This website is to provide health updates about my father
Friday, February 2, 2018
New Zion Baptist Church
126 East Street
Denham Springs, LA 70726
Viewing: 8:00am – 11:00am
Service: 11:00am
Interment:
Louisiana National Cemetery
303 W Mount Pleasant Rd. Zachary, LA 70791 (military cemetery)
Repast:
Emanuel Grayer Fellowship Hall @ New Zion Baptist Church
Services entrusted to:
MJR Friendly Service Funeral Home
7803 Florida Boulevard East
PO Box 567
Denham Springs, LA 70726
We are facing some challenges with the funeral arrangements for my father. I will post an update on this website when I have more information. Thank you for your patience.
My father gained his wings today. He was a great man. May he rest in peace.I love you dad!! Thanks to all of you for all of your kind words and prayers!!
The doctor just talked with us about my dad. The infection in his blood seems to be MRSA. It’s having a bad effect on him. He is in need of dialysis, but dialysis lowers the heart rate, and his heart rate is already low, so he might not be able to survive the dialysis. Without the dialysis, it will only be so long he’ll be able to hold on. Please continue to pray for us.
My father has been moved back to ICU. His heart pumping function is decreasing. When he first came to the hospital, they said his heart pumping function was at 35-40%. Now they say at that time it was probably closer to 25%. Now it is at about 10-15%. He also has a fever. His breathing is still irregular with continuous symptoms of Cheyne Stokes Respiration. His dialysis port got infected and the infection got into his blood. They are treating that with IV antibiotics. Please continue to pray for him.
On yesterday, my father was moved from ICU to a regular room at the hospital. His breathing has improved and he has been able to go longer periods of time without being on the breathing machine. Last night, he was alert and able to talk to people. He is fully aware of what’s going on. This morning, the doctor said that his kidneys are producing more urine, which is a sign that his kidney function is improving. He will be undergoing dialysis later today as well. Please continue to pray for him. Thank you for all of your support.
On yesterday, while my father was being moved from a chair to his bed, he went unresponsive for about 30 seconds or so, then his leg started shaking. I got scared and I could also see the fear in the nurse’s face. He became responsive on his own. The nurse then had him follow her finger, and while his right eye was accurately following her finger, his left eye did not move at all. He has been having irregular breathing, which has required him to be on a breathing machine not only at night, but also during the day while he’s awake. This combination of events prompted the doctors to do a CAT scan on his head. What they found is that my father has something called Small Vessel Disease. The doctor went on to explain what this is and the kind of effect that it may have on my father. Combined with him being at 10% kidney function and his heart being at 35% pumping function, along with the small vessel disease, the doctor said, “He appears to be nearing the end of his life.” My heart sank when he said that. With that said, we are NOT giving up. My father is a fighter. Please continue to pray for him.
SUCCESS!!!! My father’s surgery was successful!! He still has a long road ahead, but he’s on the road to recovery. This has been the most emotional day of my life. Thank you all for your prayers and support!!
Here’s an update on my father. It was determined that his heart and kidneys are too weak for the heart bypass surgery. He was on dialysis for 2 hours last night and was able to go all night without the breathing mask. They are gonna try to open these blockages with balloons and stents later today. It’s a high risk procedure, but given my father’s condition, our options are limited. Please pray that he makes it through this procedure.
Here’s an update on my father. They did a heart catheterization on him and determined that he has severe blockage in 2 of the arteries going to his heart. On Tuesday, he is going to have double heart bypass surgery.
All of the calls, texts, comments, and prayers are greatly appreciated. I apologize for not being able to personally respond to everyone individually, but all of this is pretty overwhelming. I will respond as best as I can. Please continue to pray for us. Thank you!!