Save a prayer for my dad...

[Z-man]

My dad's in the hospital. Has chest pains. They suspected that he would need another couple of stints. Three years ago, he had a heart attack followed by a cardiac arrest. Back then, they put in some stints and an ICD to regulate his heart.

This morning, they found a lot of blockage - three of the arteries are completely blocked, and the fourth one isn't very clear either. They didn't place another stint in - I suspect the artery walls may be too weak to handle another set of stints. Right now, there are two possibilities:
1. Keep him on blood thinners
2. Do bypass surgery.

While bypass surgery would obviously clear out the blockage, at age 88, there are many high risks - stroke, heart attack, and they can even lose him on the table.

This afternoon, the doctors will meet with my folks to determine the best options. They are in Florida, I'm in NJ, but will probably be flying down tonight or tomorrow, depending on the outcome of the doctor's meeting.

Please pray for my family. I'm scared.
-Zoltan.

[lendaddy]

Sorry to hear that Z, my thoughts are with him and your family.

[Moses]

Prayers sent. How is your dad's health otherwise? If he's generally fit, it reduces the surgical risks a great deal.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Very sorry to hear - what a terrible way to start the week! All the best to you. Here's hoping he pulls through and you and your family are in my thoughts today.

[island911]

[Superman]

Done. Your Dad will be in my prayers, as will you also.

[gassy]

Hang in there man.
Christian

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Z,

I wish your dad the very best.

[legion]

I hope your dad pulls through.

My dad faced many of the same issues, brought on by diabetes, his bad diet, and his total lack of exercise.

[Scooter]

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your dad. Hang in there Z-man and Z-man Sr.!

[onlycafe]

zoltan, prayers are flowing. hang in there.
david

[sammyg2]

Prayers sent, even if his son is a poopy-head

Trying to keep it light, you need your spirits up and your optimism high.

[the]

Hang in there, best wishes to you and your family.

[frogger]

+1. Best wishes for your father and your family as well.

[Jim Richards]

Zoltan, your Dad's health and your whole family's happiness are in my thoughts.

[Mule]

Best of luck to your dad & your family.

[Noah930]

Thinking of your dad and family. I understand your concern regarding your father's age. At the same time, it is not uncommon for CABGs (bypass surgeries) to be done on people of his age, either. Most important thing (if it were my family member) is to try to make sure that this type of surgery gets done at a hospital that regularly does this procedure. There's a big difference in morbidity and mortality for this procedure depending on how "common" a procedure it is at a particular hospital.

[The Gaijin]

Originally Posted by gassy

Hang in there man.

+1

Prayers sent.

[Z-man]

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers...

Originally Posted by Noah930

Thinking of your dad and family. I understand your concern regarding your father's age. At the same time, it is not uncommon for CABGs (bypass surgeries) to be done on people of his age, either. Most important thing (if it were my family member) is to try to make sure that this type of surgery gets done at a hospital that regularly does this procedure. There's a big difference in morbidity and mortality for this procedure depending on how "common" a procedure it is at a particular hospital.

Noah - thanks for this info. The doctor that did the ICD and has been taking care of my dad since then is part of the team that is working on him now. The doctor that examined my dad this morning (and was hoping to place the stints) has done these procedures regularly. AFAIK, the team working on my father are top notch, and have vast experience in this field.

I'll find out this afternoon how they will proceed.

-Z

[911Rob]

Your Dad is in our Prayers Z.