07/14/2026
After working for nearly three hours, the cardiologist was unfortunately unable to get through the blockages.
They attempted to use a balloon to open one of the arteries, but it caused a small tear in the vessel. Thankfully, they recognized it quickly and decided to stop rather than risk further complications.
At this point, the two arteries on the right side remain approximately 99% and 95% blocked.
The doctor also believes there is a separate lung issue contributing to Dad’s breathing problems that appears to be unrelated to his heart disease. They will continue evaluating that while he is in the hospital.
The current plan is to keep him in the hospital for another 2–3 days so the artery can heal and they can continue monitoring him. If all goes well, he’ll be discharged home, but he will not be able to return to work. He’ll need time to recover and prepare for another procedure in 6–8 weeks.
At that time, the cardiology team plans to make another attempt using a specialized drill to get through the calcified blockage, along with the heart support (blood flow) machine to help safely support his circulation during the procedure.
This has been a long and emotional journey, but we are incredibly thankful for the doctors who know when to stop rather than push things too far. We appreciate everyone’s continued prayers—for healing of the artery, answers regarding his lungs, strength during recovery, and success when they try again in a few weeks. Thank you all for the love, prayers, and support you’ve shown our family.
