Second post from Monday... Read the earlier post first, then return to this one.

Dad's emergency room episode was determined to have been a ventricular fibrillation... where the heart just vibrates and can't get back into a normal rhythm. The standard protocol in this case calls for the implanting of an ICD, or Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator. The ICD also has a pacemaker feature so it's a combination of the two devices.

He was brought to the prep room at 12:30 where his monitor leads were switched from the portable monitor used on the 2nd floor step-down unit (a step down from the intensive care unit) to a more sophisticated monitor. Although keeping a steady 55 - 57 beats per minute, the monitor graph was rising and falling (?). (I'm not sure what this signifies but after the procedure, the graph maintained a steady horizontal line.)

At 1:00 the anesthetist discussed his role and what Dad should expect from today's procedure. Dad's only question was "When do I get to eat?" He was grumpy most of the day. He hadn't eaten or had a thing to drink since midnight Sunday and to make things worse, he was given a three hour dialysis treatment in the morning.

At 1:20, I wished him good luck and went to the waiting room and registered with the receptionist. She handed me an LED pager... it wasn't really necessary but I carried it around until the doctor appeared at 3:45. All had gone as expected. The ICD was implanted on the right side instead of the usual left side because of the dialysis port in his left arm. They wanted to stay clear of the left side so the leads into the heart are a little longer than they would like but it is not a major concern. He said there would be someone prior to discharge (later in the week) to go over detailed instructions about the care and management of the ICD.

I called Bob, Chad, Wilda and Ray to relay the news then went into the recovery room where Dad was already awake. He saw me coming from about 125 feet away and waved as if to say "All is well". He was wearing an oxygen mask and was very thirsty. He had to endure another 30 minute wait before being released to go back to his room where he ate and drank continuously for almost 90 minutes...