The nursing home stay is going well for Dad.
The nursing home rehab is estimating that Dad will be able to come home in October. He has already greatly improved.
Dad decided he cannot take chemotherapy anymore.
The doctor is estimating that Dad has less than 7 months to live, perhaps 6, perhaps less.
Mom, Dad and I all seem to be taking it well, in large part because we have been halfway expecting this for a while.
Showing posts with label hospital. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hospital. Show all posts
Dad moving to Church of Christ Care Center.
The plan is that Dad will move to Church of Christ Care Center at 5pm by ambulance from the hospital today.
I am praising God for this.
I am praising God for this.
Dad going to nursing home; pausing chemotherapy
As heard before, due to the payment methods and extreme costs, nursing homes can not accept patients undergoing chemotherapy and the side-effects they bring.
So Dad will be pausing chemotherapy while he is placed in a nursing home.
The hope is that Dad will regain enough strength in the nursing home to be returned home. At that point the chemotherapy should be able to restart.
So now back to the point of praying that Dad gets a good nursing home, and Mom can manage home alone and getting to and from visiting Dad without too much difficulty.
So Dad will be pausing chemotherapy while he is placed in a nursing home.
The hope is that Dad will regain enough strength in the nursing home to be returned home. At that point the chemotherapy should be able to restart.
So now back to the point of praying that Dad gets a good nursing home, and Mom can manage home alone and getting to and from visiting Dad without too much difficulty.
Dad going to nursing home; unclear if continuing chemotherapy
Dad is recovering ok in hospital, but still throwing up some on a liquid diet.
Due to his not being able to handle chemotherapy while living at home, he is going to be moved to a nursing home.
It is unclear if he will be able to continue chemotherapy from the nursing home, or the focus will switch to hospice. Part of the decision will be what the health insurance will cover. I hope to learn more Tuesday.
Dad is unsure if he will ever come to live at home again. Mom seemed to take it well.
I think they both are being overly pessimistic at this point. Hopefully I will find out more later...
I think they both are being overly pessimistic at this point. Hopefully I will find out more later...
Dad doing better in hospital, but still vomiting
Dad looked and sounded much better this afternoon.
His cancer doctor mentioned the possibility (likelihood?) of him being sent to a nursing home / rehab center after getting out of the hospital. Both Mom and Dad are saddened by that idea, but seem to be accepting of it. Dad's main concern is confirming if it would be covered by their health insurance. A secondary hope is to get to a desirable place.
Dad was put on a liquid diet, due to his still vomiting. Even with a liquid meal, he still had trouble keeping food down.
His cancer doctor mentioned the possibility (likelihood?) of him being sent to a nursing home / rehab center after getting out of the hospital. Both Mom and Dad are saddened by that idea, but seem to be accepting of it. Dad's main concern is confirming if it would be covered by their health insurance. A secondary hope is to get to a desirable place.
Dad was put on a liquid diet, due to his still vomiting. Even with a liquid meal, he still had trouble keeping food down.
Dad dehydrated enough that admitted to hospital.
Dad was weak again today. This late morning he drank some water, and a nutrition drink. A bit later I asked him to try some more water. He said he felt nauseous, but I encouraged him to try a bit more. He did, and a bit later he thew up. So much for getting the nutrition drink and pills he had earlier.
The raised toilet seat had been helping a lot. The main challenge in that area has been that Dad has developed painful hemorrhoids.
Eventually, we went to the chemo doctor, and doctor felt the dehydration was serious enough to admit Dad to the hospital. So Dad is at St. John South Macomb hospital again.
Dr. Kent Brantly discharge statement shows a willing servant of God.
Praise God for His servants who are willing to risk their lives for the chance to save others' physical and spiritual lives.
I think these heroes need to be publicized, as this is a respectable American Dream.
May God continue to bless the world through America.
May God give wisdom to the medical and spiritual help from so many nations currently trying to help western Africa deal with this disease.
Dr. Kent Brantly's statements are available in text or in the video below.
I think these heroes need to be publicized, as this is a respectable American Dream.
May God continue to bless the world through America.
May God give wisdom to the medical and spiritual help from so many nations currently trying to help western Africa deal with this disease.
Dr. Kent Brantly's statements are available in text or in the video below.
Dad much better, and considering nursing home for next step. Mom feels home spooky alone.
Dad looks and is much better, both physically and emotionally.
Dad's doctor asked what he thought about spending some time in a rest home. Dad thinks it might help. So Dad is thinking of going to a rehab/nursing home until he can take care of himself. He feels he tried going home and having Mom take care of him, but she & he could not handle it. Mom felt sad that she could not. She could understand that she was not giving him good cooked meals, and blames herself some for that. She could not understand so well that Dad needed to be woken up to get pills and meals at certain times of day. In her words, when she tried that, Dad bit her head off. We said that the nursing home workers have thicker skin.
Dad's doctor asked what he thought about spending some time in a rest home. Dad thinks it might help. So Dad is thinking of going to a rehab/nursing home until he can take care of himself. He feels he tried going home and having Mom take care of him, but she & he could not handle it. Mom felt sad that she could not. She could understand that she was not giving him good cooked meals, and blames herself some for that. She could not understand so well that Dad needed to be woken up to get pills and meals at certain times of day. In her words, when she tried that, Dad bit her head off. We said that the nursing home workers have thicker skin.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Today's surgery went well, but not as well as hoped. Planning a follow up surgery, probably tomorrow, to provide for urine flow.
The urologist finished operating on Dad by 9:00am today. He was able to scrape out more (most? all?) of the tumor from inside Dad's bladder. He was not able to put in a stent during this operation as hoped.
There was a back-up of urine in the system, which is now getting flushed out by a saline solution flowing through Dad's bladder. Dad has a catheter as part of this. However, the nurse told me that he seems comfortable. This is a big change from Dad's last catheter experience, which was painful.
Next Dad will have surgery to add a stent or tube, if I understand right, through the back to the bladder, to allow urine to flow. This might happen as early as tomorrow morning.
A big thanks to Cousin Sean who will volunteered to transport Mom to and from the hospital most days this week.
There was a back-up of urine in the system, which is now getting flushed out by a saline solution flowing through Dad's bladder. Dad has a catheter as part of this. However, the nurse told me that he seems comfortable. This is a big change from Dad's last catheter experience, which was painful.
Next Dad will have surgery to add a stent or tube, if I understand right, through the back to the bladder, to allow urine to flow. This might happen as early as tomorrow morning.
A big thanks to Cousin Sean who will volunteered to transport Mom to and from the hospital most days this week.
Dad resting better, awaiting better white blood cell count
The urinary tract infection is reducing. As a result, Dad is able to urinate a bit better. That means he is able to go longer between times. So rather than getting up every 15 minutes at night, he was able to sleep for a few hours at a time. This made him look better, and he seemed less emotional as well.
He is still constipated, and his body has not responded to the laxatives given for this.
He is walking well still. He walked too fast for the short nurse who escorted him around the floor hallways.
The antibiotics should improve the white blood cell count situation, so Dad can get his surgery done early next week. They delayed it at the last moment because with the low white blood cell count (at least for the ones that fight external infection), they were afraid of galloping bacteria spreading infection.
He is still constipated, and his body has not responded to the laxatives given for this.
He is walking well still. He walked too fast for the short nurse who escorted him around the floor hallways.
The antibiotics should improve the white blood cell count situation, so Dad can get his surgery done early next week. They delayed it at the last moment because with the low white blood cell count (at least for the ones that fight external infection), they were afraid of galloping bacteria spreading infection.
Dad to have surgery Friday 7/11/2014.
The doctors seem to have decided Dad can have his surgery tomorrow, Friday.
If I understand right, it is to have his bladder scraped out, a stent put in to improve flow, and to drain fluid from his kidney.
It will probably be in the morning.
Depending on how scan says things look inside, they'll go in from the front or maybe from the back, which is worse.
If I understand right, it is to have his bladder scraped out, a stent put in to improve flow, and to drain fluid from his kidney.
It will probably be in the morning.
Depending on how scan says things look inside, they'll go in from the front or maybe from the back, which is worse.
Dad to get stent in urinary tract to help with infection and tumor blockage
Mom did not think Dad looked in very good shape yesterday.
Dad is still having trouble resting due to frequently urinating small amounts.
This is due to both the tumor blocking things up and urinary tract infection.
The urinary tract infection seems resistant to the first antibiotic they gave, so they are using another now.
The doctors want to put in a stent to provide a path from the bladder out.
However, they have to wait until some of Dad's regular medications, such as blood thinners, are out of his system.
Work to clear out Dad's urinary tract was originally scheduled for 7/11, Friday, even before the recent issues. However, due to some misunderstanding, I cancelled it. Therefore Dad did not stop taking the blood thinners earlier. Dad thought the 7/11 surgery was to remove his bladder, and he knew that since there was cancer on the liver that removal was not a near term step.
Because of worries of the infection spreading to others, Dad was moved to a private room. That is a bit of worry for his claustrophobia. Hopefully the window and open door will be enough to keep him comfortable.
Also because of worry of infection, Mom is not supposed to touch nor kiss Dad now. That adds to the sadness.
Dad is very sad, in part because he worries greatly about Mom.
Dad seemed encouraged by the visits of family.
Thanks to Aunt Vera and Cousin Sean who have taken time out of their previously scheduled lives to take Mom to the hospital so far this week.
I plan on taking Mom today at around 2pm.
Dad is still having trouble resting due to frequently urinating small amounts.
This is due to both the tumor blocking things up and urinary tract infection.
The urinary tract infection seems resistant to the first antibiotic they gave, so they are using another now.
The doctors want to put in a stent to provide a path from the bladder out.
However, they have to wait until some of Dad's regular medications, such as blood thinners, are out of his system.
Work to clear out Dad's urinary tract was originally scheduled for 7/11, Friday, even before the recent issues. However, due to some misunderstanding, I cancelled it. Therefore Dad did not stop taking the blood thinners earlier. Dad thought the 7/11 surgery was to remove his bladder, and he knew that since there was cancer on the liver that removal was not a near term step.
Because of worries of the infection spreading to others, Dad was moved to a private room. That is a bit of worry for his claustrophobia. Hopefully the window and open door will be enough to keep him comfortable.
Also because of worry of infection, Mom is not supposed to touch nor kiss Dad now. That adds to the sadness.
Dad is very sad, in part because he worries greatly about Mom.
Dad seemed encouraged by the visits of family.
Thanks to Aunt Vera and Cousin Sean who have taken time out of their previously scheduled lives to take Mom to the hospital so far this week.
I plan on taking Mom today at around 2pm.
Dad much more comfortable after chemo and hospital admission
This morning Dad looked bad and was very shaky. He was wondering if to cancel chemo or not.
He was convinced to go.
He got chemo, including hydration, and including comfort drugs that normally would not get because he usually drives himself.
He was told to go to the hospital, which he did not like. However, he did.
He is now in South Macomb hospital, fifth floor. Dad is in the hospital due to lack of recent digestion movement. Almost none in, no solids out, very little liquid. The hospital will work to make sure he is not blocked up inside. They are wanting to get food and drink input and output working well again.
By the time he got settled in a hospital bed, Dad looked a lot better. Everything seems fine now, at least comparatively. When Mom left the hospital today, Dad looked and sounded comfortable, and said he felt OK. That is something he had not been for a few days, at least.
Mom seems to understand that she should not be driving alone with her short term memory loss. She feels taxis are outrageously expensive, so we'll have to taxi her to/from the hospital for visits while trying to teach her that professional taxis are not so bad.
He was convinced to go.
He got chemo, including hydration, and including comfort drugs that normally would not get because he usually drives himself.
He was told to go to the hospital, which he did not like. However, he did.
He is now in South Macomb hospital, fifth floor. Dad is in the hospital due to lack of recent digestion movement. Almost none in, no solids out, very little liquid. The hospital will work to make sure he is not blocked up inside. They are wanting to get food and drink input and output working well again.
By the time he got settled in a hospital bed, Dad looked a lot better. Everything seems fine now, at least comparatively. When Mom left the hospital today, Dad looked and sounded comfortable, and said he felt OK. That is something he had not been for a few days, at least.
Mom seems to understand that she should not be driving alone with her short term memory loss. She feels taxis are outrageously expensive, so we'll have to taxi her to/from the hospital for visits while trying to teach her that professional taxis are not so bad.
Parents struggling with frustrations about each other more than medical issues
After my visit with my parents Friday night, I again felt that their medical issues, while serious, are less of an immediate concern than their learning to get along.
The new medical issue is that Dad has a growth on his liver. A biopsy to see if it is cancer is scheduled for 6/13.
The new medical issue is that Dad has a growth on his liver. A biopsy to see if it is cancer is scheduled for 6/13.
Dad's leg pain likely due to a clot in leg.
Dad is doing okay in hospital, but has had trouble with being stir- crazy, and even claustrophobia.
This afternoon a test result came in that he has a clot in his leg. So now they do not want him walking at all. Not even to the bathroom in his room.
They gave Dad some blood thinner. That should dissolve the clot.
An uncle of Jodi died from a clot in the leg from a car accident. He was recovering from the accident, when the clot moved to where it killed him.
Dad is aware of the danger of stroke or other issue.
Dad thinks Mom does not understand.
However Mom is worrying that they might send Dad home too soon.
So Mom will still have to have rides to the hospital.
Mom well, slowly recovering strength.
Other members of the Abbey side of the family have much worse issues right now.
Mom is OK.
She switched rooms on Thursday, the 14th. Hopefully she will move again soon.
The test results of her urinary tract infection status should come back Monday. Hopefully it gives her the all clear to no longer be isolated. Then she can leave her room for activities, group walking exercises, meals, etc.
She seems easily tired.
- Uncle Bob Abbey has a MRSA infection on his toe. If it does not heal, worst case the doctors might amputate.
- Aunt Vera Crane is recovering from her troubles, but still in some pain it sounds like.
- Landon, Aunt Vera's grandson, is out of the hospital with his collapsed lung, still recovering.
Mom is OK.
She switched rooms on Thursday, the 14th. Hopefully she will move again soon.
The test results of her urinary tract infection status should come back Monday. Hopefully it gives her the all clear to no longer be isolated. Then she can leave her room for activities, group walking exercises, meals, etc.
She seems easily tired.
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