I know that some of you have met my dad on the rides we went on and some of you haven't. My dad has had heart trouble for awhile now; he's been a fighter and been holding on every inch of the battle for the last 7 years. He was told by the doctors in N.O. area that there was nothing left for them to do . They said he would need a heart transplant. Well good ol' Frenchie being as hardheaded as he is said, "I don't believe you."
So last week he made an appointment with some of the best of the best doctors at the Cleveland Heart clinic. Guys the day my father left I thought that i was never going to see him again, he was white as a ghost and was freezing cold to the touch and couldn't walk 10 steps without looking like he just ran a marathon, literally. When they got up there and settled into the hotel that is connected to the hospital, the fire alarm went off and he had to run down 3 flights of stairs. When they got downstairs he collapsed and said that his chest was hurting and he was out of breath. The called the paramedics and they didn't even stop n the hallway they ran with him on the stretcher and drove him off within a few seconds my mom said. They had to shock him back into rhythm and he was holding steady and has been for a week now. He news came the other day that they surgery he is having is now open heart which is not what they originally told us.
I am in the airport as we speak writing this to you guys because I know he is going to make it through this surgery but to have more than just my family having a chat with "THE BIG MAN UPSTAIRS" might help out a little bit more, . I will definitely keep you guys posted on what happens with us and him!!!!!

P.S.
When something like this hits you; it makes you think of all the things in life that we take for granted and all the things that we think are not so important.......... That much more important and worth taking the time to do instead of acting like it don't exist.

JP

In our prayers; hope everything works out.

Prayers up...

I don't know your dad's age and details - but - I can tell you that my cousin who is 56 was told at 52 that he would need a transplant - after 2 years being on the list and 2 false alarms about getting it - when he finally did get his transplant it was a 20 year old donor - we believe one of the college kids in the multiple murder shootings the day before - and everything went very well....

It went so well with his transplant that he was released to normal duties and resumed his job in a local chemical plant - which they had saved for him - and he is leading a full and active life again....

Be strong - it may be a long struggle - but you are not alone....

Good Luck JP! Will will keep your family and your Dad in our thoughts and prayers!!!!1

prayers sent jd

Prayers sent also.

Prayers sent JP.

Prayers from the Brooks' and I thank you for yore devotion to yore father. Stay strong for him.

IMP

You got it JP

Best of luck to your dad and prayers sent for him and family.

Prayers sent

Prayers sent also!

Prayers sent from the Broussard family

believing in the Good LORD is the first step asking for prayer shows that you do. GOD BLESS

Prayers from my family to yours.

All knees will bend... even mine
IMP too

Best wishes for a full recovery!

Jp keep in touch I already told you yall are in our prayers let us know how it turns out.

Prayers sent JP,if there is anything I can do for you on this end let me know.

IMP

ok so here is an update, today he was suppose to have his surgery.... unfortunately, he cant have it because the wonderful ppl at OSCHNER HOSPITAL dont know WTF they are doing. Get this......... he is having open heart surgery and the doctors called to have his medical records sent up here so they could look at his records oh his heart and they sent up his medical records of his balls!!!! from when they put in his stent. the doctor up here was furious and told us to feel free to call and chew ass just like he did. they has hindered his surgery another day b/c of ass clowns that dont know what they are doing. as the dr was walking out he said no wonder why you came to see us, here and didnt believe waht they told you down there.

Any update on your dad?

Prayers sent.

He had surgery yesterday. they had to put a LVAD( its an artificial pump that pumps along with his heart) we were not happy that he had to get it, but originally it was explained that this machine would hinder alot of what h would do. NOT the case!!! His heart is pumping better than it was before he had his heart attack 7 years ago. There is a guy that has one and white water rafts back packs across america with it , etc. He will have to plug himself into the wall when at home but has batteries the he can roam around with. Mom said today he was alert an they will be trying to take the tube out so he can breathe on his own. He can't eat yet but will be able to in a day or two. Mom also said he can answer them with blinks and head shakes. So now im going to put in a power inverter in the boat, and truck so we can let him ride in style. They even said he could be plugged into a generator, so now he can bowfish!!! These next few days are going to be the toughest for him and us so we will see. I know he won't be home for another month though. I will let you know as soon as I do!!! THANKS FOR ALL THE THOUGHTS GUYS!!!!

Good to hear JP. Prayers for a speedy recovery

Glad to hear every thing turned out OK. I hope your father will be able to be back home by father's day.

Tell Frenchie he better be ready for the mud run and tell him I got the screws to open the wine lol. We all send our prayers and are happy to hear hes doing better.

Glad he's doing well. So he will be better than before with this over the diffibulator(sp?)?

Hope he has a speedy recovery.

Damn JP, i dont know how i missed this thread but prayers sent!

I know whats its like when you get a scare like that. I was working in East Texas 5 hours from home, 2 summers ago and i got a phone call from my sister crying and she said she would call me back. Well this gut wrenching feeling came upon me and i knew it had something to do with my dad. Well my neighbor, (my girlfriend now) texted me and told me that my dad is gunna be ok. Well 20 mins later my mom called me and told me what happened...

Long story short, my dad collapsed, he got low on potassium and it caused his heart to spaz and he almost died on his bedroom floor.

Good to hear that he is doing so well.