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.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Track Star in the Making...Great Day!!

Dad reclaimed his track star status and made his way around the cardiac unit floor 4 different times today.  Eighteen times around the floor is a mile and Dad made it around  twice on his last trip.  Only problem is that his body has not been clued in to the fact that he needs to walk and that "go to the bathroom" pill has finally begun to kick in.   Whoa, Nelly!!!  Gives a new meaning to "Bathroom Boogie"!!!!
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)