Meet My Dad!!

My dad, John Newton Ryland, III, (or Jack) is quite an amazing man. He and my mom Darlene have been married 54 years and live in Danville, Virginia. He is affectionately know as "Peepaw" to his three grandchildren Catharine, Emily and Jacob and "Pops", "Peeps" and "Daddy" to his four children: Jack IV, Dave, Suzanne and Kathleen. He is Uncle Jack to his nieces and nephews who are very near and dear to his heart. My dad has a great sense of humor and very quick-witted. He can also be a stubborn, strong-willed individual and needless to say is determined to recover quickly so he can return home. He is a Virginia Tech Hokie fan and is looking forward to football season! Since he missed his beach trip in July, my dad is also looking forward to some R & R at Emerald Isle in late September...maybe a birthday trip for both he and my mom!!

My dad is here at Duke because of Aortic Stenosis. Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the valve. When this happens, the heart has to push harder to get blood through the smaller opening and less blood circulates through the heart and to the rest of the body. In older patients, aortic stenosis may be caused by calcium that builds up on the valve. This buildup also hardens the valve, which can hinder its ability to open and close properly.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Moving Day...Maybe???

Dr. Gaca, Dad's surgeon, stopped by today and said my dad MAY go home tomorrow.  Woo hoo!!!..That is quite amazing since tomorrow will be one week since he had his surgery.  He still has a  PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter) which has to be removed in a sterile environment by a "PICC team".  We were advised to remind the staff early in the morning if he is discharged , so Dad will not have to wait around for that to be removed.  Sometimes that can slow down the process.  He has walked twice already today but was interrupted by his x-ray taxi.  Another look at his chest to make sure things are still looking ok in there.   My dad said he has had so many x-rays that he will glow at night and they will not need any nightlights in their house!! 
 


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