Starting from Day one-Here's the story

Starting Thursday August 14th
I decided to write a note on this so I don't have to repeat myself a million times. I know some people will read this and offer support, others will read this and head to the rumor mill, and others will read this and go on with their day. I have one thing to say, to each his own, but please think about a person's feeling before you make your decision.The past few weeks my Dad has been sick. It started when he was hit in the head with a fast ball while umpiring a baseball game. Yes, it's ok to laugh here...I did ;)He was behind the plate, getting a the calls right-like he always does :) He was suddenly hit by a foul ball-right off his mask. He'll tell you it was a 100 mile an hour fast ball, and that he was "rocked". It knocked him to the ground-the pitcher was someone he had once couched, and he felt terrible. Long story short here...he of course had a concussion, and all the nasty symptoms. His girlfriend is a nurse and she told him to go to the doctor, but he felt he has been slowly getting better-keeping food down, not feeling dizzy, etc. So he never saw a doctor.Recently, my Dad has started swelling. (yes, i know he is already on the lbig man size, but not that kind of swelling) He is retaining a lot of water in his legs and ankles. Well, I am not a doctor, but this cannot be good. Believe me, I have gone through all the scenarios, none of which are good, and I don't want to hear what you think it could be.-I KNOW! My sister is almost a nurse, my Dad's girlfriend is a nurse, and I have some medical background. I know that the future doesn't look too good.Please put aside the obvious, we all know my dad is not the picture of health. Smoking 3 packs a day would cause problems in anyone. The point is-we need prayers and support.My Dad was in contact with a lot of people. Some I know, and some I don't. He was very involved in coaching, umpiring, ruffing, etc. Some of us have great memories of him-Coaching at OLP-St. Ned's-when you guys played like 100 games or something after the season ended...coaching chaparrals baseball, let's not forget when he coached my 5th grade basketball team, long, practices, ridiculous, unending line drills, chewing out locker room talks, getting tossed out of a few games, throwing clipboards, the list goes on. We can all laugh about this now, I certainly do.I have a very different set of memories of my Dad. The one's that only his family share-family trips, watching him play ball, playing sports with my Dad in the backyard, dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Sheahen's, seeing the look on my Dad's face when I graduated from college! He was so proud-and I'll never forget the day he walked me down the isle-he cried and said I looked beautiful-and some other very touching things. I remember when he held my first son in his arms, and the similar experience when he held my second son. I saw him last night. Steve and I dove over an hour to see him in Waupaca-where he is now living. He's winded, and tired, looking very warn down, his skin looked a yellow greyish, and he had swollen ankles, feet, and legs. He had to take a break walking up the stairs, and of course he blamed it on his damn sandals!My sister and I, along with my Dad's girlfriend pleaded with him to go to the hospital. I tried everything. I even played the "I don't want to have to tell my children that Grandpa's in Heaven card". He thinks he is getting better-he says he just needs to get his "mojo" back. Finally, at the end of the visit-he agreed-he said he is going to the hospital today...We'll see-I hate to say this, but I will believe it when I see it! Please keep my Dad, and our family in your thoughts and prayers.We appreciate it-you can share you "good" memories of my Dad too-if you want. Thanks for listening.Friday
Friday Aug. 15th
Here's the scoop on my Dad...I want to preface this note by saying I am sad, tired, and overall emotionally drained from the events of today. I will try to explain this the best I can.My Dad arrived at Waupaca ER this AM and was given an Electrical cardioversion. An external defibrillator is used in electrical cardioversion. After you are given a sedative, a doctor places metal paddles or patches on your chest wall. The paddles send an electric current to your heart. The electric current resets your heart rhythm and your heart usually starts in a normal rhythm. His heart was beating way too fast-like he was running a marathon way too long. Because of this-his kidneys and liver have started to not function as well as they should. He also has some fluid in his lungs-causing breathing difficulty. They also found a testicular mass-possibly cancer, but unsure of that yet. He had an An echocardiogram is a test in which ultrasound is used to examine the heart. Based on those results, the doctors will decide when to do a cardiac catheterization-to find out more info on the damaged heart.Because of the organ damage to the kidneys and liver due to the heart failure-he has a long road...we are not really sure the permanent damage yet. He was in severe heart failure when he came in today, and would have for sure been dead by Monday if he had not arrived when he did.It is still touch and go from here. I wish I had more news, but unfortunately there is not much else to tell. Tons of tests need to be done yet. He is in the intensive care unit at the Appleton Medical Center-he needs prayers.As far as visitors are concerned, we ask that people would let him rest. The ICU does not really recommend anyone other then immediate family there. Plus, the room is small and cramped with a lot of equipment. He is the center of attention there. He has the prime spot in front of the nurses station-cameras on him and all.He is definitely in severe heart failure. Right now his heart is only functioning 20-30%He is very sick, and at this point, it could go either way. It's in God's hands. Please pray.Oh and I should add-at this point-he's conscious, and crabby-getting back to his normal self ;) asking for a smoke and some food!Had to throw that in there.Really, the sedatives are starting to wear off, and he was getting antzy when we left.Early Sat. Aug. 16thjust got off the phone with my Dad's ICU nurse, Will-yes, my Dad has a man-nurse-you can bet he's lovin' that ;) On a side note-Will has been happily explaining and updating to me since the start, and I love him for that!I am happy to report that his kidney functions have bounced back and have returned back to normal. Thank God, this set of organs have started pulling their weight. Now, we are waiting to hear from the cardiologist as to when she will be doing the heart cath. Yes, he has a female doctor too. I am sure he thinks the whole doctor and nurse thing is backwards-but in his confused, crabby state, hopefully he'll put his know it all-prejudices aside ;)Some have been wondering what set this whole heart thing off to begin with...Well, we are as perplexed as you are-the doctors don't quite know the answer to that. They are thinking he might have a blockage somewhere, or maybe a simple virus set this off-a long time ago.Remember, I said my Dad has been sick for awhile, but just thought he could shake whatever this was.His stubbornness seems to be the cause of some of this damage, but hopefully, not too permanent. They said most people would not have made it this long. Another reason he was so stubborn about this whole thing is because he is scared, and doesn't want to find out "bad news"-in addition, the doctors said yesterday he was confused, and not in the right state of mind due to his condition...therefore not thinking clearly.So folks, ease up on the blame game here. All obvious aside, he's in the hospital where he should be. He made it though the night, and is progressing, but not out of the woods-by far.We still need thoughts and prayers. Thanks for the support-I'll keep you posted.
Some have been asking where to send cards-His address is(Carol is his girlfriend's name)Carol Cole and Ed Sheahen221 Countryside ct. Waupaca, WI 54981or You can send them to me and I will get them to himCarly Mancl44 Tabbert Ave.Ripon, WI 54971
Later that evening-Out of ICU
Well, we are back from Appleton. Today was a different kind of day. We decided to make it a family day-Steve and I took the boys to the Zoo, the Toys 'R Us, and Olive Garden after we visited my Dad. We needed a family day. As I mentioned in previous posts...it is hard to be a mom, daughter, and wife, at the same time sometimes-plus my kids really missed us over the past few days.My Dad's condition is improving some, but he still has a long road. When visiting with him today, he seemed more alert, and even laughed at a joke that Steve told him.My mom, sister, and brother came today too. I didn't see the look on his face because we only went in the room a person at a time, but I am sure he was overjoyed to see my brother. This was the first time that my brother has seen him since the whole ordeal...same with my Mom. I am sure he appreciated the company-although it was brief because he needs his rest.Health wise-the kidneys are now working-still a huge plus. Liver-still not so good-he is on some medicines now too-for reducing the chance of blood clots, potassium, and a few other health things.He gets to eat now-although I am not sure of his diet, he is loving that whole deal. When I was there he said he was feasting on grapes, toast, and a diet coke!He seems somewhat confused though-we hope this is temporary, but he does have some memory loss.He usually makes sense, but occasionally says something off the wall-like he is getting ready to walk to Waupaca!They are not going to do the heart cath until Monday because the heart is still not functioning like it should. I should ad too-he just got moved out of ICU-so that's a good sign. Well, that's all for now. Thanks for listening-Still need the prayers. He wanted me to say "hello" to everyone.
Sunday-Aug. 17th-great dayDad looked great today. He sat up in a chair and was talkative the entire visit. I'll start with the good news-he's off the oxygen...at least for now. His count was good. His walking is better, and he doesn't look so weak. He walked to the bathroom a few times when I was there, and was able to do it without too much help. He still complains of leg and feet pain-probably due to the swelling. Kidneys and Liver-Today these counts were not too good. We are unsure if the damage is permanent, or only temporary. If/When the heart functions properly this may or may not change.Sometime tomorrow-they are going ahead with the heart cath. Hopefully, we will be provided with more answers then. He is still showing signs of Congestive Heart Failure.Today, he was interested in finding the Cubs game on tv-and watching sports. It was nice to see that again. He did not seem nearly as confused as before, and really seemed to grasp things that were said to him.All for now-thanks for listening-still need prayers.
Monday-Aug. 18thTonight, (Monday Night) I received a phone call that I was dreading...my Dad took a turn for the worst.He went into respiratory failure. Due to the fact his heart is not working right-his lungs started to fill up with fluid. He essentially was drowning due to the fluid in his lungs, and not being able to breathe. Thankfully, his girlfriend was there to see this, and called for a nurse right away.He almost coded. A crash team was in working on him for hours. Now, he is breathing with a ventilator-the ventilator is doing all of his breathing for him.He is in very critical condition.The doctor sounded optimistic about a possible recovery, but right now, it's touch and go.He said it wasn't necessary for us to be at his bedside tonight at least. We all needed rest.Who can sleep at a time like this!He is very heavily sedated..almost in a paralysis...it was medically induced. He occasionally tries to lift his head up, and cough, but does not respond to many stimuli...but that is due to the meds. He did seem to turn his head in the direction we were talking.Mom, Sam, Katy, and I (and our husband's Jay and Steve), along with my Dad's girlfriend Carol were with my Dad tonight.This is tough. It is hard to see my Dad in this shape and condition, because prior to this his condition seemed to be improving.He is in pain, and in rough shape-he seems very irritated by the ventilator, and other tubes.He's definately giving everyone a run for their money.Please pray for him and our family.We really need it.Thanks much,I'll keep you posted!
August. 18th I Just got back from spending the day with my Dad in ICU-not to many changes to tell. He hasn't gotten better or worse-pretty much just stayed the same. They are a bit worried though because of the amt of oxygen he is requiring. The blood work showed that they had to turn the oxygen up again. They are closely monitoring that as well as the occasional rapid heart rate. He looks almost comatose. Laying almost completely still today-he has some involuntary movements. Occasionally, he seems to respond to stimuli-he did so more yesterday, but keep in mind he is heavily sedated...on purpose.He needs to rest and let his heart heal. There is a lot of damage-we are still hanging on to hope.Katy, is up there right now-so if there is more updates-I will tell you later. On a side note...I just finished listening to my old cell phone voice mails my dad left me a few days before he went to the hospital. One, a simple good morning message, and one, a good night message. I am glad I saved them so I can hear his voice.I am just not ready to let my dad go. Today, while at his bedside in ICU...I thought about a lot of things. Why he was there, what he could say if he could talk right now, how much my Dad means to me, and why it's to early for him to die.