Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Best wishes for a speedy recovery for Pop. {{{{hugs}}}}

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2003

Answers

Hugs from me too, Polly -- hope things get better soon!

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2003

Your pop is so lucky to have you there for him! Thinking of you, Polly......

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2003

I'm still hoping everything is OK. Tell Pop to get well soon!

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2003

Thanks, folks (and Dee too, from the other thread). He's had a pretty rough week of it. He's got some left side weakness, difficulty ambulating, minimal use of his left arm/hand. Probably the toughest part for him is letting me take care of him! The stroke was caused by an elevated BP (>300/146) which was caused by his kidney arteries being 99% stenosed. So we'll be heading to St. John's tomorrow; a larger hospital with a top notch cardiologist for the balloon/stent placement in those arteries; plus a nephrologist, as he may have to have dialysis prior to the procedure; and possibly afterwards to clear the dye from his system. He's also lost some left side cardio function; and his abdominal aneurysm has gotten larger; but those things will have to wait until he is stronger. He's really not strong enough to undergo the kidney stent placement, but he'll get worse and worse and die for sure without it; so we are hoping for the best and are prepared for the worst.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2003

Damn ouch function!

This is the first day that I've been home for any length of time since he went in to the hospital Monday morning. The rest of the family is planning to visit today; and Lisa is there, so Hubs and I are home, getting ready to work on getting things changed around - moving him from his lair upstairs, into our room; and us into the guest room just across the hall. Hubs got his TV and recliner moved down to the main floor Friday; so now all we have to do is clear the closets and dresser drawers and get some things set up a bit better, put up some handrails and get rid of the throw rugs, etc...

He's having bouts of the blahs, but for the most part he is pretty positive - made the physical therapist take him out to the hallway to work on going up and down stairs and told her he needed his hoe-hand working by spring time! He wears out pretty easy, but is stubborn as hell, so he manages to get things done with not too much help. He's still "got all his marbles" as he told the nurse who wanted to put a bed check on his bed!

Well, Hubs is out of the shower, so I guess I'd better get ready to get to work. You folks all take care - and post some things for me to read to rest my mind from the worries, would you all?!! Hugs,

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2003

Polly...I was so sad to read about Pop's stroke. You've spoken of him so often in the past it's like he's part of the family here at BTS!! It's good that he's home with you now! My stepfather has been having many "mini-strokes" and is now permanently disabled and is in a nursing home. He's living in his own little "world" and is in no pain, but it's so hard on my mom who has to watch him deteriorate a little more every day!!

Harry and I are sending prayers and good wishes for Pop's total recovery!!!!

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2003

Well, we're finally home. Eleven days in hospitals, sleeping (hah!) in chairs really makes you appreciate home! Pop is really glad to be back home too!

His right kidney is defunct and the left is only operating at 30%, so he will probably be looking at dialysis in the future. We go back to Springfield in February so they can stent his anuerysm. Heart wise, he's got a lot of blockages, but he's asymptomatic, so they will wait to do anything until he is symptomatic. He's still very weak, tires very easily; but is actually allowing us to help him with things. Left leg is hard to manuever; and left hand is being stubborn as well, but we hope they will come back a bit with time and use. He tries to make his left side go at the speed of his right side, and it just ain't working! He doesn't need the walker or cane, but we're thinking about getting one of those "invisible fences" like they use for dogs - to keep him from sneaking outside to the shed or mailbox while I'm sleeping! Guess it's a good thing I made those garden paths so wide...

Hugs to you all; thanks for caring about us,

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2003

oh Polly how I wish at times like these we could all physically gather someplace and hold ourselves together in a circle of hugs! Please feel the love and healing energy we are sending to you and Pops!

Try to get some rest dear!

Hugs,

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2003

Polly, I just read this. My prayers to you and your family. I'm sorry to hear about Pop. From your wonderful writing, he's been like family to all of us at BTS. Take care.

Love,

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2003