OK so it isn't angina. My dad has a 'leaking valve' in his heart

[OrmIrian]

GP diagnosed angina. We we all busy trying to calm him down by telling him that it wasn't that serious and he shouldn't worry Got taken into hospital last night in an ambulance and now he's all hooked up to machines.

He's feeling OK apparently - releived that something is being done - but I feel so bad that we didn't beleive that he was really ill. And the GP needs shooting! He told dad he had angina and didn't send a letter to the consultant until nearly a week after he'd seen my dad.

Hope you avoid the oinkiness Orm. dd had the jab yesterday - I was so undecided about it - but tis done now.

Well mum has asked me not to visit just in case I don't want to increase her stress levels and I hope dad will understand.

The ECG showed that there definitely is a lleak and he is going to Bristol to have a metal stent (?) put in. On Monday.

My DB has come all the way down from N Wales to see dad and spend the weekend with mum. Bless him - means I don't have to worry about her being alone.

Kids and I are going over in the morning to see them...but not my dad

I'm sure your dad will understand - it would be such a shame to give him swine flu just now!

Hope all goes well on Monday Orm.

Hope it all goes well today Orm.

Thanks.

Apparently he might not get a replacement valve yet. They are going to do the tube thing today and see how it goes. He will be coming home soon though and may have to go back in again if he does need a replacement.

I feel a bit sick.

He's been to Bristol, had the 'cardiac catheterisation' (thanks harebelle ) and in on his way back to Weston. No news yet but we are assuming that we'd have heard if anything terrib;e had happened. Mum says I can see him tonight so I am going to see her after work and have dinner with her and then go on to see my daddy

Good to hear he's OK, and glad that you've avoided the oink!

Orm, just to add that my mum had a valve replaced 3 years ago at the age of 82 and it went fine. But hopefully the stent will do the trick.

Wow! 82? I won't worry so much about dad then.

The cathetirisation showed that he definitely needs a valve replacement and probably a bypass on the other side. There is also some problem with him dehydrating - they keep having to chuck in loads of saline through a drip.

The consultant is meeting with the surgeon today to decide what to do next.

Dad has BUPA cover and is now toying with the idea of using that to get an earlier date if at all possible. He feels a bit guilty as he has had such amazing care so far but if it means this all get done sooner it has to be worth it.

I let myself down last night by having a weep with my mum - as if she needs that as well as everything else.

If he's in hospital still, it sounds as though they will do his op on this admission, so he may find that it's no quicker going through BUPA.
If he does go down the BUPA route, I would be asking the surgeon how frequently this type of operation is performed in the private hospital, and what level of medical cover is there in his abscence. (My understanding of how the private system works is that surgeon does his op, and then visits once or twice a day, leaving a plan of action for the nursing and medical staff.)

If the saline thing has only been happening since his cardiac cath, then it may well be that they are just giving his kidneys a good flush to remove the last traces of the contrast they use to illuminate the arteries
Sendiing big hugs - I'm not afraid of the flaming

Thanks stan. Hugs appreciated

I think what is freaking him out is that someone made a throw away comment about him being up and about again 'by the spring'. Which he took to mean they won't operate until much later. I will tell him what you say about BUPA - he was thinking that they would do the op in the same place with the same staff, just paid for by BUPA.

Oh yeah! I hadn't thought of that option
If they reckon he'll be up and about by the spring,then the op looks imminent. Basically, when they do cardiac surgery, they cut through the breastbone, which is then wired back together. It is recommended that patients don't drive, do any lifting or straining of the upper body for a good 6 weeks, to enable the bone to knit back together again. Most patients will tell you that although they feel better immediately after the surgery in terms of their symptoms, it can take a good 3 months to feel back to full fitness, so Spring is a realistic time frame for him to be back to all his normal activities.

Aha! that would make sense. Of course it is a major op so I guess it will take time. Will drive him crazy seeing the garden and not being able to get out there

I am hoping mum will hear something this afternoon.

Fingers crossed that he gets it done soon - Six weeks recovery period means that he'll just be fit enough to be able to cook Christmas dinner as a reward for you all fussing over him for the past few weeks

Have got permission to leave work early tomorrow and pick the kids up so they can see him.

One benefit if that I must be losing weight I have no appetite atm.

love to you
my dad had ongoing heart issues a while back. they do do amazinf things though.

Thankyou juan. We are hopeful but still nervous.

i likey it when people call me Juan. a lot.

yes he has had two heart attacks years ago and has just had an angiogram today to check it is all ok (which it is)

SO DONT WORRY>

Hope it puts your mind at rest seeing him today Orm.

Op next Friday if he doesn't get bumped.

Private would only have made 2 days difference.

Glad to hear things are moving, and that you have an action plan. How are you bearing up?

Can't sleep, can't eat, getting mild panic attacks. Apart from that absolutely fine

It's crazy - I am not nearly so worried now but I am still stressed. Running up and down the mway to see mum and then dad isn't helping.