How bad is this (my father's condition)? (pain, blood, quit smoking)

[piyf]

He got admitted to the hospital 2 weeks ago with pneumonia with fluid in both lungs. Was there for 4 days and was in quite a bit of pain. Gets out and they fly to Germany less than a week out of the hospital. Obviously he wasn't 100% since he went to the emergency room there and was in intensive care for a day and will be getting out tomorrow but will be close to the doctor there in Germany when he gets out.

So how bad is this?

Left lung is ok but right still has fluid. Has several aneurisms in the right one. But they are very small and the doc says they won't go to the heart. His blood is to thick so he has to take some pills for 3 months. He has to give himself a shot in the stomach (antibiotic shot) too.


He has never been in the hospital since this, ever. And seemed to be in great health. He's in his late 50's and hardly drinks and quit smoking decades ago.


Is this something that I shouldn't worry about?

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Aneurysms are thin spots/weak spots where the blood vessel bulges out. They rupture but don't move. He may have some small clots in his lungs. I would worry if he were my father.

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[piyf]

To say I'm worried is an understatement.

[cmacf1]

I would be worried too - he's your dad. It sounds like they are treating him there and he's not ignoring the symptoms, though. All you can do is keep in touch with him and see how he's doing. When is he scheduled to come home? Did he go to Germany with somebody who is monitoring his care there? I do know what it's like to have your dad far away and ill (same thing happened to me.) I hope his health improves every day and he can get back home to you soon!

[kronenborg]

really impossible to say from the history you give.

the original diagnosis is not at all clear, and im sure thats because you only have limited information. sudden onset chest pain and fluid on the lungs, combined with the necessity to take 3 months of anticoagulants sounds like he had a pulmonary embolus (the shot(s) in the stomach would more likely have been antithrombotics, not antibiotics).

im not sure where aneurysms fit into this - i doubt he would have had aneurysms in his lung - i can only presume this means clots, not aneurysms.

so bottom line, really difficult to tell what is going on, and therefore how serious this is. what is clear, however, that going on a non-essential trip days after admission and treatment for what appears to be a serious medical condition seems highly inadvisable.

i can only suggest he gets back home as soon as his health allows (going on a long-haul flight is not without problems for someone with serious health concerns, especially of the clotting variety).

[tyvin]

It's not antibiotics he's injecting into his stomach it's a med that thins the blood. He should have never traveled and he should be on bed rest somewhere. Also flying with what ever it is but it sounds like it wouldn't be safe to travel. Have him give permission of the doctor to give you details so you know exactly what's going on.

[kronenborg]

as far as i know, bedrest has not been shown to be of benefit in the treatment or recovery from pulmonary embolus...its more a factor of over-exertion and being far from home with a significant and unresolved medical condition.

[myrc60]

heparin prevents blood clots and is given in the stomach; I had this when I was in the hospital for a few days.

[mistygrl092]

If I were you I'd have a release faxed to me from the Dr. signed by your dad so that you can talk to the Dr. directly. I'm not comfortable offering an opinion as I'm not taking care of him, not a Dr. and only his Dr. can really tell you for sure.

[piyf]

Ok more info. He's out and will be seeing a doctor down the road until they leave at the end of this month. My mother was wrong when she said he had aneurisms. He actually has embolisms which the doc says will go away with the medication.