Dad on the upswing

22 Jan

Things seem to really be progressing in Greenville. Dad has had several good days. PT is going REALLY WELL. Walking more and more each day. Mom said he had three PT sessions yesterday and they really worked him over. And he seems to be up to the task!!

Okay, now the RCP folks are re-evaluating and thinking maybe he COULD do acute therapy. And everyone in the family is praying that the right decisions are made. And that Dad will keep it up!! Will post more when I know more.

Progress??

21 Jan

I don’t know how to gauge it, but there IS progress:

Dad IS walking. Yesterday he walked down the hall. Had to take a little rest before he walked back, but he DID walk!
Yesterday Dad took his SECOND shower in two days. Makes him feel much better!!
There are other developments that show progress, too!!
But we have big decisions to make: They seem to be pushing us away from acute rehab into something a little more long term. We are looking into the qualified rehab hospitals in the area.
Just lots to do. But I am glad we are having to do them! And glad he is a candidate for rehab and eventually going home!
So … PROGRESS!

Big decisions ahead

20 Jan

Dad IS making progress. As slow as it might be. HOWEVER … It seems the chances of his going to Roger C Peace for rehab are shrinking day by day. RCP is an acute care facility. Their purpose is to rehab and discharge within two to three weeks. Those evaluating him wonder if he will be able to rehab that quickly because of his mental acuity (as a result of brain surgery).

When you think about it, Dad has been on his back for almost a month. For almost three weeks, he ate very little. There is even muscle loss in his hands, let alone his legs and feet. It is really heartbreaking to see.
On a positive note, Dad STOOD for the first time yesterday (with the aide of a walker). He got to go into the shower and sit in a shower chair and have his first shower in almost a month. It made him feel great!!
Our task is now to make the best decision for rehab for Dad. Pray for us, especially Mom, as its gonna be tough!!

Today’s funny from Mikey

19 Jan

http://www.mikeysfunnies.com

THE BUSINESS GUIDE TO THE 7 DWARFS
By Jim Gum

Every month we get a Human Resources report on terminations. When they are asked to put a reason why they were terminated, the reasons vary from resigned, got a better job, getting married, moving, sexual misconduct, etc. What I’ve found is that there isn’t a standard list. So, I decided to come up with one based on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

In order to standardize our Human Resources forms we now use just 7 reasons for termination:

~ Happy: Had trouble putting nose to the grindstone. Too much time spent telling jokes at the water cooler.
~ Doc: Left to pursue further schooling, in particular, Ph.D. work.
~ Sleepy: Chronically late for work. Caused many project delays.
~ Grumpy: Poor attitude toward work. Not a team player. Trouble with early mornings.
~ Dopey: Made several critical errors at work costing the company money, e.g., misappropriated company funds.
~ Sneezy: Recurrent, chronic illness has made it difficult for the employee to complete work in a timely fashion.
~ Bashful: Lack of initiative. Not willing to make cold calls. Too often let workplace disagreements simmer.

OTHERS
~ Jealous Queen: Heavy involvement in the occult not congruent with organizational policies.
~ Snow White: Sexual misconduct, e.g., kissing strange men while under some kind of trance.
~ Huntsman: Couldn’t stand to be cooped up in the office all day. Pursuing work with the National Forest Service.

Copyright 2000 Jim Gum. Permission is granted to send this to others, but not for commercial purposes.

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.
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