War Wounds - Warning, graphic pictures are included in this post!

Today's visit was definitely one of show and tell. When Travis and I arrived Dad was having his drainage bandage removed by his nurse Alma. She is the sweetest, kindest, most well humored nurse I have ever encountered, and I know my Dad feels the same.
Once the curtains were opened, we were able to come in and hang with Dad. He was lying down but wanted to get up and sit in his chair right away. He is having quite a bit of pain and inflammation which makes it hard to stay flat on his back. His ribcage and back are the most inflamed right now, and the pressure of the inflammation makes it difficult for him to breathe lying down. According to the hospital staff, this is normal, and can take a few months to go down enough that breathing is normal.

Of course as soon as he was sitting in his chair, Dad immediately unbuttoned his shirt to show us his drainage tube wound. Gross! He also undid his pants to show us some very unsightly bruising on his hip, and then displayed more bruising on his bicep. ''Someone call the vet, these pythons are sick!'' Credit to Brie for that very bad joke :)






All in all, he looked good, except for all the nasty bits he kept showing off. Travis and I also noticed how swollen his feet are, and then looked up his pant leg to find that his calves and knees were also very, very swollen. We now know where the 12lbs of fluid went! My Mom visited later and talked with my Dad and the nurses about the swelling. He is now outfitted with some compression stockings and is on more medication that will help flush out the excess fluid. He will not be discharged until the swelling goes down.



While we were sitting and chatting Dad got a new neighbor. None other than the fattest, friendliest seagull I have ever seen! He hung out by the window behind us just hoping we might open it and throw food out, or invite him in. According to Dad this isn't his first visit. He actually stops by and taps on the glass to get attention! Some hospital rooms actually have 'Do not feed the birds' signs posted.
Only on the island!



We hung out with Dad for a good hour and a half. By the end of the visit, it was obvious he was wiped out. He did get up and give us both a gentle hug, no squeezing, and walked himself to the bathroom while we were on the way out.
Today was a very difficult visit for me, and for Travis. We headed back to the mainland right from the hospital, and it was really hard to say goodbye. I know that the island is really not that far away, but it seems like across the world now that I am home. I wish I was able to be with my Dad everyday while he goes through this journey. It is probably for the best that we are back home now, I'm sure I would have driven him crazy with my neurosis and overprotective nature. What can I say, I love my Dad to pieces! In a word, he is awesome! Travis and I are hoping to make it back over this weekend. We just can't stay away!

Mom visited Dad this afternoon for a couple hours. They went to an orientation on being discharged and home care. She will update the blog with all that info soon...unless of course he comes home, which will be different news all together!

More soon...thanks for following the blog everyone, my Dad is thrilled with all the comments and support. Keep 'em coming!

xo Janna

Don't Sit Like That!!!!

Today we got in two visits to Dad. First in the afternoon, and then just after dinner.


We were all shocked to walk in at 3pm today and find him sitting up in a chair by the window. The first thing out of my mouth was, 'Did the nurse help you get into that chair?!' Of course, she did not. Oh no, my Dad doesn't need help getting in to his chair. I can't believe it! He is doing so well :) I was a nervous wreck while we sat and chatted and I watched him fidget in his chair. 'Are you sure you can reach for that?' 'Should you be leaning over?' 'How are you feeling?' 'Do you need me to get you anything?' 'Don't cross your legs!' 'Stop Travis, don't make him laugh so hard!'

I think our visits are more exhausting than his physiotherapy! Nothing like non-stop neurotic directions from your daughter! I know he really does love having us all by his side, but he certainly does let us know when he has had enough. I am grateful for his honesty though, I hate to think that we are tiring him out. He got in a good nap today and was feeling very well when we left.

We came back for our second visit at around 6pm. We arrived just after Dad had his first solid meal! It was supposed to be meatloaf, but somehow he ended up with chicken with gravy and mashed potatoes! Yum! Other big news from today, his catheter was removed, thankfully before he got a chance to show it to us! He did however try to show us some bruising on his hip, and the bandage that is absorbing the 12lbs of fluid he retained from the surgery. He did have drainage tubes which were removed, so the residual fluid is just slowly leaking into the bandage. Gross!

After some chit chat, jokes and general good times, my Dad shocked me once again when he rose from his chair and said 'Let me walk you guys out'. Seriously, what is with this guy! I couldn't stop him, he took my hand and we started walking from the room. I kept telling him to slow down, go sloooowww...keep in mind, I walk with a cane, and he was still walking faster than me! He did slow his pace, and we walked hand in hand down the hallway.
He set a goal of walking to the water station. Once he had a new cup of cold water in his hand, he kissed me goodbye and took my Mom's hand and headed back to his bed. I of course got weepy and grabbed Travis to take some pictures.


All in all, it was a wonderful couple of visits. I am so glad to be able to say that my Dad is still my Dad even after this. He is still cracking jokes, smiling and pushing to get his way :)
We all know that the surgery was just the beginning of a long road of recovery, that is still scary and full of unknown obstacles, but we also know that John Grey-Noble is a strong, determined, stubborn man, who is off to one hell of a start.

Can I show you my catheter?

With the big operation fresh in the rear view mirror John took his first step down the road to recovery today. In true John fashion he wasted no time calling Janna at 6:45 am to let her know that they were going to be moving him out of the Cardiovascular Unit and into the friendly confines of West Tower. During that conversation he also reminding his daughter that her Dad is "Superman".

We were all pleasantly surprised yet again. First his surgery takes less time then expected and now they are moving him out of CVU after only one night instead of two or three days. We are starting to get the feeling that John wants to get back to Sooke mountain as soon as possible. Molly and Brando are already beside themselves waiting for John's return and the magic pocket of dog treats.

Merete arrived at the hospital this morning at 10:45 am to find John in his new room alert and awake. She had to remind him of yesterdays visit as he had failed to remember his obsession with photos and the soon infamous Truman video. He was in good spirits except for the burlap sack filled with straw that they had placed him on. John figures he had been given Royal Jubilee's inaugural bed. Despite his bed related discomfort he did manage to stand up on his own for a brief moment.

When Janna and I arrived just after lunch we were taken aback. There sat John, glasses on indulging in some mandarin slices and steeping a cup of tea. He talked and acted like nothing was out of the ordinary. All of his tubes with the exception of one had been removed. Of course he was not shy about showing of his bandages. Not ten minutes into the visit and he was lifting his shirt up and down showing of where things had been inserted and removed. And then it came...the one thing that I never expected. Amidst his show & tell he looked up with a grin on his face and said "Can I show you my catheter?" He was joking of course but that will always remain with me. The good news is I know that I am part of the family now. Either that or one final attempt on his part to get rid of me.

We left him to sleep for a few hours during the afternoon. When we returned in the evening he had managed to get a new bed. And this one was at least from the current century. In all the commotion of moving beds and showing off his new markings he was pretty tired. We didn't stay long and we left him to get some sleep. But we will be back tomorrow bright and early to check in on him.

-Travis

Day Zero

First things first: the surgery was successful and my Dad is resting up in the Cardiac Unit of Royal Jubilee.

On Wednesday afternoon my Mom and Dad spent about five hours being oriented with the ins and outs and ups and downs of Dad's surgery the next day. Highlights included a very good breathing test by Dad (aka John) and a take-home gift of an antibacterial sponge and thorough instructions on how to properly clean out all the nooks and crannies the night and morning before surgery.

Our Mom (Merete), Dad, Janna and I went to a Greek restaurant for dinner as requested by Dad. He wanted saganaki. Really, who wouldn't want a slab of fried cheese the night before open heart surgery? Btw, it was delicious.

Dad was given a couple of pills to help him sleep on Wednesday night. He took one and it helped, but he was still up around 3:30AM. According to Janna and her husband Travis, who accompanied our Dad and Mom to the hospital at 5:30AM, his blood pressure was good and he seemed quite calm before going into to surgery at 7:30AM. I would have been there too, but I was in Sooke looking after Molly and Brando, the dogs, who were missing Dad and Mom terribly and acting like neurotic little weirdos. I gave them extra cookies.

I arrived in Victoria Thursday morning at about 11:30AM. We were expecting the surgery to last until about 3:30PM. However, after eating a delicious lunch at The Blue Fox we received a message from the doctor. The surgery was completed just before 1PM. This was good news! Everything went very well and we were told we could visit in an hour or so. There were plenty of tears of relief and much hugging on the street. We distracted ourselves by looking in an excellent stationary shop before heading to the hospital.

When we arrived at the hospital we all had to pee! We were excited! And overwhelmed! We also used hand sanitizer as we walked through the halls towards the Cardiac Unit - possibly more of a nervous reaction than for health reasons. The nurse buzzed us into the Unit and we were shown to Dad's bed. The nurse on duty assured us that everything went well. He was awake and mostly lucid when we arrived, quietly calling out "Merete" when he saw us walking towards his bed (pretty good for a guy who needs glasses). He was mostly comfortable, but there was some pain around the area where the draining tubes were coming out of the wound (which was bandaged up). One thing we had been warned about was that heart patients have a tendency to gain between 2-15 pounds of water weight following surgery. Fortunately, Dad didn't seem too puffy except for a little swelling around his mouth.

Janna and Travis also came to say "hello" and check in. We spent about ten minutes or so standing around in awe, shock, joy and various other extreme emotions, but mostly relief. We knew he was doing well when he started doing his Truman Capote impression. The previous night he had requested that I take some photos for the blog knowing that I am cut of the same cloth and would gladly oblige the request (I have a tendency to document everything with my digital camera like a huge nerd). In fact, his nurse told us that after the respirator was removed it was one of the first things he asked for. While taking photos I joked that I could shoot a video. He beckoned me closer and said "Yes, a video." Here it is - followed by photos (there are tubes and a little blood---you have been warned). The next update will probably be by Mom/Merete and up in the next couple of days. ~ Brie

Almost the Big Day

Well tomorrow is the big day.

On Monday we were up at 6:00am after little sleep and managed to get the blood work done and an ECG.

Tuesday after a better nights sleep we made it to the dentist and I had two fillings replaced .




I managed to organize our Strata banking, wrote a couple of cheques , one to a Water Service Company and a second, the most important one to the Sooke Fine Arts Show. While my darling went to town and did the banking and mailing, I managed to frame my two pieces for the show.
I also wired a small print by Larry Tillyer that Merete wants me to hang. All in all a productive two days. The other thing we did was buy a half a dozen gold fish for our ponds and introduced the fish into their new home. They could grow up 12" in length.

Today is almost the big day, we will be headed back to the Royal Jubilee Hospital for pre-surgery orientation. This should be 4 to 5 hours of fun. I won't be posting anything for at least a week but Merete will be once she gets home. We will be staying at Motel close to the hospital tonight because I have to be there at 5:30 am. Brie and Janna will be over today. Brie is going to stay with the dogs in Sooke and Janna will be downtown with us awaiting the arrival of her husband Travis. Travis, Janna and Brie will be with their Mom while I'm in surgery. After my surgery Brie will be headed off to her new job in Geneva, very exciting!

I thank you all for you support and kind words. I look forward to seeing you all soon.

John

The Dance that almost killed me.

You know if there was a way to go this would have been it. Ain't dead yet....... dancing at one of your two beloved daughters weddings would have been the way, oh man yessss! This is the first version of my little dance movie. Once I can sit at my computer for a few more hours I will edit this and add pictures of all my beautiful nieces and nephews, friends and loved ones cutting a rug.

Man what a party Travis & Janna put on! Good on you, you can plan my next party!

This is what life is about loving your family and friends.

Cheers til sometime in the next few weeks. John

Did I mention it was sooo worth it!

Schedule

As you can see I look enthusiastic.

Just kidding, this is an old picture and I like to post pictures when I write this stuff. I'll show Merete how to post pictures while I am indisposed.







Monday, May 25 Time: 8:45 am Royal Jubilee Hospital - Clinic Pre-Operation.

Tuesday, May 26 Time: 8:30 am Dr. Walker -Dentist- 2 fillings.

Wednesday, May 27 Time: 11:30 am Royal Jubilee - Pre-Surgery Meeting 4 to 5 hours.

Thursday, May 28 Time: 5:30 am -Royal Jubilee Surgery 4-6 hours.

Merete will be setting up a phone tree for directly after the surgery. I should be home from surgery with 5 to 10 days. After settling in at home I should be able to post little notes between resting and recovering. In the meantime Merete will be posting updates and comments on what a crappy patient I am. As Merete has stated on numerous ocaisions she will be cooking so this should speed my recovery. Even though I am a proud Canadian, man cannot live on Mac & Cheese alone or Svins Pul sur Ry (Swedish Weiner Dish- I know I spelled it wrong).

Background on Surgery

This diagram shows the inner workings of my heart. As you can see on the right of the illustration, the surgeon has drawn a dotted line. This indicates where my heart has started to enlarge again. Why is it getting enlarged, you ask? The aortic valve has started to fail. I have a bi-cuspid instead of a tri-cuspid valve. This is a birth defect, that can go unnoticed for years.

Fortunately for me, the valve can be fixed. What has happened over the past six months is that the valve is not closing fully and the blood that it is pumping is flowing back into the chamber. My heart has started to work harder to compensate for this leakage. This has caused it to enlarge.

In the upper right corner of the illustration is a rendering of the artificial valve the doctors will be replacing my damaged valve and a portion of my aortic root and possibly the aortic arch with a Dacron Tube. My aortic root is enlarged and a rupture could occur. Believe me this would not be good.