I need prayers right now-Update - He is going home today!!!

Hi moms, I just got a call from my SIL and my brother, Vito, is in open heart surgery as I am writing this. He went for his usual annual stress test last week and they saw a shadow (he had angioplasty about 4 years ago) so he went back today for more tests and thought they were just going to do another angioplasty if need be. Well when they went in to it they saw that the vein was clogged too much and they needed to do bypass surgery immediately. They live part time in Brooklyn and part time in PA so my SIL is by herself waiting in Pa for the surgery to be over. I won't be able to get to see him until the weekend.

So everyone please just say a prayer that he comes through the surgery and recovery okay.

Thanks,
Liz

**UPDATE** Spoke with my SIL a little while ago and she said Vito is awake and doing better. He is complaing that he can't breathe right but the nurse said that is because he just had his ribcage cracked open for the surgery and it is painful, but he is doing well. They will be taking the breathing tube out this afternoon. Hopefully that will go well.
Thanks Ladies.

Message edited 1/31/2008 9:00:45 AM.

Re: I need prayers right now

Re: I need prayers right now

Liz, just got your message. I'm praying!!!! Seems like everyone has a Brother/BIL concern, right now. My friend in Texas just e-mailed that her Brother-in-law has a cancerous brain tumor. He's had surgery, and is presently in ICU.
Ben and I will be attending his Brother's funeral, tomorrow morning. The Amish will have an 8AM service, in the little house where Ben's deceased Brother lived with his other unmarried Brothers and Sister. Then, at 9AM, there will be another service a feet up the road, at the family farmhouse, now occupied by Ben's niece and Husband.
Let us know how your Brother is doing, Liz!!!!!
Hugs, and Lots of Love to you and your Brother, and loved ones!!! Mary

Re: I need prayers right now

Hoping everything is well and that the surgery goes well. My dad had a by pass done about 4 years ago. He is 82 years old and is more active then I am. In the nice weather he bike rides and walks miles and miles. If your Brother listens to the doctor I am sure everything will be just fine. Our prayers are with you. Susan

Re: I need prayers right now

I am sorry for your upsetting news. Thank God he went for the stress test. Obviously, that was a life saver for him. I will say a prayer for him and his wife...it must be so hard for her right now. Cardiac surgery has soooo many wonderful outcomes today. Lets hope he becomes yet another success story!!!!
Kathy

Re: I need prayers right now

many prayers for you and your family during this time Liz

Re: I need prayers right now

Thanks everyone. It ended up being a double bypass and they had to shock him once last night because his heart wasn't beating normally, but the shock seemed to take care of that. My SIL said he was awake and talking after that. Hopefully he will continue to progress. We are going to try to go to PA on Sunday if he is allowed visitors. I feel bad for my SIL because she is by herself over there because we all live in NY. I will keep everyone updated. I knew you would all give out a prayer.

Mary take care today and stay warm at the funeral.

Liz

Re: I need prayers right now

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Posted by PeterNina Mom

Thanks everyone. It ended up being a double bypass and they had to shock him once last night because his heart wasn't beating normally, but the shock seemed to take care of that. My SIL said he was awake and talking after that. Hopefully he will continue to progress. We are going to try to go to PA on Sunday if he is allowed visitors. I feel bad for my SIL because she is by herself over there because we all live in NY. I will keep everyone updated. I knew you would all give out a prayer.

Mary take care today and stay warm at the funeral.

Liz

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Re: I need prayers right now

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Posted by debismom

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Posted by PeterNina Mom

Thanks everyone. It ended up being a double bypass and they had to shock him once last night because his heart wasn't beating normally, but the shock seemed to take care of that. My SIL said he was awake and talking after that. Hopefully he will continue to progress. We are going to try to go to PA on Sunday if he is allowed visitors. I feel bad for my SIL because she is by herself over there because we all live in NY. I will keep everyone updated. I knew you would all give out a prayer.

Mary take care today and stay warm at the funeral.

Liz

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Good morning, Liz!!!!!! So glad your Brother made it through the surgery!!!!!!!!! Now we shall pray for his complete recovery, and for his wife, and loved ones, including you, hon!! Hugs and Love, Mary

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Re: I need prayers right now

I forgot to answer one question and that is no the hospital he is in is not near Mary or I might have stopped by!

Re: I need prayers right now-Update!!!

Hi, Liz!!!!!
How's your Brother?
Well, Ben and I left for the service this AM, but as we parked, I really didn't feel well. I left Ben off, and HURRIED home!!!! Got there just in time!!!
I attempted to return to the funeral, but having gone a few miles, I felt sick again. Returned home, then tried again, and begain to feel yukky again. I prayed!!!! My Husband had left his warm coat in the back seat, and I didn't want him to have to go to the cemetery without it!!!! It was FREEZING!!!!! I soon felt better and continued. Ben asked me to return about 10 AM. I waited about a half hour past, until I saw Amish men exiting the house. Ben came, asking if I wanted to go into the house, before going to the cemetery. I went in and viewed Emanuel. He, like all Amish, at burial was totally dressed in white. He was in a very plain wooden casket, the bottom closed, the top open, on two sides. My in-laws greeted me.
The service had been held in a combo of three rooms, adjoining one another. All furnishings were removed, and benches/folding chairs were put in place. The women were at one end and the men at the opposite end. The Amish preachers have the message, as well as hymns, and prayers in German. Praying is done, on one's knees. As there had been quite a full house, Ben said it was just as well, I hadn't been in the service. Usually, before going to the cemetery, a light snack, sandwiches, and drinks, are served. An Amishman, I didn't know, offered us two ham sandwiches, in ziplock bags. I softly told him, "No thanks, tummy troubles." Ben accepted one. I later thought about this, since the Amish are not permitted to hand anything to my Husband, because he's a shunned ex-Amish. Ben chose not to drive behind the long line of buggies, in the funeral procession. We headed cross country, and parked at the predominantly Amish cemetery, and waited for the funeral director and buggies to arrive. Ben ate his ham sandwich. There were Amish men there, preparing the site. The hole had been dug, but I believe part of the dirt had caved in. The funeral procession arrived, and the casket was positioned on two small "sawhorses", and the top lids were open, so Emanuel could be viewed. Non family walked past. Then family gathered one last time around the casket. Some of the siblings gently smoothed Emanuel's wisps of hair. The casket was closed, and carried to the burial site, where Amish men, lowered the casket into the hole, then lowered a wooden piece, then began shoveling the dirt into the site, until it was filled. There were more words and prayers, in German, by the preachers. We didn't bow for prayers, thankfully. Ben spoke briefly to some family members, and we went home. There is a dinner, but we were not invited. While we did not plan on attending anyway, it would have been nice to have been invited. Years ago, we were invited to funeral/wedding dinners, but for whatever reason, the invitations stopped. We were permitted to eat at a separate table, back then, because of the shunning rules. Well, our Grandson, has arrived for his overnight. Blessings!!!!! Mary

Re: I need prayers right now-Update!!!

Liz, I am so glad that your brother did well. Isn't it amazing how these surgical procedures are done! I wish him a complete recovery. I am sure that you will feel better once you see him on Sunday. Tak care of yourself.
Kathy


Mary,
I hope you are feeling better from this morning. I am glad you were able to make the funeral to be with your husband. It was so interesting to hear about an Amish funeral. They are such unique people, I always enjoy hearing about their lives.
Take care.
Kathy

Re: I need prayers right now-Update!!!

Hey Ladies,
Sorry that you both had to have these family problems this week. Mary I hope you are also feeling better. Hope you are not getting the flu. The Amish funeral info was very interesting.

Liz...I hope your brother continues to feel better every hour. I hope you get to visit him this weekend. It will make you feel better to actually see him.

Re: I need prayers right now-Update!!!

Hoping everyone is feeling better. Yes the info on the Amish funeral was very interesting. It is going to be cold the next few days. Keep warm. I am going to Florida for a few days in Feb. From the 1st to the 4th. Can't wait. I hate the cold weather. Anyway, Take care everyone. Susan

Re: I need prayers right now-Update 2!!!

Mary I am so sorry that you felt so bad yesterday. Stomach flus are the worse.
Last night Patrice called and said that Vito is afraid to take a deep breath because it hurts. Because of that he is retaining fluid in his lungs so now they are giving him diuretics to help eliminate the fluid (men are such babies), but he also has to breathe deep to open up his lungs hopefully he will start to do it. don't know if we are going yet because of this complication....we willl know tonight.
Thanks for all the prayers and just for caring.

Liz

Re: I need prayers right now-Update 2 on bottom of page!!!

Hi Liz!!!!!!!!
First, I want to apologize for posting my Amish stuff on this post, Liz!!! Will you forgive me? After thinking about it, I should have made my own post about that info. I'm sorry, Liz, and friends!!
I'm sorry Vito is having fluid problems.
I pray it gets resolved quickly. Keep us updated on his progress!!! Love, Mary

Re: I need prayers right now-Update 2 on bottom of page!!!

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Posted by debismom

Hi Liz!!!!!!!!
First, I want to apologize for posting my Amish stuff on this post, Liz!!! Will you forgive me? After thinking about it, I should have made my own post about that info. I'm sorry, Liz, and friends!!
I'm sorry Vito is having fluid problems.
I pray it gets resolved quickly. Keep us updated on his progress!!! Love, Mary

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Re: I need prayers right now-Update 2 on bottom of page!!!

Oh Boy Liz,
I guess it is good that she didn't tell you the truth since you couldn't be right there. I am glad that you got to visit him though. I believe the collapsed lung is quite common with that type of surgery. Did they give him that breathing tube exerciser? I think it is very important to use that. I hope that he continues to do better every day...will keep him in my prayers.

Re: I need prayers right now-Update 2 on bottom of page!!!

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Posted by lucky2b

Oh Boy Liz,
I guess it is good that she didn't tell you the truth since you couldn't be right there. I am glad that you got to visit him though. I believe the collapsed lung is quite common with that type of surgery. Did they give him that breathing tube exerciser? I think it is very important to use that. I hope that he continues to do better every day...will keep him in my prayers.

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Re: I need prayers right now-Update 2 on bottom of page!!!

Liz,
I'm so glad to hear he is doing better. Sorry I didn't post sooner.

Chris

Re: I need prayers right now-Update 2 on bottom of page!!!

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Posted by CSimi115

Liz,
I'm so glad to hear he is doing better. Sorry I didn't post sooner.

Chris

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Re: I need prayers right now-Update 2 on bottom of page!!!

Oh Good news Liz. He will be better than before....I bet he isn't going to believe how much healthier he will feel. Sometimes people don't realize how sick they were until after.
Glad to hear things are looking up.

Re: I need prayers right now-Update 2 on bottom of page!!!

Liz,
You and your family are in my thoughts. I hope that all turns out well. I remember my dad having to blow through that apparatus and "keep the balls in the air" and having to keep on pushing him to use it!

Mary, sorry for your loss. It was very interesting to hear about the Amish and their traditions.

Take care all,
(the other) Kathy

Re: I need prayers right now-Update 2 on bottom of page!!!

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Posted by MOB08

Liz,
You and your family are in my thoughts. I hope that all turns out well. I remember my dad having to blow through that apparatus and "keep the balls in the air" and having to keep on pushing him to use it!

Mary, sorry for your loss. It was very interesting to hear about the Amish and their traditions.

Take care all,
(the other) Kathy

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Re: I need prayers right now-Update 2 on bottom of page!!!

Liz, sounds like he is improving...that is great. Did you get to see him?

Kathy