First, I must thank those people who support this website. My stepfather has a problem with his aorta, and trying to find layman information on the internet is not easy. First, let me state my dad was in a near-fatal car accident about 8 years ago. This accident took his first wife, who fortunately did not suffer. He endured many months of surgery and pain to recover to a point where the doctor's gave him two years or less to live. Then he and my mother fell in love, and were married.
It has been like a story book marriage! He has spoken to me that he lives now on borrowed time. He has endured many ailments, one lung has collapsed twice, the other three times. He had surgery for an aneurysm in the lower portion of his body. Two weeks ago, he awoke, went to the restroom, went back to bed and was hit with what he described as the worst pain he has ever felt. It was in his chest and abdomen, but mostly the latter. The paramedics immediately treated it as if it were a stroke or heart attack while they rushed him to the hospital. He remained there for three days.
The first day they spent ruling out a heart problem. They then felt it was an infection of the lungs called pleurisy. On the second day, the cardiologist double checked his cat scan, and began to order him calmed by drugs in his IV. He found out he had an aneurysm in his aorta, but confessed that at his age of 76, and in his condition of health, he had a high possibility of not surviving any surgery, much less this major surgery. His quality of life afterwards would be questionable, even if the operation was a success. They plan another cat scan on the 28th, and will arrive at a decision of the best course of action when they speak together on Jan. 4th.
My problem is this: The medicine he is on makes him very tired. It suppresses his blood pressure. There are some people in our family who feel that anything bad should not be discussed around him, since unpleasant news might make his blood pressure rise, and that might kill him. Everyone is saying stress is bad for him. However, one thing I have read says that you can actually get stress from positive emotions, if they are felt strong enough.
For all of you out there who know, or have experienced this, can you please give me some layman's advise on the best, safest way for him to enjoy this holiday season? Is there a realistic chance, short of a miracle, that his health will improve? Anything you can email me about this can help!
Thank you for your website, your time to read this, and any response you might give.