T&P Please! Step 1 to my dad's heart surgery

angeltennis3 · June 2014

I could use a few extra T&Ps tonight.

A few months ago the doctor heard a murmur in my dad's heart. After some more testing, they found out some chords at the bottom of his heart that helps some valves close snapped. This is apparently very common and as long as no more snapped, it wasn't even an issue.

Well a few weeks ago, more had snapped. He still isn't in the danger zone, but to prevent further damage to his heart his doctors believe surgery to fix the chords is his best choice. So tomorrow he goes in for his first round of tests before the actual surgery, one of which will be them threading a catheter into his heart.

It could be much worse, but I am still really scared for my dad! My uncle (not related to my dad) has been struggling with heart problems for the last two years, and had to go as far as getting a heart transplant this past September, which was then subsequently damaged during a routine biopsy to check for infection, so then he had to have a mechanical valve put in. Now he has to have surgery every 8 years for the rest of his life to replace the valve. Heart problems cause a lot of fear for me now, so I pray my dad's goes well and he has a quick recovery.

All of this is coming while I have to be out of town for work, so I can't even be with him. I am going to do everything I can to be with him for the actual surgery. I wish I was tree to give him a big hug!

Thanks for letting me vent and for any extra T&Ps you can send to my wonderful dad!

pushgal84 · June 2014

Hope the surgery goes well and he has a quick recovery. My dad had a stint put in 15 years ago and a quadruple bypass 4 years ago and is better than ever now! My step dad had a valve replaced a couple years ago and recovered well and continues to live an active lifestyle. I've been there and it's definitely scary, but try to stay positive