Sunday morning, Oct. 7, I was sitting at the kitchen table with Dad's friend, Darrell, sharing our daily coffee. Talk was only about Dad. I had just shared with Darrell that this was the first day, 4 days after surgery, that I was finally able to relax just a little bit and believe that all was going to be OK. In a matter of minutes the phone rang and a sudden chill ran through my body before I could answer the call. It was the hospital. Dad's kidney's had stopped working and I needed to get to the hospital as soon as possible. Less than 20 minutes later, as I was rushing around throwing myself together, calling Collean, and waking Steve, a second call came ... ICU ... come quickly, he is not doing good. HURRY! 5 minutes later, Dr. Golino, the surgeon, called ... HURRY! HE IS NOT DOING WELL AT ALL.
I drove my 05 Buick SUV 100+ MPH down hwy. 41, racing urgently to Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton from Ruskin. I had my own red squad car that morning.
I pulled into the circle, door-front drive, jumped out and raced to the elevators, down the hall, and into CVSICU. Nurses met us at Dad's room. A team of doctors had opened Dad's chest and were working heroically to keep him with us on Earth. This extraordinary medical team of doctors, ICU nurses, and aides, worked valiantly for 4.5 hours. In the end, Dr. Peterson came to us to explain that Dad could not sustain a blood pressure and that they were infusing 300 units of epinephrin every 7-10 minutes to keep him alive. I called my sister, LuAnn, to share the news and to get support to let Dad rest in peace. Of course, she agreed.
I stood at his bedside with my husband Steve and his special friend, Collean until he was resting comfortably. Slowly, the heart monitor slowed and eventually stopped. I laid my head on his shoulder, sobbed, told him I loved him, and sobbed some more. I said my goodbyes to the man who gave me life; the man who was ultimately my role model; the man I had missed so much while he was busy living his own life for 30 years; the man who I was so fortunate to know so much better the last 4 years of his life; For that, I will be eternally grateful. This is the man I have been so very proud of for my entire life. I hope he knew that.
The most blessed gift he ever gave me were his words the night before the surgery. He said, "I just had a long talk with God and I want you to know, that no matter what happens tomorrow, everything will be ok." With that, he turned to go back to his "office" and he just stopped for the longest time. I asked him what he was doing and he said, "I'm just looking at my airplanes." I think that maybe, just maybe, he knew.
So, while I will miss and love him for the rest of my life, I would like to add that I think that sometime after 8:00 AM, Oct. 7, 2012, God looked down and said, "Ed, it's time to come Home now." For another 4.5 hours, extraordinary humans worked heroically to keep him with us but his body simply would not cooperate. I am certain God must have been shaking his head and said, "Apparently you people were not listening to Me. I said, it's time to come Home." ...and Dad went. Now he is happy with my brothers Ross and Scott and his wife Jean. I look forward to seeing him again.
Rest in Peace, Dad. I love you.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Saturday
October 6, 2012
The last two days have been worrisome because it seems that I get conflicting reports. So, if there are statements along the way that seem contradictory to what you have read before, it is because I believe that I am writing the most current info that I have at the time.
Dad continues to be on a ventilator for several reasons. He is not able to produce adequate oxygen to his body & blood on his own; they want him to continue to rest with sedation; and his lungs are not strong enough to sustain what his body needs after the trauma of surgery. I have been told by 3 doctors and numerous medical professionals that given time ~ a lengthy bit of time, all of this should correct itself as he becomes stronger. I was led to believe that Dad might get off the ventilator today. WRONG!! It is quite likely that he will be on the ventilator for over another week. After 7 days on the vent, he will likely have a tracheotomy. At that time, the tube will come out, they will allow him to "wake up" from the sedated sleep he has been since surgery, and hopefully get stronger.
When I called the hospital this morning @ approx. 9:30 I was told that Dad's O2 levels had been increased from 85 to 90. That alarmed me because I was told that we want him to get to approx. 40. Clearly, we are going in the wrong direction. Then, just to keep things interesting, the ICU nurse said he was scheduled for a "brache" @ 10 AM and that I needed to give verbal consent for the procedure. Of course I did, but when I asked about the risk factor of the procedure, I was told that Dr. Gilano wanted me to call him. Need I say that my nerves started to take a header. Essentially, a "brache" is done by the pulmonologist. Dad's lungs have begun to fill with thick secretion that need to be suctioned out. These secretions apparently have a significant affect on his BP and blood oxygen. When I arrived @ the hospital @ 10:15, the procedure was complete and there was not a long of material taken from his lungs. However, he started breathing easier.
His drug count is down from 17 to 8. He received insulin and the other 7 are to support and regulate his blood pressure. ... a little unnerving.
Doctor Gilano came in this AM on his day off and talked to me. He remains encouraged and told me that Dad's heart and the new valve are working nicely. The biggest issue now is his lungs. He also has had a temperature ranging from 99 - 102 degrees. The infectious disease unit is keeping a close eye on him and he is on antibiotics. Dr. G said he might have a little bit of pneumonia. Test results will tell.
They hung another unit of blood today but his chest tubes are nearly done passing fluids. His kidneys are strong and working properly. His family physican, Dr. Briles, also stopped in today. He said, "His numbers look good. He will get through this but it will take some time."
As a daughter, it is nerve-racking to sit and watch my dad lay in a bed and not be able to talk to him. I have faith and patience ... and I know he is receiving excellent care ... but it is still very worrisome. Prayers for him and his lungs. Dr. Peterson said it is common for the lungs to present more problems than the heart ... and so it goes ...
The Beginning 2 days ~ Manatee Memorial Hospital
Dad's Arterial Valve Replacement
October 3, 2012
On Wednesday, October 3, 2012, my dad, Ed Beatty elected to have an arterial valve replacement because he was not enjoying the quality of life that he needed or wanted to keep him happy. His angina and shortness of breath increased in frequency and intensity noticeable since I arrived a week before the surgery. He would often say, "If this works out, I want to fly again." That should surprise NO ONE!
I thought the best way to try to keep all of his friends and our family friends updated, might be to begin a blog. I will begin by pasting the first couple of emails I sent out after his surgery. I am at the hospital every morning for several hours. I will update this blog daily for the duration of this.
Email #1
October 3, 2012
Dear Friends,
Dad's operation was fraught with major complications. In short, he lost 10 units of blood. That resulted in his blood supply losing its ability to coagulate and clot. He was given 2 more units in ICU. They are medically trying to get his blood back up to speed and in the meantime, he continues to bleed internally.
The rapid loss of blood caused his BP to bottom out thus increasing the risk for stroke. He was monitored after being removed from the heart-lung machine and in ICU and there are good indications that maybe he has not had a stroke, but we will not know for certain for a couple of days.
He is hooked up to as many as 17 machines and drugs. He has a superior ICU team who is with him constantly ... at his bedside. I will call tonight at about 10 to see if there have been changes.
The surgeon, who is one hellava surgeon and man, said, "He is not out of the woods yet and he is critical. The next several days are important. He will be in ICU for 'awhile'. " What we thought would be 24-48 hours in ICU has increased.
His heart is very weak and he has a "balloon" inflating and deflating in his heart for the moment designed to lessen the stress on his weak heart while he heals.
No one is making any predictions as to which way this will go. I will return to the hospital tomorrow morning to check things out.
The good news is that his skin color is pink and that is great. His eyes are responsive and do not appear to have been affected by a possible stroke and he moved his extremities when his anesthesia was decreased in the OR. This is all good news.
I am worried but am determined to remain positive. I will ask for any and all prayers for his recovery.
Dad's operation was fraught with major complications. In short, he lost 10 units of blood. That resulted in his blood supply losing its ability to coagulate and clot. He was given 2 more units in ICU. They are medically trying to get his blood back up to speed and in the meantime, he continues to bleed internally.
The rapid loss of blood caused his BP to bottom out thus increasing the risk for stroke. He was monitored after being removed from the heart-lung machine and in ICU and there are good indications that maybe he has not had a stroke, but we will not know for certain for a couple of days.
He is hooked up to as many as 17 machines and drugs. He has a superior ICU team who is with him constantly ... at his bedside. I will call tonight at about 10 to see if there have been changes.
The surgeon, who is one hellava surgeon and man, said, "He is not out of the woods yet and he is critical. The next several days are important. He will be in ICU for 'awhile'. " What we thought would be 24-48 hours in ICU has increased.
His heart is very weak and he has a "balloon" inflating and deflating in his heart for the moment designed to lessen the stress on his weak heart while he heals.
No one is making any predictions as to which way this will go. I will return to the hospital tomorrow morning to check things out.
The good news is that his skin color is pink and that is great. His eyes are responsive and do not appear to have been affected by a possible stroke and he moved his extremities when his anesthesia was decreased in the OR. This is all good news.
I am worried but am determined to remain positive. I will ask for any and all prayers for his recovery.
Thursday
October 4, 2012
Email #2
I called the hospital last night @ 10 PM. When I left Dad @ 5 PM he was on at least 8-10 machines/meds, his blood was still not clotting properly, his heart was very weak and he was listed as very critical.
Last night, he had regained consciousness from the anesthesia, he was responsive to questions, nodding his head yes or no b/c he still has an airway tube, he has been taken off some of the meds I saw him with, and his blood is now coagulating/clotting properly ... he is no longer bleeding. This is quite a step forward in 5 hours. However, he is not out of the woods yet. He is still listed in critical condition.
His heart is very, very weak. The critical blood loss that he experienced (12 units total) and the tear in the scar tissue that caused the blood loss was a complication that was not expected nor anticipated. I think Dr. Gilano and Dr. Peterson are miracle workers. Dr. Gilano stayed with him until 8:30 last night and the ICU nurse said he would call before he went to bed and see him again this morning. I will not see Dr. G this morning. Collean and I are returning to the hospital @ 10 AM.
Please keep the prayers coming ... even the ICU nurse said, "Post a prayer request on Facebook!" and of course, I had already done that. I am getting the impression that Dad's improvement has surprised many and this was the nurse's way of saying that she believes in the Power of Prayer. I know Dad believes in the Power of Prayer ... so keep them coming.
I am using Dad's cell phone (813-541-1103) b/c mine is simply not working properly .. as some of you already know. Please feel free to call me using his number. Dad is on my cell plan so it is all good! I can send and receive texts on either phone. I will keep you all posted sometime later today when we return from the hospital.
Last night, he had regained consciousness from the anesthesia, he was responsive to questions, nodding his head yes or no b/c he still has an airway tube, he has been taken off some of the meds I saw him with, and his blood is now coagulating/clotting properly ... he is no longer bleeding. This is quite a step forward in 5 hours. However, he is not out of the woods yet. He is still listed in critical condition.
His heart is very, very weak. The critical blood loss that he experienced (12 units total) and the tear in the scar tissue that caused the blood loss was a complication that was not expected nor anticipated. I think Dr. Gilano and Dr. Peterson are miracle workers. Dr. Gilano stayed with him until 8:30 last night and the ICU nurse said he would call before he went to bed and see him again this morning. I will not see Dr. G this morning. Collean and I are returning to the hospital @ 10 AM.
Please keep the prayers coming ... even the ICU nurse said, "Post a prayer request on Facebook!" and of course, I had already done that. I am getting the impression that Dad's improvement has surprised many and this was the nurse's way of saying that she believes in the Power of Prayer. I know Dad believes in the Power of Prayer ... so keep them coming.
I am using Dad's cell phone (813-541-1103) b/c mine is simply not working properly .. as some of you already know. Please feel free to call me using his number. Dad is on my cell plan so it is all good! I can send and receive texts on either phone. I will keep you all posted sometime later today when we return from the hospital.
Thursday
October 5, 2012
Email #3
GOOD NEWS!!
You have each received the info from last night's call to the hospital @ 10 PM. I went to the hospital this morning. As luck would have it, Dr. Gilano called Dad's room and I got to talk to him. He said, "I am thrilled and excited about his improvement." He also added that he is not yet out of the woods and he is being watched very carefully.
Today's SCVICU nurses were Tim and Randy. What great guys. This is what I learned. Dad woke up again this morning and wanted his breathing tube removed. It is very uncomfortable when he is awake. It is not yet time for that to happen. So Dr. G decided to sedate him for the day and possibly tomorrow as well in order to allow him to rest and recover. His oxygen levels are low so the ventilator and oxygen support for a day or 2 are good things. Dad will likely be kept sedated through tomorrow. That puts us just past the 48 hour timeline after surgery.
They removed the "balloon" from his heart b/c it was no longer needed. That is a good thing. Tim told me that some of the things that are being monitored closely are his blood sugar (every 30 minutes), his kidneys (which are working quite nicely as are all other internal systems), the blood coagulation/clotting factors (he had lost 20 cc's this morning but Tim said that is nothing to worry about), infection (antibiotics will be "on board" soon as a preventative measure), and the movement of his extremities as indicators for possible stroke. Tim said there are no indications that Dad suffered a stroke during the procedure. Tim also said in response to my question, that the probability of Dad sustaining a stroke from this point forward is minimal. The infection issue also becomes a concern due to the large quantity (12 units) of blood & blood products Dad received.
Dr. G told me that the most important event is that Dad woke up and was properly responsive to questions. Tim explained to me that the massive bleed was caused by an adhesion has grown between Dad's sternum and the right ventricle of his heart. When the sternum was opened to gain access to the heart, the tear happened. Tim says this is not uncommon but that Dad's critical blood loss was not normal. Tim also lauded Dr. G, saying that he doesn't say these things about all doctors/surgeons - but that Dr. G is exceptional. When there is a crisis, Dr. G is "quick" and works fast to correct the issue and take proper actions. In Dad's case, 3 things had to happen NOW ... 1)Slow the blood loss (he stuck his finger in the hole), 2)Hook the patient to the heart/lung machine ASAP (Dr. Peterson ran the line through his femoral artery to the machine - this was the emergency method) and 3) repair the tear before continuing w/ the transplant.
This is an amazing Cardiovascular/Thoracic Surgery Team!
Dad is stable, his vital signs are good. His heart beat is a bit fast and he is being monitored very closely. He is NEVER alone in his room. One nurse is always sitting at the computer and monitoring the 14 ... yes ... 14 pumps that are regulating meds. (I counted them today) Frequently, the second nurse is in the room or just outside the room watching through a large, large window while talking to the docs or other support services or writing things. These nurses work 12 hour shifts.
I saw nurse Randy as we were leaving and he said he was glad to meet me and that he probably wouldn't see me again b/c he has taking the next 4 days off. That surprised me b/c I am thinking Dad will surely be in this unit for a while. When I asked him about it, he said he fully expects Dad to off the ventilator, taking fluids by mouth, and walking within a day or two. When Dad's tubes are removed and he become ambulatory, he will be moved to the next "Step Down" unit for more recovery and rehab. I was shocked and pleasantly surprised by his optimism. Everyone is saying that he is heading in the right direction. I am not at all pessimistic, but I am not able to totally relax and breath easy yet.
Dad looks GREAT. His color is very good. The incision is clean and nice. When he was moved into a different position today and his bed (the entire bed, not the head of the bed) was inclined more, Dad got a huge frown on his face between his brows. To know that he registered pain was comforting. Tim said, "He's in there. He just can't talk to you right now."
I am so looking forward to seeing him sit up, the tube out of his throat, and hearing him talk. I am taking his glasses in tomorrow b/c Tim said it would help make him more comfortable if he could see things clearly. I have asked to be notified when the breathing tube is scheduled to be removed so that I can be there. I don't want him to wake up and not find someone there that he knows...even if he will still me mildly sedated to ease the procedure and he may not remember that I was there.
Keep saying those prayers. I am going again tomorrow morning, of course. I will try to call. If not, I will email again. I am now carrying Dad's cell phone b/c mine pretty much sux!!! So, you can call the house at night or his cell during the day. If I find that he is scheduled to remain sedated for the entirety of tomorrow, I will likely stay an hour or so if all things are stable and then let him proceed to sleep and heal.
You have each received the info from last night's call to the hospital @ 10 PM. I went to the hospital this morning. As luck would have it, Dr. Gilano called Dad's room and I got to talk to him. He said, "I am thrilled and excited about his improvement." He also added that he is not yet out of the woods and he is being watched very carefully.
Today's SCVICU nurses were Tim and Randy. What great guys. This is what I learned. Dad woke up again this morning and wanted his breathing tube removed. It is very uncomfortable when he is awake. It is not yet time for that to happen. So Dr. G decided to sedate him for the day and possibly tomorrow as well in order to allow him to rest and recover. His oxygen levels are low so the ventilator and oxygen support for a day or 2 are good things. Dad will likely be kept sedated through tomorrow. That puts us just past the 48 hour timeline after surgery.
They removed the "balloon" from his heart b/c it was no longer needed. That is a good thing. Tim told me that some of the things that are being monitored closely are his blood sugar (every 30 minutes), his kidneys (which are working quite nicely as are all other internal systems), the blood coagulation/clotting factors (he had lost 20 cc's this morning but Tim said that is nothing to worry about), infection (antibiotics will be "on board" soon as a preventative measure), and the movement of his extremities as indicators for possible stroke. Tim said there are no indications that Dad suffered a stroke during the procedure. Tim also said in response to my question, that the probability of Dad sustaining a stroke from this point forward is minimal. The infection issue also becomes a concern due to the large quantity (12 units) of blood & blood products Dad received.
Dr. G told me that the most important event is that Dad woke up and was properly responsive to questions. Tim explained to me that the massive bleed was caused by an adhesion has grown between Dad's sternum and the right ventricle of his heart. When the sternum was opened to gain access to the heart, the tear happened. Tim says this is not uncommon but that Dad's critical blood loss was not normal. Tim also lauded Dr. G, saying that he doesn't say these things about all doctors/surgeons - but that Dr. G is exceptional. When there is a crisis, Dr. G is "quick" and works fast to correct the issue and take proper actions. In Dad's case, 3 things had to happen NOW ... 1)Slow the blood loss (he stuck his finger in the hole), 2)Hook the patient to the heart/lung machine ASAP (Dr. Peterson ran the line through his femoral artery to the machine - this was the emergency method) and 3) repair the tear before continuing w/ the transplant.
This is an amazing Cardiovascular/Thoracic Surgery Team!
Dad is stable, his vital signs are good. His heart beat is a bit fast and he is being monitored very closely. He is NEVER alone in his room. One nurse is always sitting at the computer and monitoring the 14 ... yes ... 14 pumps that are regulating meds. (I counted them today) Frequently, the second nurse is in the room or just outside the room watching through a large, large window while talking to the docs or other support services or writing things. These nurses work 12 hour shifts.
I saw nurse Randy as we were leaving and he said he was glad to meet me and that he probably wouldn't see me again b/c he has taking the next 4 days off. That surprised me b/c I am thinking Dad will surely be in this unit for a while. When I asked him about it, he said he fully expects Dad to off the ventilator, taking fluids by mouth, and walking within a day or two. When Dad's tubes are removed and he become ambulatory, he will be moved to the next "Step Down" unit for more recovery and rehab. I was shocked and pleasantly surprised by his optimism. Everyone is saying that he is heading in the right direction. I am not at all pessimistic, but I am not able to totally relax and breath easy yet.
Dad looks GREAT. His color is very good. The incision is clean and nice. When he was moved into a different position today and his bed (the entire bed, not the head of the bed) was inclined more, Dad got a huge frown on his face between his brows. To know that he registered pain was comforting. Tim said, "He's in there. He just can't talk to you right now."
I am so looking forward to seeing him sit up, the tube out of his throat, and hearing him talk. I am taking his glasses in tomorrow b/c Tim said it would help make him more comfortable if he could see things clearly. I have asked to be notified when the breathing tube is scheduled to be removed so that I can be there. I don't want him to wake up and not find someone there that he knows...even if he will still me mildly sedated to ease the procedure and he may not remember that I was there.
Keep saying those prayers. I am going again tomorrow morning, of course. I will try to call. If not, I will email again. I am now carrying Dad's cell phone b/c mine pretty much sux!!! So, you can call the house at night or his cell during the day. If I find that he is scheduled to remain sedated for the entirety of tomorrow, I will likely stay an hour or so if all things are stable and then let him proceed to sleep and heal.
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