Yesterday's Report
For the last month or so, my sister has paid for an acquaintance of the family to spend time with Dad. This man is currently unemployed, so it's a win-win situation. On the days that he sees Dad, Phil sends Anne a report describing the visit. Here is a quote from yesterday:
Herb was in good spirits, although somewhat confused at times. He seemed happy to have returned to Sleepy Hollow, and understood that after his infection clears he will be able to resume therapy/walking.
Back "Home"
Dad was discharged from the hospital on Saturday about 2 pm and returned to the rehab hospital (nursing home). Anne reported that Dad's condition had worsened somewhat compared to Friday, but that seems understandable considering a move. Mom, Anne, Andrew, and the kids celebrated Dad's birthday with a party, which I heard was quite festive.
Dad was better on Sunday, and Anne reported that he even smiled and laughed a few times. His thinking was also clear. I also heard today that in the hospital, the staff got him out of bed to walk a little, with assistance.
He still has pneumonia and is coughing a lot, but at least that's getting the infection out. Swallowing continues to be difficult, and that presents a definite risk for aspiration, which would exacerbate the pneumonia.
I'm thankful that the last days have been good. That's a blessing, indeed.
Better
Whatever was making Dad agitated and hostile has passed. He is still on three strong antibiotics, so the change must be that the infections are now less severe. In the recent past, he has reacted to pain killers and anesthesia with agitation, hallucinations, and hostility, and to antibiotics with convulsions.
But this time, it seems to be the infections themselves. We’ve been told that urinary tract infections can cause personality changes in the elderly, and Dad’s UTI was severe enough that it colonized.
Whatever the reason for the change, everyone is breathing a sigh of relief.
Some Good News
In the last 12 hours, Dad has been himself again--coherent, calm, and not in pain or distress. He also doesn't remember the bad days this week. What a blessing! For today, we can all breathe a sigh of relief and be thankful. One day at a time.
Today is also my father's 79th birthday. I had the opportunity to tell him that he is the best father in the whole world, and that I love him very much, and he was able to hear and comprehend that, and return the love. Another big gift!
My sister Anne told me that a young doctor visited this morning. She told him that my father is a scientist and would be interested in hearing about the treatment he's receiving. The doctor asked my father about his work as a chemist and listened for over fifteen minutes as Dad described the research he'd done over the years. The two of them went back and forth with questions and answers for quite some time. What an affirmation of my father as a person and not just a patient.
Happy Birthday, Dad!
Infections
Dad has now been diagnosed with an intestinal infection, pneumonia, and a urinary tract infection that has colonized. He has had leukemia for several years, and his weakened immune system is struggling to fight off its attackers. The medical personnel have found a sedative that is working better, so he has been sleeping for much of the past 24 hours. The three antibiotics that he is receiving will finish their course by this weekend, when he will be discharged from the hospital. At that point, we've been asked to bring in hospice.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me besides still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil.
For you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Sedatives
The doctors have changed sedatives, and Dad had a better night. But when the drug wears off, he is extremely agitated and almost violent with everyone around him. This is so unlike his lifelong personality. I have to remember that his behavior is the medicine or the infection, and not the loving father I know.
There's a time period of agitation before they can give another dose of sedative. At least he has been sleeping some of the time. After all the constant motion, his body must be exhausted. It's also very hard on my mother, sister, brother-in-law, nurses, and all who are caring for him.
Doing Better
My father's temperature is still normal, and his coughing has diminished. Thank the Lord!
The medicines and infection continue to make him confused and very, very testy, which is difficult for all who are trying to help him. He is receiving sedatives, but they wear off about an hour before he can take the next round.
Please pray that the antibiotics, so necessary for the pneumonia, can stop affecting his behavior so much.
Pneumonia
Mom and Anne drove Dad to the emergency room yesterday, and the medical personnel treated him with antibiotics and fluids. They confirmed the diagnosis of pneumonia and admitted him to the hospital, but a room did not come available for 22 hours.
My mother spent a difficult night in the ER with Dad, for the antibiotics caused severe agitation and confusion. Anne told me a few minutes ago that Dad is so upset that it takes two people to keep him from pulling out his tubes. Even after months in bed, his upper body strength is still there, and his bad reaction to the medications turns a gentle man into a fighter who wants to DO something so that he'll feel better.
The good news is that his fever is no longer over 102, and the coughing has diminished. So the antibiotics are starting to do their work. Keep your prayers coming for Dad, Mom, and Anne.
In the Hospital
Since 9:00 am this morning, my father has developed symptoms of pneumonia. As of 4:00 pm, my mother and sister are driving him to the hospital for treatment. Dad feels very sick, and is frightened by that. Please pray for him to be calm and at peace as he goes through this next stage of his journey.
Tax Day
With the adoption tax credit completely behind us now, I'm back to filling out our own tax returns. Yesterday, one of my calculations involved totaling the number of miles we drove last year for medical appointments.
Back in 2010, that figure was about 2200, which I thought was high. But now we're over 6000 miles for 2012! That's like driving roundtrip from Chicago to Texas three times. At least that high mileage figure increased our tax deductions.
Remnant
Last spring, I listened to a book on tape that outlined the history of the English language. In the very old days, English speakers declined nouns in the same way that Ukrainians do. The endings on words change, depending on the word's function in the sentence. It has always struck me that our children's Ukrainian names are spelled differently if they are used as a subject or an object in a sentence.
In English, most declension of nouns has faded away. But as I was doing taxes recently on Quicken, a remnant of the old system jumped out at me. As a pay
er, I handle our bills, but a company receiving my payment is a pay
ee.
Satisfaction in the Midst of Tension
Rough breakfast this morning with discipline. But even hard times have their silver linings. None of the other kids tried to defend their misbehaving siblings.
That's real progress, considering the defense in the past has included everything from verbal to physical to telephone calls to the police department. I guess the officers have told them enough times that yes, children have to listen to their parents.
Last Chance for a While
Two weeks ago--Holy Week
Last week--the kids' spring break
Next Monday--tax day (and financial aid deadline for Walther Lutheran high school)
Today--My first day off in a long time. Feels like a linch pin, so I decided to do some things for myself today. Tomorrow begins more hard work.
Brrrrr!
After Easter services on Sunday, all eight of us headed to a two-day getaway at a KOA in Rock Island. Very fortunately, the cabins there are heated. Good thing, because we never had to buy ice for the cooler!
Humor Goes A Long Way
My father is out of the hospital and back in the rehab facility, but last week was extremely rough for him. The following story made me feel better. It's from a visitor who saw him last Monday:
I enjoyed visiting with Herb. We especially spoke about the old days since current activities seemed less clear to him. He spoke warmly about attending Bethany College in KS and courting Dorothy there.
An Asian nurse or social worker came in while I was there to survey his mental state. She asked him to remember three words and repeat them to her (blue, bed, and socks). He was able to repeat blue, and sometimes bed, but not socks.
When the nurse asked him what he needed to put on his feet before his shoes, he replied with a twinkle in his eye that where he came from it was not necessary to wear anything on his feet!
