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You are here: Home / John Cole Presents "This Fucking Old House" / Dad Update

Dad Update

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Dad is doing remarkably well. I just got off the phone with him, and according to the staff he doesn’t even look like he has had surgery, his oxygen levels are at like 98%, and he was moved out of ICU and to his own room. He says he feels great- apparently after he opened up his knee after his surgery and had to go back, he was just miserable and felt like hell, but now he says he feels the best he has in a long time. His voice was super cheerful.

He was even in such a good mood I have permission to post this picture.

Reader Interactions

127Comments

  1. 1.

    Gravenstone

    Amazing what having a working circulatory system will do for a fella’s spirits. Hope the good news continues to grow for him.

  2. 2.

    Jane2

    Yay Dad Cole! My dad and brother both had bypass surgery and had no idea how rotten they had been feeling until post-surgery with a functioning heart. All the best for a full and fast recovery.

  3. 3.

    Yarrow

    Yay for Dad Cole! He looks great for someone who just had major heart surgery. Good for him. Such a relief for you all.

    Keep an eye on your mom, John. Caregiving is hard work and can take a toll.

  4. 4.

    J.

    I’m guessing when the drugs wear off, he will not be pleased that you posted that photo.

    Glad he’s doing better.

  5. 5.

    trollhattan

    Dad is made of stern stuff! Way to go, dad, and get outta there soon. Hattip for the docs and staff too.

    Many thanks for the update.

  6. 6.

    geg6

    Yay for Mr. Cole!!!!! So glad to see he’s doing well and feels so much better. Continued good thoughts going his way for a quick recovery.

  7. 7.

    Mai Naem mobile

    I am impressed that he is sitting up in a chair considering the two surgeries. Really sounds like the accident was a blessing in disguise.

  9. 9.

    Sloane Ranger

    Cole Senior is looking very well. I remember that long, thin sticking plaster from my hip replacement 6 months ago. Takes me back!

  14. 14.

    biff murphy

    Hey Mr Cole, glad your ok, my uncle just had the same thing at Brigham and Women’s in Boston. He had the same coughing pillow too, Feel better!

  19. 19.

    The Moar You Know

    My dad and brother both had bypass surgery and had no idea how rotten they had been feeling until post-surgery with a functioning heart.

    @Jane2: I’ve heard of this. Looks like Mr. Cole may be feeling a bit of the same – he doesn’t look like a guy who’s just had surgery.

  21. 21.

    Kdaug

    Wait, hold up – that’s your dad? He’s half your damned size. He does have that same Sleestak ridge on top of his head (he wears it better), but this is the guy who lives directly behind you?

    To the Senior Cole, a tip of my hat. I wasn’t quite clear on the variance. The lasooing and corralling… shit, that’d wear on anybody. Heal up soon.

  22. 22.

    bemused

    Yay, Cole’s dad! So nice to see he’s looking great. I’m sure hoping for some good news for a couple of friends who have both been in the hospital for over a month. Really worried about them.

  26. 26.

    Haroldo

    Yay, Pops! (I hope he gets to keep that swell heart pillow as it goes very well with his improved heart.)

  27. 27.

    raven

    Good news. When my dad had bypass surgery somehow the staples on his cracked breastbone came apart and they had to do that surgery again.

  30. 30.

    stinger

    Lookin’ gooood, Daddy Cole! Healthy color, bright-eyed and alert — you may be on the way to a record-breaking speedy recovery. You’ll soon be telling JG to quit exaggerating and being so profane.

    You raised him pretty well.

  32. 32.

    Dan Garfinkel

    Great news! I lost my dad from heart disease when he was 52. It’s wonderful how many lives are extended through the miracles of modern drugs (the statins particularly) and surgical techniques. Appreciate what you have, John. BTW, I live about a mile down the road from the vet you use up here in the South Hills. Go Pens!

  40. 40.

    Zippety

    Such great news! De-lurking since before John adopted Lily to say – Mr. Zip had bypass surgery 3 years ago. The BEST THING we did was rent a hospital bed for a month. Put it in the living room near the TV and he was able to sleep well, relax, host visitors and recuperate in comfort. Otherwise, the recommendation is to sleep semi-upright in a recliner for the first few weeks (ugh). Insurance paid for part of the cost but even before that it was surprisingly not expensive. Worth every penny.

  41. 41.

    StringOnAStick

    @raven: They use wire now instead of staples for that reason. I see John’s dad has his coughing pillow all ready to go. I bet he feels a ton better now that his circulation is greatly improved, excellent outcome!

    My upcoming knee replacement will have internal stitches, but the skin will not have stitches or staples, it will have this glued on lace up device that’s called a Zip closure, so I’ve taken to calling it a Zipline. It’s supposed to greatly reduce scarring. They told me I can ski or hike aggressively again in 12 weeks.

  44. 44.

    tobie

    So glad to hear that Dad Cole’s surgery went well and that his recovery is proceeding apace. Fingers crossed that it’s smooth sailing from here on out.

  45. 45.

    zhena gogolia

    Glad to hear this — praying for Mr. Cole. “Oh, my God!” Ginny and Guesly on the couch!

  49. 49.

    Elizabelle

    Needs a dog in that lap.

    Keep recovering well, Dad Cole. Good to hear he is making such progress and feeling so good.

  61. 61.

    Mnemosyne

    Painkillers + better oxygen and bloodflow will make almost anyone feel better. ?

    My mom had a major setback about a week after her heart surgery that landed her in the ER, but she has early stage COPD, so it wasn’t unexpected. Still scared the crap out of us, though.

  62. 62.

    Mary G

    He looks like a million bucks and I am so happy to hear how well he is doing. Prayers answered! Take care of yourself and your mom and the rest of your family, too, John. You’ve been through a lot just standing by unable to control the outcome.

  67. 67.

    Msilaneous

    My first thought, So here’s what happens when a group of like-minded jackals focus their love and attention and resolve. So happy for Father Cole, he looks wonderful! – and the rest of the Cole clan. And yay Jackals!

  69. 69.

    TomatoQueen

    Tried to post a well wish, rec’d a 405 (not 404) error for my pains. Still glad to see Mr Cole looking well and lively.

    And TOON just scored, Schar, surprising everyone.

  71. 71.

    skerry

    Glad to see Dad Cole in such good shape.

    I have surgery tomorrow to repair the “largest hiatal hernia” ever seen by my surgeon.

    I am anxious but want to get it done and over with.

  75. 75.

    Skepticat

    It’s so good to have news, especially such good news–like most of us, I’ve had your dad and family top of mind for days now. A friend who’d been having minor cognitive issues discovered they were much lessened by cardiac treatment that finally allowed him to get enough oxygen to his brain and body, so I expect your dad now will be even more fearsome. If that’s possible. Best to all.

  81. 81.

    HRA

    Mr. Cole am happy to see you looking very well and relaxed in this photo. I send my very best wishes for your recovery.

    John, someone up top mentioned your mother and what will be her role in your Dad’s recovery. I have had the experience of at home taking care of Mr. for 5 hernia surgeries and 1 heart 4 stent insertions. It is not the same for everyone and yet it does bring more work to the days.
    Hope
    .

  86. 86.

    Elizabelle

    OT, but yea.

    WaPost: North Carolina Republican in congressional race tainted by ballot fraud says he will not run in new election

    Mark Harris cited health problems for his decision not to seek the 9th District seat. State election officials last week ordered a new contest after a dramatic investigation focused on irregularities with mail-in ballots.

    Health problems. Uh huh. I want people to go to jail for this, and not just the operatives.

  87. 87.

    Baquist

    Great news, Dad Cole! We should all look so good on a regular day, let alone recovering from surgery.

  88. 88.

    Alternative Fax, a hip hop artist from Idaho

    Papa Cole looks great!!
    @Ohio Mom: @ skerry: joining my neighbor in wishing you an uneventful procedure and a speedy recovery. A surgeon with any kind of sense of humor is a good thing.

    Also, Ohio Mom, if you need another MRI go to UC. They make you wear supplied scrubs but they also require earplugs and cover you with a heated blanket and ask if you want a (warmed, also) eye cover.

    @Leto: It’s great to hear how well you’re getting around.

  90. 90.

    Raven

    This probably should be a post.

    Abdul-Jabbar puts four title rings up for auction

    “When it comes to choosing between storing a championship ring or trophy in a room, or providing kids with an opportunity to change their lives, the choice is pretty simple. Sell it all,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote on his blog about why he’s auctioning off valuables from his sports history.

    “Looking back on what I have done with my life, instead of gazing at the sparkle of jewels or gold plating celebrating something I did a long time ago, I’d rather look into the delighted face of a child holding their first caterpillar and think about what I might be doing for their future.

  95. 95.

    Raven

    @Gin & Tonic: It reminds be of Bill Russell. He was asked if all his championships were his greatest achievement. He said “no, my daughter graduating from Harvard is my greatest achievement”. I’m reading “The Last Pass: Cousy, Russell, the Celtics, and What Matters in the End” that is about how Cousy regrets not being more involved with the racism Bill experienced in the NBA and Boston.

  96. 96.

    Gin & Tonic

    @Raven: I appreciate Russell now, but having been a Knicks fan all that time I just can’t bring myself to read a book about the Celtics.

  98. 98.

    Leto

    @raven: sorry for the late response: doing pretty good. I’ve started using a cane to get around and it’s interesting. Still working on regaining flexibility in my knees but they’re better than when I first started this mess. For example: I’m “walking” around the mall today. So far I’ve walked the width and almost the length of the mall with my cane (and it’s a very big mall). Gotta work hard for that gelato reward, right?

    I’m kind of envious of Mr Cole right now just because of the weather. It’s a warm 36F right now. Yesterday was 35, but gale force winds most of the day. I can’t wait for spring so I can get out of the apartment more. Starting to get cabin fever!

    Edit: @Alternative Fax, a hip hop artist from Idaho: Thanks. I’m thinking about doing a six month update for John to post, basically because I feel like I owe it to everyone who donated to my kickstarter. A better intentioned yearly investors update :)

  99. 99.

    Raven

    @Leto: Take your time with all of it, it’ll pay off in the long run. Having this happen when you are young is a double-edged sword. You are in a much better position for a full recovery but being patient is harder. Hang tough.

  100. 100.

    Leto

    @Raven: I’m trying my hardest to be patient, though with this one it’s forced me to be. When I was 18 I blew out my ankle in a soccer game. It was a freak accident (no contact, just a simple step) and instead of doing the three month rehab schedule I did it all in one month. Almost 20 years later, after I completed my first ultramarathon, the remants of that injury reared it’s ugly head in the form of scar tissue aggravating my right shin and calf muscles. Spent about two months rehabbing that. I want to say that the lesson has been learned but I’m still me, so I’m still going to push it just a bit more than I should ;)

  101. 101.

    Jerzy Russian

    @Leto: Great to hear you are getting around. Hopefully you can start competing in ass kicking contests again in the near future.

  102. 102.

    Ohio Mom

    @Alternative Fax, a hip hop artist from Idaho: My MRI *was* at UC — it was six years ago. It sounds like they have improved things greatly since then. It’s funny, I can’t remember if I was at the main campus or West Chester. It was the build-up to my mastectomy and there were a lot of tests and appointments in different places and it was a blur even then.

    They did supply music, and that was very nice — it was very soothing to listen to Frank Sinatra. If they told me whatever they were doing was going to last six minutes, I knew that would be about two songs, and that helped make the time go by faster.

    Not that I’d want to ever have an occasion to need another MRI but your rave review is good to hear, just in case. I’m a UC system gal all the way.

    I hope your results were either what you wanted them to be or at least in the acceptable range.

  104. 104.

    Jay C

    Good news! Best wishes to Dad Cole for a speedy recovery from (what seems to be TWO?) surger(ies).

  108. 108.

    Steeplejack

    Good news for Dad Cole!

    I was going to say that rarely have I seen a man looking less happy to be holding a heart-shaped pillow, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man holding a heart-shaped pillow.

  111. 111.

    J R in WV

    I’m so glad to hear about this! He does look good for day after life saving surgical procedures!

    Friends who have had this kind of cardio work have all done really well, even just after. Dad Cole obviously also has a sore knee, and so has a double duty as far as the physical therapy goes — do what the therapy people tell you to do, that’s what makes it work out for you!

  112. 112.

    Amir Khalid

    I’m glad that Father Cole is recovering nicely from his operation, and I hope all goes well for him and Leto and everyone else in recovery.

  113. 113.

    karen marie

    I am delighted to see not just proof of life but apparently proof of improved life. I was feeling a bit sick at the possibility of a less than desirable outcome.

    Best of health to all the Coles and those they love and who love them.

  114. 114.

    Mnemosyne

    @Ohio Mom:

    When they did the MRI of my knee last year, they only gave me earplugs, no music. That was annoying, especially since the technician kept scolding me for flinching when the machine made a particularly loud noise. ?

    When I had to get a dental CAT scan a few years ago, the machine played the beginning of “Moonlight Sonata” while it scanned. That was really cool because it gave you an idea of how long it was going to take.

  117. 117.

    phein60

    Cole:

    I put my 5-year old heart pillow through the wash yesterday. Hope I don’t need it again, but it does remind me of one thing: Older patients frequently don’t feel pain in their chest and do things (like raise their arms over their heads) long before they should.

    I was 54 when I had my CABG (quad). In rehab, I was the youngest by a decade, at least. Many of the olds said they didn’t feel any pain in their chests at all, and the nurses said it was because the nerves simply didn’t transmit anymore. A couple of years later, a co-workers 75-year old father had the same surgery (same surgeon, even). He was stubborn and didn’t listen, said he felt fine, didn’t need a pillow or any activity restrictions, and ended up popping the bolts out of the plate holding his sternum together. Needed another surgery to repair the damage, and this time he listened.

  118. 118.

    Orchid Moon

    John’s dad, you are looking good so soon after surgery! Hope you have a speedy and non eventful recovery. I will be sending positive thoughts your way.

  119. 119.

    Ella in New Mexico

    Like we say in Cardiac ICU, looks like your Dad is “on the pathway”, meaning, he’s having the kind of recovery we all strive to help our patients have and he should be out the door in the least amount of time.

    And tell him to use that heart pillow every time he’s moving around–no exceptions!! It’s not a decoration it’s a medical device!!

    Awesome picture and so happy for him, Johnn!!!

  124. 124.

    Ruckus

    @Ohio Mom:
    I’ve had a lot of MRI rides. In excess of 20. The old machines were tiny, the first one I was in I barely fit and I’m an average sized male. The new ones are much better but there is little way to make them quieter. I’ve also spent a fair amount of time in a radiation treatment machine, which isn’t enclosed but you are wedged into position for about 15 minutes so you can’t move. Isn’t modern life fun? It sure is better than it used to be for so many things. Look how many people have had successful heart surgery, just among the people posting here.
    Like Mr. Cole, who looks good. As others have said, a reasonably well working cardio system is a wonderful thing.

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