doctors told my Mom that he very likely wouldn’t last through my childhood. He did pass away - twenty six years later.
It sounds like your Dad has already proven his strength by surviving so many past surgeries. It’s amazing what people can go through and still keep on. Maybe this will be the one that finally “takes” and he won’t need any more. Do they have a reason why things keep having to be re-done? I’m assuming the arteries are clogging up repeatedly.
It sounds like you’re doing the best you can. Hang in there. I’m sure you know your way around a hospital as well as the nurses by now. Remember, everyone there is on your, and his, side. Don’t be afraid to ask, suggest, question and request. Don’t be afraid to help. I know the nurses are always overworked and simple little things you can do for your Dad will be appreciated. I don’t mean medical stuff, just things like filling his water jug, tidying the bedside table, stuff like that. It’s good to keep busy for yourself too.
I could probably write a book on the subject. “Surviving the Hospital, a Visitors Guide.” Nothing’s worse than sitting around worrying.
Good luck to all of your family.
Bosda, St. Thomas is known for its excellence in cardiac care. I hope they are able to keep your Dad out of pain. Take care of your mother and yourself also! You are doing all that you can, friend. Sometimes we just can’t fix everything. Let your Dad see you smile and don’t forget that human touch is comforting. I will be sending prayers and healing thoughts from across town.
I’m coming unglued.
How can I keep my mind on work today?
I think your coworkers will understand. It’s ok to be scared (yes, I know it’s a cliche, but some are true!). Take things one day, or even one minute at a time. My e-mail address is in my profile; e-mail me if you need to, and if need be I can even give you my phone number. Breathe. I know it sounds foolish, but take a deep breath, and try to let the anxiety and fear flow out with it. Here’s a technique you might want to try called four-square breathing.
- Take a deep breath to the count of four. Picture yourself breathing in calm and concentration.
- Hold it for a count of four.
- Breathe out for a count of four. Picture yourself breathing out fear, anxiety, and general jitteriness.
- Hold for a count of four.
Repeat as needed.
It’s worked for me a few times. Also, know that there are a bunch of Dopers out here pulling for you, your father, and your family. Some of us even know what it’s like to be the sons and daughters of stubborn old coots!
Take care,
CJ
Bosda, sending Good Doper Vibes[sup]TM[/sup] your way, my friend.
I’ll have to second what others have said about not kicking yourself in the behind. Dad is an adult, making his own choices. You are there for him, right now, and he knows that.
Keep us posted.
Oh Bosda, I’m so sorry to hear about this ! {{{Bosda}}}
Know that your Dad, yourself, and your Mom are all in my thoughts and prayers today. When you get a chance to please update us.
As others have told you Dear there is no way that you could have forced your Dad to have this surgery done any sooner. You are helping him the best way you can, by doing as he asks you to.
Bosda, I’ve been meaning to drop a note, and read this thread yesterday intending to send my good wishes and let you know of my prayers, but got interrupted and neglected to do so.
Hang in there – perhaps the toughest job in the world is when someone you love is deathly ill, and there’s not one thing you can do but pray.
Just know that we’re all here with you, and try to take some comfort from that. 
Bosda, sending my best wishes to you and your dad as well. You can hang in there; your dad wants you at work. Just do what you can, and don’t be tough on yourself.
UPDATE—
GOOD NEWS!!!
Dad went in for an amazing new treatment. The surgeon inserts an electronic “needle” into the part of the heart that governs the rate of beating, & then “resets” the rate.
Normally, this requires a defribulator (sp?) be implanted into the patient, but the “needle” treatment has proven to be so successful that it’s possible that no implant will be needed! He may be home by Friday!
Thank you all, for your great kindness.
Excellent news! We’ll keep up the prayers and/or good thoughts, though, with your permission.
That’s good news, Bosda.
Bosda, I just found this thread, and I am so glad to get to the bottom of the page and see good news!
Keep the faith, and so will we!