Status update

This sounds more of a change than it really is I think. The health situation seems about the same in my opinion.

I visited on Saturday, and Dad felt bad still. He has still been having trouble getting anything to stay down. Sometimes orange juice has been working. The Ensure nutrition shakes worked for a while, but mid or
late last week the sweetness started bothering him.
So when Dad would try to eat or drink, he would throw it back up. Even when not eating, his nasal mucus or some unknown item would sometimes cause him to have dry heaves.
He also had a bit of pain in his chest.

Mom was about the same. She is realizing her memory issues, and to accepting / appreciating help with certain items. However, she still is frustrated at times. Dad feels her memory is getting worse. For
instance, he reported that one time immediately after a nurse talked with her on the phone, Mom could not tell Dad what the conversation was about.

Dad has been able to urinate, so some fluids are still in him. His bladder is not filling up as it should, so he has to go nearly every hour. He has a prescription to help, but it often does not start taking effect for a week or two.

Sunday evening Dad had Mom dial a nurse to discuss his pain. He had not been able to sleep due to it (and the bathroom trips).
The nurse recommended going to the emergency room. The medical people never like to guess with chest pains. Heart attacks are too serious.  Dad's pains are very likely a mix of heart-burn and hunger pangs.
The nurses confirmed Dad was dehydrated. The hospital started intravenously giving him fluids, and took some X-rays. Dad was admitted overnight.

Dad is worried about Mom. I tried to reassure him that she was fine alone last time he was in the hospital. However, he still worries.

Mom is worried about Dad. Leaving the hospital last night she was very tired, and as a result also emotional. Once she was home, and a clear plan for bed and for tomorrow, she was better.

I told Mom that she should wait at home, and the nurses would give her an update on Dad. She seemed to accept that.

The challenge is that I am leaving for a business trip in California, and plan to land back late Friday night.  I will be relying on Cousin Sean to check up on my parents.  I thank God that he has agreed to help, and has been a great friend to both my Mom and Dad.

[Morning update]

This morning, I called the nurses station at St. John's Macomb hospital.
The morning update as of 7:45am was from the nurse is:
Dad is in room 519.
He received pain medication at 6:30am, and was sleeping a little while ago when the nurse checked in on him.
No discussions have been had yet, but the nurse is guessing Dad would not be released today. Maybe a couple days. Obviously, that depends on how well he does today, and what the diagnoses are.
My guess is that they will want to get him rehydrated at a minimum, and make sure he can keep liquids down.