As I’ve mentioned before this was going to be a crazy month with me trying to get a book draft done by month end (for my Stanford certificate) and the IRS audit, etc. Well, as one thing after another got stacked up, I didn’t think I would be able to handle the deadlines.
That’s always when things get worse. Last night my father was at the ER with chest pains. It turns out that he had Aortic Dissection. According to MedlinePlus:
Aortic dissection is a serious condition in which there is a tear in the wall of the major artery carrying blood out of the heart (aorta). As the tear extends along the wall of the aorta, blood can flow in between the layers of the blood vessel wall (dissection). This can lead to aortic rupture or decreased blood flow (ischemia) to organs.
They had to perform emergency surgery all last night, putting in a 1 1/4″ dacron tube in place of part of the aorta. They started at 10:30 PM and ended seven hours later. The thoracic surgeon had been up for 24 hours by the time the surgery was over. Dad is in recovery today, but they are keeping him sedated (all day today) until his vitals stabilize.
This is extremely major open-heart surgery for an 86-year-old (well, he turns 86 in 9 days) who has less than half a functioning kidney.
As the surgeon explained to my mother, two celebrities have had this exact medical condition–and they both passed away from it.
One was John Ritter. Wikipedia describes his death from aortic dissection this way:
On September 11, 2003, Ritter fell ill while rehearsing for 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. He began sweating profusely, vomiting and complained of having chest pains. He was taken across the street to the Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center. Physicians misdiagnosed Ritter and treated him for a heart attack, however his condition worsened. Physicians then diagnosed Ritter with an aortic dissection. Ritter died during surgery to repair the dissection at 10:48 p.m, six days before his 55th birthday.
The other celebrity was Lucille Ball. There is some misinformation online about her death. She survived the dissection repair, unlike Ritter, but then it later ruptured and she died at age 77.
I probably won’t respond to comments on this post, but I would appreciate your prayers, thoughts, healing energies, and virtual hugs for my dad and my family.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family, Luanne.
No prayer begging necessary. Consider it done.
Oh, Luanne…I’m so sorry to hear this. I’ll be praying for your father and your family. xo
You’ve got them.
Thanks for explaining your dad’s condition. I’m sending good thoughts his and your way.
Feel the warmth from all your virtual friends, Luanne. We are all thinking good thoughts for you and your family.
There will be no expectation for you to respond to these comments, Luanne. I just hope you have time to read them and find strength in the love and care that we all have for you and your family. You’ve been dealt with one blow after another, and this last surely is the worst. You and your family are in my prayers, my thoughts, my heart.
hugs, and prayers
Sending prayers for healing and peace and giving you virtual hugs.
Sending prayers!
Sending love and light. xoxo
Thoughts are with you and your dad and the medical team.
Prayers and love to you and your family.
Luanne, I am so very sorry about your father and this latest challenging time for you. I was about to add “especially at Christmas” but really it’s never easy dealing with medical emergencies any time with our families. I know you will give your dad – and your mom – the most loving care possible. All of us at Casa de Canterbury will be sending positive thoughts to you – please don’t worry about responding…just know that we care for you.
I pray for your strong dad, your family, and for you. Let’s believe this year’s Christmas gift is his healing.
I know it must have been frightening for all of you. Sending good thoughts to your family.
You got ’em.
No need to reply: just know that many people are holding you and your family in their thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to read this Luanne, please know that I am lifting you, your father and all your family up in prayer <3
Oh Luanne, I have been there, and recently too. All my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Your Dad will be in my prayers immediately, Luanne. Definitely I am saddened at this sudden turn of events, Luanne. I will pray with all of my heart and hopes, too for Healing for your father! I believe those 7 hours were blessed with skilled physician/surgeon and a supportive medical team. Love, Robin
Thanks to everyone for your prayers. My father is doing great! This was a very risky surgery and he is doing very well, considering his age and other medical issues! Please keep the prayers coming!! xoxo
Luanne, I’m so happy to hear the surgery went well and give thanks for all the answered prayers. I will keep your family in my own prayers…my dad turns 86 on Feb 9. 🙂 May the coming year be filled with peace, health and much joy.
Luanne from across the miles I will pray for you and your Dad. Hard times. Hope it all goes well.
Luanne,
Thinking of you and your family–and most especially, of your father, and sending my prayers for his healing your way…I’m glad you let us all know…even when people don’t realized others are praying for them, as Larry Dossey has written, it helps them.
Fond wishes,
Sharon
My father continues to do well! He has had a few ups and down, with irregular heartrate, etc., but overall he’s doing so well. He hopes to be transferred to a nursing home at the end of the week. And to stay there about a week, so we’ll see. Of course, he would like to get out for Christmas, but at least for his birthday, which is the day after Christmas.
Saying lots of prayers & sending lots of healing wishes to your Dad!
Thanks so much, everyone. He’s doing quite well–a few ups and downs, but the overall movement is improvement!!!