My grampa, who was otherwise healthy and active, fell ill yesterday with a heart attack/stroke at the age of 82.

We called 911 and got him to the hospital.

When we got there he was very weak and couldn't speak coherently. About 30 minutes afterward, after a CT scan, he sat in his gurney - almost as if everything were back to normal. His eyes were wide open, talking fine, joking with the nurse and responding to everything we were saying.

But things turned south about 30 minutes after that... he's heart rate dropped to 35 and and BP was somewhere around 80/40. His pulse-ox was down to about 85 and the ER doc rushed over and shot him up with atropine (sp?) and started him on a heparine (sp?) drip.

Things got better... but nowhere near back to his "normal" self or even close to how he was immediately after his CT scan.

Now he's been in the ICU for the past 24 hours or so... and his condition is not good. He has very little chance for recovery and his very life is on the line.

As of right now he's responsive to questions and understands his surroundings, but almost helpless to help himself. His left side seems very very weak - although not entirely paralized.

This holiday season, I ask for any religious people amongst you to send him your prayers and keep him in your heart. If you're not religious, please wish him good thoughts and we'll all hope he can pull through this.

I love you grampa.


http://e-shen.com/images/DSCN0075.jpg
(This pic was taken less than a year ago, on his 82nd birthday)

Sorry to hear of the misfortune. My prayers are kinda weird, but for what it's worth they're on the way. I hope things turn out as best they can. It's a tough situation, but there's lots of people here pulling for you! Count on it!

You and yours are in my thoughts

My thoughts and prayers are with your grandpa and your entire family. I will ask my friends and family to remember your grandpa in their prayers as well.

All my good wishes, Shen. I'll be thinking of you and your family.

Kristi

Sending lots of good thoughts for your Grandpa, Shen.

We're praying for your grandpa Shen. Your love and dedication is moving.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May the comfort of God give you peace.

Amy

Shen, I'm kind of new on this board but very familiar with public forums as I've been a member of the VW Vortex site for years.

I remember numerous times fellow members on the Vortex site posting similar experiences as well, with tons of "Get Well" responses being posted to help encourage a speedy recovery.

I wish your Grampa, yourself, and your family and friends the best in this situation. Maybe print out all of these responses to your post and read them to your Granpa. He looks to be a strong person, and I'm sure he'll be just fine!

Steve

Thank you all for your kind replies...

as for an update, I had been at the hospital since 5am up until when I had to go to class...

My grampa's physical condition is unchanged - critical but stable - however his mental state seems to have deteriorated a bit. Yesterday he could answer questions with a bit of energy, but he didn't really open his eyes. Today he opened his eyes a lot for a few minutes at a time, but he was unable to fix gaze on any given person. he seems a bit confused as to where he is now... but can still respond with a bit of prodding.

We're hoping for him to pull through this but chances aren't looking too good.

Once again, thank you all for your kind words.

Heavenly Father, we lift up Shen's grandpa to you. Lord, may you grant wisdom to the doctors and peace to his family. I am amazed at how you weave people in and out of our lives. Thank you for meeting, even in such a casual way, Shen and allowing me to pray for his grandfather. Amen.

I pray your grandpa will come through. More importantly, I hope he has trusted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. If not, please find someone with a King James Bible who can explain this to him, IMMEDIATELY!
It will be the best thing that can every happen to him. God bless.

As Jesus said to Nicodemus: "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." John 3:7

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
John 3:17-18

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

Shen we are all praying for you, your family, and your grandfather. As far as the mental state, the medicines may be causing part of that and I wouldn't base his condition on that. Please keep us posted and remember we are all thinking/wishing/hoping/ and praying for you.

Shen - I'm praying for your grampa, for you and for your family. It's great to see the love you have for him. He must be a terrific man.

Shen, how is your grandfather today? I hope that he is improving, and I also hope that you know you're in all of our thoughts.

Kristi

having lost my father to stroke years ago, i can empathize with you . I hope your grandfather heals well.

my father in law. at 82 still goes to his office every day. runs his business leads a wonderful and productive life. i hope all of us can be so lucky.
especially your grandfather. I hope his recovery is short and very successful.

best of luck and the best the season can offer you and yours
D.

Best wishes to you and yours Shen, hope you all have a wonderful holiday time and pray for gramps recovery ALOHA

I hope your gramps is doing better Shen, so he can ride in your E once again. Malama Pono Shen's Grandpa! :)

Continued prayers and good wishes.

Amy

just to let ya know shen. still keeping good energy for you and yours, and for what your family are going through.

best wishes
D.

Shen... our family will be praying for your grandfather. We trust that God will grant you peace in this difficult time. Please keep us posted!

Shen,

I hope you and your family are all ok. More prayers for your grandpa are on the way from norcal! We hope you will be back soon to let us know how he is.

Amy

From this gramps-wanna-be (compared to your real gramps). Hang in there!

Thank you guys so much for your support and wishes.

Grampa has been out of the ICU for the past 4 days or so, and is now in a shared room in the hospital.

Physically he still can't move the left side of his body, although he can wiggle his toes on the left foot...

Cardiologist said his heart sounds pretty good after his heart attack, and the neurologist says his brain is otherwise fine... it's up to his own will if he wants to get better... medicine can't really do anything to the clot at this point.

His speech is still sluured, and he slips in and out of reality, but overall much improved.

Once again, thanks to everyone and I'll update any changes. ;)

I am so happy that he is out of the ICU....that is the first step.

Continued Thoughts and Prayers go out to you and your entire family.

Hey Shen,

. I hope he comes out of it all sooner than later and is back to enjoying some "sheniferous" company outside the restraints of the hospital in no time. years ago my father went through much the same, speech, partial paralysis etc. and ironically, now he would be very much the same age as your grandfather, which just makes it all that much better seeing your grandfather healing up.

still keeping good energy for you and yours. best of luck to the lot of ya..

be well man.
D.

Praise the Lord!!

Shen,

I am really glad to hear positive news from you! We will keep your family in our prayers.

Amy

I caught a couple of your recent posts, and it's good to see your spirits lifted. Even in the best of circumstances this season can be emotionally draining. We're all continuing to send our good vibes your way. Jump on the chat tonight so we can all give you a bad (good) time! Keep the shiny side up!