countryboy status

[countryboy]

Hi - I'm a friend of "countryboy". Surgery went well though they were unable to do the Ross procedure. He was out of surgey by noon and in ICU. His blood pressure was a little unstable so they gave him a little medication and hoping to get the respirator out this evening. Will post again when I here more. DM

[tobagotwo]

Well, that's not what he wanted. But it certainly doesn't rule out a good result! There are lots of us fully satisfied with our store-bought valves.

Blood pressure can be a little shaky after surgery, as can the rhythms. It isn't a bad sign, just something that happens fairly often.

It can take a while to get off the respirator, too. It took me a while. I think I liked it, someone doing my breathing for me...

Please tell him I was thinking of him today at work, and that there are a host of other people who were with him in thought, spirit, or prayer as well.

Thank you, DM, very much for taking the time to step in and let us know how Bobby is doing. We get concerned when we don't hear about one of our own. Keep us in the loop. He's on our minds and in our hearts through this.

Very best wishes,

[geebee]

Thanks for updating us. We wait and worry about those having surgery and are thrilled when things go well (even if not as perfect as hoped).
Please give Bobby my best and tell him not to be too unhappy with the "mechanical". Those of us with them are quite happy they were available to keep us ticking.
Take care Bobby and thanks again Bobby's friend.
Gina

[Bryan B]

Thanks for the update on Bobby! I'm sorry he didn't get his Ross, but glad he's out of surgery and doing well. I had some BP issues the first few hours after surgery too but the medication they gave me took care of it fairly quickly. Tell him we're thinking about him and wishing him a speedy recovery! :)

[catwoman]

Thanks for the update. I will be in Dallas tomorrow, er, today (egads! it's Saturday already!) visiting family and plan to run by Presbyterian to check on Countryboy.

[countryboy]

thanks all who visited - I know it meant a lot to him and I thought I would send another report. Just talked to his son and he is doing great. He is still in ICU but only because they don't have a room for him. He will be in a regular room tomorrow - they were able to get him off the respirator last night and they got him up too. He is hoping to come home Wednesday or Thursday. Good luck to all of you awaiting surgery - I have a husband on dialysis and I know how helpful these forums are so keep supporting each other and hang in there! DM

[Kay]

Hi Everyone!

I'm still in San Antonio and am terrible at typing on my tablet pc so this is short!

It's been driving me crazy because I haven't been able to login and ck the forum and see how Bobby is doing. Great news to hear that he's through his surgery and on the right side of the mountain. I know he was hoping for a Ross but I'm sure he's glad he's through it regardless.

Friend of Bobby, thanks for the report. Tell him I said HI and I can't wait to hear from him. And remind Michelle that our guest room is ready for her if she needs to get some rest or spend the night just a few minutes away from Presby. We'll be back in town tomorrow night and she is welcome anytime.

Tell Bobby he is in my prayers.

[EVELYN]

Thanks for the updates on Countryboy......I'm sure he'll be fine with his "new" valve, even though it wasn't his first choice.

NAP, WALK, BREATHE, that's the motto.

Evelyn

[homer4k]

This is Countryboy's son reporting in for my Dad. I just got home from Presbyterian Hospital a few minutes ago today (Sun night). So far, his recovery has been outstanding! Coming out from the surgery, we saw him in the ICU looking, well, like he'd been awake for a few days straight, but not like he'd just had his chest hacked open - which means that he looked MUCH better than I had been expecting. He was alert and responding to conversation, especially considering he'd just come out of surgery. By Friday evening, he was sitting up and drinking a Dr Pepper (which he'd signaled to Mom and I that he wanted with a quick 'thumbs up' while still on the ventilator Friday).

By Saturday, he was off the vent, off the catheter, sitting up, eating (two bowls of cereal for breakfast plus two different lunches because the nurse brought him the wrong one at first, which didn't stop Dad from eating it before the nurse brought him the correct lunch, lol). Two VR friends came to visit - catwoman and gijanet - which brightened his day quite a bit - thanks, guys!

Dad was moved out of ICU on Sunday to his own room, and was even walking about a little in the afternoon, which tired him out, naturally, so most of us left (quite a few peeps were there Sunday to visit, so that might have tired him out, too). He plans to be hom Wed or Thursday. Anyway, your support and prayers have been worthwhile, because things seem to be going great so far. I know Dad has a long way to go before he is back to 100%, but he seems to be on the right track. Thanks to all, and if I find out anything else, I'll make sure to post again to update you all.
-B.J. (homer4k)

[dcpickle]

BJ,
Sounds like your dad is doing great! I just had surgery 11 days ago, and it was a good 5 days before I felt like eating anything like a normal meal. And everyone told me I was doing great! Congratulations on your dad's progress!

David

[catwoman]

I stopped by Presby late Saturday afternoon and was truly amazed at how well Bobby looked. Wish I could have videotaped the visit and shown it here to give pre-op folks an idea of how well VR can go.
Sounds like his appetite is much much better than mine was at this point!

Good luck to a continued, speedy recovery.

BTW, my mom told me Saturday night that my great-grandmother was living in Powderly when she died. So we must have had a number of relatives in Lamar County.

[bvdr]

Thanks, B.J.,

What good news! I love to read posts like yours. I will add prayers of thanks for how well he has done in this early post-op period.

[EVELYN]

Thanks, BJ

Keep the good news coming and wish Countryboy the best from us.

Tyce and Evelyn

Tyce--AVR mechanical 6/26/02 and never looked back.
Evelyn--His spouse who always worries about him.

[Debrinha GT]

Hello, I'm so happy to hear that Bobby's doing fine, and I hope to see him posting again soon. Thanks a lot for keeping us posted!

Débora from Brazil :)

[gijanet]

It was so nice to meet you and the rest of your family. I'm so glad that you and your sister were able to be there for both your mom and your dad. I know it meant a lot to them.

Well, thank you again for such a wonderful update on your dad. To tell you the truth, I am still amazed at how good he looked just one day post-op.

We'll be keeping you guys in our thoughts and prayers until your dad's safe at home in his own bed. Take care and God bless............

[countryboy]

I was released this morning and got home about 2:00 pm Fell asleep the first two tomes I was in the recliner, but it sure beates a hospital. Not having any pain, but get tired fairly quick. Thanks for all the support and the two visits from VR.com members. We who have been through this know the support is a great sense of strength. I will post more tomrrow or when I feel like a little computer time.

Thanks aagain and God Bless

Bobby

[geebee]

WELCOME HOME
Bobby,
I am so happy to hear you are home and resting comfortably. Congrats on your accomplishments.
Remember to take it easy, try not to get frustrated if you have a bad day and smile as much as possible.
Take care,
Gina

[Gnusgal]

Bobby, I was going to come by too, but I had some sort of virus and didn't want to run the risk of getting you sick. I'm so glad to see you're home and on the mend!

[Bryan B]

Welcome home Bobby! To steal Dorothy's line..."there's no place like home". :)

Rest, walk when you feel up to it, and make sure to use your spirometer (it will pay off in the long run). Take care and I look forward to more updates when you feel up to it.

[bvdr]

Enjoy the peace you can't find in the hospital but surrounds you when you settle in at home.

[BSastry]

Welcome home Bobby. Glad to hear you're home and resting. Take it easy and have a speedy recovery!

-Aruna

[tobagotwo]

Glad to hear you're home, Bobby. It sure beats the hospital, no matter how you're feeling. Fatigue you can deal with. That's what the recliner is for.

I hear you're walking and doing "the routine." That's the best you can do. It's all improvements from here. Every so often a day of "crappiness" (VR.com technical term), but most better than you have felt in years.

Best wishes,