Update on Dr. Garrisi ...

Here’s an update:

The surgery ended around 11:45 AM Monday, August 31. Later that afternoon my father started bleeding from his sternum. The decision was made to send him back to surgery to repair what was wrong. So, as I understand it, they reopened the incision, removed some blood clots and repaired what was bleeding. He was back in intensive care around 6:00 PM Monday. This put him back at least six hours in the recovery schedule. Further, the trauma of two surgeries in one day probably caused some more time setbacks. We saw him Tuesday morning and he was still on the ventilator and did not seem to recognize either my mother or me. The ventilator was removed around 1:00 PM Tuesday. Tuesday afternoon he seemed quite uncomfortable as they started to bring him back to consciousness. He was repeating something that sounded like "Pain" and "Help me." He seemed to recognize both of us a bit once in a while. When we left at 5:00 PM he was still mostly unconscious and the staff had not tried to get him to sit up or walk. The nurse said he would be spending the night in intensive care again. My mother plans to visit again on Wednesday.

Given the above, we don’t think he will be coming home this weekend. He seems to be better than yesterday, but not anywhere near well enough to go to a regular hospital room.

Thank you for your prayers. My father is in the hands of his loving God, who is the good shepherd.

the Rev. John Garrisi