After only finding out he had a heart problem less than 2 weeks ago, my father was scheduled to undergo a triple by-pass heart operation today.
He went to see the doctor about a fortnight ago after a couple of what he thought were minor signs. Small mumors. The doctor sent him to the hospital in an ambulance. I went to see him that afternoon in the intensive care coronary unit. Expecting to see him looking 'older' than usual, or frail, I was pleasantly surprised to see him sitting up in bed, looking comfortable and as healthy as ever. He seemed like nothing was wrong. Just a precautionary overnight stay, and maybe a change in diabetes medication and all will be back to normal we figured. I left the hospital that day feeling decidedly more relaxed than when I walked in.
I wish I could say that was the end of it. He didn't go home the next day. He wasn't even allowed to go to my niece's 13th birthday afternoon tea a week later. He was on the semi-urgent list and would have to wait on standby to fly to Wellington. Upon arriving in Wellington he would go into surgery the next morning. They would take arteries from his leg to replace three out of the four main arteries feeding blood through his heart.
He flew to Wellington yesterday afternoon. I am still waiting to hear how things went. They say you're up and about the next day.
I just realised I don't have any photos of my Dad...
10:19:21 PM 
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