Hey to all of you,

I am so relieved that today is over.  I feel pretty much brain dead myself but just wanted to

update you on Jim's status.  I hope you got my messages or heard by way of the Bare grapevine that his surgery is over and went well. 

 

He was in the operating room for over five hours and the surgeon was able to complete

three by-passes.  After the doctor talked to Shannon and me, we had to wait about an hour more before they let us in to see Jim in ICU.  Even though they had tried to prepare us for how he would look, it was still a shock.  There were tubes running in and out of everything, he was not awake and very pale and swollen.  He did squeeze my hand when I told him I was there, so I think he knew it was me.  The breathing tube was still in his throat so he couldn't talk, even if he had been awake.  I asked him if it hurt and he nodded, but the nurse said she couldn't give him any more pain medicine until they got his blood pressure up. 

 

They made us leave after about an hour and said I could come back tomorrow morning

after 8:00.  We just now called the nurses' station to get an update and found that he is

awake, off the ventilator and breathing on his own, heart is beating normally and he is not in too much pain, so maybe now I will sleep better.  If all continues to go as it should, he will be moved to a regular room on second floor tomorrow.

 

We are just so thankful that the surgery was a success, and that they discovered these blockages in time.  His doctor says he should have a good recovery, (even though this week will be difficult.)

 

Thanks to all of you for your calls and messages and especially the well wishes. You

learn how important friends are at times like this!

 

Love,

Shirley