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.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Slow Day

Dr. Gaca left Dad with some goals:  Walk three times a day ( at least once around the cardiac unit), use the Air Flow Meter every hour using 10 strong breaths and start moving more around the room.  Easier said than done since the room is so small and three of us are constantly shifting places trying to find that Wi-fi signal.  Dad has confiscated a laptop and is now checking his Facebook.  Those of you who are his friend on Facebook, keep those messages coming there too!!  You are welcome to call him here at the hospital as well.  He got a call today from his neighbor and it sure brightened his smile and perked him up!!   He loves reading your posts and the nurses said to keep him laughing.  It will make him heal quicker.  Just removed another IV!!! Yeah! 
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