Pop's Needs Thoughts and Prayers

[Chromaflage]

In case you haven't seen in LIG or AC, I just got a text message from Bernie (Catch and Eat) that Pop's just had a massive heart attack after going home today. He went into CA, but they were able to bring him back. Please keep Pop's, Bernie and family in your thoughts and prayers.

Kerry

[KeyWest]

Got the same message - he, Bernie, and his family are in our prayers. Thanks for posting.

[corrirod]

My thoughts are with you Bernie. Please let us know if we can help in any way.

[bait boy]

Bernie, I'll keep your family in my thoughts and prayers over the coming days. Tell Pops he cant be in the hospital he has to go halibut fishing in 2 weeks..

[Nordic Sun]

Bernies dad (Pastor Carl Buckle) Suffered a coronary on Sunday and was so glad to be released today in time to go Halibut fishing. Lets hope they can get him home again and recovering soon!!

Same offer as before my friend!

[fishindude]

Hoping all is well.

[Something Good]

I'll keep him in my thoughts. Let me know if there is any way we can help.

[Metal Manipulator]

My thoughts and prayers are with him.

[little doc]

we're here.

[OceanBlue]

Our thoughts are with you!

Jen & Andy

[StickFish]

Hang in there Carl. Bernie and family - we got your backs ping away if you need help with anything

[fyshndad]

My Thoughts and Prayers to Bernie & Family

[bassin]

My prayers are with your Dad and your family.
If I can do anything let me know.

[Salty Walty]

Our thughts and best wishes to Bernie and family.
Walter & family

[fishbait]

Wishing for a full and speedy recovery

[slabhunter]

Thoughts and prayers for Bernie & family.

[Taylor's viewpoint]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
TV

[Chromaflage]

Update @ 1:16 PM today:

Just received a text message from Bernie:

Moving dad to St. V's. Stable 4 now. Doc says nothing they can do for him surgically period. He is very sick and sore. No idea of limitations 4 him once he is released. Keep praying.

You got it brother!!

CrF

[Teton]

Still praying Bernie. Please know you have many fishing brothers exercising faith on Carl's behalf.

[Threemuch]

That is terrible. My heart goes out to you and your dad, Bernie.

[Teton]

Msg from Bernie at 4:30 Thursday:

"Wow! Tell the dogs thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Right now we appreciate the prayers and support. . . . "

[Chromaflage]

Another text message update from Bernie (4:26 PM), after I TM'd him to let him know that Ifishers and the Dogs were pulling for Pop's:

Wow! Tell the dogs thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Right now we appreciate the prayers and support. The doc is reviewing his angiogram again to see how much damage there is and what quality of life he might expect. He's gonna be here 4 some time. They are actually considering a slight chance of a risky prodedure in the near future. Dad is in good hands.
Bernie

CrF

[skybuster]

We're hoping your dad gets to see many more days like this one Bernie


Hope you don't mind the pic of Pops. We'll be pulling for him.

[whaleraddict]

Bernie, hope Carl gets better soon. Let him know that we are all praying for him and we hope to see him on the DOck soon.

Best Wishes
John

[CATCH AND EAT]

First of all I would like to thank all of you that have prayed or kept my Dad in your thoughts over the past week. Believe me, every little bit helps right now in his situation. It truely is a miracle that he is even here with us after what he has been through.

As most of you know Dad had his first heart attack on Sunday morning at 4:20am and was taken to Providence, was stablized and then moved to St. Vincent. He was treated with medication but no angiogram or stress test was prescribed as his pain was abated by 5:30 that evening. He stayed at St. V's until Wednesday morning and was home by 11 am.

Many of you that know Pop's understand he is not a man that wants to sit around. He needs activity. What else would he do but go into work for a few hours to conduct interviews for the Church. He did this for a little while and then came home. He had a little pain during the afternoon but relieved it with nitro spray. He took a short nap and was up after that asking mom for some dinner. This is when it happened.

He had just finish his meal and was having peaches for desert when he suddenly sat back in horriffic pain. Mom took one look at him and called the ambulance. I happen to be home at the time getting some final work done on the boat (we live next door to each other) when I decide to go inside and get something to eat. I heard the fire truck and looked up to see it as it was rolling by toward mom and dads home. I ran over there quickly to find dad in a tremendous amount of pain (level 7) and it was getting worse. EMT's arrived quickly and realized just how bad the situation was getting and attached paddles to him quickly.

Then it happened. Dad coded. Full arrest and I held my mother tightly as she was about to collapse herself in grief. I tried to remain calm and reasuring as I knew if I paniced the results would not be good. I remember saying a prayer for him and for mom quickly and then I point blank said this, "Jesus, bring him back. Jesus bring him back". I was watching this whole event take place and I never took my eyes off the EMT's working on Dad. In between the silence in a normal tone I told dad this "come on back Dad" two or three times.

Finally after what seemed an eternity but most likely was 1.5 minutes they brought him back. I watched from the very first slug to his chest while he was still in his recliner right through the shock they put into his body and the very last chest compression that brought him back while he layed upon the floor. I am forever changed by this event. You are never the same when you witness this type of thing in real life. TV never does it justices as it only serves to desensitized and numb us from reality. To literally watch someone die before you that is in such pain and then to experience the guarded feeling of joy when they bring them back to life is just beyond words to describ.

I cannot do the event justice and I cannot thank the fireman and EMT's enough for saving his life and giving him back to us for however long the Good Lord will loan him to us. You guys that do this type of work I will say without hesitation you are way underpaided. I have only saved the life of one person (my daughter) before and I know the feeling and satisfaction of doing it is overwhelming. For you all to do this type of thing on a regular basis, to save a life, to bring someone back from deaths door, has to be a fullfilling moment every single time it happens. I wish I had that kind of compensation in my field. That kind of pay is worth every penny that I might not get paid.

Those of you that have the ability to work with people in this way....no matter what field you are in ..............Thank you.

Dad has a bit of a battle ahead of him right now. He is schedualled for another angio proceedure on Monday that will be painful. They will see if they can spark angina with an electrode. It is possible he will need a defib device implanted to shock the left side of the heart to prevent sudden death from arrithmia. They are also going to review his angio films with a panel of experts at St. V's and throughout the region to discuss the possibility that there could be a risky, gutsy move and explore via surgery if there is anything they can do to reconnect vessles to his heart that were lost in this massive attack.

The good news is his heart is still very strong and has the ability to pump the blood with good force. Bad news is that there is not much to pump all the blood through to service his body. He basically has two arteries left at this point as 5 out of the 6 bypasses he has had are gone. All four stints are also gone. But his doctor that has worked on him before is a very progressive thinker and believes he might be able to do something for him. We will know much more next week.

So for now your continued good thoughts and prayers are apprecited. Thank you all for the kind text messages, emails, pm's and phone calls. They certainly mean a lot to me and to the family. I also want to thank you for the offers of meals or whatever. WOW! For right now though we have things pretty well handled. Once we know more about Dad's future and if we could use some assistence I will come here to ask. You folks are more than generous and I am proud to have you guys as my extended family whether I know you personally or not.

Bernie, Cindy, Caitlin, Spencer and Daylin Buckle
Bernadine Buckle
Rhonda and Steve Stecker, Abby, Nathan, Christian

[fishbait]

When my eyes dry up I'll say another prayer........

Hang in there Bernie

[Nordic Sun]

St. V's is nationally known for it's cardiology department. He is in the best possible place, for heart issues.

St. V's will take care of your dad, you take care of mom, and the rest of the family, and we will take care of you!

Bob

[black magic]

Bernie,
Hope all turns out well. It looks as if you are the pillar of strength in this situation. Be sure to take care of yourself as well. Even pillars need support during a hurricane.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Truth is at the time was was strong. Once they got him stablize it has been hard to stay dry eyed without thining about this event. Hard to keep one's composure, even when I type this reply I am getting misty eyed. Pillar of mush right now.:o

Odin, I hope it is okay to say I am sorry for your recent loss too. That has to be tough. Prayer are with you and your family.

I will try my best to keep everyone aprised of dad's condition and developments via text messaging over the weekend. I will not be around my desk for awhile.

[Sea Jypzee]

Bernie - Please know that I add my thoughts and prayers for your father, and your entire family. As others have already said, be sure to take care of yourself during all of this as well. You need to make sure that you are getting adequate rest so you can help the rest of the family.

[Woody]

When my eyes dry up I'll say another prayer........

Yea, no kidding. I can't remember the last time I prayed about anything...But I'm praying for you and your family now.

[Metal Manipulator]

I agree with Black Magic.

It looks as if you are the pillar of strength in this situation

.

[Fishrite]

Bernie:
Just got off the phone with you. Thanks for the update. We will continue to uphold you, your family, and your Mom in our prayers.
Keep us informed so that we know how to pray.....
God's best to you and Pop's...Terry

[garyk]

Bernie - thinking and praying for your Dad and family...let him know everyone's pulling for him!

Gary & Sharon

[FisherJack]

[Mr. Fisherman]

Bernie and family, if there is anything we can do please ask....
We'll even cut the grass
Hang in there Bernie... our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.
I have been in similar situations to the one you are in now. If you want to talk or need anything please call.
We are here for you and your family.
Have enough Tuna for Toasties, will travel

[crabbait]

Hang in there,Bernie. My thoughts are with you and your family. I am glad you were there for your Mom. It would have been much harder for her without you.:frown:

[Kentucky Hog Hunter]

Bernie, you know your family is in my prayers.

Tell Carl to keep fighting cause the Halibut & Tuna will be waiting for him....

If there is anything you need bud please say so. I know this is a tough time but there are many comforts through the strength of prayer and you know pop's has allot of those right now

[Sturgeon Tom]

Our thoughts and Prayers to Bernie his family and Dad for a fast and full recovery.

[grady tom]

for speedy recovery

thomas

[CATCH AND EAT]

What a week. I am physically, mentally, and emotionally drained right about now. Taking a break this afternoon to do some much needed work at the office (like payroll) and I thought I would try to catch folks up that have been sending out their thoughts and prayers for him and the family.

Dad is actually doing pretty darn well right now and has been mostly pain free other than his chest where the EMT's and Fireman slugged him and did chest compressions. Pretty darn tender in that area right now. But a little Tylenol seems to help with that inconvience.

Yesterday Dad went through a stress test under the watchful eye of Dr. Au at ST. V's. Dad went 7.45 minutes without problem which we are more than happy about. This makes him a possible candidate for vascular replacement (bypass) to the lower right area of the heart where DR Au believes there is a chance to connect up to some vessels that may still be intact. This is more of an insurance of quality of life proceedure than a must for Dad. The heart is still not real happy because it is not getting the amount of oxygen that it requires. Thus after the stress test he was a little short of breath for awhile. Still, a very good and positive sign for all of us.

Today (Monday) Dr. Jones did an EP study (Electronic Pulse) which they run a wire up the leg, like an angio proceedure, to the heart and shocked the heart in several areas to see if they could produce angina or arrithemia. Unfortunatly Dr. Jones was able to cause arrithemia and has recommended a defib device to be implanted into Dad's chest. I think the family has convinced him to have this proceedure and we told him it was his choice on the bypass option.

He is in good spirits and was still groggy when I left at 12:30pm this afternoon. As of this time I have no further details but would ask that we all keep the positive thoughts and prayers on his behalf up.

Special thanks to Odin for stopping in to see Pop's. Meant a lot to him Bob and your conversation with him I think is sinking in about the defib.


Bernie

PS A little added note. Just got a call from my sister and Dad has agreed to have the defib implanted. Should have this done tomorrow sometime.

[HOGGEMIN]

Your family is still in my PRAYERS Bernie. Sounds like every thing that can be done is and I pray he recovers to go fishing many more times. Let me know if I can do anything Please.........

[Mr.Kitch'nPass]

Bernie,
I'm so sorry to here about pops. But so glad to here he is doing better. Our familly will pray for you and yours.

[Ryan Pultz]

Good news still praying for him rp

[Green Willie]

Bernie,

Blessings to you and your family. I am keeping you and your pops in my prayers. I am so sorry to hear about all of this, please say hi to your dad from all of us at Ifish and wish him our collective best.

Mike

[CATCH AND EAT]

Just wanted to again say thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Pop's is a salty fellow who loves the ocean and the bounty it offers. He is a true salty dog and a great fisherman. He wishes to express his gratitiude for all your thoughts and prayers during this trying time of his life.

We are not sure what his abilities will be in the following weeks and months but we are hoping for the best for him. He does not like to sit around and watch "The View" or "All My Children". He wants to be in the thick of things and contribute to society, the church and his family. This will be a time of adjustment for sure as his heart will demand that he really slow things down for awhile and give it time to heal.

He will be coming home today sometime after a week and a half in the hospital. He did undergo a minor surgery yesterday to have a defibulator implanted to prevent sudden death caused by Arrithymia. He kinda fought this idea but was assured by the doctors that it was necessary to keep him from suddenly dying due to a problem with his hearts electrical system. He finally agreed and surgery was accomplished.

We now play a waiting game to let his heart heal up a little before they attempt to regraft via bypass surgery a section of the heart that is not a happy place right now. This will be done in 3 to 6 weeks. It is a very risky, gutsy surgery but dad wants it to improve his quality of life. In essesence, the 'ol boy wants to go fishing again for butts and tuna. Especially tuna. Jus the mention of tuna and his eyes light up like a 5 year old in a candy store.

So if all goes well he should be back on the salt near the end of august or first part of september. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers during the coming weeks that he will heal up and that the bypass surgery will be successful enough to improve his quality of life issues.

You guys and gal are great and I personally appreciated all the phone calls, text messages and emails of support that I have recieved. It has helped me through the tramatic experience more than you will know.

Bernie

[CATCH AND EAT]

Just brought Dad home a few minutes ago. Man was he ready! Seems to be doing well and we will be watching him for the next couple of weeks.

Thanks again everyone.

[Chromaflage]

Good to hear, Bernie! Sounds like things are moving forward in a positive direction. Will continue to pray for him and your family.

CrF

[duckcall]

Praise the Lord!!

[Bait O' Eggs]

thanks for the update, been wondering how he was doing.

[Salty Walty]

Glad he is home and with his family. All the best wishes for you all.

[Fish Mode]

Pop

[Thumper]

Great news Bernie!!! May you and your Dad have many, many more wonderful memories on the big blue.

[Something Good]

Sounds like he's got the right attitude. He's gonna live or die trying. Good luck to him I hope for the best.