Interfaith Group

No, diabetes runs in mom's side of the family.

He was born with a congenital heart defect. Both his father and grandfather died in their late 40's from massive heart attacks because of the defect he inherited. But by the time he was in his 40's medicine had progressed. He received one of the first pig valve replacements and later had a human one put in. He has had a pacemaker for almost two decades and is on all kinds of blood thinners and other medications to control the congestive heart failure.

I think the suspicion is that the blood thinners are leading to bleeding somewhere in the GI tract. That coupled with CHF and then this pneumonia is an incredible strain on such an elderly man. The latest news is that they are doing an endoscopy to locate and then stop the bleeding. That, antibiotics for the pneumonia, and blood transfusions will hopefully given his body enough to live if he can.

Thankfully I did not inherit his condition. My health problems are related to a pit tumor that was removed and a gland that just got too damaged by treatments and surgery. But like father, now son, fights long term health problems, but it never stopped him, nor will it stop me from living life to the fullest as long as I can. My father has shown me that kind of strength my whole life. I love that about him.

I am very glad your family made it through. The flu this year has been particularly vicious. I am doing everything possible not to get it myself.

Thank you!