06/05/2024
A Claude Hopper Update
Dean Hopper of The Hoppers provides the latest update on a legendary Gospel music personality—his dad ...
Hello friends!
I wanted to take a few moments and give everyone an update on my father, Claude Hopper. But before I do, let me give you the “backstory.”
Dad experienced a series of heart attacks that started in January of 2024. Those attacks landed him in the hospital two different times, and both were within 12 days of each other. Doctors performed a heart catheterization both times he was hospitalized, and after the second procedure, the test results showed an aneurysm in the top of the heart, creating an 80% blockage. Unfortunately, doctors were unable to stent this due to the proximity of the blockage.
Doctors opted to treat Dad’s condition with medication; a blood thinner containing a small dose of nitroglycerin worked for a while but in the latter part of April, he began experiencing chest and arm pain with increasing severity.
At the end of May, Dad had another fit of pain that reached his jaw line, which proved to be yet another “mild” heart attack. We took him to the emergency room on Monday, May 27, and doctors immediately started running tests. The following morning, around 6 a.m., Dad experienced another “mild” heart attack, if there is such a thing. Stenting was still off the table due to the aneurysm—as well as another concern that was discovered during the most recent heart catheterization: a coiling blood vessel––known as tortuosity, the same issue I face with all of my arteries–– that could not be stented because the stent would most likely puncture the vessel due to the curvature.
Later that same day, one of the team members from the neurological department told us that he and the team were thinking that stronger medicines would be the answer for Dad’s issue, and they also didn’t think Dad would be a candidate for open heart surgery.
Dad asked the doctor, “Will the meds eliminate the chest pains?” The doctor said that he couldn’t guarantee it, and if he had more pains that were as strong as some of the earlier episodes, Dad was to come straight back to the emergency room.
Obviously, this was not the news Dad—or the family—wanted to hear. I had a big lump in my chest as we all discussed this situation as a family for quite a while. Dad has a strong heart and mind, even through his aging forgetfulness, his agility and s***k has never ceased. With this in mind, it did not surprise us when Dad said, “I can adjust to this way of life, but I don’t want to go home just to wait for another episode to happen.”
At about that time, the thoracic surgeon, Dr. Hendrickson, walked in the room and began to study all of Dad’s most recent charts. He proceeded to tell us that Dad does have heart disease, but, overall, that cardiac muscle has a great output percentage of more than 55%. He went on to encourage us by saying that, despite what we had previously been told, Dad was actually a good candidate for open heart surgery. I asked him what were Dad’s chances that he’d come through the operation?
The doctor said, “Eighty-five percent.” That was all that Claude Hopper needed to hear—especially after learning the doctor’s oldest patient was 94—Dad is only 86!
Doctors started weening Dad off blood thinners immediately to prepare for the surgery. He was discharged the next day, and was to be back on Monday, June 3, at 5:30am.
If you know my dad, none of what I’m about to tell you will surprise you. After Dad got home, he immediately took Mom to the local fish house for a late lunch and then on to Martinsville, Virginia, to pick up cow feed for his new calves. He spent the next few days around home and going out to eat with a close friend.
Fast forwarding to this past Monday, I was chosen to go back with him for pre-op. The nurse brought Dad his hospital gown, and after he changed, he handed me his clothes to put away. As I was folding his clothes, I noticed in his shirt pocket were a couple of Why Jesus Died booklets and NQC tickets! I said, “Dad!” He looked at me and said, “Well, you never know.” Again, if you know Dad, this doesn’t surprise you at all.
I stayed with Dad until they asked me to leave. I told him that I would see him on the other side of the procedure and that he was in good hands. If he was nervous or anxious, he didn’t show it—and this is a man that has never had to be in the hospital for multiple days. Even on emergency room visits, he has always been ready to get out and go home!
Mom, Kim, Mike, Karlye, myself and a good friend from Benson, North Carolina, patiently waited in the room they had designated for us. The surgery lasted about four-and-a-half hours, and we were very relieved when the doctor came out to tell us that Dad came through with flying colors. The procedure went exactly as planned and he was sleeping in recovery. The nurse said that we should go home to rest and be back early on Tuesday.
During the night, while Dad was still sleeping, the nurses removed his breathing tube. We went in the next morning, and immediately he began to smile and speak very slowly. Mom, Mike and I visited for two hours. He was sleepy so we thought it best to leave so he wouldn’t feel an obligation to talk. I went back for an hour last night. He was awake and had the TV going at 90 decibels!
Today, Mom is there with him. She just texted me to say Dad was walking the halls with the physical therapist—and Mom also said the nurse had to slow him down three times!
Needless to say, we’ve had to postpone a few dates, so we want to say thank you to all of the promoters and churches for your loving understanding. The bus will be rolling soon, and I have no doubt that even though Dad may not be sitting in the front, navigating us down the highway, he will be doing so from the back porch with his phone on the loudest setting and the rest of us being delegated tasks from him via FaceTime!
I know this has been a little bit of an unusual update, but all of you are an important part of our family. Thank you for all of your support, thank you for all your prayers—and thank you for loving Mom and Dad the way you do.
