For my Dad

[B00kW0rm]

Please say a prayer for my Dad. He was recently diagnosed with a gaping lower esophageal sphincter and had a test performed (on Tues. of this week) to determine whether or not he's a candidate for surgery to tighten that muscle. A new med regimen has helped tremendously with the symptoms.

However, our primary concern right now is that he is extremely short of breath....to the point that he has to stop to catch his breath when just walking from one end of the house to the other. He has had one cardiac stent placed (approx. 5 - 6 yrs. ago). More recently, within the past six months, he has undergone another heart cath....after failing a cardiac stress test. The heart cath was determined normal and my Dad was informed that if he watched his diet, took anti-cholesterol meds and lost a few pounds he shouldn't have any additional trouble for years.

Well, he has done all of those things. Eating healthier, dropped 25 pounds and taking the med. His appt. is this afternoon and I'd appreciate your prayers for him, and also your prayers asking God to grant my Dad's doctor the wisdom to correctly diagnose the problem.

Thank you:-)

[homesteadingnky]

Praying for your dad.

[TNDadx4]

I am praying for your dad as well.

[B00kW0rm]

homesteadingnky & TNDadx4,

Thank you so very much for your prayers! The doctor said that my Dad has fluid in his right lung. My Dad was sent for a chest x-ray, but won't know results until Monday. In the meantime, he is taking a fluid pill and has orders to "chill" :-)!

Doctor performed a breathing test and it showed my DD was only breathing at 62% capacity. Then a breathing treatment was given and the breathing test was repeated....with the same results (62% capacity). The doctor said this (no change in capacity) indicated that the problem was NOT asthma. Please keep my Dad in your prayers and I'll keep you updated.

Thank you:-)

[kerryms]

Sending prayers for your Dad and the Drs. to help him.

[msta999]

One more coming his way. :)

[B00kW0rm]

kerryms & msta999,

Thank you very much for your prayers as well! We will definitely take all that we can get ;)

Update: the lasix is drawing fluid out of my Dad's body. He hadn't even noticed his hands swelling, but now his wedding band pratically falls off when his finger tips point toward the floor. The lasix has NOT yet made a difference in his breathing.

Tomorrow we will find out the results of the chest x-ray.

Thank all of you again, and I'll update when I know more.

[B00kW0rm]

The doctor's office finally called today and said the xray shows my Dad has pneumonia. I believe they didn't consider it before because he has not had any fever or chills...he hasn't even had a cough.

He started antibiotics today and will take them for 7 days...then a repeat chest xray.

[Cattails]

At least they now have a diagnosis. I'll be praying for your dad's quick and complete recovery.

[B00kW0rm]

Cattails,

Thank you!!

[stilltryinat50]

So glad for the better news...will pray, too

[B00kW0rm]

Hi All,

My Dad will be going back to the doctor this afternoon. *He finished the antibiotics on Monday and is worse today. *His breathing is still very labored...especially after any level of exertion. *It could be that he needs another course of antibiotics. *I'll let you know. *Thanks for your continued prayers!

Modified to add update:
Dad received two antibiotic injections in the doctor's office and came home with a prescription for a different antibiotic, an inhaler and prednisone. He will have a repeat chest xray next Thursday...instead of after August 11th. (I had mention previously that the repeat xray was to be in one week, but it was scheduled to four weeks).

[kerryms]

I'm praying and sending positive thoughts for your Dad and You!

[StephiLou]

Bookworm,

I sent you a PM. :)

Steph

[B00kW0rm]

Dad is not doing well at all. He is having a contrast CT scan of his lungs performed this morning (Sunday) at 7:30am. His breathing is worse, at times he's almost gasping for air and his oxygen satuation levels are not where they should be.

I'm going to the hospital to be be with my Mom, maybe the waiting won't be so bad if she just has someone to sit with her. Please pray for my Dad and the rest of my family. Thank you.

[Katrina-Sisu]

I'm sorry to hear he's worse :(. I'm praying for all of you!

Kat

[vargthewanderer]

Praying for your dad as well.

[nancy1340]

Prayers send for you and your Dad.

[RangerRick]

We'll be prayin for your dad and putin him on the prayer chain.

Rick

[StephiLou]

Prayers sent Bookworm. Keep us updated

Steph

[B00kW0rm]

Thank all of you so much for your concern and thank you, most of all, for the prayers you've offered on behalf of my Dad. *It is such a blessing to know that so many of you, sight unseen, are generously committing to help carry my burdens...I thank God for each of you :)

Praise Report First ;), God is So Good ;D!
**My dad does NOT have lung cancer!
**While in the ER, on Sat., my dad's oxygen level was in
* *in the 80th percentile rage...even with oxygen.
* *Yesterday (with absolutely no treatment) his oxygen
* *level was in the mid-90% range...excellent!!
**God is keeping His hand on my dad, controlling my
* *Dad's vital signs so that my dad is able to rest at
* *home, in his OWN bed, rather than being confined to
* *a hospital bed!! *God is awesome!

Test Results & Updated Prayer Request
The contrast CTscan revealed the following: *
**moderate pleural effusion (fluid build up between the
* *outside of the lung and the sac surrounding the lung)
* *on the right side
**partially collapsed right lung
**mild pleural effusion on the left side
**some degree (as yet unspecified) cardiac blockages
**COPD (severity not yet specified)

The, first, major concern is removing the fluid from around his lungs and seeing if the lung will re-inflate itself. *My dad has appointment this morning (11am) with a pulmonary specialist. *We don't know yet if this will be general-let's-examine-exactly-what-we've-got-going-on-here appt or if the pulmonary doc will actually remove the fluid tomorrow.

Second, trying to determine what caused the fluid to build to begin with. *From research that I've done, one of the most common causes is heart problems/failure.

Third, determining whether or not the cardiac blockages require immediate attention. *My dad does have a history of heart disease and has already had one cardiac stent placed.

Fourth, determining severity and creating a treatment plan for managing the COPD.

Fifth, the esophageal problem will have to be addressed at some point as well. *The lower muscle in the esophagus never completely closes off the opening to the stomach. *That results in much reflux and increases the chances of stomach contents rising back up and spilling over into his lungs---that is definitely not a complication that my dad needs right now. (Thanks Steph for heads-up ;), GI doc totally agreed!)

Thank all of you again, all the ones who've posted and all the ones who haven't post but are still praying:-)

[B00kW0rm]

My Dad had the appt. with the pulmonary specialist yesterday.

The diagnosis is: congestive heart failure (CHF). The doctor decided not to draw the fluid out from around my dad's lungs. He said with CHF the fluid would just come right back. So, he started a new (stronger) diuretic in the hopes that all the accumulated fluid can be flushed out through my dad's kidneys.

Late yesterday evening it became obvious my dad's urinary system was just not going to cooperate:-(. He's already taking meds for enlarged prostate and I think the prostate still has the urinary tract closed off enough that the urine couldn't be expelled fast enough to give the kidneys any relief. After he talked with his doctor, I took him to the ER. They placed a catheter, which my dad came home with. The relief was instant! My dad has to call his doc later today to find out how long the cath has to stay in place. He will also have to make an appt with a urologist.

The pulmonary doctor is requesting all my dad's records from the heart specialist. He wants to see what tests have already been performed...so that he doesn't put my dad through any unnecessary tests.

My dad will also be going for a sleep study (Thursday night). He had a sleep study performed approx. seven years ago and the test showed borderline sleep apnea. The insurance company, however, would NOT pay for a CPAP machine because the results were not definitive.

Please say a prayer for my daughter. She is 10 years old and I talked with her some about what was going on with her Paw-Paw. I explained that his heart wasn't working like it should. Her very first question was, "Momma, is my Paw-Paw going to die?" Oh, how that broke my heart...because I couldn't honestly tell her, "No sweetheart, Paw-Paw's not going to die."

Instead I tried to reassure her by saying, "Sweetheart, I certainly hope not...and I know you hope not too. There are a bunch of things doctors can do, now, to help people who have heart problems and Paw-paw's doctor is working very hard to find the right medicines to help Paw-paw feel better."

Please say a prayer for my mom. She is disabled (severe rheumatiod arthritis and degenerating discs) and it's going to be harder for her to take care of the caregiving issues that are going to come up.

Thank you:-).

[kerryms]

Sending prayers for the whole family.Your dealing with alot right now so I'll send you a hug too!