Latest Update on Travis Cain (my dad)

Not everyone reading and receiving this blog knows my father's name, Travis Cain. It's nearly 2 a.m. Friday morning and this is the latest report. This morning around midnight he was moved to ICU (at Norman Regional Hospital) for a suspected pulmonary embolism. At approximately 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Carolyn phoned my and asked that I come to the hospital ASAP. His blood pressure had dropped to 55/38 and heart rate was around 35 with him complaining of difficulty breathing, chest pain, nausea and upset stomach; we had commented that his skin color was not healthy and deteriorated throughout the day. After I arrived, Carolyn again pleaded with the nurses to contact a doctor and the nurse finally obliged.

While she visited with the nurses, my father again complained to me of chest pain, it felt as if someone was standing on his chest, and he described that he was seeing pretty lights of many colors. Yes, it was difficult to hear and know what was going on yet try to comfort and stay with him. I finally left the room (when Carolyn arrived) to regroup and realized that I was not just upset but very angry. Thankfully, Jenny Wynn (youth minister) arrived about that time and became our angel and comfort.

The doctor assessed the situation and gave orders for him to be moved to ICU along with a CT scan to confirm or disprove his diagnosis. A heart attack had been previously thought to be the cause but pulmonary embolism is the more likely culprit as stated by the physician (a pulmonary specialist). After getting my dad settled into ICU, we were allowed to visit a short time and have a brief prayer with him, led by Jenny. My father was alert, talking and knew each of us and no longer talked of pretty lights, though the chest pain persisted. His blood pressure had raised to 80/40. The nurse strongly encouraged us to let him take care of him tonight and to get some rest, but Carolyn preferred to stay in the ICU waiting room and I came home.

My sisters and I have dealt with pulmonary embolism in the past --- that's how we lost our mother.

I thank each of you for your love, concern and prayers on behalf of my family. Regardless of the outcome, I rest assured that God is always in control and gives us strength for the journey. May God's Peace abide in each of us.