Waiting...

It's a waiting game now.  It's been a VERY busy past few days.

My last post talked about how Dad would be having a heart cath done on Monday.  However, once they got us down there and had Dad completely prepped for surgery the cardiologist made the decision that it wasn't time to do this.  He noticed how Dad was irritated and would not be as still as he'd need to be for the operation.  So we went back to his room.

Tuesday:  was my day to catch up on house chores and go grocery shopping.  I came back by the hospital around 3pm to find that the doctor's thought Dad may have had another stroke.  Dad  had been sleeping ALOT and not talking much or opening his eyes at all.  (Mom and Bobby both have taken it pretty bad.  They are very concerned.  Don't get me wrong, I'm concerned as well but God has given me peace that everything will be ok)  The doctors made the decision that Dad would go to a rehab facility once he was discharged to relearn all of his basic motor skills until he was able to go home.  They also did a priority CT scan Thursday around 5:30pm.  Within 15 minutes he was back and within 30 minutes we spoke to Dr. Shell (Cardiologist) who told us that the CT showed no new stroke.  Good news, but bad news as well since this would mean that Dad was just slowing getting worse.

Wednesday:  I went back to work on Wednesday.  I went straight to the hospital after I got off and Dad was not doing well. They did a stress test early morning to see how well his heart would withstand the stress as well as to check the blockage I think.  In the meantime I called Medicare to see what they would cover if Dad did indeed have to go to a rehab facility.  It would be $50/day for the first 20 days, $100/day for the next 20 days then they would cover it 100%.  Bottom line is it would depend on how long he stayed.  If he stayed 100 days it would $3300.  The CT results came back in that evening and they weren't good.  3 out of 4 arteries from his heart were blocked so there's nothing they could do.  He is not a candidate for any type of surgery.  We talked to the Cardiologist and she suggested we had a few choices.  We could insert a feeding tube, take him to an inhouse hospice full time or take him home and keep him as comfy as possible.  We made the decision to take him home just keep him comfortable as possible.  Wednesday night dad wasn't doing much better and he wasn't swallowing so Bobby asked that they hook up his IV with saline so that he would at least stay hydrated.  He was offered a feeding tube but ADAMANTLY denied it.  The family agreed.  That is NOT was Dad would have wanted.  I know there are some that disagree with our choice but it was a decision for us to make.  Dad, Mom, Beth and Bobby.  And no one else's.

The hospice liaison came in and gave up some basic info on how everything works.

Thursday:  We made the final decision to take Dad home where he'd want to be.  With Belle (their Golden Retriever)  Hospice is/was WONDERFUL.  They took care of everything and very quickly as well.

Friday:  I met the supply company at Mom and Dad's house for them to set up his bed.  They discharged Dad and he arrived via ambulance around 2:00pm and got settled in.  He was glad to be home and around his stuff.

It's hard to see him this way but at the same time I know he's ready to go and I'm ready for him to not be in anymore pain and to be with his mom, dad and brother as well as some extended family.  He had his first stroke in 1995 and has had 7 since.  It's been a long journey for him as well as his family.  I am at peace with it.

Please keep our family in your prayers as we struggle thru the next few days/weeks...

Love,
E