Denny Ream

I am asking for help for my parents in this difficult time.  Saturday March 7, my mom brought dad into the emergency department for what we thought was out of control sugars.  We soon found out dad was having a massive heart attack.  Within 30 min of being in the hospital they took to surgery for stents.  When the surgeon came out to speak with us, we were told that dad was very ill and would require multiple bypass surgery.  Dads heart, kidneys, lungs, and sugars were unstable and they decided to put him on a ventilator and fully sedated until surgery, which was scheduled for Monday.  He did well with the bypass surgery (5 bypass total).  The next day dads heart wasnt pumping and he spiked a fever(fever was due to a medication that was given for the first surgery).  They decided to keep him sedated to let his body rest.  Overnight, something happened and he had no neurological response, they are thinking he had a seizure due to the 104. fever.  They did an EEG and it showed no current seizure activity, later in the day the neurologist was able to get a little response, when he heard moms voice he openeed his eyes and did his best to look at her.  At this point, he is not stable enough take to radiology for a full CT scan of his brain for full neurological workup.  We did get some good news from the nephrologist, at one point he had little urine output and dialysis was being considered.  After consulting multiple times, they feel his kidney function is improving enough that they do not feel dialysis will be needed at this point.  As of Thursday they have removed the balloon pump, and so far his heart is pumping well with assistance of the pacemaker.  His fever comes and goes but they are keeping a close eye.  They anticipate keeping him in ICU for 4 weeks, then he will be moved out of ICU onto another floor for an unknown amount of time, followed by at least 3 weeks in rehabilitation in nursing home. 

He is still under full sedation, we have not been able to talk to him.  We have all said we would love to hear any of his stories, even if its one we have heard a million times!

My mom has not wanted to leave his side but doctors have convinced her to get some rest and take care of herself while they are caring for him, she will need her strength when he gets home.  Mom has only been in her current position for 3 months, she has no benifits, no vacation or sick leave and she does not qualify for FMLA.  We have already been told that the medical expencses are going to be unimaginable.  I am asking for some help for my mom and dad as she has already missed work, and Im sure that will continue, without pay. 

If you are unable to donate I ask that you continue to pray.  The amount of prayers and thoughts have been amazing and more comforting to my mom then you will ever know.  She re reads them all daily and I know it makes her feel as if each and every one of you are sitting here holding her hand.