Plus 1 for Mayo, have a few friends who have been there and a few who work there. If you do go that direction, PM me for my number.

You family is still in my prayers and will keep them coming.

Snake oil (as first line therapy). Though sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures.

Artplumber, I agree, just putting the options out there.

There are several Mayo Clinic's around the world. One is here in Scottsdale and I know a few of the Docs there.

If this is one option, let me know, can get you in direct contact with one of them.

Made it to Florida - visited with Apu (that's Hungarian for daddy) and he was in excellent spirits. His vitals were good, and his kidney function was getting better as the flushing of the contrast used for the catherization continued throughout the day.

Started the ball in motion for getting him to Sarasota - hopefully we will have a clearer path tomorrow.

Frustrations abound - for example - the docotors say his kidneys are in bad shape, yet the nurses say they are in decent shape, given what he's gone through. Who do you believe?

Most important right now for my dad - NO MATTER WHAT - isa that his mind is sharp, and he is willing to look at alternatives beyond juat giving up. Yet at the same time, he is willing to accept that his days on earth may come to an end soon,,, (without bypass or other options, the current docs say he may last 6 months max on meds alone...)

Thank you all - my heart is comforted by you all - I'm not so scared...
-Zoltan

Right on Z! You keep it strong. Still sending up good thoughts and prayers for you and your pop.

Z,

While he is still alert and in good humour, get him alone and ask him if there is anything that he needs you to take care of, both should everything be fine or God forbid things not work out.

He needs to know that there is someone who will take care of things should anything happen and that will take some of the load off of him right now.

Z you are a good son. Stay strong for your dad.

Yep, you've got a bunch of us pulling for you and your dad, Z! Be strong and be there, and it will all work out...take care.

Hey all - been a busy day.
Apu is doing very well, all things considered.

He will be going into surgery tomorrow at 10am. Looks like they are planning on a double bypass, and if they see the need, possibly a third. We are staying at the Lakeland hospital - Sarasota didn't work out - they could only get my father scheduled sometime next week -- too risky to wait that long.

The doctor who has been taking care of my father since he had the heart attack, Dr Brown, came and spoke with us all, and explained everything. After he finished, ny dad asked, "when can you get me into surgery?". So they were able to schedule him for tomorrow.

They feel that Apu has an excellent chance of pulling through the surgery. IE - the risk of losing him is small. Within a week, we will know if there will be any short or long term complications - three areas of concern are;
1 kidney dailure
2. Stroke
3 Respitory failure.
Won't know if any of these issues manifest themselves till about a week after the operation...

They will be doing the "beating heart" surgery, where the heart will be slowed down during the surgery, but not stopped. Apu was very concerned about this - he was afraid that if they stopped his heart, they may have trouble re-starting it.

Tonight, Apu's bp went pretty high, anf he told Anyu (mommy in Hungarian) that he is anxious, nervous, and scared. Quite understandable. I pray that he is sleeping as I write this...

Good night, and thanks.
-Zoltan

Excellent news, all things considered! Wishing him all the best!

Good Luck Z!!! We'll be thinking about you!

good luck z.

I think this time tomorrow all will be well.

Prayers sent.

I'm going to take some time at 10 am and send some positive thoughts down to Fla...hope you don't mind! I know you won't read this until later...let us know how everything went.

Good Luck.

Best of luck to you and your family Z-man... you guys are in my prayers.

well, I have been good a nice to folks I don't like..
so any 'good karma' I earned, is for your dad.

Rika

Prayer sent!