A Trip To The Hospital

Dear Friends,

Just a quick note to let you know why I have been an absentee blogger of late.

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Our Dad was 'out of sorts' on Easter Sunday...disoriented, wheezy, a little swelling was noticed.  We were concerned, but, Dad being Dad, he would not let us get him any medical attention. We told him that first thing Monday morning, we would take him to the Doctors.  Of course, he put up a stink, but we were adamant.

Monday am, we called his doc, and were told to get him to a hospital for 'evaluation'. So my Sister, Donna, and I took him to Miriam Hospital in Providence.

They administered to him immediately, and found that his blood pressure and oxygen levels were too low --- for starters --- and he was admitted on the spot.  And that's when things started going downhill in a hurry. His breathing became labored, so he was put on a respirator. They did all the tests that ER docs are famous for doing, and found he had pneumonia. He was brought to the ICU, more tests were run. IV's were inserted in places I didn't know you could insert IV's. He became lethargic. Needless to say, we were scared.

Donna rushed back to the house to fetch Mom. And we waited.

Several hours later, the docs sat us down and told us that his problems were more extensive than pneumonia. The additional diagnosis was COPD, heart disease, and kidney disease. We were not surprised.  Dad is 88 years old, and has abused his body with tobacco and alcohol and obesity for most of his adult life.

The family got together, and prayed, but we were not hopeful.

Tuesday, he was totally unresponsive. Still in ICU, on the respirator, being pumped full of antibiotics and heart medicines and other fluids, machines keeping his circulation going. Again, as a family unit, we prayed and discussed end of life issues. We all knew this time would come, yet none of us are prepared.

Wednesday morning.  Jerry and I go to the hospital early (very early) expecting to spend the day in vigil. But here's the shocker:  

Dad was sitting up in the bed, 

off the respirator, 

bitching about all the tubes attached to him, 

and generally giving the nurses a difficult time.  

He was moved out of ICU yesterday afternoon.

This is not to say that that he is out of the woods.  We are looking at extensive physical and respiratory therapy, and possible nursing facilities.  And his 89th birthday is right around the corner, so expecting full recovery is unrealistic. But we get to keep him around for a little while longer, and that is a blessing.

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As you may have guessed, my postcards will more than likely be sporadic for a while.  I know you will forgive that, and I thank you for it, without wax. 

My love to you all,

xoxoxo, cd