Good News for the grumpy ones

The day started out a bit scary today - mostly because my dad was told he couldn't have any water or coffee. Well, that's the equivalent of telling Starbucks that it can't offer coffee. It's just unheard of and we're lucky there weren't protests with floods of people clanging their empty coffee cans right then and there.

Luckily, the coffee-ban was short-lived and all was right with the world. They didn't want him to have water or coffee because he was slated to have the stress test.

However, we spoke with the cardiologist and he feels convinced that the heart issues were related to a strain in the heart that's stemmed from the blood clots in the lungs. He's holding off on the stress test for another month or so.

Dad's kidneys are also doing much better as well. So, now we're only down to one serious problem and that's the lungs. He's still on oxygen and taking blood thinners. He'll need to be on blood thinners for many months.

We feel very lucky and blessed that we can now focus on just one problem rather than three or four.

He'll also be off work for another week or two and will still suffer shortness of breath from the problem in the lungs. We're also very lucky that he didn't suffer a heart attack and plan to use this experience as an opportunity to continue and increase some healthy-lifestyle changes Dad has already begun.

Liz and I will probably stay in town with my mom until Sunday. We're not sure when Dad will get released, but once his medicines are regulated, then he can be sent home. The new meds can be tricky and it might take a few days, if not longer.

Fortunately, there aren't any further tests scheduled. So, we're planning on loads of coffee tomorrow.

Calling a spade, a spade indeed

I'm trying to stay a bit light-hearted here.

My mom was just putting Liz down to bed, and Liz said: "My Daddy says the Irish are really stinky."

Mom - a lifelong die-hard Nortre Dame fan - doesn't like anyone to say any negative words about the Irish responded with: "Well, this year, he's right. They really were stinky."

Medical Mayhem

I know many of you are eager to hear about Brian's injury update, and trust me, I'll get there.

But I'm a journalist after all, and I have to start with the most serious news first.

My dad was admitted at a local hospital today after having shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. Unfortunately, the doctors discovered several serious problems. I'll try not to get too technical, but he has several blood clots in his lungs, his heart tests have been irregular and his kidneys aren't functioning properly. He's also anemic.

But the good news, and I know it doesn't seem like much after writing that sentence, is he's his old ornery self. All of you who know my dad know that's a very positive sign. He's cracked about half a dozen jokes with each doctor and nurse. Sometimes, I think I see them mentally saying to themselves: "OK, get back to the task at hand. Enough joking. Stay focused." Then, of course my dad pulls out another wise crack - usually related to one of the many wires he has attached to his body.

Even though he's remaining jovial, the serious nature of his health isn't lost on him. These are all life-threatening conditions that need to be carefully monitored. I've spoken with two of his doctors today, and am quite impressed with them - particularly Dr. H., his primary care physician. She insisted he go to the hospital this morning. She also reiterated how serious his condition is several times.

On our plate tomorrow, will be a battery of tests - particularly aimed at the heart. We're hoping that the heart irregularities have been caused by a strain from the blood clots, but realize there could also be separate heart issues that need to be addressed.

The doctor is also completing several tests on his kidney and when I arrive first thing in the morning on Friday, she should have some results on that issue as well. The heart tests will take place throughout the day on Friday.

Dr. H. says it will take Dad several weeks to recover just from the blood clots in the lungs and he will need to remain on medicines for that issue for many months.

I must admit that even though this is my hometown hospital, I always worry about being at a smaller hospital for potentially life-threatening issues. But, the standard of care has been excellent. Dr. H. is monitoring Dad's progress on her computer throughout the day while she's at her office seeing patients. She returned my call in minutes and put up my "reporter-style battery" of questions, which can cause even the most sane person to lose their mind. All of the nurses are updating his chart on their laptop computers and Dad's getting poked every few hours. I'm comforted by that, because I know they're very closely watching all of his conditions.

Now, on to Brian's status. Unfortunately, his knee is a disaster - to put it bluntly. Basically, ever ligament that could be torn was torn. His ACL, MCL and LCL, were all torn.

The good news is just the ACL needs to be repaired and the other ligaments are expected to heal. We have surgery scheduled for next Thursday. He'll be in serious pain for one week, but one week after surgery he'll start rehab and should return to work.

Liz and I are staying at my mom's and will be here until things improve for my dad. Luckily, Brian's been working from home and is able to hobble around the house quite nicely now.

My boss has remained incredible as we've been cobbling from one medical issue to another. Everyone keeps telling me: "These things happen in threes. What will happen next?" That's not something I want to hear.

Right before I started the blog, we had a medical scare with Liz. If we must have "3 medical issues" I hope that can count as our third.

Thanksgiving

Here's that silly Liz. She can't resist those crazy expressions. Check out her Mimi Hedger's face. I think she's surprised too. Thanks to nephew Daniel for these pictures. Trust me, there are many more to come. But here are a few silly ones to start the parade of pictures.

Still not that happy

It's hard to believe it's been a week since Brian's accident. Yet, he still can't put any weight on his leg and is in incredible pain each time he moves it.

I feel horrible for him.

You'll be happy to know that he has taken the real pain killers a few times, after resisting for several days. He couldn't even keep his leg still for the MRI last Wednesday, but was able to get that test done on Monday. We should have results on Wednesday.

He was able to survive the holiday, thanks to the Thanksgiving-food coma. He got to eat all of his favorites - pecan patties, his mom's stuffing, mashed potatoes and of course lots of pumpkin pie.

Most of the Hedgers are all vegetarians - so no turkey! Though, as many of you know, you don't really miss it because there's so much else to eat.

In spite of his horrible injury, we had a pretty great Thanksgiving. Liz was a hoot all weekend and I'll pass on some of those pictures.

She's a pretty entertaining kid. Since her cousin, who plays piano, was not there, she performed her own "Solo" for about an hour. Each time, she looked at the audience (family and friends) and waited for applause. She even bowed a few times, after being told how.

Later, she said to me: "Why were the people talking when I was playing?" Apparently, she thought everyone should have been sitting quietly listening to her. What an ego for a 3-year-old.

Then, in the next moment - my "piano-playing genius" can't resist another grab for her boogers.

Never a dull moment. I think we can wait on those music lessons...

The Unhappy Triad

We were lucky enough to get Brian to the ortho today. Luckily, we called Liz's ortho, and his partner had an appointment.

Unfortunately, the news isn't good. The doctor isn't sure, but speculates that Brian might have blown his ACL, MCL and meniscus. Apparently, this is described as the "Unhappy Triad" of injuries.

Brian has been a real trooper and hasn't even taken the real pain killers yet. I'm more of wimp and probably would have taken at least a few doses already...if not more.

The doctor gave us the OK to travel head to Michigan. Depending on the weather (it's supposed to snow), we'll try and head out tonight. Brian was also able to get an MRI done today, which is good news because then we'll be able to have more information from the MRI.

It's most likely Brian will need knee surgery. We'll continue to keep you posted. Hopefully, we can still have a relaxing holiday.

A basketball tumble

Brian had quite a dramatic work-out session today. He went to the YMCA and took Liz with him. They have a really nice child-care center that she attends while he's working out.

He was playing basketball and reports that he was "playing quite well when he skied for a rebound and an old codger cut him off."

At that moment, he fell down right on his left knee blowing it out. Apparently, the fall was quite gruesome and even the other folks he was playing with, made comments. "Man, that was the worst fall I've ever seen."

That's always comforting.

He called me and I dashed to the Y and took him to the ER, one block away. Nothing is broken, but they're speculating there's probably some torn ligaments. He'll see an ortho specialist next week. For now, he's on crutches and pain killers. He's handling things as well as possible given the pain and the fact that if he moves his leg he's in excrutiating pain.

We're still going to try and head to Michigan to see Brian's family for Thanksgiving. This was actually Brian's first day of vacation. He has off until Sunday. We'll keep you posted.

We're gonna have a party

This is a video my cousin Brian took this summer of Liz, Grace and Jenna. They're all 2nd cousins and were born 5 weeks apart. Of course, Liz is quite excited about the "party."

Thanks to my cousin Brian for mentioning my new blog on his site. He's also helped me a great deal on the technical aspects of the blog world.