Archive | January, 2010

Dad’s Status: Monday, Jan 18

18 Jan

I guess that title is a little misleading. I haven’t called Mom yet today. Dad had another good day yesterday. We’ve learned to be very thankful for good days. Mom said Dad was lucid all day yesterday. He continues to insist on going home and trying to get up. He is not quite strong enough to get up, but I am glad he is trying. It just complicates things for Mom having to keep an eye on him constantly.

The plan forward is for Dad to go to Roger C Peace Rehab this week. We are hoping he can engage and gain strength quickly so he can go home!!

Saturday, January 16

16 Jan

Elaine and I are sitting here in Dad’s room. We’ve had a very lucid, long term conversation about his condition, the treatment path forward, and other hospital-related items. And it has been very interesting.

Dad is improving day-by-day. The surgery went well on Thursday morning and so far, so good. We’ve been discussing options for physical rehab. Looks like Dad WILL be doing some in-patient (and I am hoping NOT IMPATIENT) PT. Dad would LOVE to go home right now. But he is just NOT ready for that …
Words cannot express our gratitude for all of the prayers, thoughts, contacts, and other things we’ve received from you, our friends. I ask that you please continue to pray for Dad AND Mom as we walk through this time.

Things looking up???

15 Jan

I sit in this hospital room once again. This time, Dad is asleep, which is a miracle because he was WIDE AWAKE until almost 4am. Full of questions. Trying to get me to take him home. And getting angry with the night nurse because he kept coming into the room … And he was a good nurse. I think the fact that he looked to be 18 probably threw Dad for a loop.

We had a pretty good day after the surgery and have more understanding of the WHAT and WHY: Removing the shunt was actually the lesser of two evils. The doctor realizes as we do the pre-shunt conditions will return and he DOES have a plan to deal with them. That is a relief. As for the long term plan, they hope to get him up out of bed today (if they’d been here at 2am, he would’ve danced for them). The plan is for Dad to go for some inpatient rehab after that.
I told Jumana Swindler last night that I hesitate to say we have turned a corner here, because I’ve said that so many times only to have to retract it. So I will end my entry HERE and let you figure out what I am thinking ….

Another surgery

14 Jan

Here we sit in the hospital room waiting. Again. Got about four hours sleep last night. We walked into the hospital at 6am, and Dad was awake and talking. He knew who I was and he knew who Drew was. We got to see him a few minutes before they took him to the holding area.

After talking to the neurosurgeon yesterday, I do feel better about this surgery. But not great. Much has happened and Dad has gone down a good bit. He IS slowly climbing back up, but I am getting the feeling I might have my sights set too high for his potential recovery.
On the other hand, ONLY GOD KNOWS what will happen here. HE is the Great Physician. This IS one of those things I need to trust to His care. It just gets a lot tougher to do that when it is your dad ….

And the plot thickens …

13 Jan

Again, Dad didn’t really have a great day yesterday. Mom is completely worn out. And the doctor passed along to Mom through the nurses that he IS going to remove the shunt. The shunt that made a tremendous difference for Dad for FOUR YEARS up until October when it was adjusted. And I am stunned.

My sister Elaine, who has a BILLION questions about all of this, is talking to the neurosurgeon today. From Tampa. We need answers, and if there is one thing I’ve noticed on this entire journey, these doctors are not offering a lot of data. Communication is NOT their strong point.
I am heading up there. And hoping to get some answers. And give Mom some relief. In all of this, I worry about her, too.

The Truth about what’s going on in Greenville

12 Jan

I wish it were so easy that I could just blog the truth about what is going on with Dad. I wish I knew the truth. I don’t think any of us really do, except those who have been reading the CT scans.

Yes, Dad finally was moved to a room yesterday. And by supper time, Mom was worn out. Even though he can’t walk, Dad keeps trying to get out of bed. He is not thinking clearly and has not been for days. I thought it was the pain killers they’ve given him, but apparently they haven’t given him anything for several days. Yet he continues to “work” in his bed, fixing chillers and air-conditioners and boilers and is ready to GO HOME.
And to make matters worse, the doctor says his last CT scan looks better than any of the others. But there are NO ANSWERS as to why Dad sleeps so much still, or why he is working all the time, or why he is not thinking clearly. At least, no answers they are willing to give. And yesterday one of the doctors said they still haven’t decided whether or not to take the shunt out. The shunt that made all the difference in the world when they put it in four years ago. The neurologist has turned it off for a few days and will make a decision later this week.
And so, I will get some answers. And possibly a second opinion. And if they REALLY mess with us, I will do something they absolutely DON’T WANT … I will turn my little sister loose on them. One way or another, WE WILL find the truth about what’s going on up there.

A New Week, Same old stuff

11 Jan

Yes, we are still in the old ICU holding pattern. Dad has been in ICU at Greenville Memorial for 12 days now. The last FOUR have promised he will get out “tomorrow.” I don’t think my definition of tomorrow and theirs lines up. What bothers me about all of this is there seems to be no major reasons for why he doesn’t get out. Yesterday they requested a room and then rescended the request when he slept too much. Of course, a couple of hours after that decision he woke up, ate a good meal, and talked to everyone. They give him high-powered pain killers at night and can’t seem to figure out why he sleeps so much during the day.

Okay, here is the deal: My dad doesn’t even like to take TYLENOL. So I am not surprised when you dose him with Morphine, Adavan, or Darvacet, that he tries to sleep all day the next day. I am no doctor, but I do know that 1+1=2.

The Latest on Dad

9 Jan

Since yesterday’s post, much has happened. I could write that everyday. And it is always a ROLLERCOASTER. Our emotions hit the high and low spots harder than the actual reports from the doctors, but I guess that is natural.

Dad was awake and alert for most of the day yesterday. The cardiologists finally came back and told us there was nothing to worry about with his heart, but they do see something minor that they want to follow up on after he is released from the hospital. The critical care team said they are ready to discharge him from ICU. His neurologist wants one more good night in ICU, and then off to the floor.
So, dare I write this?? He is SUPPOSED to go to a room TODAY. But like my sisters, I’ll believe it when it happens. He had a good day yesterday. He even got Mom to call me on her cell phone from inside ICU because he wanted to talk to me last night! He couldn’t hear most of what I said, but it was good to talk to him!
So I guess this is all good. And I am thankful for so many good friends that have checked on him and my family. And those that prayed! Keep praying!!!
ALSO: Remember the family of Ed Self. His dad, who has fought COPD for a decade or more, is very close to death. Ed and all of his siblings are in Rock Hill right now with his mom and dad. Lift them up!!
Remember the family of Betty Moore-Bell. Her brother, Richard Moore, is in MICU at McLeod and doctors have reached the point where all they can do is keep him comfortable.

The Invisible Woman

8 Jan

A friend sent me this clip today of Nicole Johnson. AWESOME!!!

Dear AT&T

8 Jan

Just wanted to share some thoughts with you, my old friend, AT&T. Tell you a story. Hope you listen:

I know it is not your fault my dad is having some health issues. As I’ve spent most of the past two weeks out of town, I’ve had issues with you and you haven’t been a good friend. When I returned from my trip to Greenville at Christmas, I found my DSL modem fried. Okay, I’m sorry that must be a South Carolina metaphor. If I told Dean Lisenby, Robbie Roof, Paul Triplett, or Dustin Fails that my modem was fried, they would COMPLETELY and IMMEDIATELY understand. So when I told your DSL tech over the toll-free support line, he had no clue. He did not speak South Carolinian, and barely spoke English. I asked him if I had equipment coverage or if there was any chance my modem was under warranty. He had no clue. I told him unless I knew it was covered NOT TO SHIP. He shipped.
I called the folks at billing. They said it was gonna cost me $75, but I could call and get a return label if I did not want it. I found one … One of the above mentioned friends had one HE GAVE ME. So your box came to my house while I was out of town again with my dad.
This morning I finally had time to call you, AT&T. To get a return label. What I got was a very nice young lady who, once again, DID NOT SPEAK SOUTH CAROLINIAN. She asked me how I wanted the label: email or snail mail. I answered SNAIL MAIL. She then proceeded to tell me she’d already emailed it and I would have it soon. Guess what?? IT NEVER CAME.
So, I will call and call and call until I get someone who speaks ENGLISH and try again.
So, AT&T, you might think you are saving money by farming out tech support to another continent. But you are HURTING YOURSELVES. YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE REALLY STINKS RIGHT NOW.
Sincerely,
David
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