[Erin524]

My dad called a bit ago from his work (he works in a hospital, he's a nurse anesthetist)

Seems that he was not looking good to his co-workers, and they sent him to the ER. Turns out he's throwing PVC's (irregular heart rythyms) and he was diaphoretic (sweating).

He called back a little bit ago, looking for his doctor's phone number, and I asked what was going on, and he told me apparently his heart is enlarged.

I looked some of this stuff up on Google. (I know, bad to diagnose by Google) but I'm guessing he's got some sort of congestive heart failure. PVC's by themselves arent usually dangerous, but sometimes they're a sign of underlying heart problems.

My dad has been getting really tired and breathless from walking from the surgery area of the hospital down to his car in the evenings. (it's a looong walk) but he hasnt been that concerned about it. I am now. Breathlessness is a sign of congestive heart failure. He's had a really bad cough lately too.

He got a cold just before I did, and like mine, it turned into bronchitis. His cough has lasted a lot longer than mine tho.

This is a bit familar of a situation too. About 15yrs ago, my uncle got sick with a cold, which turned into bronchitis. His co-workers and my aunt tricked my uncle into seeing a doctor (told him they were going shopping, but ended up taking him to the hospital where his co-workers escorted him into the ER to see the doctor)

My uncle had the same symptoms as my dad, and it turned out he had a viral infection that damaged 50% (or more) of his heart muscle. He was on the transplant list, waiting for a heart, when his viral infection reactivated and went for his pancreas. He died of pancreatitis while waiting for the transplant.

I'm all freaked out. My dad said not to come up to the ER, my boyfriend is telling me to ignore my dad and take my mom up there. I'm not sure what to do. I dont know if they're going to keep my dad in the hospital or not. I'm about to have a nervous breakdown from this.


Sorry if this post was long winded, but, I felt the need to post about it.

[AfterMyNap]

First, breathe, it is not in your power to fix or change the situation. Second, think.

It's okay to write it here, Erin, this is what we do. If I were in your situation, I'd call my mom and see what she thinks is best. I suspect she'd appreciate you taking her there because I'm sure they won't let your dad drive home and at the very least, you could help her pick up his car after you see him and know more.

Just what'd I'd do, sweetie, it's really up to you. Keep us posted, okay?

[Curious]

he is in good hands erin.

deep breath. relax.

amn gave you good advice.

[SallyC]

Oh, Erin, how scary. Curious is right, he is in good hands. Try to stay calm and let us know how it goes.

Sending Prayers and Hugs.

[Jappy]

Erin take AMN advice. I was in a similiar situation once.

I know it is easier to say keep calm then to do it, but that is what you have to do.




Keep us advised on your father's condition.





Joyce

[DM]

Hi Erin~~ Ditto to what the others' said. Your Dad sounds like how my Mom was; never wanted to worry anyone or put anyone out. I think you should check it out and go there. Otherwise, your'e going to sit and stew.

I am soooo speaking from experience. take care and let us know how your Dad is.

[Erin524]

Ok, my dad just got home. (yay!)

He took the rest of the week off from work...the ER doctor gave him an asthma inhaler (this possibly could be somehow related to his asthma) and he got an immediate appointment with his regular doctor. That's where he was when I called him because mom wanted to go up to the ER. So, I took mom out to lunch instead.

His doctor (who was actually his doctor's partner) changed his high blood pressure pills, gave him Lasix (a diuretic?) and scheduled him for an echocardiogram.

My dad decided that he's going to partially retire, if he's allowed to keep working. He wants to go down to half a week of working. I guess being a nurse anesthetist is a stressful job, and he's starting to feel the effect of all the age-ism that the younger employees up there keep throwing at him. (he's worked in that hospital 40+ years. Not all of them as an anesthetist...he started there when he was 15)

I guess we wont know how totally serious today was until he gets the echocardiogram tomorrow. But, I'm happy they let him out on his own. He was told not to do any exercising, was told to not even climb the stairs at work. (he's got to climb 2 flights to get out of the parking garage...not sure how he'd get past that one)

At least he has the rest of the week off...he wanted time off at Xmas and they wouldnt let him have it, even tho he was the first one to request it. They gave everyone else the day off but him, and then whined when he called in sick the day after Xmas with bronchitis. (he told them he was sick several days before that)

I guess I'll go pick up his Rx's and get him some takeout for dinner (my mom and I cant cook)

[Chris]

Oh Dear Erin,
I'm so glad that your Dad is home and that they've given him the rest of the week off. Whilst I was reading the beginning of this message, I was thinking that perhaps it could be something with his lungs that backed up into his heart. Occasionally, pulmonary problems can cause cardaic enlargement. I'm glad he's with you and your Mum and is getting good care.

Please don't worry about coming here and venting. We've all had our share of problems over the years, and have come here to share. I'm glad you did.

You are all in my thoughts and prayers,
Chris

[Taffy]

Be thinking of you and your family!

[Erin524]

Originally Posted by Chris

Oh Dear Erin,
I'm so glad that your Dad is home and that they've given him the rest of the week off. Whilst I was reading the beginning of this message, I was thinking that perhaps it could be something with his lungs that backed up into his heart. Occasionally, pulmonary problems can cause cardaic enlargement. I'm glad he's with you and your Mum and is getting good care.

Please don't worry about coming here and venting. We've all had our share of problems over the years, and have come here to share. I'm glad you did.

You are all in my thoughts and prayers,
Chris

My dad was thinking the same thing about the pulmonary stuff causing the cardiac stuff. He was reminded when he got to his regular doctor's office that he's got asthma. He hasnt had to use an inhaler for over two years, and was told by the doctor that he didnt need to use the Advair discus if he didnt want to at the same time. My dad only seems to get problems with the asthma when he gets a cold or bronchitis, and he hasnt had that for several years now. Just the bronchitis he picked up a few weeks ago.

I'm wondering if the bronchitis aggravated his asthma and caused whatever was going on.

After talking to my dad tonight, I found out that he didnt even think he was having a problem at the time. Three of the nurses up there were complaining about his cough that he had...they didnt want his cold, and one of them said something to the doctor, and the doctor got them all worked up that my dad could be having congestive heart failure or something.

So they pretty much jumped him and made him go to the ER.

It's nice that they had some concern for his health, but the doctor in the ER said that he's not in congestive heart failure, and that he didnt even have any fluid in his lungs. The blood tests they gave him didnt show any signs of a heart attack.

The ER doc gave him a Rx for an inhaler and sent him to his regular doctor. The regular doctor is giving him a new high blood pressure drug because he did have some edema on his ankles, and he's going for the echocardiogram tomorrow afternoon. I get to drive him, so I'm getting a crochet project together to fiddle with while they're torturing my dad. My aunt, a nurse practitoner that works in the heart transplant team at another hospital here said that echo's are painful. She said they press down pretty hard with the ultrasound wand. My dad didnt need to know that, but my aunt always likes to give too much information about stuff.

I'm betting my dad's asthma is getting worse because he's not been able to exercise regularly (my mom is high maintainence and kind of a control freak and wont let him go because "he'll get sweaty".) As soon as he's cleared to exercise, I'm going with him. (I need the exercise too...I'll probably just walk around the track) and if my mom whines about it, we'll leave her home. (she has to option to come too if she wants)

I'm pretty sure they're going to make him go back to see the pulmologist that he saw 2yrs ago when he had a bit of pneumonia.

My aunt really thought it sounded more like a pulmonary problem (she's a fairly good diagnostician for stuff.) She thinks it's probably got something to do with his high blood pressure. My dad's been on meds for that since he was about 15.

So, hopefully this wont be a cardiac problem. It could be, but I'm going to guess that it's got something to do with the asthma.