My dad had heart disease from birth. In fact that very disease was one of the reasons why he was so nervous about having children to begin with. He was so afraid that one of us would be passed the disease (which I did get) or that he would pass away while we were still little leaving my mom to raise us alone. Back in 1989 that almost happened. My dad’s eyes started to swell shut like he was having an allergic reaction. A time to our primary care doctor lead to him being hospitalized and the ultimate decision for him to have Aortic Aneurysm surgery. An Aortic Aneurysm is an enlarged and weakened section of an artery.
That very surgery actually gave us more time with our dad. In the process of correcting the aneurysm it was discovered that his aortic valve was in need of repair. It was replaced with a plastic valve that “ticked” like a clock. It was a sound that if it skipped for even a moment would wake me in the middle of the night. Later on when the congestive heart failure kicked in that ticking was the sound that I listened for and as long as I heard it I knew he was alright. When he passed away I cannot describe the sheer silence in that hospital room.
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my mother just recently ( Feb 21) had and ascending aortic aneurysm surgery.
Frightened the life out of all of us(I am the oldest of 7). Earlier (Sept 29) my father had had a stroke and was still recovering. Every day my mother was in the hospital he was there for her. She had been there everyday for him. Just this past April 29 they celebrated their 51st anniversary.
There have been other health issues in my family.
I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad. My sister died from a brain aneurysm at the age of 20. Our bodies are complex… it’s a scary thought! Thanks for sharing your story.
I can relate to the silence… it isn’t the same ever again.
Wow I’m so sorry! That’s incredible that you could hear it ticking at least he was given that much more time because of the surgery
Sorry for the loss of your Dad. I can relate. This June will mark 7 years my Dad has been in heaven and I still have a hole in my heart. This Saturday would have been his 81st birthday. I sure do miss Dad. It just goes to show, we need to cherish every day we have with our loved ones because there will be a day when they will only be a memory.
I am so sorry. I can relate…My father died young as well. My mother raised us while we were young as well. It has been 10 years.