Wednesday, November 17, 2010
I'm officially back at work, full of energy, gusto, and all the other things one needs to keep an orthodontic practice running. My patients were glad to see me "vertical" instead of "horizontal", and my thrill to see them was evident every time I greeted them! It was great to see my staff in both offices as well!
My cardiologist who did the surgery, Dr. Peter Murphy, was very pleased when he saw me yesterday at my first check-up, and gave me a "clean bill of health"! My other cardiologist, Dr. Bob Kopitsky, said that I could do cardiac rehab IF I wanted to, as long as I do go for some extended walks every so often. "Just stay on your medicines, and you'll be just fine!"
This completes the ongoing story of what happened to me during these past five and one half weeks. The Lord granted me a reprieve, a second chance....mind-boggling when you think of it. How gracious and merciful a God we serve! I give Him all the praise and glory for what He has done not only for me, but how He has revealed Himself to those of you who might have doubted. He is faithful, and loves each one of immensely! How fortunate we are to be able to know Him!
Thank you all again for your kindness shown me and my family through your prayers, phone calls, visits, flowers, gifts, and emails. Each one of them moved us deeply. Thank you for your love as well. I am humbled and overwhelmed and very indebted to all of you! Thank you - from my heart to yours!
Ernie
PS - All of what I have described above could really not have taken place as easily had not my good friend and teaching partner at Saint Louis University, Dr. Jeff Cupps, offered to come to both of my offices and help out three days a week. To you, dear Jeff, I am very much indebted. Please allow me to again publicly thank you for your incredible willingness to see my patients. I will never forget this!
Monday, November 1, 2010
.JPG)
One good sign of a healthy recovery is the onset of boredom! Guess what? I'm bored sitting around and I am anxious to getting back to the office!
My visiting nurse, Erin, stopped by again last week and was amazed as to how I was doing. "When the Lord has His hands in it, it's amazing to see what He can do!" That's I how I feel - the Lord has orchestrated this remarkable recovery for me!
On Thursday of last week Susan drove me up to the Florissant office to see the staff and some of my patients who were being seen by my hero, Dr. Jeff Cupps, who has set time aside from his busy orthodontic practice and university duties to take care of my patients in Ste. Genevieve and Florissant. He is literally one of the most self-effacing and humble men I know - all being done out of his love for the Lord and our friendship. Jeff, I am very much indebted to you! Thanks a million for your kindness shown to me, my staff, and all of my patients!
As of now, barring any unforeseen circumstances, I am planning to be "back in the saddle" again on Tuesday, November 9th. On November 16th I see the cardiologist, Dr. Peter Murphy, again and get set up for some much-needed cardiac rehab.
Thank you, dear friends, for your cards, phone calls, visits, gifts, concern and love. To be showered by such amounts of love has been overwhelming and deeply moving for me and my family. Thank you! Thank you!
Much love to you all from one who is exceedingly grateful to you all!
Ernie
Saturday, October 23, 2010
10/23/2010
My visiting home nurse came by again Thursday morning, checked me out and said: "You're just gonna' fly right through this!" Everything looked great, vital signs were normal, and stitches come out next week (some real small ones, nothing major). She mentioned that my biggest problem will be is trying to hold myself back until I am not just mentally able to get back to work, but physically as well. My incredible and amazing wife has a very sensitive finger on the pulse of what I am able to do, and will make sure that I do not exceed that which I am truly able to do.
I have been continuously amazed and touched by the never-ending arrival of flowers, fruit baskets, meals, emails, cards, visitors, and phone calls from friends everywhere. How sweet of you all to do this! We are simply blown away!!
.JPG)
As of now, I am planning to get back to the office on November 9, and will use the time here at home to increase my strength and stamina. My first visit with the doctor won't take place until the second week in November, and I will, at that time, start on a good cardiac rehab program, which I am looking forward to.
Thank you again, dear friends, for the incredible outpouring of love and affection shown me and my entire family. How appreciative I am! May the good Lord continue to bless you all!
Much love to all of you!
Ernie
My visiting home nurse came by again Thursday morning, checked me out and said: "You're just gonna' fly right through this!" Everything looked great, vital signs were normal, and stitches come out next week (some real small ones, nothing major). She mentioned that my biggest problem will be is trying to hold myself back until I am not just mentally able to get back to work, but physically as well. My incredible and amazing wife has a very sensitive finger on the pulse of what I am able to do, and will make sure that I do not exceed that which I am truly able to do.
I have been continuously amazed and touched by the never-ending arrival of flowers, fruit baskets, meals, emails, cards, visitors, and phone calls from friends everywhere. How sweet of you all to do this! We are simply blown away!!
.JPG)
As of now, I am planning to get back to the office on November 9, and will use the time here at home to increase my strength and stamina. My first visit with the doctor won't take place until the second week in November, and I will, at that time, start on a good cardiac rehab program, which I am looking forward to.
Thank you again, dear friends, for the incredible outpouring of love and affection shown me and my entire family. How appreciative I am! May the good Lord continue to bless you all!
Much love to all of you!
Ernie
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
My home health care nurse stopped by yesterday morning to see how I was doing. Very much to her surprise she found that I am progressing much faster than she expected. All the various incisions sites looked great, my lungs sounded strong and clear, heart rate and blood pressure were excellent, and my stamina is increasing wonderfully everyday. The Lord is good!
Yesterday my dear friend and teaching partner at Saint Louis University, Dr. Jeff Cupps, started seeing my patients in Ste. Genevieve. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, he sees my Florissant patients. I have known Dr. Cupps for many years, and he is the consummate orthodontist. He has an incredible servant's heart, and his willingness to see my patients when he has his own patients to see, is, professionally speaking, the closest example to "laying down our life for a friend!" I am deeply moved and touched by his friendship.
I thank all of you again for your wonderful cards, flowers, meals, phone calls, and emails. My good friend, Bill Holmes, from Midland, Texas, emailed me from Vietnam upon learning of my operation and said his: "Ernie, you will do anything for attention!" It is during times such as these when the true meaning of "friend" becomes exceedingly clear. The mere fact that you all have shown an interest and concern for my well-being and that of my family has moved and touched me deeply. For that I thank you all as well.
Much love to you all.
Yesterday my dear friend and teaching partner at Saint Louis University, Dr. Jeff Cupps, started seeing my patients in Ste. Genevieve. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, he sees my Florissant patients. I have known Dr. Cupps for many years, and he is the consummate orthodontist. He has an incredible servant's heart, and his willingness to see my patients when he has his own patients to see, is, professionally speaking, the closest example to "laying down our life for a friend!" I am deeply moved and touched by his friendship.
I thank all of you again for your wonderful cards, flowers, meals, phone calls, and emails. My good friend, Bill Holmes, from Midland, Texas, emailed me from Vietnam upon learning of my operation and said his: "Ernie, you will do anything for attention!" It is during times such as these when the true meaning of "friend" becomes exceedingly clear. The mere fact that you all have shown an interest and concern for my well-being and that of my family has moved and touched me deeply. For that I thank you all as well.
Much love to you all.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Now that I am home again, walking around, climbing steps , going out and getting the paper, I am simply overwhelmed at the goodness of God and His mercy and grace. Who would have thought that the operation would be textbook, that I would be surrounded and attended to by the very best staff at Missouri Baptist Hospital... or to be blessed with so many friends showering my family and me with visits, cards, and flowers?
I thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers - the Lord provided me with a great sense of peace just before the operation. I attribute that to your faithfulness. I also thank all of my wonderful patients for their understanding and patience - they are the best in the world, and I thank the Lord for them as well! We'll continue keeping you up-to-date on the blog my daughter made. Much love to you all!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Ernie is home! He is where he wants to be, asleep in his favorite recliner. His body is healing well, but now is when the boredom and the frustration of slow healing will set in.
Dad is not supposed to work, drive or do much of anything other than rehab for the next four weeks. Mom is is full-time "person." Who do we feel more sorry for? :)
Your visits are welcome!
Dad is not supposed to work, drive or do much of anything other than rehab for the next four weeks. Mom is is full-time "person." Who do we feel more sorry for? :)
Your visits are welcome!
Asleep in his favorite recliner
Just got to the hospital... Dad is in the shower and he has been discharged. We should be leaving here in about an hour. More info to come...
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Looks like Dad is progressing with flying colors (despite the blues) and he is most likely going to be discharged in the morning, provided his night goes on without incident. The doctors believe that patients sleep better at home and are less likely to catch a hospital super-bug infection.
Once he gets home, Mom is going to need some help. No nurses there to care for his needs! Everything is hard for him - climbing stairs, walking around, taking a shower, eating, etc. As well, Dad will be unable to drive for the next month and she will be his full-time chauffeur. Caroline will be a great help, but she has a job, and I have to go home to Austin to resume my role as wife and mother to preschoolers. (I wonder what is easier... Dad or my boys?)
The pros of Dad being at home are his own recliner, TiVo, Fox News on a larger TV, his own bed, his own bathroom...it will be good.
Anyway, Nurse Beth said that Dad is doing great and she was the one who discussed his discharge with him this evening. Dad had fun sharing his Edible Arrangement from Twin Oaks with her...
Once he gets home, Mom is going to need some help. No nurses there to care for his needs! Everything is hard for him - climbing stairs, walking around, taking a shower, eating, etc. As well, Dad will be unable to drive for the next month and she will be his full-time chauffeur. Caroline will be a great help, but she has a job, and I have to go home to Austin to resume my role as wife and mother to preschoolers. (I wonder what is easier... Dad or my boys?)
The pros of Dad being at home are his own recliner, TiVo, Fox News on a larger TV, his own bed, his own bathroom...it will be good.
Anyway, Nurse Beth said that Dad is doing great and she was the one who discussed his discharge with him this evening. Dad had fun sharing his Edible Arrangement from Twin Oaks with her...
Mom and I are headed home soon. We've both hit a wall and are looking forward to another good night's sleep. I'll post more in the morning after we get to the hospital around 10 am. Night!
We've been trying some hospital entertainment to keep the blues away...
A little walk with Mom in his own pj's.
Working hard on his spirometer. Deep breathing is key.
Prune juice for the "trapped air."
Beautiful flowers from friends (he loves those) and non-stop Fox News channel.
A little walk with Mom in his own pj's.
Prune juice for the "trapped air."
He may be recovering faster than normal, but he is still normal. Most bypass patients experience a form of post-surgery depression or "blues." Dad is having his first experience with this phenomenon. He said he was feeling blue and discouraged.
Please pray for the following:
Please pray for the following:
- His spirits lift and he is able to push through the "blues" despite the pain.
- The persistent pain he is feeling in his lower abdomen caused by excess air infused during surgery passes quickly.
- The headache he is having also goes away.
- That Mom and I know exactly what to say, know when to push and when to not push, and to know how to encourage.
Blogging for you!
We just arrived at the hospital to see Dad the first time today. Mom kept her appointment with her Bible study ladies and that was good for her. It was fun to go along with her.
Dad is recovering well ahead of schedule but it hasn't been without its discomforts. He had a very poor night's rest and has a lot of pain in his chest. However, he has had his chest tubes removed (early) and only has one IV in currently. That is down from quite a few machines yesterday.
He is more open to visitors now, saying that the days go by so slowly here. Mom jokes that is because he is running 100 miles per hour in his regular life, so this is new to him...
His other complaint is that he is cold all of the time. I think he needs a cute hat. Anyone out there have a cute XXL hat he can borrow? It's gotta be really big...he has a Taeger cranium.
Dad is optimistic that he will be released on Friday!
Dad is recovering well ahead of schedule but it hasn't been without its discomforts. He had a very poor night's rest and has a lot of pain in his chest. However, he has had his chest tubes removed (early) and only has one IV in currently. That is down from quite a few machines yesterday.
He is more open to visitors now, saying that the days go by so slowly here. Mom jokes that is because he is running 100 miles per hour in his regular life, so this is new to him...
His other complaint is that he is cold all of the time. I think he needs a cute hat. Anyone out there have a cute XXL hat he can borrow? It's gotta be really big...he has a Taeger cranium.
Dad is optimistic that he will be released on Friday!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Mom and I left to get dinner around 5pm after Caroline came in for her shift. Dad had hit a wall and was exhausted having us just sitting there quietly for the afternoon. He fell asleep after increasing his pain meds and Caroline decided to leave early. He is doing so much better than the average heart patient and we are relieved at his surprising progress. His recovery is going to be a Mt. Everest, however. One step at a time.
Anyway, Mom and I were planning on coming back after dinner but decided to go on home because he is so exhausted. We will go in again after Mom's Bible Study tomorrow morning.
Even though Dad really is doing well, the stress of how big and scary his surgery was has hit Mom, Caroline and I and we are now starting to hit a wall of our own. It will be early to bed tonight for sure.
When you pray for Dad's healing, will you please also pray for our stamina? It is hard on my husband Dan who is being Mr. Mom in Austin while holding down a more than full time job. It is hard on Mom who vacillates between fearful and stressed and the consummate hostess. It is hard on Caroline and I making sure we do the "heavy lifting" for both Mom and Dad. It is hard on Elizabeth who can't be here and relies on the blog to keep her updated.
But the Lord tells us in James to rejoice in times of trouble because our character is being refined. In a way, we welcome the trouble and in a way we are really tired. We are leaning on your prayers and your friendship (shout out to the Austin friends doing the heavy lifting for me and Dan!!) and your support. We couldn't do it without your help.
Off to bed.
Anyway, Mom and I were planning on coming back after dinner but decided to go on home because he is so exhausted. We will go in again after Mom's Bible Study tomorrow morning.
Even though Dad really is doing well, the stress of how big and scary his surgery was has hit Mom, Caroline and I and we are now starting to hit a wall of our own. It will be early to bed tonight for sure.
When you pray for Dad's healing, will you please also pray for our stamina? It is hard on my husband Dan who is being Mr. Mom in Austin while holding down a more than full time job. It is hard on Mom who vacillates between fearful and stressed and the consummate hostess. It is hard on Caroline and I making sure we do the "heavy lifting" for both Mom and Dad. It is hard on Elizabeth who can't be here and relies on the blog to keep her updated.
But the Lord tells us in James to rejoice in times of trouble because our character is being refined. In a way, we welcome the trouble and in a way we are really tired. We are leaning on your prayers and your friendship (shout out to the Austin friends doing the heavy lifting for me and Dan!!) and your support. We couldn't do it without your help.
Off to bed.
Dad thought he'd show off how well he is doing and went for a walk. He really is becoming a Taeger Old Man because he is flirting and making his normal dumb jokes...
Now it is time for a nap.
Now it is time for a nap.
Dad has graduated from ICU and has been moved to his final room, room 1266. It is a beautiful, large room with a big window. His care has been fantastic.
If you want to send any well-wishes to Dad, he is in the East Pavilion in room 1266 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center. The main phone number to the hospital is (314) 996-5000.
If you stop by, please keep your visits to about 10 minutes. He gets so tired and is too polite to say anything. His voice is very hoarse and it is hard for him to talk. The nurses really want this limit to be enforced. It will be better to visit him later this week when he has more energy. He will be here until Friday or Saturday...lots of time to visit.
If you want to send any well-wishes to Dad, he is in the East Pavilion in room 1266 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center. The main phone number to the hospital is (314) 996-5000.
If you stop by, please keep your visits to about 10 minutes. He gets so tired and is too polite to say anything. His voice is very hoarse and it is hard for him to talk. The nurses really want this limit to be enforced. It will be better to visit him later this week when he has more energy. He will be here until Friday or Saturday...lots of time to visit.
Dad got breakfast this morning and he ate it all up! He was hungry! Still tired and wants to nap most of the time, but he looks great. He will be moved to a regular room sometime this afternoon. He will be graduating with honors from ICU.
His skin isn't yellow-orange anymore because the nurses gave him a bath before they woke him up. Dad was a bit bashful to find out that had happened. He is loving today's nurse. He keeps telling her she is wonderful and told us several times how highly he thought of her.
Mom and I are running errands now. He really can't take visitors now, even us, so we will come back to visit him later this afternoon.
His skin isn't yellow-orange anymore because the nurses gave him a bath before they woke him up. Dad was a bit bashful to find out that had happened. He is loving today's nurse. He keeps telling her she is wonderful and told us several times how highly he thought of her.
Mom and I are running errands now. He really can't take visitors now, even us, so we will come back to visit him later this afternoon.
You know all is well in the Taeger household when: (1) Mom is vacuuming and bringing everyone coffee, (2) Caroline and I are fighting over who is going to blog this morning.
Mom called the hospital at 5 am and he was awake and able to speak to her. He woke up around 2 am and one of the first things he wanted to do was to watch Fox News. For those of you who know that the man sets his schedule around Fox News, you would have sighed a deep breath of relief. He has all of his marbles.
He is in pain and he is hungry. He is also very tired. It was overwhelming for him to find out he had 5 bypasses. We might ask that we push visitors off a day or so...at least until he is out of ICU.
Mom and I will be able to see him at 10 am. I'll post pictures from that visit and when I have a more technical update from the nurses.
Mom called the hospital at 5 am and he was awake and able to speak to her. He woke up around 2 am and one of the first things he wanted to do was to watch Fox News. For those of you who know that the man sets his schedule around Fox News, you would have sighed a deep breath of relief. He has all of his marbles.
He is in pain and he is hungry. He is also very tired. It was overwhelming for him to find out he had 5 bypasses. We might ask that we push visitors off a day or so...at least until he is out of ICU.
Mom and I will be able to see him at 10 am. I'll post pictures from that visit and when I have a more technical update from the nurses.
Quick call into the nurse, Josie... She said that she had reduced his sedation medicine by half and he was fluttering his eyes a little bit. As he metabolizes the sedation medicine, he will wake up slowly. She said he should wake up any time now and then they will progress with removing the feeding tube.
He is doing well.
He is doing well.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Saw Dad this evening and he is doing really well. He has a new nurse named Josie and she has a perfect "nurse voice," all sweet and gentle.
Josie said she will start to force him to wake up sometime around midnight and if he does well as he wakes up she will remove his breathing tube and he can start breathing on his own.
Though he is sedated and it seems unlikely he hears us, when Mom and I were talking to him his blood pressure went up. Josie theorized that he could hear us. So we told him about the day and all the support and prayers.
He looks a little yellow in the pictures but it is mainly from the yellow-brown antibiotic wash they put on his skin right before surgery. His color really is good and Josie said that everything is going perfectly up to this point. Praise God, The Healer!
We will update the blog in the morning, reporting how his night went. Mom, Caroline and I will be going in to see him around 10 am. We expect that he should be awake and communicating then!
Josie said she will start to force him to wake up sometime around midnight and if he does well as he wakes up she will remove his breathing tube and he can start breathing on his own.
Though he is sedated and it seems unlikely he hears us, when Mom and I were talking to him his blood pressure went up. Josie theorized that he could hear us. So we told him about the day and all the support and prayers.
He looks a little yellow in the pictures but it is mainly from the yellow-brown antibiotic wash they put on his skin right before surgery. His color really is good and Josie said that everything is going perfectly up to this point. Praise God, The Healer!
We will update the blog in the morning, reporting how his night went. Mom, Caroline and I will be going in to see him around 10 am. We expect that he should be awake and communicating then!
Refreshing naps were had at the Taeger household. Thank you for your prayers because we have been holding up well under them.
As for Dad, Mom called Debbie, Dad's nurse, and got the afternoon update.
Debbie says Dad is holding up well under the lingering sedation. There has been minimal bleeding (he has two drainage tubes in his chest) and that is excellent. A+. He opened his eyes once when she was tending to him but we went back to sleep.
The speed in which he wakes up depends on how quickly his body metabolizes the anesthesia. She is pleased with his progress.
Mom and I will stop by to visit him this evening at 10 pm for the latest visiting hours in hopes that he will have metabolized enough anesthesia to know we are there.
The new hurdles for us here at the house will be to cover for all of Dad's chores. For example, as I blog Mom is taking out the trash and remembering that the trash gets picked up tomorrow. Pray for Mom as she takes over two roles in the house. Dad will be out of commission for at least a month. Maybe the first job we will give him is to take over posting on this blog...
As for Dad, Mom called Debbie, Dad's nurse, and got the afternoon update.
Debbie says Dad is holding up well under the lingering sedation. There has been minimal bleeding (he has two drainage tubes in his chest) and that is excellent. A+. He opened his eyes once when she was tending to him but we went back to sleep.
The speed in which he wakes up depends on how quickly his body metabolizes the anesthesia. She is pleased with his progress.
Mom and I will stop by to visit him this evening at 10 pm for the latest visiting hours in hopes that he will have metabolized enough anesthesia to know we are there.
The new hurdles for us here at the house will be to cover for all of Dad's chores. For example, as I blog Mom is taking out the trash and remembering that the trash gets picked up tomorrow. Pray for Mom as she takes over two roles in the house. Dad will be out of commission for at least a month. Maybe the first job we will give him is to take over posting on this blog...
Mom and I got to see Dad in the ICU. Beautiful ICU room with a huge window and natural sunlight!
Dad's color looks fantastic and the nurse indicated that he was doing as well as, if not better, than expected. He is still purposfully unconscious and may start to come out of it later this evening. We plan to see him again this evening.
Tonight he should start to really come out of the sedation and by tomorrow morning, according to the nurse who has been there 26 years, he should have the breathing tube out and be sitting in a chair around breakfast time.
Dad's color looks fantastic and the nurse indicated that he was doing as well as, if not better, than expected. He is still purposfully unconscious and may start to come out of it later this evening. We plan to see him again this evening.
Tonight he should start to really come out of the sedation and by tomorrow morning, according to the nurse who has been there 26 years, he should have the breathing tube out and be sitting in a chair around breakfast time.
Dr. Murphy stopped by to chat with us about the surgery. The surgery went according to the textbook and everything went as planned. Thank you for your prayers.
Like I said in the previous post, there were 5 bypass grafts. Three veins were taken from his left leg, one artery from his left arm, and one artery from behind his breastbone called the mammory artery.
There are some specific thing to pray for now. Please pray that:
More as we know it...
Like I said in the previous post, there were 5 bypass grafts. Three veins were taken from his left leg, one artery from his left arm, and one artery from behind his breastbone called the mammory artery.
There are some specific thing to pray for now. Please pray that:
- He wakes up in the next 12-16 hours "with all his marbles" as the doctor says. 1 in 100 have a silent stroke during surgery.
- His heart keeps a steady pace during recovery.
- He doesn't have any internal bleeding that causes them to return to the O.R.
- That his left arm recovers well and he doesn't have any restricted use of it. Because of his profession, he needs his hands to work properly to perform his job.
More as we know it...
The O.R. just called us on the "red phone" to give us the update. The doctor just finished the heart and they are in the process of closing him up.
They did 5 bypasses on the heart and used veins from his left leg, left arm and under his breastbone. He should be out of the O.R. in about 45 minutes. We should be able to see him about 2 hours.
The report is that he has "done well" so far.
They did 5 bypasses on the heart and used veins from his left leg, left arm and under his breastbone. He should be out of the O.R. in about 45 minutes. We should be able to see him about 2 hours.
The report is that he has "done well" so far.
Mom indicating 5 bypasses.
For those of you who are checking regularly, there haven't been any updates yet. This surgery often takes longer than they project, so we will hold tight and keep praying.
The atmosphere here in the waiting room is pretty upbeat. Mom is an extrovert and has invited all her extroverted friends to visit.
A friend brought candy and Mom is handing it out to all the strangers here. There is some kind of community that is formed in the waiting rooms of hospitals... We've become the entertainment of the waiting room.
The atmosphere here in the waiting room is pretty upbeat. Mom is an extrovert and has invited all her extroverted friends to visit.
A friend brought candy and Mom is handing it out to all the strangers here. There is some kind of community that is formed in the waiting rooms of hospitals... We've become the entertainment of the waiting room.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
