A note of thanks to those who commented on my last photo, as well as those who wished my family well
Last edited Sat May 14, 2016, 12:07 AM - Edit history (1)
As fizzgig noted in another post, I wish there were a "reply all" function so that I could be sure each of you are thanked. In any case, I send my thanks to all of you.
My son-in-law is home, with a hospital bed in his living room. His heart failure is apparently the result of a genetic condition, and his heart is damaged enough that he will be going to Cedars-Sinai for a work up, and preparation for a heart transplant. The docs tell us he should be able to return to work, at least part-time, once he has sheds some more fluids, and feels better. I find this incredibly hard to believe, having seen how close to death he was, but the docs assure us it's true. He and my daughter are both physicians, and they also assure me this is true. If everything goes as well as hoped with the transplant, he should be able to return to full-time work. The idea of transplanting hearts is still amazing to me, but his dad has lived and worked with one for 15 years, and is doing quite well. So, there is that.
Because this has been determined to be a genetic condition, our 6-month old granddaughter is in the process for a work up to determine whether or not she inherited the gene for this, a 50/50 chance. If it is determined that she carries it, she will begin seeing a cardiologist when she turns one, and will continue with yearly EKG's to monitor whether or not her heart is experiencing any enlargement. We hope for the best, obviously.
So, thank you all again. Came home for a bit to attend to some things, but will be heading back down there again soon.
The first four of these were taken over in the Anza-Borrego area. The last one was taken from the car on I-5, somewhere around Pyramid Lake, California, heading over the mountains from LA toward Bakersfield.
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Health and long life to all of you. 
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Costs, fortunately, are not at issue, and we are so thankful for that. Both have excellent coverage, something I wish all people had.
There are many hands pitching in, and his parents, and my wife and I, are in it for the long haul. We are fortunate enough to be in a position to be available for extended help.
I think everyone's spirits are improving, now that the initial shock has passed. We have a road ahead of us.
Again, thank you so much for your response.
Please know that I will keep you and your family in my thoughts in the weeks and months ahead.
I am relieved that this is genetic and that they can fix it. Yes, transplants have come a very long way from the earliest ones.
All my good thoughts to you and your son-in-law and the whole family!
LOVE the photos too!
We are taking a very positive approach, as are the kids. Both are doctors, and they have a much better understanding of what's involved than I do.
Please let us know how everyone is doing as time goes by - you're important to us.
Lovely photos!
fantastic news along with cool photos. So happy to know your SIL is doing better and there is a plan and way to help make sure he will around to help raise his daughter. Hope she does not have this genetic trait but there is a plus to knowing to check for it in the long run.
I love photos 1 & 3 but need to hear the story behind 3. 
You have been very encouraging through all of this. The kids are both doctors, so they have a much better understanding of what is involved than I do. In fact, one of the things that irritated my daughter (an Ophthalmologist) so much was that my SIL (geriatric specialist) waited so long to be seen. She suspected what was happening, and he did too (especially given that his dad has been living with a transplant for 15 years now) but he just wasn't ready to face it. He was forced to, in the end.
We are very grateful for good health coverage for the both of them.
Image #3 was taken over at Borrego Springs, California, where there is a very large display of metal sculpture scattered throughout the desert. Here is a link to a site explaining what it's all about (I apologize for the pop-ups there) : http://www.desertusa.com/borrego/bs-art.html
And, another image (the ones at the above site are much better:
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not to be too mad at SIL. His waiting is such a normal human thing to do doctor or not. There is going to be ups & downs for him and wonder if it isn't harder in some ways when you are a doctor yourself. Rumor has it they don't make the best patients. You getting to be there and help has to do wonders for all of you. Now off to read. TY
Went and read about Borrego Springs sculptures and looking at their photos I have to say I like your black & whites better. Specially the serpent.
I'm starting to think we'll never make that trip to the railroad museum. 
Here is a link to an article discussing the sculptures at Borrego Springs: http://www.desertusa.com/borrego/bs-art.html
Scary stuff, indeed, but sounds like there is a good plan and lots of positive energy coming
from the docs.
Nice photos! What is the story on that monster?!?
