Sonny Hellum

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Tuesday, June 7, dad went to Abbott for a scheduled ablation. During the procedure, he flatlined 8x. He came out fine and they felt they had a good result. Sonny was discharged the next day. He stayed at Carrie and Steve's before heading back home to Crosby. He said he felt great the first 2-3 days after the ablation. Friday night his defibulator shocked him once. Saturday morning it shocked him again. Mary had told him, if it happens again he's going to the hospital (because stubborn dad didn't want to go in). Chad, Angie, Tyler, Dean and I (Tracy) were at the lake and planned to spend Sunday together with Dad and Mary. A little after 11pm Saturday night, dad called me and said he got shocked and was going to go to the ER (but waiting until midnight-because they'd charge a full day for the few minutes before midnight). Mary brought him in and we met them there. While back with dad in the ER, they originally planned to take dad to Abbott via ambulance. He proceeded to have 7 more shocks (which is explained that each shock feels like a kick to your chest by a horse). ER doc came back in and told dad he earned himself a helicopter ride. They gave him some anxiety meds for the flight. He had one more shock leaving Crosby and the rest of his flight was uneventful. 
There was talk about surgery on Monday but got pushed to Tuesday.  He had his ablation done. Thursday he went in for right heart swan catheter and angiogram (they placed one stint). He was still experiencing chest pains. Then they determined he had a blood infection (septic), so they removed the swan cath from his neck. 
Friday he had a balloon pump placed and a right swan catheter back in his neck. He was pretty sedated. He had a BiPap breathing device, but he was off of that this morning. Today, Saturday, June 18th he is alert and doing so much better. He had a muffin and some Sprite and was able to keep it down. Doc says possibly taking the balloon pump out tomorrow. Continued prayers are welcomed and still needed. Dad's stubborn and wants to get better. He said he wondered for a while if this was it for him but now he's in good spirits and more positive.