Back Home for a few Days

I'm back home in San Antonio for a few days.  It was good to see Clayton, Aron and Randy at the airport yesterday and to have a great Thanksgiving Day with my kids and most grandchildren.

Randy, Anna, Aron and Maria had to go home today, so it's quieter (and sadder) with them gone home.

 

My sister, Sally is doing OK...Recovering a little slowly from her heart surgery, though.  I'll head back to Alabama in a week.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday 11/25 5:57 PM

We saw Sally a little while ago.  She's beginning to open her eyes.  We thought we'd play this song for her when she goes to her room:

more Cher lyrics

Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves Lyrics

I was born in the wagon of a travelin' show

Tuesday 11/25 11:46 AM

We just spoke to the heart surgeon.  My sister Sally's triple-bypass heart surgery went very well.  She's in recovery and we'll be able to see her in a little while.  

We are very grateful for all of our answered prayers!  

Monday 11/24

We're still at the Huntsville Hospital awaiting Sally's triple-bypass surgery tomorrow.  She's stronger and ready to begin getting these organ issues fixed.  We are blessed with a great group of doctors and medical professionals treating her.  If all goes as planned, I plan to return to San Antonio on Thanksgiving Day for a few days.

Tuesday morning at Huntsville Hospital

We're here at Huntsville Hospital with Sally.  We have a blog for those who want to follow the minute details of what's happening with her.  It's at www.sallygrand.blogspot.com

We're working through the difficulties of her multiple-organ issues.  My wife and Clayton are doing OK back in San Antonio.

November greetings from North Alabama

I know that I haven't updated this blog for a while so I won’t try to catch up in one sitting.  I’ll just tell you what’s going on right now.    I got a call last Monday from my niece in Alabama telling me that my sister Sally was in serious condition from a heart attack, bad kidney infection and other complications.  The call was on God’s timetable since that morning, I had just wrapped up my registration process for the Spring semester classes and, except for one medical test for myself, I was free to go to Alabama to assist.

On Tuesday I had an exciting nuclear stress test with my cardiologist then I packed up for the trip.  I took two days for the 1,000 mile drive, stopping in Slidell, LA for the overnight rest.

I arrived at Huntsville Hospital on Thursday in time for the 4:30 visitation in the ICU and was thrilled to see how much better Sally looked!  Her swelling had begun to subside and she was able to talk with us.

Note:  For those of you who might not care for all of the medical details of Sally’s condition, just skip to the end.  I want to document this for any family members and friends who might not know what’s going on.

First, Sally has been diabetic for some time and has not been the most compliant with her diabetic diet.

Sally’s doctor informed the family Friday morning of her conditions and was very helpful in helping all of us to understand.  She said that Sally had suffered a mild (she said tiny) heart attack and they will do a heart catheterization (angiogram) next week to see what’s happening with her heart. Their immediate concerns are two-fold:  Pulmonary (lung functioning) and the infection in her kidneys. They have been draining the infection  from her kidneys for about five days and the fluid is not yet clear.  That will continue.  Her lung functioning is of concern.  She is on 100% oxygen and her lungs will need to be functioning before they can do any further procedures.  Pneumonia is always a danger when there is any fluid in the lungs so they are doing all they can to prevent this. She also explained that Sally has “congestive heart failure” and her heart is functioning at about 50% efficiency (her score of 30% versus a normal efficiency score of 55-60%)  Next week’s angiogram will help in determining what’s happening here.

So, what we’re expecting is that Sally will hopefully be able to breathe without oxygen assist next week so the heart catheterization may be done to check out the heart.  Then, further treatment can be planned and they can determine how to manage the kidney stone(s) and other kidney issues.

On Saturday morning, I am grateful for Sally’s progress.  I’m grateful to be part of a family that includes my brother Conrad, his wife Rita and my sister Sharon who have all been here since they heard about our sister.  I’m grateful for Sally’s daughters Karen and Lisa and the support of their families.

I’ll keep y’all up to date.

By the way, they’re predicting the coldest day of the year here in North Alabama with a remote chance of snow flurries.  Brrr.....