Best wishes and prayers go out to your family, FCM.
F_X
I just talked to my FIL. Apart from being bored out of his mind, he’s in pretty good spirits. The surgical team told him they’d done over 3000 bypass operations. FIL asked how many were successful. He said they didn’t answer him. He thought that was kinda funny.
His biggest worry seems to be the length of the recovery period - they’re telling him 6-8 weeks of no lifting or driving or any real exertion. Poor guy is going to go out of his tree! On the other hand, they told him he’s an excellent candidate for this operation because he’s not had a stroke and his heart is not damaged. So there’s that.
So for now, the question is: Will my sweetie and my baby get home tonight, or will they stop enroute and get here in the morning? We shall see…
Sounds like very good news FCM 
Thank you for the updates…
Kathy
Vibes help! 
Hmm. Managed to miss this for a couple of days, somehow. For what it’s worth, add my thoughts to the mix, too, 'kay?
Good deal, FCM. Sounds like a little light’s peekin’ through, finally.
Tell your FIL all the Dopers you know are pulling for him, then don’t explain what kind of Dopers you’re talking about.
[sub]On second thought… maybe now’s not the best time for that kind of humor.[/sub]
FairyChatMom…Your FIL sounds like he as spunk and spirit to burn! I’m sure he’ll be on his feet in no time…Just the same, I’m sending some major prayers and good vibes your way!
Sounds like he’s on the mend…I’m so glad. Keep us posted.
Spouse and kid got in about 1AM. We’ll be heading to Ocala soon. It’s gonna be a long coupla days…
Prayers and stuff. My word, do you realise that my dad is the same age as your father-in-law? I’m 24!
Sorry, I get that weird my-dad-is-old-enough-to-be-my-grandfather feeling occasionally. Keep him occupied, and good luck on the trip. The Lissla household will be praying for all of you.
Hello, FairyChatMom. That mortality thing is always rough when it rises out of nowhere and kicks you in the teeth. Been there, done that, got the dentist’s bill.
But bypass surgery nowadays is MUCH slicker and the patient tends to have a much better prognosis than was the case even a few years ago. I don’t mean to suggest that such a procedure is routine, but it sounds like your FIL is in very good, very capable hands.
Much love, much support, many good wishes from this brand-new Doper.
More good vibes and prayers heading your way.
Update time!
The surgery was this morning. All three sons, plus my daughter and I and an old friend of theirs were at the hospital bright and early. He had been scheduled for the first period, but he got bumped by someone who was worse off. So they took him to pre-op about 10 or so.
He had 5 arteries bypassed. The surgeon was very pleased with how well it all went - he confirmed that my FIL is in remarkable shape for a 73-y/o. I saw him in the cardiac ICU shortly after the operation. His color was good and his vitals were strong. About 2 hours later, they took him off the ventilator and he was breathing on his own. And a little later in the afternoon, he was conversing, although we doubt he’ll remember any of it as he’s been given a fair bit of morphine.
My husband is staying with his mother tonight so he can see his father before flying back to Baltimore on Wednesday. He’s also going to try to make his mom stay home tonight and sleep rather than stand watch at the hospital like she wanted to. The kid will drive back to Ocala tomorrow to pick him up. And if all goes well, FIL may be able to go home on Friday.
So, the scariest part is behind us but the worst is yet to come. I know when he starts feeling better, he’s going to want to do things way too soon. My MIL is going to have her hands full. I expect the kid and I will go see them once in a while to be sure they’re doing OK.
So once again, I want to thank you all for your kind thoughts and good vibes and prayers and everything. It’s been an exhausting couple of days, but I think we’ll slowly get back to normal. Moral of the story: Don’t ignore chest pressure! We were lots closer to a funeral than any of us realized.
End of moralizing. Hugs all around!
:: Doing the happy dance ::
Woooooooo Hooooooooo
That great news
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
So happy to hear he did so well
…sigh of relief
Here’s to a quick recovery!
Excellent news – thanks for letting us know.
We’ll consider the “good-vibe” flow for now though, if that’s okay with you.
FCM, so happy to hear that the surgery went so well! My FIL had this (quadruple) done 15 years ago, when things were much more primitive, and he’s still just fine! His only complaint is that his meds keep his heart rate from going too high, which makes him tired easily, but he’s still quite active. All in all, I’d say your FIL’s outlook is bright!
Great relief all around, for certain. And my husband did manage to convince his mother that she should sleep at home tonight. They’ll make one last visit to ICU around 9 or so, then head to the house for some real sleep. Great b-day present for MIL, who turns 72 tomorrow!
WOOHOO! Good to hear FairChatFIL went through the surgery ok. So, is ThePerfectChild[sub]TM[/sub] gonna hang around Florida instead of Maryland then? Will The Boy[sup]TM[/sup] spend the summer impressing FairyChatMom with his manly ways with a chainsaw?
Should we be saving back a few vibes for FairyChatMIL for when FairyChatFIL starts feeling better?
Do you like the way I’m making your life sound like a soap opera?
Continued good healing to FairyChatFIL.
::flailing and waving hands in the air::
[Muppets]
Yaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy!!!
[/Muppets]
Go find your FIL some whup-@ss woodworking books to keep him busy while he recovers. Some tool and hardwood catalogs would be cool too. Get everyone to chip in on a gift certificate that he will get if he beha … er, follows doctor’s orders.
So glad to hear the good news, FCM.
[chops up ‘past due’ notices for confetti]
My thought and prayers are with you and know that your fellow dopers are here if you need us, good luck and God Bless!!!