Bob Farrell

Friends and Family

My Dad is recovering from an operation on his Lung.  I am setting up this website to help spread the word and let everyone know how he is doing.  My Dad has Pulmonary Hypertension and COPD.  As I understand it, part of his heart isn't pumping correctly so his body retains fluid and he is being  treated with Lasix medicine.  About six weeks ago he went to the hospital to get treated for a Cellulitis infection.  While there he got bronchitis and they worked to get the fluid and infection out of his lungs while they continued to manage his swelling.  He improved and was sent to a rehab center to get him stronger to send him home.  While at the rehab center he developed pneumonia and a Mersa virus.  They sent him back to the hospital for treatment.

Operation:

My Dad's Dr.s decided they would do a procedure called a decortication to remove the bacteria using a probe which should have been  a semi non invasive procedure. They  found a large mass that needed to be removed so they did a thoracotomy to create an incision and remove the mass and bacteria. They are testing the mass but don't believe it to be malignant.  By and large the procedure was successful.  As he recovered he coded briefly (pulse dropped to 24). They decided to keep him on the ventilator and breathing tube.  They continue to drain material from his lungs via the chest tube .  My dad is semi conscience but still has the tubes in and he can't talk.  The doctors are deciding when the can remove the tubes but they need to make sure he is strong enough and they have enough fluid drained from his lungs.

What's next:

God willing he will continue to recover and they will remove the tubes and send him to a new ward after he is stable.  This will take several days.  After that, my Dad will continue to fight off the infections and build his lungs back up.  This will be tough for him because the operation is painful and he won't be inclined to take deep breaths or coughs to expel everything from his lungs.  After he is strong enough, we will make plans to bring him back home.

How to help:

1. Prayers:

2. Calls After my Dad has stabilized he enjoys calls and hearing from everyone.  Just ask for Batman!  We will send he phone numbers when he is ready.

3. Cards and care packages: My dad loves cards especially from the kids.  I'll communicate when he is able to receive after he get's out of the ICU.

4 Visits: We would like to schedule visits when he is ready.  This will allow KC to get a much needed break.  I will add them to the planner when we are ready.

KC and I will update the Journal to provide updates  His situation changes almost hourly. 

God bless and thanks for your support.