It seems my parents are basically the same, with same or very similar challenges.
Dad is weaker again, perhaps due to a cold that he has been fighting. The cold seems to be breaking up, but he is weakened. His back was also bothering him for an unknown reason.
Dad is better but still feeling weak. He and Mom seem to be doing OK at home.
Dad is likely weak because of the cancer, not because of poor nutrition, according to his cancer doctor.
After a day of riding and walking into doctor appointments, he did not feel up to trying to drive. At first he had thought he would try it again, but decided against it.
Dad commented that he is not used to getting winded so easily.
At the urologist, it was explained that if the chemotherapy eliminates the liver cancer, and reduces the bladder cancer, then only a portion of the bladder can be removed to get the rest of the cancer.
It will be quite a few months before the results of chemotherapy will be found out.
After a day of riding and walking into doctor appointments, he did not feel up to trying to drive. At first he had thought he would try it again, but decided against it.
Dad commented that he is not used to getting winded so easily.
At the urologist, it was explained that if the chemotherapy eliminates the liver cancer, and reduces the bladder cancer, then only a portion of the bladder can be removed to get the rest of the cancer.
It will be quite a few months before the results of chemotherapy will be found out.
Dad encouraged not to give up, and to get nourishment.
Dad this morning was looking weak, but better than he has been at times.
Mom this morning was sore from a trip / fall she had last Wednesday that really banged up her knee. So she stayed home while Dad and I went to meet with the cancer doctor and do some shopping. Mom was also a bit sad because her memory loss issues were apparent to her this morning.
The cancer doctor said that there is a chance of remission of cancer. However, he will not know for quite a while how much of a chance. This was good encouragement to Dad to keep trying to live, so he can keep taking care of Mom. He seems to feel that Mom's memory condition is such that she would need to be moved into assisted living, which he knows she would resist.
Based on my guess that nutrition was part of Dad's current weakness, the doctor ordered him to drink two nutrition drinks a day.
In past his medicine was such that he could not have them, since they contained vitamin K. Now his medicine is such that there is no problem.
Dad is considering starting to take taxis, so he will not feel as much of a bother to Cousin Sean and I. He feels the senior bus system would not wait for him. I have convinced him that taxis are more patient, but he still worries that he would have to hurry out.
By the time he got home, Dad was looking a lot better. His mind got distracted off himself onto the day's mail, and seemed to perk up quite a bit.
When Dad was back home settled in his chair, Mom and Dad started bickering about a couple of long running disagreements, Mom's ability to drive, and Dad's desire for cooked meals eaten together. Previously Dad had said he would be happy when Mom was yelling at him, cause then he would know she is OK. I think they are both more OK than they have been in a while. Still, I wish they could learn to relate better without focusing on and discussing their dissapointments.
I left them with Mom preparing a simple dinner for them, and their bickering having been let go of for a while anyway.
Mom this morning was sore from a trip / fall she had last Wednesday that really banged up her knee. So she stayed home while Dad and I went to meet with the cancer doctor and do some shopping. Mom was also a bit sad because her memory loss issues were apparent to her this morning.
The cancer doctor said that there is a chance of remission of cancer. However, he will not know for quite a while how much of a chance. This was good encouragement to Dad to keep trying to live, so he can keep taking care of Mom. He seems to feel that Mom's memory condition is such that she would need to be moved into assisted living, which he knows she would resist.
Based on my guess that nutrition was part of Dad's current weakness, the doctor ordered him to drink two nutrition drinks a day.
In past his medicine was such that he could not have them, since they contained vitamin K. Now his medicine is such that there is no problem.
Dad is considering starting to take taxis, so he will not feel as much of a bother to Cousin Sean and I. He feels the senior bus system would not wait for him. I have convinced him that taxis are more patient, but he still worries that he would have to hurry out.
By the time he got home, Dad was looking a lot better. His mind got distracted off himself onto the day's mail, and seemed to perk up quite a bit.
When Dad was back home settled in his chair, Mom and Dad started bickering about a couple of long running disagreements, Mom's ability to drive, and Dad's desire for cooked meals eaten together. Previously Dad had said he would be happy when Mom was yelling at him, cause then he would know she is OK. I think they are both more OK than they have been in a while. Still, I wish they could learn to relate better without focusing on and discussing their dissapointments.
I left them with Mom preparing a simple dinner for them, and their bickering having been let go of for a while anyway.
Dad home after third surgery!
Dad was released from hospital today. He was very appreciative of all they did for him, with no complaints about the quality of care.
The surgery yesterday was quite painful, but today it did not hurt Dad as much. The stent was successfully installed providing a path between his one kidney to his bladder. He is very glad it worked well today.
Dad was very slow walking, and is feeling weak. Dad thinks he will not be of any use to Mom for a few days. Mom is just very glad to have him at home.
Now Dad has lots of follow-up doctor visits, but he gets to do them based at home.
Mom's nose skin cancer surgery is Monday, so I pray that goes well.
It has been a busy medical month. God has provided well so far.
Dad's second surgery did not work. 3rd tomorrow.
Dad's surgery today ended up starting at 5pm. It still did not get a stent in the place it is desired to be to correct the flow issue. He will have to go in again tomorrow.
Since this will be the third time, I have less hope that he'll be home the same day as the surgery. However, I pray that he is able to come home Friday, to make things easier on Mom and me.
Mom and Dad were not able to visit or talk today. Because of the surgery, we did not think a visit would be possible. Dad does not like the phone, so when Mom called the room, he probably did not answer it, or maybe he was unable to at the time due to the surgery.
Mom's memory combined with being in the house alone seems to make time pass very slowly for her. She thinks some things have been many days, when it has only been a day or two. When items are tied to a specific date, she can refer to the calendar and realize otherwise. However, most items are just a long time ago in her mind.
Mom is very frustrated with her promise to Dad to not drive. She has said she will never promise that again.
Alas, her memory seems to be stuck on the bitter memories about people rather than the good. Thankfully, she still strongly desires to have Dad around, and to be near him.
Since this will be the third time, I have less hope that he'll be home the same day as the surgery. However, I pray that he is able to come home Friday, to make things easier on Mom and me.
Mom and Dad were not able to visit or talk today. Because of the surgery, we did not think a visit would be possible. Dad does not like the phone, so when Mom called the room, he probably did not answer it, or maybe he was unable to at the time due to the surgery.
Mom's memory combined with being in the house alone seems to make time pass very slowly for her. She thinks some things have been many days, when it has only been a day or two. When items are tied to a specific date, she can refer to the calendar and realize otherwise. However, most items are just a long time ago in her mind.
Mom is very frustrated with her promise to Dad to not drive. She has said she will never promise that again.
Alas, her memory seems to be stuck on the bitter memories about people rather than the good. Thankfully, she still strongly desires to have Dad around, and to be near him.
Per Cousin Sean: Dad to have surgery tomorrow
A couple quick messages passed along by my Cousin Sean:
"Your dad was in great spirits yesterday! We had a nice long visit. I went down to the cafeteria and brought your mom dinner just around the same time your dad's dinner came in. They were able to have dinner together. I may be a bit sappy but I thought it to be very nice.
"Your dad will go back in for surgery tomorrow to have a stent from his kidney to his bladder. They tried today however it did not seat properly. They will put him under anesthesia as the pain was too much. They are saying if all goes well he can be released tomorrow."
"Your dad was in great spirits yesterday! We had a nice long visit. I went down to the cafeteria and brought your mom dinner just around the same time your dad's dinner came in. They were able to have dinner together. I may be a bit sappy but I thought it to be very nice.
"Your dad will go back in for surgery tomorrow to have a stent from his kidney to his bladder. They tried today however it did not seat properly. They will put him under anesthesia as the pain was too much. They are saying if all goes well he can be released tomorrow."
A package encouraged Mom today! Praise God
Thank You Lord for friends like Korey, and the technology and infrastructure to keep in touch, and be recipients of surprising acts of kindness.
A little letter and small trinket shipped to her really perked up my Mom's otherwise gloomy day, the first without a visit to Dad in the hospital.
God used the package carrier and a friend's kindness to deliver it at just the right time.
A little letter and small trinket shipped to her really perked up my Mom's otherwise gloomy day, the first without a visit to Dad in the hospital.
God used the package carrier and a friend's kindness to deliver it at just the right time.
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