Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted March 26, 2007 Members Share Posted March 26, 2007 My dad had a heart attack last night (sunday) about 8pm. Completely unexpected. I was in the ER/ICU with him until after midnight along with my mom. It happened outside and he was in full arrest - not breathing, no pulse - for about 10-15 minutes. Paramedics got his heart going again, and he was trying to breathe on his own.. I just came back from the ICU. He is on a ventilator for breathing, and they are only giving him insulin for his diabetes and fluids to keep the volume up. And they put a feeding tube down. But he is unresponsive....comatose. Can't hear me. Doesn't respond to pain.. Nothing. I've been so stressed out about my work situation and other things that I hadnt' gone over to see my folks for several weeks. Now it is too late. I cant even ask for prayer for him. I am a horrible daughter. Please, people, if you have family, please...go visit. If there's a schism, make amends - even if it wasn't your fault. Tell your friends and family that you love them. Please... Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D. Allan Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 i'm so sorry, Pam. And you do give good advice. Quote dAb O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Gail Posted March 26, 2007 Administrators Share Posted March 26, 2007 Thank you, Pam, for posting this! May your father be at peace, may YOU be at peace, and my God be glorified in this situation. More later... will lift your whole family up in prayer as well as the doctors. If it be your father's time, I pray that God's peace can help you all feel so. Dear Father, we lift up Pam's father to You, because he cannot pray for himself. We bear Pam up, her mother, her whole family, before You, for Whom death has no sting or no power. We ask for Your mercy to be on this family, for You are merciful. As the shepherd leads his flock to green pastures and beside still waters, so we pray that this might be the experience of Pam's father and the family. Sometimes it is hard to rest in Your care, Lord, especially if we feel that there has to be something that we should or could have done. But You give us no more burden than to live each day and trust in You. We lift all in this situation into Your hands, for it is all we can do at this time. Thank you, dear Father and dear Son- Amen Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Gail Posted March 26, 2007 Administrators Share Posted March 26, 2007 Pam, you might think that you are a horrible daughter. I don't know that, but I know that you are a much loved member here. Please keep us updated Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bevin Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 Pam, my father cardiac arrested about 13 years ago - was brought back by CPR (started after about 2 min) and defib (after 10 min). You would not know it to look at him now - fully active and 100% there mentally - but it did take 24h before he was conscious again and several days before he was fully with-it, and a good year to fully recover. Even if your dad did not get CPR, 10 min is not a long "down time" and is not long enough to guarantee any loss of brain function. He may well recover, like my dad, with only the loss of a few days memory. Earlier this year I have revived a woman from a cardiac arrest, who arrested while I was starting my examination of her. Both her and dad reported that the attack itself was so fast it was painless - neither had any memory of it, and I know they both went instantly unconscious, like watching someone fall asleep. Honestly, his case is in God's hands. That is where you and your family are also. The medical profession will do their bit, and nature will to. Don't try to predict the outcome, and don't worry about your dad - put your energy into supporting your mom. /Bevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Nan Posted March 26, 2007 Moderators Share Posted March 26, 2007 Pam you are not a horrible daughter and I am sure your mother is finding great support in having you there now. I will not add to the other great comments here, but I will pray for you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clio Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 My dad had a heart attack last night (sunday) about 8pm. Completely unexpected. I was in the ER/ICU with him until after midnight along with my mom. It happened outside and he was in full arrest - not breathing, no pulse - for about 10-15 minutes. Paramedics got his heart going again, and he was trying to breathe on his own.. Quote A heart where He alone has first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cricket Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 Praying Pam, I am praying!! Praying especially for a recovery for your father such that you might be able to have a moment when you can tell him how much you love him and whatever else your spirit needs to reveal to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddles Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 Pam, Please realize we're all praying for you, your daddy, your mother and whoever else that is close by in your family. Trust me, you are not a bad daughter, it's so easy to get sidetracked especially when "all is quiet on the home front" so to speak. Just be there for both your mother and daddy, we'll be here for you. You are our sister...never forget this! Hugs and prayers Puddly :PR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted March 26, 2007 Members Share Posted March 26, 2007 You and your family are in our prays. pkrause Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morning Glory Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 I am so sorry to hear of your dad's hear attack. I echo the comments above and will be praying for God to uphold you all. Please keep us updated. Morning Glory Quote Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 Praying for you, your family, and your Dad!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halfstep Denise Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Gorgeous Pam - You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers! Thank you for the wonderful words of advice regarding our families, Pam! I am working on putting those words into action since my folks are visiting now. Halfstep Denise Quote "If you're all God has, is God in trouble? -- Dr. Frederick K.C. Price Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clio Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Pam? How's your dad? And how are you doing sweetie? How's mom holding up? Still praying.... Clio Quote A heart where He alone has first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted March 28, 2007 Author Members Share Posted March 28, 2007 Thank you everybody for your thoughts and prayers. I just got home after spending yesterday evening and all night with my Dad. He is still comatose with no chance of coming out of it, according to the neurologist and cardiologist. Really, the person who he was has died, and there is nobody left. He is on no IV fluids, no oxygen, no nutritional stuff or medications at all. His brain stem is still working sporadically and he is breathing tortuously on his own. His heart could give out again at any time...the docs say it could be 15 minutes or it could be another couple of days. If I had known that he had been down so long before CPR, I would have prevented it from being done, I think... But I dont know for sure.. so hard to know what to do. It damn near killed me to be with him alone last night after my mom and brother went home to sleep. Dad is making dreadful sounds - groans - as he breathes and sometimes needs to be suctioned because of nausea when the RN's turn him. He sounds like his lungs are filling with fluid as well. The neurologist took one look at me and said I was not to stay overnight with my dad again. I'm pretty much done in... I'm going to take a few hours of sleep now and then go back down there. My mom is relying on me and my brother (thank God he is here on vacation) for what to do....so many decisions to be made. Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Gail Posted March 28, 2007 Administrators Share Posted March 28, 2007 I wish there was a way we could help more than we are... Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clio Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Ahhhhh.... Pam, my friend, I'm so sorry to hear this news. When you sit with your dad, try and remember good times and reminisce aloud with him. My father was dying of cancer, and I sat with him all night one night, and he was much as you describe. I tried to recall as many good memories as I could, and spoke them aloud to him. Asking him if he remembered, and being as descriptive as possible. I prayed aloud with him, for him, for me, and for my family. Even though at the time I was sure my prayers would be rejected at the doorway to heaven I had been so evil... This happened before I even made my way nominally back to Jesus. Somewhere through that long night, there came peace for both of us. Perhaps there is something in doing these things that will bring peace to you as well. I have lost my dad, and I know the pain that fills your heart. My eyes are tearing even as I type and he's been gone nearly 10 years now. You continue to be in my prayers. Clio Quote A heart where He alone has first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuff sed Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 I had the opportunity to have prayer yesterday for the wife of an old friend. I think that the Lord provided the way for me to travel a couple of hours to Jacksonville where they live.........and I even got paid mileage to do so. Please know that you have a myriad of friends petitioning the Lord to place his arms of love about your whole family. We pray that He will send the Holy Spirit to comfort you and make you strong to face the future no matter which way it leads. Regards,Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuff sed Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 I had the opportunity to have prayer yesterday for the wife of an old friend.( She has Burkitt's Lymphoma) I think that the Lord provided the way for me to travel a couple of hours to Jacksonville where they live.........and I even got paid mileage to do so. Please know that you have a myriad of friends petitioning the Lord to place his arms of love about your whole family. We pray that He will send the Holy Spirit to comfort you and make you strong to face the future no matter which way it leads. Regards,Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Koot Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Pam, I am so sorry to hear about your dad! I didn't know! He, and you, are in my heartfelt prayers. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Nan Posted March 29, 2007 Moderators Share Posted March 29, 2007 Pam I am sorry to hear of how your father is. My prayers are added to those of others here, especially for you and your family, and that your father may be at peace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted March 29, 2007 Author Members Share Posted March 29, 2007 Thank you again, all of you, for your prayers. My dad's breathing is tortuous now. The MD's are surprised he is lasting as long as he is. And now Medicare is saying we have to get him out of the hospital and into a care facility (or come home), otherwise we have to pay the hospital $1000 per day. There's no way my mom could care for him at home - and I work too far away to be of help during the day.... so it is to hospice we will have to take him. If my dad lasts long enough, he will be moved to a hospice tomorrow morning (where they want over $3000 on account) until his breathing and cardiac function completely shuts down, whereupon he will be gathered up and taken away by the funeral home. I've been staying nights with dad. I just cannot abide the idea that he die alone...so I'm there all night and most of the mornings, and my mom and brother are there from mid-morning until I get there again in the evenings. This is all so very very hard for me. I have never been to a funeral or even a memorial service. They have always sounded so macabre to me. And here it is that the person who will be mourned is my own father. Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clio Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Oh Pam... I am so sorry for you pain. :bighug: I wish I could do more for you... Still praying... Clio Quote A heart where He alone has first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Gail Posted March 29, 2007 Administrators Share Posted March 29, 2007 Pam, I know it is very hard for you. The funeral home people are very nice and helpful indeed. They will help when the time comes The hospice folks, if they are down there what they are up here in Canada, will be an awesome help as well. Just one step at a time, Pam. It will all work itself out. Thank you SO MUCH for keeping in touch! Your family is in our thoughts continually! Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amelia Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Pam, I know exactly what you are going through and what you are feeling. I lost my mother when I was 23 and the hospital also told us she could not die there but had to be moved to a nursing home. (hospice was in its infancy then) She passed in the early hours the day after we made the arrangements. That was a blessing. But it would have been nice to be able to have been with her. At that time familys were not able to stay in the rooms past visiting hours. I feel that you staying with your father right up to the end will help some with closure and grief. It's also hard right now to see just how this all fits into Gods plan for you and your family. I don't have any answers for you except to keep praying and ask God those hard questions. He is holding you right now. He is holding your mother. His hands are so large that He is holding all your stress, guilt, grief, anger and confusion. And if you happen to let go and strike out at God, that's ok. He knows it's only in emotion and He wont let you go. Neither will we as we pray for you and your family. Quote <p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">"Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you."</span></span> Eph 4:29</span><br><br><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/gizmotimetemp_both/US/OR/Fairview.gif" alt="Fairview.gif"> Fairview Or</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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