The ER, CCU and more

This is a picture of my  Dad and step-mom at Christmas.  My Dad is 81 and has been in good health.  Last week he thought he had the flu, but went to the Dr on Wednesday because he was feeling worse.  They sent him to the hospital in an ambulance!

I got the call and my sister and I went to the ER.  We ended up having a very long night.  His pulse was irregular and very fast, about 180.  They tried several different things that they assured us would bring the rate down, but they had no effect.  When we arrived, Dad was his usual joking self, but as time went on we could see he was feeling worse, and soon wasn't responding well at all.

They ended up having to shock his heart to get it into normal rhythm.  That did work, but then his blood pressure started to drop.  He ended up in critical care.

By the next morning there was concern about his kidneys.  Having his BP low was affecting them and they weren't working well.  More meds were needed.  They were talking about doing a procedure to his heart on Friday, but it was cancelled at the last minute to allow the heart to recover for a few days.

He was moved to a regular floor on Saturday, although his heart rate and rhythm continued to be a problem at times.  On Sunday the heart rate was back up and the beat was irregular, meds didn't work.

Right now, they plan to do an ablation on Monday morning.  They will cauterize a spot on the heart that seems to be causing the rhythm problems.  They are also talking about putting in a pacemaker.

I'd appreciate your prayers for him.  Pray also for my stepmom as she has been at the hospital all day, every day with him and this is hard on her physically as well as emotionally.