one week later. . . update on dad

It has been a week since my last update on Dad and while the last thing I wrote was about Dad going home. . . it hasn't happened yet. Our Iron Man become our Mystery Man this week as Dad encountered more and more ailments each day. . . NOT related to his heart. There may be a few question marks in the air still, but I am thrilled to say that he is becoming less of a mystery and is doing better now that the doctors have a much clearer idea of what they are treating. . .

Last Tuesday Dan started to spike a fever and after 24 hours they decided to run some blood tests only to discover bacteria in Dad's blood. While they still aren't certain as to *why* he has/had bacteria in his blood, either the antibiotics seemed to take care of it or there were contaminants in the initial blood tests as the latest cultures are showing no bacteria growth. Very good news!

Last Wednesday Dad started to have horrible right shoulder pain. . . . which spread to pretty much every joint in his body. By Saturday, when Lars and I were able to visit him (kidless thanks to Grandma Peg!), he was in quite a bit of pain - swollen hands/feet and unable to move on his own. It was very hard for us kids to see our normally unable to sit still Dad with such limited mobility. After baffling the doctors, an autoimmune specialist was finally able to diagnose Dad yesterday with what they think is Gout. Once they started to treat the Gout, Dad started to to turn the corner quite quickly. While he doesn't have full movement back, he is doing a lot better! Thank you steroids!!

Other road blocks this week were some fluid in his lungs (from laying down so much after procedures) . . . horrible migraines (as Dad is unable to take his usual migraine medication now due to his heart). . . but thankfully all tests of his heart and ICD are coming back stellar.

Now that the road blocks of our Mystery Man are ever so slowly moving out of the way, the cardiac rehab specialists can begin their work with Dad again on getting him up and out of the hospital. We are hoping he can come home Friday. . . but if not at least we know our Iron Man is back on his road to recovery! Thanks for your love, support, and prayers!



Here is another video from Aunt Megan of Dad yesterday. . . looking MUCH better! He is wearing a "back-up defibrillator" that their wonderful friend Tim Mogck made for him! As you can see Dad still has his wonderful sense of humor! :)