Quick update

I haven't posted for a few days as I wanted to focus the last few days of my visit on my parents (Sorry for those of you who have been waiting for updates!). It was really good to take time for conversations and begin processing the enormity of what has happened in the past 30 days.  Now that we are out of the "danger zone", that processing can begin; I think it was helpful to start doing this together before I returned home.

My dad continues to do really well. I have used the phrase "really well" so many times in the past month that it feels a little trite, but it's the best I can come up with! At this point in recovery, "really well" means:

• continuing to build strength and momentum each day
• remaining relatively free of pain
• keeping his incisions infection-free
• managing his physical limitations (with gentle reminders!) 
• keeping an absolutely consistent positive attitude

There is still a lot of healing to do and after a busy day, my dad seems to need a quiet day to catch up on rest. We are assured that his recuperation has been textbook perfect and for this we are just very thankful. In the coming months, my dad will continue to work with a cardiac specialist and undergo tests to explore the full extent of the arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) that was detected after his heart attack.  For me, it is just so reassuring to know that he is in very good hands. While there is lots more healing to be done and the normal risks following heart surgery are still present, it really does seem that the worst is over. 

For those of you who know my parents, you will not be surprised to hear that they released the story of my dad's "cardiac incident" for teaching and review within the local emergency response team. It was their way to thank the volunteer First Responders who saved my dad's life and stabilized him until the paramedics arrived. In releasing this story, the company that makes the portable defibrillator (that restarted my dad's heart) heard about what happened and decided to donate another machine, in my dad's name, to the town of Waldheim where they live. So, the final chapter of this story for our family is that my dad's experience will, we hope, somehow help save the life of someone else. It certainly draws things here to a pretty amazing close. When this occurs, I'll try and post information here.

For now, however, I'll stop with daily updates on my dad and encourage those of you who know him, to email him directly.  During my last week in Saskatchewan, he began checking email again. I know that he and my mom were encouraged beyond words by the notes of support we received and are so thankful.  Feel free to drop him a note- I know he is energized by the contact and I think it's a good way to keep him away from the temptation of driving combine this harvest!

Together, my parents, Lyndon & Jenn, and Jeff and I want to thank you all from the very bottom of our hearts for your love, support, encouragement, love and prayers. I can not begin to articulate what this meant to all of us. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

While I've just arrived home to BC now, I leave this post with a few parting images from the past week in Saskatchewan. 

Fresh rhubarb and saskatoon berry platz

one of the more interesting dragon flies

Farmer Unger inspecting this year's crop

wonderful cloud formations looking of my parent's front porch

day 6 of raspberry picking

our compromise to my dad's insistence that he get to pick, too!

loving fresh lettuce every day

dealing with the fifth major power outage of my visit (thanks to some crazy electrical storms)

prairie sunset

Celebration from afar

Today was a quiet and restful day. We celebrated the removal of the last of my dad's staples (in his leg) and started arranging appointments for next week with cardiac therapists, dieticians, nurses and other care team members.  After receiving a warning from his home care nurse (AKA my aunt!) to stop picking raspberries (something he did yesterday for about 15 minutes), my dad appeared to be a little more compliant today!

The beautiful lilies shown here were a gift last summer from my Uncle H and Aunt N. They are are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this weekend and we send them our congratulations and warmest wishes. We wish we could celebrate with you!

Heat Reprieve

The heat wave finally broke yesterday, in a spectacular thunder and lightening show that blew out the power for more than nine hours (to the entire town where my parent's live). We had our morning coffee on the front porch, enjoying the cool breeze, blooming flowers, butterflies and steady rain.

After being stuck in indoor air conditioning for a few days, my dad was particularly happy to be allowed outside! He continues to do very well, and make slow but steady improvements. This morning, while sorting Saskatoon berries, he was a little off balance and it was a good reminder that while he feels better, he's still not as steady or as strong as he might expect, or like to be. Thankfully, he's not ignoring his limitations, even though they must be frustrating.

During this week's heat wave, the raspberries and Saskatoon berries happily ripened... and not so happily, needed to be picked.  So far, my mom has picked and frozen four ice cream buckets of Saskatoon berries (with more scheduled for tomorrow) along with countless trays of local strawberries. Over the next few days, I think there will be more raspberries to pick (and devour) as well. After a morning of rain yesterday, my parent's garden is a major mud pit, but things should be dried out enough by tomorrow to pick a second round of raspberries. They are so deliciously sweet, it's worth trudging through mud to enjoy them!

Summer Salad

There are many things I love about summer. After a winter of eating soups and "warm" food, I love the switch to "summer eating". For Jeff and I, that usually means some sort of grilled meat or fish with a summer salad. I made one of our favourites for my parents this week, and they enjoyed it so much it that I thought I should share. 

Adapted from an article in Bon Apetit magazine

Serves 6-8

1/2 cup quinoa or pearl barley, cooked and cooled

1/2 cup wild rice, cooked and cooled

1-14oz can black beans, drained

1/2 cup chopped green onions

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 or 2 mangoes, diced

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

Directions 

1. Cook wild rice and quinoa/pearl barley according to package directions. Let cool.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa/barley, rice, black beans, mango, onions, red pepper and cilantro.  
3. Add dressing ingredients- garlic, chili powder, salt, pepper, vinegar and olive oil- directly to salad and mix well.  Enjoy! 

Sizzle

It's 9:30AM and the thermometer (which sits in the shade) measures 34 degrees. The Environment Canada website tells me that humidity (unusual for this part of the world) makes it feel more like 38 degrees... and the mercury is rising. My dad continues to do well, but is looking forward to a break in this heat wave so he can actually go outdoors for more than a few minutes of exercise. I think that climbing stairs and walking laps around the house are getting a little boring.

We had a good weekend- after surviving enjoying(!) B&B guests, my Mom had a much needed break on Saturday when she and I attended a family wedding and my dad enjoyed visits with family and friends. He still tires very easily but is really buoyed by social activity. So, if you want to call or visit, please do! Just call before you drop by to make sure he's awake. 

Inkeeping

When I moved to Nanaimo, I was not certain if I would continue work in my field or do something completely different. Jeff and I entertained all sorts of ideas, one of which was renovating an ocean front (or at least, ocean view!) house and running a Bed and Breakfast. Today, I got a taste of the B&B  inkeeper's life and it's a little less glamorous than I imagined!  After cleaning bathrooms and ironing sheets, I made the mistake of telling my Mom that the only part of B&B hosting that appeals to me is having a captive audience to try out new culinary experiments.... so guess who is signed up to cook breakfast tomorrow morning?!

My Dad is doing better today. He enjoyed a field trip to Rosthern this morning for a hair cut and a doctor's appointment, and the change of scenery put some pep back in his step.  All seems to be going well from a medical recovery perspective, and one small drainage tube incision that has been troublesome is now aided by antibiotics to avoid possible infection. The doctor reminded Dad that he is an incredibly fortunate to still be here.... and while this is still very humbling, we are simply grateful and thankful. I know there is an incredible network of friends, family, faith and prayer still surrounding us- my Dad really does feel this.

The gratuitous garden shots today are of my parent's acre (almost) of lettuce, and some blooming Sweet William. I do feel a little guilty- while Jeff is braving out cold temperatures and rain at home, the thermometer is set to hit 30+ again tomorrow with lots of glorious sunshine.

Plateau

While yesterday's motto was "Slow and Steady", today was a day more slow than steady.  I think that during recovery, plateaus are common- today was a day for quiet, rest and a little more aches and pains than in the past few. Maybe that's a result of activity during the past two days... or maybe it was just a flat day. Tonight, my Dad said the weariness of today had lifted a bit, so we end the day on a little more upbeat a note than it was lived out.

Tomorrow, my parents have two rooms of overnight B&B guests coming- this was a long standing reservation they both felt was important to keep.  I have a feeling this will make for an interesting 12 hours (hopefully, with minimal mayhem!).

Lilies in my mom's garden

Distractions

I asked my dad what to write today and his response was "Slow and steady wins the race!" I think the terms slow and steady are good descriptions of progress around here.  

Dad was up and around this afternoon- we went for a short walk outside, then he perched at the kitchen island to learn how to make two of his favourite things to eat- hummus and greek salad. After dinner, my uncle arrived with the most glorious strawberries, picked today from a local farm.  Now, my Dad is helping my Mom clean and freeze them! We're letting him do stuff that isn't too strenuous as he needs a distraction and is a little restless. Despite this activity, he did admit that today, he feels tired to the bone. So, more rest and quiet is in store for tomorrow. 

Choosing Battles

It's an interesting switch when kids become the disciplinarians of their parents.

After my dad's morning nap, he was a little restless so I suggested a few laps back and forth on my parent's front porch for some fresh air. Before I knew it, our foray on the front porch turned into this: 

When my younger brother had open heart surgery in 1982, our entire family went along to Vancouver for the operation. When we got home two weeks later, he was not allowed to ride his bike (the worst possible punishment in the universe for him).  Lyndon somehow convinced my Mom to let him "just sit" on his bike in the garage.... and three days later was caught flying across home made ramps and jumps in the vacant lot next door.  Needless to say, an iron fist came down and the bike "rested" for a few days without him (!). 

Today, my dad walked around his garden "just to look". While he did just fine and the fresh air was wonderful for both body and soul, I have a feeling that keeping him from working in his garden might be a battle that requires a similar iron fist! As you can see, he looks pretty good and is steady on his feet. The red heart pillow he's clutching provides support to his chest when he coughs or strains in any way (like getting up out of a chair, for example). 

Gardener on hiatus checking out the work of his #1 weeding assistant

My dad was a little stiff today, but also a walked a little further, ate a little more, and said he felt a little stronger. He's not ready to hoe his corn patch, but he continues to do really well. 

Finding Routine

It's amazing how much we all take for granted during our regular daily routine.  Most days, I don't think twice about hopping into the shower, making my breakfast, walking to the grocery store, doing laundry, or spending a workday in front of my computer- I just do it.  

While my Dad continues to do really well, he's not able to "Just Do It". Today we slowly worked through creating new routines and starting to define a newer and much slower pace of life. It was great to have some family members and a friend come for short visits.  Everyone has been surprised at how really good my dad looks- his colour is great and the sparkle is back in his eyes. He's just not the strong guy we're used to him being. 

Dad clutching his "heart" chest support pillow while chatting on the phone

There is lots of learning going on here- my mom and I are learning how to be caregivers and my dad is learning to be patient with himself.  I can't imagine it's easy to rely on others to wash your hair, get a simple snack, or to put on the dreaded pressure stockings (that he has to wear for 2 months) but he is pretty upbeat and positive.  We are all aware that his recovery still has a long road ahead, but we're doing it slowly one step at a time. 

My dad is quite excited to use this blog to thank everyone for their prayers and support, as well as show off his beloved garden- the same garden he is currently banned from going near!  Since I can't really argue with him on this one, I've agreed to feature a daily Unger Garden Photo (until I go home).  We start today with my mom's pansies. 

Home

We're home! My dad is comfortable and after a nice dinner, the three of us are settling in to watch a movie and just relax. All is well- I'll write more tomorrow.

Saturday update

Today, my Dad's improvements were not as dramatic as in the past few days, but he was noticeably stronger. His voice is still more quiet and raspy than usual and he tires easily, but he is doing really well. He was finally able to have solid food today and enjoyed his dinner with more verve than hospital food probably deserves!  On a more serious note, my Dad is starting to process everything that happened and seemed to be a little more quiet and reflective today. We all have been told (repeatedly!) of the importance of creating a calm and peaceful environment for him to continue his recovery, so my Mom and I are trying to keep conversation light with a focus on resting and getting better.

My Dad comes home from the hospital tomorrow, and this will bring a new set of challenges for both my parents. Continued prayers for healing, patience, rest and calm would be most welcome.

Quick update

My Dad continues to recover really well- today he was walking around and looked great. He's still quite weak and needs lots of naps, but he was up on his feet, bright eyed, and looked great. He was also enough of his sarcastic self to make some very funny comments about his rather bland dinner!  He's still uncomfortable in his hospital bed and moves around rather gingerly (and slowly), but the progress made between yesterday was another huge leap forward. For me, the best part was hearing that he is in very little pain. I think today was the first day where this was the case.

He is scheduled to come home early, sometime on Sunday.  That will being a whole new phase of recovery. I know he is looking forward to having a quiet room to actually get some uninterrupted sleep and be back in familiar surroundings.  Keeping him out of his garden might pose a few challenges, but I'll save those for next week. 

The day after

8:15 PM  It's amazing the difference a day makes.

My Dad continues to recover well- this morning, he was disconnected from all of the tubes and monitors and taken off blood pressure medication (as he is maintaining a good rate on his own). By noon, he was transferred out of ICU into the cardiac observation unit. He is still very tired and extremely sore, and a little frustrated by his current limitations.  However, he is completely alert and communicative, his colour is great and he continues his recovery right on track.   He still needs lots of time to rest, along with a few gentle reminders not to talk up a storm and just "chill out" (this seems to be my job!).  Tomorrow, the plan is for him to be up on his feet for short periods of time. 

I forgot to mention yesterday that at the end of my dad's surgery when his heart was restarted, it started very strongly without need for assistance. The surgeon said this was an extremely positive sign, and we found this very encouraging.  

Also, while my Mom and I were waiting for my dad's surgery to complete, we started up conversation with another woman, also waiting for her husband. Within a few minutes, my mom and this lady realized they had worked together as telephone operators in North Battleford, 44 years ago. They spent an animated hour reminiscing and talking about former colleagues...  this hour was a great distraction for my Mom. I couldn't have planned a better coincidence if I had tried. 

My dad was resting a little more comfortably when we left the hospital this evening and I took advantage of this to get my Mom home to do the same. I'll update my dad's progress again tomorrow night when we get home from the hospital. 

 11:59PM

After a late evening visit to my dad, I'm really happy to report that is off the ventilator and breathing well on his own. He is still fairly sedated, although he was curious about the surgery, happy to see us and joked that when his nurse went on coffee break, she should bring coffee back for him as well!  It was encouraging to hear him joke. 

So, while he seems to be quite uncomfortable, recovery is moving along well.  Yesterday, my dad was pretty clear on his intent to be strong and healthy in time for his first grandchild's arrival in November (when Lyndon and Jennifer's first baby is due). So far, so good!  

I'll update things again tomorrow when we get home from the hospital. Thanks again for all of your good wishes. 

Good News

6:30PM  

My dad's surgery went well this morning.  He ended up having a quadruple bypass, and both the surgeon and anaesthesiologist confirmed that all went very well.  The surgeon, who is a classical music lover, said that the operation was brought to us courtesy of the Bach Double Violin concerto in D minor and Saint-Saens' Bacchanale (from Samson and Delilah).  I think my dad will enjoy knowing this.  

We were actually in the corridor talking to the surgeon when my dad was wheeled by en route to the ICU.  He is still in the ICU, where they are slowly waking him up. By late afternoon, he opened his eyes and responded to voice commands but had a bit of trouble choking on the intubation tube.  At this point, he is still intubated but we understand that he should be breathing on his own later tonight. He looks a little worse for wear and does not seem happy to have a tube stuck down his throat, but such is to be expected.  I will admit- seeing one's parent (especially my invincible dad) on a ventilator and connected to countless tubes and monitors is a little shocking. However, we are told that all has gone really well and we are trusting this will continue. 

Pre operation update

My mom and I spent most of this afternoon and evening with my dad, and had a really great visit.  

On first glance, I was surprised how great and almost "normal" he was- his colour was great, his short term memory is nearly back to normal, and his jokes were worse than ever! It does not take long, however, to see that he is still in a significant amount of pain from the strong chest compressions that were needed to restart his heart (and that seem to have cracked a few ribs) and he is pretty weak.  However, his spirits are high and we all feel confident about the recovery plan the medical team has put together.  The care has really been excellent. 

My dad is scheduled for bypass surgery at 8am tomorrow morning to address what now looks like four blockages in his heart. The surgery is expected to last about four hours; I'll post an update when we get home from the hospital tomorrow night. 

There are some other concerns about my dad's heart rhythm (which has been irregular since his heart attack). A specialist in this area met with us today to share a plan to address this in coming months.  For now however, the first step is addressing the blockages and recovering from surgery.

My dad read through many of the emails that friends and family have sent over the past few days, and was really moved. The support and love has been overwhelming and for this, we thank you. We know you'll be thinking of us tomorrow.

Opposite of celebration

My last post, written on June 30, was written in celebration. It's amazing how quickly life can take us from celebration to its exact opposite.

June 30 was my parent's 44th wedding anniversary.  After a long day at work, my parents went out for dinner to celebrate their anniversary then returned home to tackle some work around the yard.  My Dad rototilled his beloved garden, walked to the front drive and collapsed with a massive heart attack. Thankfully, a B&B guest was right there to administer CPR, and more help arrived quickly. The right chain of events in the right time frame got my Dad from the small, rural town where my parents live to University Hospital in Saskatoon, alive. 

I realize now that June 30 was the night that he was very nearly, no longer with us. Being far away, such harsh realities are easy to downplay but this does not make them any less true. All I can say is that we are very, very thankful. A little shaken and in shock, but very, very thankful.

The next step will be triple bypass surgery (if the surgeons find what they think they will find) on Wednesday, July 6. I am flying to Saskatoon on Monday to be my parents for the next few weeks.   If you could hold my immediate family- my Dad and Mom, Lyndon and Jennifer, and Jeff and I-  very tight in your thoughts and prayers, we would appreciate it very much. I will return here to post updates as they are available.

I am amazed that during times of crisis and loss, we humans immediately throw away all of the "stuff" we work so hard to accumulate and cling to what matters- the people we love. I say 'amazed' because one really would think by now, we would have learned this lesson and not need tragedies to shock us back into seeing what is most important. Today as I celebrate my 37th birthday, gifts really do seem so very unimportant. All I really want is for my Dad to be all right. 

My first beauty parlour customer ~age 2, 1976