Hey everybody. I know I don't post much around these parts anymore. It's been kind of hectic but everything was starting to go a little bit more positive until earlier this week.

I am writing this because I need your prayers. My father had a stroke on Monday and in all likliehood is not going to make it. My Dad is 68 and has had a number of health problems over the years. He had a quintuple bypass several years ago followed by a heart stint. He has diabetes but has had that somewhat under control. Oh and he survived a one person auto wreck where he had a diabetic seizure and crashed into a tree. Car was totaled, he was fine.

The last 2 months have been a struggle. He had fluid in his lungs that caused a systemic chain reaction. At first the doctors thought there was nothing that could be done, one even talking about hospice, but then they found a way to drain the fluid and he went home. Then he started having very serious colon issues (diverticulitus) had a foot of his intestines removed and he went home again.

So obviously we are not talking about a healthy man but in many of these instances he was pretty much counted out and beat the odds. I was very worried that he would not survive the colon surgery last month with a weak heart and weak lungs but it went completely textbook and he went home. He has had a difficult recovery and very little energy but on Monday had one of his best days and started talking about going to rehab. He ate some dinner, had a big bowl of ice cream and a little while later my Mom came into the room and he looked like he had been struck by lightning. He was not cohesive and my mom called 911 and it was somewhat obvious that he had a stroke because his right side was paralyzed and he couldn't speak. I saw him in the hospital and it was heartbreaking because he could only open one eye and did not seem to be tracking anyone very well. He could only make noises but could not speak. My father who I had a million conversations with in my 39 years now seemed like he had lost the ability to speak.

The next step was surgery. Doing nothing would likely result in a massive stroke which would surely kill him. Basically the options were to try to suck the blood clot out of his brain or to chemically destroy it. We went with sucking the blood clot out but the tool they were using could not reach the area in his brain without extreme risk. So we went with the chemical option which appeared to have worked. They were able to reduce the clot but said there was still a small chance that there could be bleeding that would further damage the brain cells. We had to take that chance though and prayed and hoped for the best.

The next day, we received the diagnosis. He had significant bleeding in his brain and the prognosis was very grim. They basically said it could be hours but he would not likely survive the day. He was nonresponsive and in a coma and taken to ICU where no recovery was expected. We were of course in shock and then of course the effort was to get all the grandchildren there including the one in Charleston who was taking an exam at college. We all these doctors come in and tell us that death was imminent and all of these decisions had to be made. We started talking about ventilators and other options and were told that basically nothing could be done.

All of the children and grandchildren and my Mom got to say our goodbyes. My nephew made it from Charleston. He survived the first first few hours and then the whole first day and despite more doctors coming in and, with great sympathy and compassion, telling us that death was imminent, he has now survived 6 days. He has shown little signs here and there, like squeezing hands, moving fingers, and moving his toes, but had not opened his eyes. His slight responses have brought perhaps unfounded optimisn because the prognosis is still grim. The doctor who has been the most optimistic thus far told us today that, based on his vitals, he thought he had maybe three days. But there is still faint hope, even as we prepare for the likely outcome.

This has been the weirdest and worst week of my life. My family has really come together to help each other through this. There have been many tears, many goodbyes, but there has been laughter too. Last night at 2:30 in the morning, me, my Mom, and my sister were eating breakfast in the hospital cafeteria just telling all these funny stories about my Dad. I think my Dad would like the laughter more than the tears. He never liked to be fussed over and he always would rather us do what we needed to do than tend after him.

Sorry so long. Writing this helped me process some but doesn't touch the surface of what the experience has actually been like. Not to sound corny but I would recommend everyone tell someone in their life that they love them, especially if it has been a while. Because you never know. As sick as my father was, he kept beating the odds time after time (even still now) and even though I knew this day might come I always put it as close to the back of my mind as possible. Now its hear and it is every bit as hard as I imagined it would be.

Please pray for my father and my family if you are so inclined.

[Edited 12/17/11 20:49pm]

[Edited 12/20/11 22:31pm]

My prayers are with you and your family, during this difficult time.

You and your family have my prayers,

I will definitely pray for you & your family. I'm going through something with my mother right now [she's in the hospital for high blood pressure right now, but she's rapidly improving as we speak. it's stress related {doctor's haven't found anything else wrong with her}]......

~~praying for your Father and Family. He sounds like an amazingly strong man.~~

Sending positive thoughts yall's way.

I am praying for you and your family during this difficult time.

i am praying for your entire family, i know this must be a very difficult time.

I'm sending positive energy to you and your family. Stay strong

My prayers will go out for you and your family.

Wishing you and your family strength and courage.

GottaLetitgo said:

Please pray for my father and my family if you are so inclined.

[Edited 12/17/11 20:49pm]

I am so inclined. Be well, all.

I'm sorry. Positive thoughts to you and your family.

Hey bud. I know what you're going through and you are handling it great. Your dad is very proud of you.

We're all praying for you.

GottaLetitgo said:

Hey everybody. I know I don't post much around these parts anymore. It's been kind of hectic but everything was starting to go a little bit more positive until earlier this week.

I am writing this because I need your prayers. My father had a stroke on Monday and in all likliehood is not going to make it. My Dad is 68 and has had a number of health problems over the years. He had a quintuple bypass several years ago followed by a heart stint. He has diabetes but has had that somewhat under control. Oh and he survived a one person auto wreck where he had a diabetic seizure and crashed into a tree. Car was totaled, he was fine.

The last 2 months have been a struggle. He had fluid in his lungs that caused a systemic chain reaction. At first the doctors thought there was nothing that could be done, one even talking about hospice, but then they found a way to drain the fluid and he went home. Then he started having very serious colon issues (diverticulitus) had a foot of his intestines removed and he went home again.

So obviously we are not talking about a healthy man but in many of these instances he was pretty much counted out and beat the odds. I was very worried that he would not survive the colon surgery last month with a weak heart and weak lungs but it went completely textbook and he went home. He has had a difficult recovery and very little energy but on Monday had one of his best days and started talking about going to rehab. He ate some dinner, had a big bowl of ice cream and a little while later my Mom came into the room and he looked like he had been struck by lightning. He was not cohesive and my mom called 911 and it was somewhat obvious that he had a stroke because his right side was paralyzed and he couldn't speak. I saw him in the hospital and it was heartbreaking because he could only open one eye and did not seem to be tracking anyone very well. He could only make noises but could not speak. My father who I had a million conversations with in my 39 years now seemed like he had lost the ability to speak.

The next step was surgery. Doing nothing would likely result in a massive stroke which would surely kill him. Basically the options were to try to suck the blood clot out of his brain or to chemically destroy it. We went with sucking the blood clot out but the tool they were using could not reach the area in his brain without extreme risk. So we went with the chemical option which appeared to have worked. They were able to reduce the clot but said there was still a small chance that there could be bleeding that would further damage the brain cells. We had to take that chance though and prayed and hoped for the best.

The next day, we received the diagnosis. He had significant bleeding in his brain and the prognosis was very grim. They basically said it could be hours but he would not likely survive the day. He was nonresponsive and in a coma and taken to ICU where no recovery was expected. We were of course in shock and then of course the effort was to get all the grandchildren there including the one in Charleston who was taking an exam at college. We all these doctors come in and tell us that death was imminent and all of these decisions had to be made. We started talking about ventilators and other options and were told that basically nothing could be done.

All of the children and grandchildren and my Mom got to say our goodbyes. My nephew made it from Charleston. He survived the first first few hours and then the whole first day and despite more doctors coming in and, with great sympathy and compassion, telling us that death was imminent, he has now survived 6 days. He has shown little signs here and there, like squeezing hands, moving fingers, and moving his toes, but had not opened his eyes. His slight responses have brought perhaps unfounded optimisn because the prognosis is still grim. The doctor who has been the most optimistic thus far told us today that, based on his vitals, he thought he had maybe three days. But there is still faint hope, even as we prepare for the likely outcome.

This has been the weirdest and worst week of my life. My family has really come together to help each other through this. There have been many tears, many goodbyes, but there has been laughter too. Last night at 2:30 in the morning, me, my Mom, and my sister were eating breakfast in the hospital cafeteria just telling all these funny stories about my Dad. I think my Dad would like the laughter more than the tears. He never liked to be fussed over and he always would rather us do what we needed to do than tend after him.

Sorry so long. Writing this helped me process some but doesn't touch the surface of what the experience has actually been like. Not to sound corny but I would recommend everyone tell someone in their life that they love them, especially if it has been a while. Because you never know. As sick as my father was, he kept beating the odds time after time (even still now) and even though I knew this day might come I always put it as close to the back of my mind as possible. Now its hear and it is every bit as hard as I imagined it would be.

Please pray for my father and my family if you are so inclined.

[Edited 12/17/11 20:49pm]

Nope, you don't sound corny at at. Just cherish every living moment you have with him, and it sounds like you will be at peace with this, God forbid. I haven't seen my father in seven years. I didn't know that he was dying, until my mother called me. My siblings and I went to see him. Not to go into details, but I told him I forgive him, and so does my Mom (she said she does).What little time I had with him, I still cherished it. Here stands my prayers to you and your family.

I'll take your advice today.

And you, GottaLetItGo and all your other personalities: I should take the time to tell you (again) how much I enjoy your contributions to the Org.

A lot!!!

All my love

Oh boy.....I'm sorry to hear this!

I'll keep you,and your family in my prayers.