Dad hospitalized due to dehydration and nausea

Dad had not left bed the last couple days.  His cold and sickness had not gotten better.  He said he had not been getting food or drink either.  However, he also said that he had spilled his water earlier that day.  So I am not completely sure.  In any case, his nausea resulted in him missing his pills for a couple days.

Mom called me to visit at Dad's request today.  Dad had a pain in his side, and wanted a nurse's opinion.  He feared a problem with the stent between his bladder and kidney.

The nurse, by phone, hearing the symptoms suspected at least dehydration, and recommended taking Dad to the hospital.  The nurse also (as others have done) expressed how sweet my parents were.  The nurse was one that had treated my mother at rehab, and was key in my parents selecting their home nursing service.  So I was able to tell the nurse my parents had been greatly appreciating her help.

So Dad was admitted, and due to the nausea not allowing him to keep food down, he will be there at least overnight.

His white blood cell count is high, so the doctor fears it is a sign of infection.  However it could also be due to his chemo treatments.  They took some scans to try to identify the pain in the side, and if the stent was OK.

Once he got some intravenous fluid in him, he started to look better.  He also seemed in less pain and discomfort from nausea by the time we left.  He still was disheartened, and feels no use to Mom.  One of the items given was methylphenidate (Ritalin), which was given last time to Dad in the hospital, in an attempt to help him feel happier.  Dad generally dislikes drugs with main purpose of mood altering, and his regular doctor told him he did not have to take it anymore.  However, being his typical (get the most for the money)
self, he said he would keep taking it until the bottle he had was emptied.

Mom tried to encourage him that she still wants him around.  She did her best to express to him that she still loves him dearly.  Dad in return tried to encourage her to take care of herself and not to worry about him.