I apologize for the lack of posts.  Most of the “news” the past few days has been about bureaucratic hassles–insurance companies, rehab facilities with no cardiac rehab specialists, etc.  And a patient who thinks he can talk his way out of rehab but seems to just want to be waited on. Of course, these types [...]

Hello everyone, Just saw dad at the rehab center. He looks better but is very weak. It took a long time for him to eat lunch but at least he does it on his own. He does the breathing exercises but not as often as he should (once an hour). He is back on the [...]

Well, apparently he was so crabby and bossy yesterday that they decided to kick him out   Not really.  He thought he was going “home” but is actually on his way to the Southern Ocean County Rehab in Manahawkin.  Just down the street from home. More details once he gets settled there. Cindy

Hi all, Dad was moved to a regular room yesterday. Today he has reverted to crabby and bossy mode.  Refusing to do his breathing exercises. Ordering everyone around.  He’s also insisting that he will just skip rehab and go home and let mom take care of him 24/7.  As you can imagine, she’s just thrilled [...]

Hi all, Dad was moved today from Surgical ICU to Medical ICU. He’s in a room by himself. Mom and Nancy can actually sit and stay there during their daily 11-3 visits. Nancy says he’s doing much better at everything: eating, breathing exercises, etc. Father Murray came to visit from St. Stephen’s church and Dad [...]

Today dad was in better spirits. Talking more and eating solid food with assistance. They have not moved him to the 4th floor yet. [still in Surgical ICU] They are waiting for a room. He is doing better with his breathing exercises and they used Tylenol not morphine for pain today. He says hello to [...]

Hello everyone! Dad had the balloon removed around 4pm Friday night. [REMINDER from Cindy: the balloon pump was fed up through his femural artery to the left ventricle; literally a balloon inflating and deflating to help his heart pump] He is doing well without it. He was able to sit up in the bed today. [...]

Not much news today. The long slow haul begins. I’m not sure whether I will continue to post every day, but given how worried I was today when I hadn’t heard anything from mom and Nancy, I thought I’d better post a brief update. Dad was rather glum and discouraged today. Apparently he had a [...]

Dad had his breathing tube removed today around 2:30pm.  He is off of most of the pain meds. and therefore more responsive to the nurses.  Dr. Magrath told us dad needs to build his strength and start working on coughing and keeping his lungs clear without the vent.  This is painful but important to his [...]

Greetings! Mom and Nancy report that Dad seems somewhat better today compared with yesterday. He’s more responsive, his eyes are open more, and he occasionally furrows his brow in response to a question. He still responds most to Mom, but sometimes to Nancy and some of the nurses. He’s got more grip with his right [...]