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Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding IT'S OVER!

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3.6K views 64 replies 28 participants last post by  DannyL  
#1 ·
Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding IT\'S OVER!

I apologize for not getting back to those people trying to get in touch with me, but I do have a good reason.

My father had a massive heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. He had two more while in the hospital and died, but they were able to bring him back. This morning at 2AM he had another, so they sent him to Portland (Maine), where they have some of the best heart specialists in the country.

He's stable now, and I have made a few trips to be with him, so I have not been around much, it's about 100 miles each way, so it gets a little taxing. Portland is 200 miles away, so I won't be around until probably after the weekend. My younger brother even flew in from Oregon, and it's been a coordination effort to get everything scheduled.

My father goes into surgery for 3 - 4 hours tomorrow at 8AM, and while none of you know him, I'd like to make a simple request to pray for him, his name is Ed Courtenay and he is my father, dad, best friend, and the most honest and hardworking person I know.

I also have not been online because I have to be able to receive calls on his status, I just got another one, so I figured I might be safe posting this (blocking the only phone line). I was instructed not to call the hospital, they want one focal point for information, which is my mom, and she said her blood pressure goes through the roof whenever the phone rings, she fears it's the hospital calling with bad news, so she calls us (myself and my 3 brothers) with the news when she gets it.

I'll let you all know how everything goes and thanks for your prayers and understanding. I also apologize for this being off-topic, but he needs all the help he can get right now.

JEEPN
Winter Harbor, Maine
'81 CJ-8 Scrambled, It's a Jeep, Chevy, IHC kinda thing!
'88.5 Zuki, 5" Calmini, Locked, Swamped, Rolled, and just generally broken in right!
 
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#28 ·
Re: Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding

My family & many others will lift up your family in prayer. When you have the time look up one of my favorite scriptures (Psalm 40:1&2) God Bless & peace be with you.

Andy Bridgeman Longmont, CO '87 Samurai (Shih Tzuki)stock drivetrain/Calmini 2" SR/235-15 Hi Tec MT's
 
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#30 ·
Re: Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding

Mark: My Father was in the same condition! He had a Heart Attack and Died at the hospital after 3 more heart attacks, but was brought back, Now he is living a normal, (More Healthy)Life. Your father will to! I hope that your father has a quick and successful operation and recovery. Good Luck and God Bless!

Rodney C
1985 CJ7,302 V8,T18,D20,SOA,Shackles Reversed, 35" BFG AT's, Fiberglass Tub & Front End...
1990 Samurai,87 drive line,SOA+2.5" Add-A-Leaf,4.16's,5.12's,Pony Carb...
 
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#32 ·
Re: Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding

may the hand of god pick your father up and heal his heart and give him more time to be with the ones he loves on earth before he does with the ones in heaven
quent

88 zuki,s/r,header,1600,locked in the rear and weber carb. with mitsu seats and 2"inch pipe
87 zuk spoa (new project)
IF GOD IS YOUR CO-PILOT SWAP SEATS
 
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#34 ·
Re: Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding

I am so sorry I have went throught this and there is nothing i can do except let you know you are in our thoughts

mark

Mark
90 samurai,5.5 SPOA,2"over shackles,front locker,welded rear removable doors,working on onboard air,
96 sportage 4x4 wifes grocery getter.
"Life is short play hard"
 
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#35 ·
Re: Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding

Modern medicine is amazing, he'll be fine. And when he gets out no matter how good your relationship was, it will be better.

Ive gotta call my old man right now, havent heard from him in a few weeks.

JAG
Las Vegas NV

90 X-Cab Toyota V6 5Speed, 4 inch procomp, 3 inch DC, 35x 12.50 BFG Baja's./wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif
87 K5 Blazer Silverado. The womans wrecked ride 3/26/01.......Grrrrr
84 Sami SJ410 Playtoy
 
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#39 ·
Re: Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding

JEEPN,I hope the best for you and the family.You will be in my prayers,and GOD speed to your fathers recovery,RR

THANK GOD FOR VETERANS AND SUZUKIS-BOTH KEEP YOU FREE. FOUNDER;INDIANA SUZUKI EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
 
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#40 ·
Re: Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding

Sorry to here of you troubles. I sincerely hope that your father pulls thru and is back on his feet in no time.

I read the kind things you say about your father and they must be true, as you seem to follow in his footprints.

God bless,

Yankee Tim/wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif
 
#41 ·
Re: Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding

First I would like to thank everyone for the words of encouragement and the prayers, I, and my dad, feel they have definitely helped, please keep them coming.

Here is the update.

He arrived in Portland fine, and underwent an analysis in the Cath Lab (I'm not too good with technical terms). He has one artery (or maybe vein?) that is completely blocked, one that is 80%, and one that may be able to be repaired or it may be replaced, the doctors will decide. He is scheduled for surgery on Tuesday of next week, he needs to stabilize a little more in the meantime.

I went down yesterday (24th) to see him, along with my mom, and my brother's arrived later in the day. He is stable, awake, but groggy from the whole ordeal. He was able to eat a little (a peach and some pudding), which is a good sign as he hasn't since Tuesday night. He even looked a little better and was able to talk to us on and off, he kept dozing during our visit (10 hours), which is also good as he needs the rest. By the end of the day I was worried we had put too much of a strain on him, but he looked a lot better and had some color back. He even high fived the nurse when he came in for the night shift, who is a great guy and really looks out for his patients.

He thanked me for praying for him, and I told him the whole family, and everyone on the Jeep and Zuki Bulletin Boards were praying as well. Tears came to his eyes, I don't think he expected to have that many people praying for him. We have never been the type of family that gets emotional, it's just the way we are, so when tears came to his eyes I knew he was very appreciative, and he told me to thank all of you.

I arrived back this morning at 9AM for work, and will be heading back down at 4PM to spend the weekend down there with the family. My father is very lucky, I have 3 brothers, and we would all do anything to help out, no matter what it is, and I think it makes a huge difference for him to see that kind of support. He may not have the most money, but he is by far the richest person I have ever known. He and my mom raised 4 boys, all within 3 years of one another, no small feat. Not only that but we are as close today as any family can get, and all of us are worthy of bearing his name as well.

The response this thread has received is outstanding, I came back to check my E-mail, and find it still at the top of the topics, thank you for your prayers, they are a tremendous help.

A few of you have asked and E-mailed for my address to send cards, I am deeply touched. My address is

Mark Courtenay
PO Box 96
Winter Harbor, Maine 04693

and I would be honored to receive them for my father, I'll pass them along to speed his progress.

While the surgery has a successful record, please continue to keep him in your prayers if you would, until he is out of danger. I would really appreciate it and I know he would as well.

He is not online, but when he gets back from the hospital I think I'm going to set him up with a computer, because he needs to take it easy for awhile, and the first sites I am going to bookmark are these two sites. I know he'll be by to thank you all personally, he never forgets people and always pays his debts, even if they aren't monetary in nature.

A few notes:

Wildweasel, CharlyA, v8jeep, and others; thank you for offering to help, I appreciate it, and will certainly let you know if we need it. It means a lot knowing you guys are out there, willing to come if called.

LEVE; Mormon prayers are just fine. While I am not sure of what it means to be a Mormon, I'm sure it's still along the same lines, honoring the Almightly, just in a different manner.

Skeetshooter; Thank you for putting his name on the list to be read at Church, I know he'll appreciate it.

Trailwalker and ppillard; please let me know if I can do anything for your dad, this is certainly a trying time, and the support does help.

Ramblin Zuk; My condolences on the recent loss of your mother. I am sorry she passed, and I have thought of what that would mean to us. The comfort I have found is knowing that if my dad should pass, he would live on in each of his children, and his grandchildren by what he has taught us. He truly would be immortal, because it's part of who we are in everyday life and he would never be forgotten. I pray he doesn't leave us though, there is so much more I want to do with him, and we don't even have kids that would get to know him, which would be their loss.

Yankee Tim; That's the nicest compliment I have ever received, thank you.

My condolences to all those who have lost loved ones, it's quite a list. While most of my grandparents have passed, we didn't know them well as they were geographically far away. This is the first time something of this magnitude has hit so close to home, and it's pretty devastating. All these reponses, the phone calls, people at work, and friends have made it easier to focus on what needs to be done. Thank you.

For those who haven't lost loved ones or had them in dire jeopardy, it's never too soon to let them know you love them, you may not get another chance. My father is 59 and as strong as an Ox. He was helping a friend build an 18x26 camp all weekend, just because he'd help anyone out with anything. He said they worked hard and fast, and when he got home he settled in to relax. It was early evening and he said he had some pain in his face, then he turned to my mom and asked that she call an ambulance. He was taken to the hospital, where they hooked him up to the machines. No sooner had they done that when he had the heart attack. If they had been 3 minutes off he may not have made it. He was brought back twice and thankfully he is still alive today. My point is, 2 hours earlier he was absolutely fine with no warning signs and no past history of problems, it was that sudden. The timing in his case could not have been better, and he's alive today because someone up there was looking out for him, I've no doubt of that.

We talked to the doctors, who said the arteries were clogged due to a culmination of his smoking, his diet, and not enough exercise. He has asthma, so exercise is hard, but he's so strong I have been with him in the canoe (all 6 of us) and watched him paddle for 20 straight miles into the wind with no stopping. He also has the fastest gait walking of anyone I know, and he's no couch potato, he's quite active. My mom always served balanced meals, but it must have been the doughnuts, ice creams, and other treats he liked to enjoy. He had tried to quit smoking many times, the weight gain and mood change was hard to take, but he never stopped trying. I never considered anything he did as excessive, in fact, I am just as guilty in the same regard (except the smoking).

I know this is long, but I wanted to keep everyone informed and to say "Thank You" one more time. I'll check back Monday afternoon when I get in.

JEEPN
Winter Harbor, Maine
'81 CJ-8 Scrambled, It's a Jeep, Chevy, IHC kinda thing!
'88.5 Zuki, 5" Calmini, Locked, Swamped, Rolled, and just generally broken in right!
 
#42 ·
Re: Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding

Second update.

My dad is stable, but only because of the drugs they are giving him. He's also Anemic (low iron resulting in low blood oxygen levels), which isn't a good thing right now. He's scheduled for the major surgery tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:30 AM, the previous surgery was to determine the extent of the damage.

We had a scare last night, the doctors called and wanted to confer about the surgery date, they saw something they didn't like. We haven't been told yet, but we suspect it's fluid in the lungs as dad was starting to have problems due to the drugs they're giving him. As of today, the surgery is still a "go", so I'll be leaving at 1:00 AM to be there before they start, then the whole day until it's over and he's awake again.

I'm hopeful for the best, and so far all the signs are positive. As I reflect back on the whole ordeal, he could have died at any time, but didn't. The timing of everything has been perfectly orchestrated, like it's part of a plan that has been rehearsed over and over.

The overall response has been overwhelming, not just here, but in person, so many people have responded we have to tell them not to come up as it'll wear him out.

A few observations throughout this incident:

..Family takes care of family, no matter what happens and what the cost.
..Support is needed on all levels, my mom needs it as well as my dad, and we have been there to support her every inch of the way. The same is also true of us kids (all in our 30's), we support each other just by being there.
..No matter how hard we may think we have it, with the traveling, time for kids and work scheduling, and other inconveniences, it's nothing compared to what he's going through.
..While this may be a crisis for us, it pales to what other's have gone through, our deepest sympathies go out to those who have lost loved ones.

We hope he'll be home this weekend if all goes well, and we have already set him up with a computer and internet connection. He has only been online once, when he stopped by our house, so it's a novel thing for him. It'll also keep him off his feet, because he's the type that will push the recovery if you let him, and he hates being idle.

My, and our, thanks again for all the kind words and especially the prayers. I pray he gets through the surgery tomorrow in fine shape and lives a long and healthy life. Thank you as well for helping me get through this troubled time in my life, I appreciate it more than words can express and have learned some valuble lessons as a result.

JEEPN
Winter Harbor, Maine
'81 CJ-8 Scrambled, It's a Jeep, Chevy, IHC kinda thing!
'88.5 Zuki, 5" Calmini, Locked, Swamped, Rolled, and just generally broken in right!
 
W
#43 ·
Re: Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding

As Max and I where installing the power steering in the beast yesterday, we where discussing you and your dad and
and My situation with loosing dad last jan. We are all praying for you and your Dad and your family. Glad to hear that things are still looking good.

Glenn
87' Zook Spoa,M/L 33's, 4.16 tcase,4.62 gears Camo,Header,2"exhuast, Cam.
Lockers, 8klb winch, -Wildweasel2 NE4WI- club http://www.cs.umass.edu/~glenn/personal.html
 
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#44 ·
Re: Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding

man you have my prayers. i lost my father when he was 58. it was the most terrible thing that has ever happened to me. i wish him the best of luck and many more good years god bless. mike

88.5ht,two87s,88.5 spoa,33X12.50,5.12 f&r,rock cage,4.16 T case
 
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#45 ·
Re: Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding

Mark,I wanted to let you know that my toughts are with you.I pray for a brighter out look for you all,and successful surgery.keep us posted. Matt~

88 Sam I AM(AKA-THROTTLE MONGER)- 1.3+.030,cam,462gears,locked,5in Calmini,2"body
31-10.50's.Yankee-offroad-Hood latches,Bumpers,Rails and armour,Tracker seats.................ECT.....
 
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#48 ·
Re: Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding NEW UPDATE

JEEPN,

This sort of problem is NEVER off topic. Our prayers are with you and your Dad.

IF, you need someone from outside the "family" to talk to, try this number:

1-800-252-LORD

Tell him that his son, Steve, gave you the number. The man you will be talking to is an Iwo Jima survivor and understands this sort of thing ALL TO WELL.

God Bless you and your family, Bobcat.

I Feel more like I do NOW . . . . Then I did awhile AGO! /wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif
 
#49 ·
Re: Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding

Prayers from here and New Zealand are in the winds....

All Good Medicine,
Crow

Creator, everything we do leaves a track. May our tracks be ones we would want you to see and others to follow......
 
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#50 ·
Re: Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding

jeepn,I will add your family and you dad to my list at the Bible study group at work also.If I can help call 812 988 4107,sometimes pay checks get short with all the extra stuff going on.I would be glad to send you some gas/lodging money if you need it.Not a loan.just a gift.RR

THANK GOD FOR VETERANS AND SUZUKIS-BOTH KEEP YOU FREE. FOUNDER;INDIANA SUZUKI EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
 
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#51 ·
Re: Crisis: Need Prayers and Understanding NEW UPDATE

JEEPN,
Sounds to me like your Dad is a strong willed man.And that he has a good family and that helps out more then anyone will every know.Just keep doing what you and the rest of the family is doing and thats supporting him in his time of need.

I was in a car wreck almost 11 years ago that left me in a wheelchair.And i know that my family was there for me and my friends that were ture friends were there for me and that helps .When your dad gets on the computer put my name on his buddy list.I'll be glad to talk to him anytime he wants to talk.I hope for the best for him and for the rest of the family.

QuadZuki,87 spoa,33"wild countrys
 
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