XP: T & P's for my dad please

cutebride73 · January 2011

He is in the hospital now and it seems he had a mini-stroke.

Background is that my dad is 84 years old. He has a few health problems (diabetes, poor kidney function, he had quintuple bypass 11 years ago). He was doing pretty well though. Like my mom and I could go away for weekend retreats, he didn't need 24/7 care or anything. He could fix himself breakfast and make lunch. He still did their taxes every year. He just wasn't real stready on his feet and took quite a few meds.

So b/f Christmas he had a stress test done as he hadn't had one in 3 years. They saw a little something, so they wanted him to have a heart catheterization done, which he had done this past Wednesday. Well, he wasn't right afterwards he was unsteady (more than normal) and had trouble seeing, but he was walking and could talk, so my mom took him home, thinking he was just out-of-it from the procedure

She called me Thursday to say she was taking him to the ER. He was real bad over night and that day. Was out-of-it, couldn't remember which way the bedroom was. Turns out he had a fever and pneumonia.He started to feel better with his meds, but his vision was still messed up. He couldn't see clearly, sort of like double vision.

So they ran an MRI yesterday and it turns out that he had a mini-stroke caused by the heart catheterization!!!! I am so mad because it was completely preventable!!!! Yes, they found one of the areas they fixed 11 years ago was blocked again, but at his age with his other health problems - they weren't going to fix it anyway!!!! So it was pointless to do.

His PCP is the one that had ordered the test and the heart dr who performed it said to my mom yesterday that he should have stood up to the PCP because he hadn't thought it was a good idea to do the test. Nice to mention that now!!!! They didn't tell my parents that there were any issues to be extra concerned about.

I am really angry and upset. This didn't need to happen and has probably shortened his life even further!!! Sorry I didn't mean to turn this into a vent, I am just really upset.

If you could please keep my dad in your thoughts and prayers I would greatly appreciate it.

GuppyAmy · January 2011

I'm so sorry you're going through this. The same thing happened to my grandmother, she had a mild heart attack at 84.

jillcanada · January 2011

I'm so sorry. Absolutely. T&Ps are coming your way.

cutebride73 · January 2011

GuppyAmy:
I'm so sorry you're going through this. The same thing happened to my grandmother, she had a mild heart attack at 84.

How ridiculous!!!! I am sorry your grandma had to go through the same.

The heart dr just did not explain the increased risks to my mom and dad at all. Nor did he say he had reservations about performing the procedure. Both of which he should have done!!!

I am trying to focus on the positives, that it was mild, that he seems to be improving. But, who knows if he will get back to where he was - health wise.

GuppyAmy · January 2011

cutebride73:
GuppyAmy:
I'm so sorry you're going through this. The same thing happened to my grandmother, she had a mild heart attack at 84.

How ridiculous!!!! I am sorry your grandma had to go through the same.

The heart dr just did not explain the increased risks to my mom and dad at all. Nor did he say he had reservations about performing the procedure. Both of which he should have done!!!

I am trying to focus on the positives, that it was mild, that he seems to be improving. But, who knows if he will get back to where he was - health wise.

I'm so sorry they didn't explain the risks, I think sometimes the doctors are just trying to do the procedures that get them the most money. And I'm going to say that strokes are very very scary and everyone recovers differently but the fact that he is showing improvements is a very good sign. Some people have mild strokes and have no residual effects. I hope and pray that he is able to make a full recovery. Make sure that he starts receiving therapy as soon as possible.

Olive44 · January 2011

I'm so sorry. Thinking of you and your family.

butterfly843 · January 2011

So sorry your family is going through this. Will keep your dad in my thought and prayers.

rjl07 · January 2011

I'm so sorry! I'll be thinking of you. ((hugs))

Pixiestx · January 2011

Oh no! I wouldn't be happy with the doctors either. Lots of vibes for your dad.

mdm2137 · January 2011

I'm so sorry. Sending T&Ps.

Fififa21 · January 2011

I?m so sorry. Sending you a big hug and your dad/family will be in my prayers!

babes12 · January 2011

T&P's. i hope he gets better soon.

pennynjon · January 2011

I am so sorry. I don't understand why his doctor ordered the heart cath if he wasn't going to do anything about the results. I would be angry at them too. I hope he recovers well and quickly. He will be in my prayers. ((hugs))