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Tim Minton's Road to Recovery

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On Valentine's Day (February 14, 2015) our Dad collapsed while at home.  Fortunately our Mom, Theresa was home with him, and was able to call 911 for help.  Paramedics arrived quickly, and transported him via ambulance to Newton Medical Center.   We were told at that time he was having a heart attack, and would need to be life flighted to Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta.  

Our family, extended family, and friends arrived at Piedmont, where we waited for several hours while a team of doctors worked on him.  When they finally had news, we were not prepared for what they had to say.  Dad had not only suffered a heart attack that day, but had also suffered a massive heart attack serveral days before that.   The damage caused by the massive heart attack, had done major damage....damage that could not be surgically repaired.  We were told Dad would likely not survive this heart attack.  Of course we were so upset, but we serve an amazing God, and that is where we put our faith.  We prayed right then and there for a miracle!  

Later that evening, we were told that there may be one option to save Dad.  It would be his best shot, his ONLY shot.  The doctors decided he was a candidate for a heart and lung machine called ECMO. What ECMO does is basically pulls all of the blood out of the body, and oxygenates it, then pumps it back into the body.  It basically acts as the heart and lungs.  We agreed, and they took him in for emergency surgery.  The surgery went well, we were told that he was still extremely critical, and still may not survive.  Again, we prayed!  We were also told the next few days would be crucial.    Dad was on a ventilator, and at this time was not breathing on his own, and obviously sedated.   He would have to remain in ICU until he was off ECMO and doing better.

The next two days were basically a waiting game.  However, on  Tuesday (February 17, 2015) we were told he was doing well enough to stop the sedation medications.  This was another hurdle Dad had to get through.  He had to respond to verbal commands.  Also, because he was at risk for infections, the ventilator need to be removed.  This meant Dad had to be able to breathe on his own.  Two huge hurdles...anyone that knows my Dad, knows he is tough, and a fighter :)

On Wednesday (February 18, 2015) he began responding to verbal commands, and was able to breathe on his own.  He was taken off of the ventilator.  God didn't stop there, because much to everyone's surprise (medical team included) test showed that his heart function had already increased!  Praise the Lord!  

Dad remained on the ECMO machine until it was surgically removed on Friday (February 26, 2015).  This was another major hurdle for Dad to get through.  We were told this would be the most telling part, as this would tell us how strong Dad's heart actually was.  He was sedated throughout the night, so that there was no added stress to his heart.  The next day, Saturday around lunch time he woke up.   He was doing better than any of his medical team had expected.   Again, praise the Lord!  He has been faithful!  Dad remained in ICU until today (Thursday, March 5, 2015).  He was moved into a regular room, and is continuing to make huge improvements.  

As good as Dad is doing, there are still several hurdles that he will have to overcome.  Currently his kidneys have no function.  He is on dialysis.  We are told this could be temporary, or it could be permanent.  We cling to our faith, and believe God will restore his kidneys.  He also has blockages that once his doctors believe he is ready, will have to be addressed.  He also has been diagnosed with diabetes (which essentially is what caused the heart attack).  God has brought him this far, we know he will see him through the rest of the way.  We are told over and over again, that he should not have survived this.  Doctors and nurses say this will be one for the medical books.  All we can say is God is SO SO GOOD!  

He is still at Piedmont Hospital, and will remain there for an unknown amount of time.  To date, he has been there almost three weeks.  As you can imagine, this is coming at a great expense, as well as normal, montly bills coming in.  Our family has already been so very blessed by the outpouring of support by our extended family and friends.  Your generosity has been so appreciated.  As most know, my Dad was still working, and working very hard!   He will not be able to work for quite a while after all of this is over.  If you could give any amount to help with our parent's finances, and medical bills we would be forever grateful. If you are unable to donate, we would just love for you to keep our Dad in your prayers.  We know without prayers, he wouldn't have survived.   Much love to you all, and we sincerly appreciate everything that has been done for us!
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Donations 

  • Michele Wyman
    • $30 
    • 9 yrs
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Organizer

Heather Coursey
Organizer
Loganville, GA

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