I saw Dad for about 45 minutes this morning before going to work. He was sleeping when I got there. He had eaten a good breakfast but even after getting a sleep aid last night he didn't get to sleep until around 3 am so he was very sleepy. He mentioned that it was noisy last night. We couldn't pinpoint what the noise was, but last night when I was there, they street crews were working on clearing the street outside his window with a front loader and it was making quite a racket. Dad said it sounded like they were taking inventory of metal bedpans.
I guess my talk with the staff had some effect yesterday because the nurses took it upon themselves to get Dad up and walk him. He used a walker as part of it which I have been hoping for since he got there. They also did some arm exercise. It got Dad's heart rate up and increased his appetite.
I finally got to meet the two admitting physicians this morning and explained our concern about the differing opinions of the two pulmonologist. They looked over the chart with me and said that they were satisfied with the treatment that Dad was getting. They also said that they would contact them and verify what they were seeing on the chart. Due to the ice storm and resulting power outages, there has been a delay in being able to read the latest xray, the pictures are jpegs on the computer and the system has been down. I was impressed with their attention and feel somewhat better about where Dad is medically. They both said that they had enjoyed the time they had spent with Dad and said that they were impressed with his knowledge of his condition. Evidently, Dad also engaged them in personal conversation which they found impressive and interesting. Who knows what stories he told.
I also spent some time repeating our desire for PT with the new nurse and told her that Dad was bored. Anything they could give him to do no matter how small would keep him interested in getting out of there. Charlotte and Rachel, my eldest daughter, went by this afternoon and reported that he had used a recumbent bike this afternoon in bed. So maybe some more progress.
Dad's voice is weak and he has to really exert himself to speak audibly. I read a little about organized pneumonia today and the steroid treatment. I need to verify whether he is getting the steroids intravenously or through the nebulizer or both. One of the side effects especially when given through the nebulizer is that the steroids can coat the throat and cause hoarseness. They suggest that patients drink or gargle after a treatment to minimize this effect.
Mom did not make it in today because their neighbor sent a crew over to saw up the massive limbs and clear debris from the yard and she didn't want to leave while they were there. I had to work tonight so I have not been by to see the results. I am sure knowing this neighbor that it was totally cleaned and probably removed or shredded into mulch. Anybody need firewood? Mom and Dad have GREAT NEIGHBORS on all sides! We are so grateful for all of them.
Luke.10
[27] And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."
[29] But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
I have always thought the question should have been, "Whose neighbor am I?"
I didn't get by to see Dad tonight and have prayer with him. I don't feel like the day is complete.
Lord God, we are grateful for your faithfulness to us even in our doubt and anxiety. As you did for Adam and Daniel, cast the shadow of thy hand over our eyes and make our sleep deep tonight so that we may awake refreshed to worship and serve you in the new day.
You are good!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday
From Nancy:
Went to see Dad this morning and took him a sausage roll from Rick's Bakery and "good" coffee. He ate ALL of it and said the coffee tasted good. He looked okay although I've noticed his voice is now very faint and weak. It's becoming harder and harder for him to talk for any length of time. He is anxious to do more and more PT which is a good sign. He said he didn't sleep well and thought the dose of steroids yesterday hyped him up some. The nurse did say they were going to change the timing of the Lasix so he wouldn't get it right before bed time.(duh - what a no brainer - I can't believe they haven't done this before now!!!)
Dr. Jackson (lung doctor) came in while I was there. He thinks the fluid in his lungs is just a pocket of fluid. He is not convinced that it is Organized Pneumonia like Dr. Templeton suggests. He says organized pneu is typically all over both lungs and is not concentrated in one place. Antibiotics would not "cure" it since it isn't a bacterial (or viral) infection. It's more inflammation caused by something inhaled, medicines taken or something else. Anyway - they are going to take a chest x-ray and then put him on heavy diuretics and then take another x-ray in a couple of days to check progress. If they don't see improvement - he may want him to have a CT scan which might involve a move to WRMC for the test. I wasn't clear on that so not sure if they can do that at Regency or not. But for now he's on steroids and I guess will stay on them until they can figure out how to effectively treat the fluid.
Jamie came by to see Dad last night before heading to the Hog Bball game in which the Hogs actually surprised everyone and WON. ;-)
Rusty is still without power as am I. Even when the power is restored to my side of town - not sure when I will be lights on since SWEPCO will have to come back out and physically attached a power line back to my house since the box was ripped off. Also hopefully will have some tree trimmers early next week to at least carve out a space in the drive way. We will see if they show up or not. We have all sustained massive tree loss.
Trying to not get discouraged on all fronts but I know that God loves us and He wants us to trust in Him above all things. We are fortunate that no one was hurt and that we aren't cold and starving. We can learn from this time of darkness if our hearts and minds are soft and we can ALWAYS be thankful because it can always get worse...............
Thanks Nancy.
Charlotte and I spent the night with Mom last night. Limbs are still falling as the ice melts from the tops of the trees and refreezes on the lower limbs making them even heavier. We came home to let the cat out at around 9:30 am and we got power restored around 9am. The house is still trying to warm up but it is good to feel like you are not a refugee anymore. Thanks to all our friends who offered to put us up and feed us! (Even when we didn't take you up on it.)
As you can tell by Nancy's report, we are on the medical merry-go-round again. so this morning I went to try to find someone to talk to. I am waiting on a call from one of the doctors to find out why the difference in diagnosis. I learned my lesson at WRMC that despite egos, we are not going to treat the same symptoms with two different treatments. When the attending physician and the original physician are in the same group and clinic, there ought to be some consultation. Egos aside I will not let this go on. It is confusing to Mom and Dad and is not very good practice.
Even the OT and PTs are at odds on what he can do. Some of the exercise that Dad has been doing at WRMC evidently is not acceptable at Regency, so I have that to deal with. As a result, Dad is not doing anything and his muscles and spirit are starting to atrophy.
I am trying to maintain a positive attitude, but it is not easy at this point.
Pray that I don't lose my christianity in the next few days.
God is good!
Went to see Dad this morning and took him a sausage roll from Rick's Bakery and "good" coffee. He ate ALL of it and said the coffee tasted good. He looked okay although I've noticed his voice is now very faint and weak. It's becoming harder and harder for him to talk for any length of time. He is anxious to do more and more PT which is a good sign. He said he didn't sleep well and thought the dose of steroids yesterday hyped him up some. The nurse did say they were going to change the timing of the Lasix so he wouldn't get it right before bed time.(duh - what a no brainer - I can't believe they haven't done this before now!!!)
Dr. Jackson (lung doctor) came in while I was there. He thinks the fluid in his lungs is just a pocket of fluid. He is not convinced that it is Organized Pneumonia like Dr. Templeton suggests. He says organized pneu is typically all over both lungs and is not concentrated in one place. Antibiotics would not "cure" it since it isn't a bacterial (or viral) infection. It's more inflammation caused by something inhaled, medicines taken or something else. Anyway - they are going to take a chest x-ray and then put him on heavy diuretics and then take another x-ray in a couple of days to check progress. If they don't see improvement - he may want him to have a CT scan which might involve a move to WRMC for the test. I wasn't clear on that so not sure if they can do that at Regency or not. But for now he's on steroids and I guess will stay on them until they can figure out how to effectively treat the fluid.
Jamie came by to see Dad last night before heading to the Hog Bball game in which the Hogs actually surprised everyone and WON. ;-)
Rusty is still without power as am I. Even when the power is restored to my side of town - not sure when I will be lights on since SWEPCO will have to come back out and physically attached a power line back to my house since the box was ripped off. Also hopefully will have some tree trimmers early next week to at least carve out a space in the drive way. We will see if they show up or not. We have all sustained massive tree loss.
Trying to not get discouraged on all fronts but I know that God loves us and He wants us to trust in Him above all things. We are fortunate that no one was hurt and that we aren't cold and starving. We can learn from this time of darkness if our hearts and minds are soft and we can ALWAYS be thankful because it can always get worse...............
Thanks Nancy.
Charlotte and I spent the night with Mom last night. Limbs are still falling as the ice melts from the tops of the trees and refreezes on the lower limbs making them even heavier. We came home to let the cat out at around 9:30 am and we got power restored around 9am. The house is still trying to warm up but it is good to feel like you are not a refugee anymore. Thanks to all our friends who offered to put us up and feed us! (Even when we didn't take you up on it.)
As you can tell by Nancy's report, we are on the medical merry-go-round again. so this morning I went to try to find someone to talk to. I am waiting on a call from one of the doctors to find out why the difference in diagnosis. I learned my lesson at WRMC that despite egos, we are not going to treat the same symptoms with two different treatments. When the attending physician and the original physician are in the same group and clinic, there ought to be some consultation. Egos aside I will not let this go on. It is confusing to Mom and Dad and is not very good practice.
Even the OT and PTs are at odds on what he can do. Some of the exercise that Dad has been doing at WRMC evidently is not acceptable at Regency, so I have that to deal with. As a result, Dad is not doing anything and his muscles and spirit are starting to atrophy.
I am trying to maintain a positive attitude, but it is not easy at this point.
Pray that I don't lose my christianity in the next few days.
God is good!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wednesday
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Here are 4K.
A friend of mine works for the Water and Sewer Dept. and spent all night clearing trees from the roads. I call him this morning and explained that we were trapped on all sides and couldn't get out. He sent this crew within 30 minutes and we were able to get out and check on friends and family. Thanks Tom!!!!!
This is just one picture of Mom and Dad's house. The limb, that's right a limb not the whole tree, put at least 2 holes in the roof and the limbs are still falling. The picture below is just a fraction of the devastation to their old oak trees. I was expecting it to be bad, but it is like a war zone. We parked in the neighbors drive because it is too dangerous to drive up to Mom and Dad's carport.
Charlotte and I do not have power and are not expecting it until Saturday. We are at a hotel tonight and lucky to have it. Some of the power crews are staying here and when the power went out here, it was restored in less than 30 minutes. Nathan has power and is hosting 8 people. Hannah is with us tonight because she is without power. Mom has power and despite the damage wants to stay at their house. Nancy had a tree fall on her house and it knocked the electric meter off the side of the house, so she not only is waiting for power to be restored, but will have to find an electrician to put things in order.
The face of Fayetteville has changed dramatically.
The streets melted this afternoon and so Charlotte and I picked up Mom and went to see Dad. He was still groggy from a sleeping pill he got last night, but his eyes lit up when he saw Mom.
He is frustrated because he has not had any PT yet. We tried to explain that the streets were littered with trees and it was going to be another day or two before all the nurses and therapist could make it to work. We met the nurse on duty and the head of nursing. She assured us that they would get him moved out of ICU to the therapy wing as soon as a bed comes available. She did say that Dad had been up in a chair for a couple of hours and they would do what they could during the interim. His vitals look good and should only have one more dose of antibiotic for the blood infection. His appetite is healthy, probably because he is starting his restricted diet, so he is eating everything they bring him. We just hope he doesn't lose too much of the progress that he had made before he got there.
I don't know if I will be able to update tomorrow. We will see what the new day brings.
We want to express our thanks again for the prayer and support we continue to get. Charlotte and I did some calling this afternoon to check on some folks from our church. They were all without power and huddled around various forms of heat, and everyone of them said that they were okay and in spite of their condition, wanted to know how Dad was doing and wanted us to know that they were praying for him.
We pray for everyone who is spending the night in the cold and darkness tonight.
God is good!
A friend of mine works for the Water and Sewer Dept. and spent all night clearing trees from the roads. I call him this morning and explained that we were trapped on all sides and couldn't get out. He sent this crew within 30 minutes and we were able to get out and check on friends and family. Thanks Tom!!!!!
This is just one picture of Mom and Dad's house. The limb, that's right a limb not the whole tree, put at least 2 holes in the roof and the limbs are still falling. The picture below is just a fraction of the devastation to their old oak trees. I was expecting it to be bad, but it is like a war zone. We parked in the neighbors drive because it is too dangerous to drive up to Mom and Dad's carport.
Charlotte and I do not have power and are not expecting it until Saturday. We are at a hotel tonight and lucky to have it. Some of the power crews are staying here and when the power went out here, it was restored in less than 30 minutes. Nathan has power and is hosting 8 people. Hannah is with us tonight because she is without power. Mom has power and despite the damage wants to stay at their house. Nancy had a tree fall on her house and it knocked the electric meter off the side of the house, so she not only is waiting for power to be restored, but will have to find an electrician to put things in order.
The face of Fayetteville has changed dramatically.
The streets melted this afternoon and so Charlotte and I picked up Mom and went to see Dad. He was still groggy from a sleeping pill he got last night, but his eyes lit up when he saw Mom.
He is frustrated because he has not had any PT yet. We tried to explain that the streets were littered with trees and it was going to be another day or two before all the nurses and therapist could make it to work. We met the nurse on duty and the head of nursing. She assured us that they would get him moved out of ICU to the therapy wing as soon as a bed comes available. She did say that Dad had been up in a chair for a couple of hours and they would do what they could during the interim. His vitals look good and should only have one more dose of antibiotic for the blood infection. His appetite is healthy, probably because he is starting his restricted diet, so he is eating everything they bring him. We just hope he doesn't lose too much of the progress that he had made before he got there.
I don't know if I will be able to update tomorrow. We will see what the new day brings.
We want to express our thanks again for the prayer and support we continue to get. Charlotte and I did some calling this afternoon to check on some folks from our church. They were all without power and huddled around various forms of heat, and everyone of them said that they were okay and in spite of their condition, wanted to know how Dad was doing and wanted us to know that they were praying for him.
We pray for everyone who is spending the night in the cold and darkness tonight.
God is good!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday
Well I will try to get this done before we lose power.
Monday morning was a beehive of activity at WRMC. Every body who was anybody came in to check out Dad to make sure he was ready for the move. Normally, they would wait until mid afternoon to transport him but because of the threat of ice afternoon, they were trying to get everything in place before noon. Thank goodness we were thinking ahead of them and were packed and ready long before they were. We barely got Dad's meds down him before the ambulance driver got there. I guess she thought Dad could get up and get in the wheelchair by himself, and then started to manhandle him. I jumped in and said I would help him. we got him in the wheelchair and off she went. No time for goodbyes or good luck or anything. Poor mother was trying to keep up. Well we got him into the ambulance and Mom asked her what entrance she would use to take Dad in. She said, "I just pull up to the front door, and we go in." I said, "We are going to Regency in Fayetteville right?" "Oh no we are going to Springdale Rehab." I said, "Hold on, before we leave here I am calling the liaison." I got her on the phone and let her explain to the driver where we were supposed to go.
We got to Regency and they didn't have a bed in the regular unit so we went to the ICU portion where they were not ready for him. Mom was anxious about the weather and I did not want her to go home by herself so we left Dad in the wheelchair while they made up his bed. I should have gone back immediately but because I knew one of the staff, I gave her a brief on Dad and trusted that they would get him settled into the room. I went to work because we had a very important meeting. I called my son Nathan and asked him if he could go by there, and check in on him. He said that he would be happy to. He spent a good part of the afternoon with him and I felt a little better about the move.
The ice moved in and we have not been able to get by there since. It is the worst ice storm I can remember. We closed the store early Monday night and got home okay, but today has been horrible. We were without power for 2 hours this morning and the Mall closed at 2 pm. I nearly did not get home. Not because of the ice on the road but every tree in Fayetteville has been effected. I tried 3 routes home and could not get home because of the trees across the road. I finally drove under two power lines that were partially down and wove around trees and under one more widowmaker and got home. Mom has had two limbs fall on the house, no major damage that she can tell yet but she has lost power. She does have gas heat so she is hunkered down. We have on auxiliary heat so if our power goes we are going to have to bundle up and wait it out. Lights are flickering as I type.
I did talk to Dad a few minutes ago and he has had trouble breathing today. He has had two treatments but he sounded horse. He said that they were understaffed today and that he was not sure about the level of care. When we dropped him off Monday, there seem to be a lot of staff there. I don't know what their roles were. So tomorrow, if I am able to get to the highway, I will be checking out what is going on in depth. Dad says that he is fine and not to worry. I will be calling him a couple of more times tonight.
Pray that he has a good night and that we can see him tomorrow.
If you are in NWA, stay safe and away from the widowmakers. I hope none of you have had trees fall on your homes or cars.
God is good!
Monday morning was a beehive of activity at WRMC. Every body who was anybody came in to check out Dad to make sure he was ready for the move. Normally, they would wait until mid afternoon to transport him but because of the threat of ice afternoon, they were trying to get everything in place before noon. Thank goodness we were thinking ahead of them and were packed and ready long before they were. We barely got Dad's meds down him before the ambulance driver got there. I guess she thought Dad could get up and get in the wheelchair by himself, and then started to manhandle him. I jumped in and said I would help him. we got him in the wheelchair and off she went. No time for goodbyes or good luck or anything. Poor mother was trying to keep up. Well we got him into the ambulance and Mom asked her what entrance she would use to take Dad in. She said, "I just pull up to the front door, and we go in." I said, "We are going to Regency in Fayetteville right?" "Oh no we are going to Springdale Rehab." I said, "Hold on, before we leave here I am calling the liaison." I got her on the phone and let her explain to the driver where we were supposed to go.
We got to Regency and they didn't have a bed in the regular unit so we went to the ICU portion where they were not ready for him. Mom was anxious about the weather and I did not want her to go home by herself so we left Dad in the wheelchair while they made up his bed. I should have gone back immediately but because I knew one of the staff, I gave her a brief on Dad and trusted that they would get him settled into the room. I went to work because we had a very important meeting. I called my son Nathan and asked him if he could go by there, and check in on him. He said that he would be happy to. He spent a good part of the afternoon with him and I felt a little better about the move.
The ice moved in and we have not been able to get by there since. It is the worst ice storm I can remember. We closed the store early Monday night and got home okay, but today has been horrible. We were without power for 2 hours this morning and the Mall closed at 2 pm. I nearly did not get home. Not because of the ice on the road but every tree in Fayetteville has been effected. I tried 3 routes home and could not get home because of the trees across the road. I finally drove under two power lines that were partially down and wove around trees and under one more widowmaker and got home. Mom has had two limbs fall on the house, no major damage that she can tell yet but she has lost power. She does have gas heat so she is hunkered down. We have on auxiliary heat so if our power goes we are going to have to bundle up and wait it out. Lights are flickering as I type.
I did talk to Dad a few minutes ago and he has had trouble breathing today. He has had two treatments but he sounded horse. He said that they were understaffed today and that he was not sure about the level of care. When we dropped him off Monday, there seem to be a lot of staff there. I don't know what their roles were. So tomorrow, if I am able to get to the highway, I will be checking out what is going on in depth. Dad says that he is fine and not to worry. I will be calling him a couple of more times tonight.
Pray that he has a good night and that we can see him tomorrow.
If you are in NWA, stay safe and away from the widowmakers. I hope none of you have had trees fall on your homes or cars.
God is good!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday
I apologize for no update, it has been an eventful day at many levels.
Dad did get moved in to the rehab.
I will fill in the blanks tomorrow.
I have received permission to publish the following sermon by our good friend and former pastor, Dr. Layne Smith. He is currently pastor of Viewmont Baptist Church in Hickory, NC. Layne and Dianne's youngest daughter Darcie was ordained to the ministry in our church a couple of weeks ago.
THIS SERMON WAS DELIVERED ON JAN. 4TH THE DAY AFTER DAD'S FIRST V-TACH.
NOT A NEW EVENT!
This is my first attempt at adding video to a blog, so it may take a while to buffer depending on the speed of your connection. It is two parts because of the limits on uploads.
I hope you are blessed as we were.
If you have trouble viewing it, send me an email or comment and I will publish the text version.
God is good!
Dad did get moved in to the rehab.
I will fill in the blanks tomorrow.
I have received permission to publish the following sermon by our good friend and former pastor, Dr. Layne Smith. He is currently pastor of Viewmont Baptist Church in Hickory, NC. Layne and Dianne's youngest daughter Darcie was ordained to the ministry in our church a couple of weeks ago.
THIS SERMON WAS DELIVERED ON JAN. 4TH THE DAY AFTER DAD'S FIRST V-TACH.
NOT A NEW EVENT!
This is my first attempt at adding video to a blog, so it may take a while to buffer depending on the speed of your connection. It is two parts because of the limits on uploads.
I hope you are blessed as we were.
If you have trouble viewing it, send me an email or comment and I will publish the text version.
God is good!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday Close
Nancy, Charlotte, our daughter Hannah, and I visited with Dad this evening. Nancy had gotten him to eat some and he was getting ready to brush his teeth. He chatted with Charlotte about her trip to Dumas over the weekend and we watched an episode of Andy of Mayberry.
Dad has been contemplating the future. He wants to be optimistic but does not want to be a burden on us. He is more concerned about his NPH as his biggest nemesis rather than the rehab from the bypass. We continue to emphasize reaching short term goals and getting him to his potential capacity.
He has a new crew to break in tonight. Then new nurse introduced herself. Her name is Jennifer, Dad quipped, "I had another nurse named Jennifer, and she was real real good!" We all had a chuckle and we had prayer and left. They are going to give him something to help him sleep tonight, I hope it works.
Jer.31
[26] Thereupon I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me.
Amen
God is good!
Dad has been contemplating the future. He wants to be optimistic but does not want to be a burden on us. He is more concerned about his NPH as his biggest nemesis rather than the rehab from the bypass. We continue to emphasize reaching short term goals and getting him to his potential capacity.
He has a new crew to break in tonight. Then new nurse introduced herself. Her name is Jennifer, Dad quipped, "I had another nurse named Jennifer, and she was real real good!" We all had a chuckle and we had prayer and left. They are going to give him something to help him sleep tonight, I hope it works.
Jer.31
[26] Thereupon I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me.
Amen
God is good!
Sunday Brief
From Nancy:
Dad looked a little tired today but seemed like "himself". He didn't want to eat his chicken during lunch time - he kept picking around on other things. I tried to make sure he knew he needed as much protein as possible but he wasn't in the mood today.
He had a brief PT session today but didn't go as far as before. He also has switched to an inhaler treatment every 6 hours instead of the steam nebulizer (sp?). This is good thing. It means his lungs are getting healthier. The Cardiac Surgeon's nurse advocate stopped by to check on dad and mentioned again that his heart is still in "afib". Then one of the doctors (can't remember his name but he is Indian) - he mentioned that at some point if the afib keeps up they may want to try to "shock" it back in rhythm.
I have not been to see Dad yet today, will go this evening.
God is good.
Dad looked a little tired today but seemed like "himself". He didn't want to eat his chicken during lunch time - he kept picking around on other things. I tried to make sure he knew he needed as much protein as possible but he wasn't in the mood today.
He had a brief PT session today but didn't go as far as before. He also has switched to an inhaler treatment every 6 hours instead of the steam nebulizer (sp?). This is good thing. It means his lungs are getting healthier. The Cardiac Surgeon's nurse advocate stopped by to check on dad and mentioned again that his heart is still in "afib". Then one of the doctors (can't remember his name but he is Indian) - he mentioned that at some point if the afib keeps up they may want to try to "shock" it back in rhythm.
I have not been to see Dad yet today, will go this evening.
God is good.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Saturday Night
I just got back from visiting Dad. He was napping in the chair when I got there about 8:30 pm. While he had several visitors today, he had a fairly quiet day so he got to sleep some.
Nancy didn't report this this morning so I don't know if Dad told her and evidently the cardiac surgeon didn't mention it, Dad had an eventful Friday night. Shortly after I left last night Dad went back into A-fib. He went in and out several times according to the nurse.This is why he didn't sleep very well. He is still in A-fib tonight. This is not unusual or necessarily unexpected. He will probably live with it for the rest of his life.
He did have one PT session today where the emphasis was on balance and using a walker. While he was not at his best today, he was grateful for the workout and change in therapy. Anything different breaks the monotony.
He opted to try the bed again tonight, so I got him up and got him into bed. We watched one of his favorite TV shows, had prayer and I left him to take his meds.
Lam.5
[5] With a yoke on our necks we are hard driven;
we are weary, we are given no rest.
[21] Restore us to thyself, O LORD, that we may be restored!
Renew our days as of old!
God is good!
Nancy didn't report this this morning so I don't know if Dad told her and evidently the cardiac surgeon didn't mention it, Dad had an eventful Friday night. Shortly after I left last night Dad went back into A-fib. He went in and out several times according to the nurse.This is why he didn't sleep very well. He is still in A-fib tonight. This is not unusual or necessarily unexpected. He will probably live with it for the rest of his life.
He did have one PT session today where the emphasis was on balance and using a walker. While he was not at his best today, he was grateful for the workout and change in therapy. Anything different breaks the monotony.
He opted to try the bed again tonight, so I got him up and got him into bed. We watched one of his favorite TV shows, had prayer and I left him to take his meds.
Lam.5
[5] With a yoke on our necks we are hard driven;
we are weary, we are given no rest.
[21] Restore us to thyself, O LORD, that we may be restored!
Renew our days as of old!
God is good!
Saturday
From Nancy:
Walked in the room this morning to find Jamie III talking to Dad. He is up for the Razorback BBall game today.
Dad had eaten all of his breakfast. And he also had a "new" bed. One that is hopefully not lopsided.
The cardiac surgeon came in while I was there and stayed about 3 minutes. He talked to dad briefly, looked at his legs in the new "support hose" and then left. He didn't listen to his heart or anything. He said everything is a GO for Monday to move to Rehab location barring any unforeseen events.
PT will make a visit today to hopefully give Dad the momentum he needs to keep up his strength.
That's about it for now. Dad looked good but started dozing off before I left. I know he has a lot of sleep to catch up on.
Thanks Nancy!
I have not visited this morning, I knew that Dad would have an audience.
We did have a good conversation last night and as Nancy said, we moved a bed in from an empty room and switched Dad over. Dad has a new hero, Erin. She went the second mile in getting the new bed. I hope it was better last night, if not we may go back to the chair.
Nurses that have attended Dad at one time or another continue to stop by and check on him either on their own time or in breaks during their shifts.
I will go by later today and will update this evening.
We begin our 4th blessed week today. We are thankful for every moment.
God is good.
Walked in the room this morning to find Jamie III talking to Dad. He is up for the Razorback BBall game today.
Dad had eaten all of his breakfast. And he also had a "new" bed. One that is hopefully not lopsided.
The cardiac surgeon came in while I was there and stayed about 3 minutes. He talked to dad briefly, looked at his legs in the new "support hose" and then left. He didn't listen to his heart or anything. He said everything is a GO for Monday to move to Rehab location barring any unforeseen events.
PT will make a visit today to hopefully give Dad the momentum he needs to keep up his strength.
That's about it for now. Dad looked good but started dozing off before I left. I know he has a lot of sleep to catch up on.
Thanks Nancy!
I have not visited this morning, I knew that Dad would have an audience.
We did have a good conversation last night and as Nancy said, we moved a bed in from an empty room and switched Dad over. Dad has a new hero, Erin. She went the second mile in getting the new bed. I hope it was better last night, if not we may go back to the chair.
Nurses that have attended Dad at one time or another continue to stop by and check on him either on their own time or in breaks during their shifts.
I will go by later today and will update this evening.
We begin our 4th blessed week today. We are thankful for every moment.
God is good.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Friday
Dad was finishing up breakfast this morning when I got here. He even drank an Ensure shake without being asked, he said we would have to watch Mom because she might have a stroke. He was in vintage form.
He was sitting in the recliner and told me that he had somehow gotten sideways in the bed last night and the nurses had trouble extricating him from the bed. They finally got him to the recliner where he slept until this morning. He said that it was the best rest he has had since he got here.
After breakfast, Dad had a bath and told the aide that he wanted to wash his head. He said that it had been so long there might be something growing up there. I told him I had some Chia Pet seed I could sow up there. He wanted to shave, comb his hair and brush his teeth. He has come so far in just doing the small things for himself. He did great on his breathing this morning as well. He has been getting winded after doing these in the past, this morning he did not.
His mind is sharp and he continues to engage everyone who comes into the room. I came up the elevator with the Regency rep this morning and asked her if the bed was still open. She said that it was filled last night. She did say when I was leaving this morning that there were 2 scheduled to be discharged from the Fayetteville facility on Monday. If our cardiologist will agree to follow up on Dad at Fayetteville then we will be moving to Regency Fayetteville on Monday.
The cardiac surgeon has not been in yet this morning but the hospitalist said that the notes on the chart indicated that he didn’t think that there was much to worry about in the xray and that he doubted that he would tap the lung. The hospitalist agreed after looking at the picture. We will wait and see.
Dad asked the hospitalist if he had had a stroke while he was there. The doc opened his eyes real wide and asked why he asked. Dad said that his right hand didn't seem to have as much strength in it and he had trouble griping utensils with it. The doc had him push and pull and examined several flexibility parameters and said, " Good call Mr. Jones, but you didn't have a stroke, they probably stretched the nerve when they opened up your chest during surgery". He is going to ask the OT to work with Dad on this. (During the exam of Dad's hand, the doctor was amazed at Dad's upper body strength)
Ps.121
[1] I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From whence does my help come?
[2] My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
[3] He will not let your foot be moved,
he who keeps you will not slumber.
[4] Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
[5] The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade
on your right hand.
[6] The sun shall not smite you by day,
nor the moon by night.
[7] The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
[8] The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and for evermore.
God is good.
He was sitting in the recliner and told me that he had somehow gotten sideways in the bed last night and the nurses had trouble extricating him from the bed. They finally got him to the recliner where he slept until this morning. He said that it was the best rest he has had since he got here.
After breakfast, Dad had a bath and told the aide that he wanted to wash his head. He said that it had been so long there might be something growing up there. I told him I had some Chia Pet seed I could sow up there. He wanted to shave, comb his hair and brush his teeth. He has come so far in just doing the small things for himself. He did great on his breathing this morning as well. He has been getting winded after doing these in the past, this morning he did not.
His mind is sharp and he continues to engage everyone who comes into the room. I came up the elevator with the Regency rep this morning and asked her if the bed was still open. She said that it was filled last night. She did say when I was leaving this morning that there were 2 scheduled to be discharged from the Fayetteville facility on Monday. If our cardiologist will agree to follow up on Dad at Fayetteville then we will be moving to Regency Fayetteville on Monday.
The cardiac surgeon has not been in yet this morning but the hospitalist said that the notes on the chart indicated that he didn’t think that there was much to worry about in the xray and that he doubted that he would tap the lung. The hospitalist agreed after looking at the picture. We will wait and see.
Dad asked the hospitalist if he had had a stroke while he was there. The doc opened his eyes real wide and asked why he asked. Dad said that his right hand didn't seem to have as much strength in it and he had trouble griping utensils with it. The doc had him push and pull and examined several flexibility parameters and said, " Good call Mr. Jones, but you didn't have a stroke, they probably stretched the nerve when they opened up your chest during surgery". He is going to ask the OT to work with Dad on this. (During the exam of Dad's hand, the doctor was amazed at Dad's upper body strength)
Ps.121
[1] I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From whence does my help come?
[2] My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
[3] He will not let your foot be moved,
he who keeps you will not slumber.
[4] Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
[5] The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade
on your right hand.
[6] The sun shall not smite you by day,
nor the moon by night.
[7] The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
[8] The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and for evermore.
God is good.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Thursday
Nancy, Mother and I got to the hospital at the same time this morning.
Here is Nancy's summary:
Dad looked pretty good this morning. He ate ALL of his breakfast-cleaned his plate! Rusty and Mom and Dad are all awaiting the Heart Surgeon to arrive to update them on Dad and possibly release to the Regency Hospital today. They are also awaiting a possible "draining" of Dad's left lung. This would done via needle aspiration I believe. This would hopefully help with the persistent "crackle" in his lung.
We had our "last" update and exam from the cardiologist this morning. He did tell us that the cardiac surgeon would have to clear us in order for us to move. Like Nancy said, there may be one more procedure to express the persistent congestion in his left lung.
The hospitalist also came in and wanted us to know that his group had cleared Dad and had some last recommendations for us and had updated the chart from their end.
The rehab liaison brought in paper work for us to read and let us know the approx. timing of transfer if Dad was released.
I made sure Mom and Dad had understood that we may not be leaving today, and that it was okay, we want to make sure that Dad is ready to hit the ground shuffling when he gets to the rehab. I think we are all in a good place with all of this now.
Dad had a busy morning with the meals, doctors, nurses, meds, and PT. He was pretty tuckered out when "little" Jamie rolled in from Little Rock. Mom and Dad had lunch at 12:30 p.m. and at 1:00 p.m. I told them that I was going to speed up the surgeon's visit by going to lunch. I knew he would come while I was gone. Right on cue, he showed after I left.
The following is Nancy's report:
Mom just called and said Dr. Weiss (surgeon) would like to get a side x-ray of Dad's lung before doing a fluid removal. The x-ray is scheduled for later this afternoon and then they will act on it tomorrow sometime. A bed at Regency Springdale will open up at 3 pm today. Mom wasn't sure they would "hold" it for us. So if someone else needs it right away - they might give it away - leaving no beds at Regency Springdale or Fayetteville. So at least for tonight and possibly for a few more days - he will still be Washington Regional - Room 3318.
To clarify a bit, the surgeon wants Dad to lay on his side for a few minutes before the xray so he can determine if the fluid levels out or if it is entrenched in one area of his lung. This will determine how he approaches the treatment of it.
Jamie just sent a text, Dad is on his way to xray after walking about 70 to 80 feet. he wants "to do more of that, otherwise I won't get any stronger".
We will be in WRMC for at least one more day...
Results from xray to come...
Gog is good!
Here is Nancy's summary:
Dad looked pretty good this morning. He ate ALL of his breakfast-cleaned his plate! Rusty and Mom and Dad are all awaiting the Heart Surgeon to arrive to update them on Dad and possibly release to the Regency Hospital today. They are also awaiting a possible "draining" of Dad's left lung. This would done via needle aspiration I believe. This would hopefully help with the persistent "crackle" in his lung.
We had our "last" update and exam from the cardiologist this morning. He did tell us that the cardiac surgeon would have to clear us in order for us to move. Like Nancy said, there may be one more procedure to express the persistent congestion in his left lung.
The hospitalist also came in and wanted us to know that his group had cleared Dad and had some last recommendations for us and had updated the chart from their end.
The rehab liaison brought in paper work for us to read and let us know the approx. timing of transfer if Dad was released.
I made sure Mom and Dad had understood that we may not be leaving today, and that it was okay, we want to make sure that Dad is ready to hit the ground shuffling when he gets to the rehab. I think we are all in a good place with all of this now.
Dad had a busy morning with the meals, doctors, nurses, meds, and PT. He was pretty tuckered out when "little" Jamie rolled in from Little Rock. Mom and Dad had lunch at 12:30 p.m. and at 1:00 p.m. I told them that I was going to speed up the surgeon's visit by going to lunch. I knew he would come while I was gone. Right on cue, he showed after I left.
The following is Nancy's report:
Mom just called and said Dr. Weiss (surgeon) would like to get a side x-ray of Dad's lung before doing a fluid removal. The x-ray is scheduled for later this afternoon and then they will act on it tomorrow sometime. A bed at Regency Springdale will open up at 3 pm today. Mom wasn't sure they would "hold" it for us. So if someone else needs it right away - they might give it away - leaving no beds at Regency Springdale or Fayetteville. So at least for tonight and possibly for a few more days - he will still be Washington Regional - Room 3318.
To clarify a bit, the surgeon wants Dad to lay on his side for a few minutes before the xray so he can determine if the fluid levels out or if it is entrenched in one area of his lung. This will determine how he approaches the treatment of it.
Jamie just sent a text, Dad is on his way to xray after walking about 70 to 80 feet. he wants "to do more of that, otherwise I won't get any stronger".
We will be in WRMC for at least one more day...
Results from xray to come...
Gog is good!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Wednesday
I apologize for the suspense, truth be told I fell asleep in the chair with the laptop in my lap.
Since today was a contiuation of yesterday, I will let you in on my disgust.
Before I begin, my comments about the medical profession are not meant to be a comprehensive indictment of all doctors, hospitals, or administrators, but instead a microcosm of our particular situation. We have had wonderful support and received definition from physicians who are following this blog, especially early on when we were unsure of medical jargon or protocol. Jim Pat Bell has been especially helpful and sincere with us. We are grateful for his friendship and professionalism.
So here is the deal as best my memory and emotional convulsion will allow me to recall.
Let me go back to Monday and the supposed confab with doctors and rehab liaisons in looking forward towards Dad's next step.
I reported that not much was accomplished. We did have a long Q&A with the pulmonologist who has been on board since the outset. We asked him to get the ball rolling in determining if Dad's condition was to the point of getting out of the acute care hospital to a long term acute care facility. What condition is keeping him in the current hospital and what will be the defining criteria for him to meet in order to move on? He said that he would start the process. We didn't bother to ask what that would entail and I guess we were a little astonished at the blitz of activity that would take place on Tuesday.
It concerned Mom when they took Dad for a full xray and ordered a unit of blood. The xray was part of the thorough assessment of Dad's capacity to move on. The blood was because because Dad's hemocrit or hemotocrit level is low. The percent of red cells is low.(I think).
After all of this, SNAP, we are scheduled to move out tomorrow. Well, I can't tell you what kind of slack jawed amazement this caused. Mom told me over the phone that Dad was moving on Wednesday, and I came unglued. I began asking her if she had done this and asked that and who gave the order etc. She was still trying to process the xray and blood. Poor mother, I am going off on the idiocy of the situation, as a some what less than rational, compassionate, understanding confidant and she, bless her heart, is trying to decide what clothes and shoes he is going to wear. That is where I left you last night and the essence and context of the final paragraphs of last nights post.
Now to the source of my aggravation and our collective bewilderment.
I asked for a list of doctors that are on record, those that have made notations on the official chart. The list (and I am not yet convinced that it is complete, we saw two new ones yesterday) had 10 separate physicians of various specialities and affiliations. I can conservatively estimate that the number that we have seen is easily twice that many. Most just come in the room, asked Dad how he is doing, listen to him breathe, tell him he has a crackle in his left lung, ask if we have any questions, and leave without committing to a definitive answer and referring us to their colleagues. Dad finally started telling them that they were supposed to tell him how he was doing. Apparently, the pecking order in these "doctor groups" is well intact. The chief sends out his minions so there is an appearance of diagnosis and care. The egos are big but evidently very fragile. The nurses have been amazing. Everything of substance for our assimilation has come first from the nurses and confirmed after rigorous cross examination of a doctor.
Decisions by committee.
We are always encouraged to get a second opinion, and it is a good idea, but this carousel of "care" is dangerous. On more than one occasion, a doctor has come in to evaluate Dad and order meds or other procedures that were already prescribed and accomplished by another physician. This indicates to me that somebody ain't paying attention. Who knows what? When did they know it? What are they doing about it? When are they going to tell us? We know who is charging, we just don't know who is in charge.
Thanks to my sane sibling.
Nancy was less than thrilled with the lack of consideration and consultation about where we were being referred and when we were set to leave. I told her I was going to find the hospital administrator on Wednesday and give him what was left of my mind. Because her expertise in networking, she knows one of the officers of the hospital administration and gave him a call on Tuesday evening. When Mom and I got to the hospital this morning, the Director of Case Management was in Dad's room. She was there to suture up the loose ends. We expressed our grievances about the medical menagerie and quizzed her about the previous days daze. We also asked for a solid assessment of the rehab options. After making calls, reading Dad's record, and consulting with a rehab rep we finally got some solid facts to base a decision on.
We decided that Dad could get the best care at Regency in Springdale. The facility is on the sixth floor of the Springdale hospital and they have a cardiologist on staff as well as full service medical care and PT. There is a Regency in Fayetteville but it is not staffed with cardiologist and they do not make rounds there. The Springdale unit is the only facility that Dad would qualify for in their system. I asked if we could stay at WRMC through today just so we could decompress. The Director agreed and said that she would arrange transportation for Thursday to Fayetteville. I just shook my head and said, whoa wait a minute, I thought we had decided on Springdale. She called the Regency rep into the room and discovered for the first time that Dad did not qualify for the Fayetteville site. Finally, we are all on the same page and we are comfortable with the decision......not so fast.
I went to work feeling that we had accomplished what we set out to do. I came home for lunch and got a call from Mom. One of the cardiac surgeons had come in to assess Dad and told mother that he needed to go to Fayetteville Regency. He would have the cardiologist of record come by and arrange Dad's release. At that moment, I nearly became his next patient. He had managed to perplex Mom all over again. I told her that I wanted her to call the Case Manager immediately and get the Regency rep, the surgeon, the cardiologist, and the hospital administrator in the room and I would be there in five minutes. (like that was going to happen). By the time I got there, the case manager had gotten hold of the surgeon, he had eaten a helping of crow with Mom and Dad and we were back on track. I am still irritated, I want to know why he was opposed to the only sane option.
Nothing more dangerous that someone with authority but no accountability.
Tomorrow is a new day.
Now a brief on Dad's day.
He had a busy day. He got a new IV port, he took a long walk (about 30 feet), had lots of visitors and late this afternoon, his heart went into a normal rhythm. He was sleeping soundly when I went in tonight, having quite a dream. He woke up when they came to check his vitals. He gave me peace with his understanding of all of the days events. We had prayer and I left him laughing.
God is good.
Since today was a contiuation of yesterday, I will let you in on my disgust.
Before I begin, my comments about the medical profession are not meant to be a comprehensive indictment of all doctors, hospitals, or administrators, but instead a microcosm of our particular situation. We have had wonderful support and received definition from physicians who are following this blog, especially early on when we were unsure of medical jargon or protocol. Jim Pat Bell has been especially helpful and sincere with us. We are grateful for his friendship and professionalism.
So here is the deal as best my memory and emotional convulsion will allow me to recall.
Let me go back to Monday and the supposed confab with doctors and rehab liaisons in looking forward towards Dad's next step.
I reported that not much was accomplished. We did have a long Q&A with the pulmonologist who has been on board since the outset. We asked him to get the ball rolling in determining if Dad's condition was to the point of getting out of the acute care hospital to a long term acute care facility. What condition is keeping him in the current hospital and what will be the defining criteria for him to meet in order to move on? He said that he would start the process. We didn't bother to ask what that would entail and I guess we were a little astonished at the blitz of activity that would take place on Tuesday.
It concerned Mom when they took Dad for a full xray and ordered a unit of blood. The xray was part of the thorough assessment of Dad's capacity to move on. The blood was because because Dad's hemocrit or hemotocrit level is low. The percent of red cells is low.(I think).
After all of this, SNAP, we are scheduled to move out tomorrow. Well, I can't tell you what kind of slack jawed amazement this caused. Mom told me over the phone that Dad was moving on Wednesday, and I came unglued. I began asking her if she had done this and asked that and who gave the order etc. She was still trying to process the xray and blood. Poor mother, I am going off on the idiocy of the situation, as a some what less than rational, compassionate, understanding confidant and she, bless her heart, is trying to decide what clothes and shoes he is going to wear. That is where I left you last night and the essence and context of the final paragraphs of last nights post.
Now to the source of my aggravation and our collective bewilderment.
I asked for a list of doctors that are on record, those that have made notations on the official chart. The list (and I am not yet convinced that it is complete, we saw two new ones yesterday) had 10 separate physicians of various specialities and affiliations. I can conservatively estimate that the number that we have seen is easily twice that many. Most just come in the room, asked Dad how he is doing, listen to him breathe, tell him he has a crackle in his left lung, ask if we have any questions, and leave without committing to a definitive answer and referring us to their colleagues. Dad finally started telling them that they were supposed to tell him how he was doing. Apparently, the pecking order in these "doctor groups" is well intact. The chief sends out his minions so there is an appearance of diagnosis and care. The egos are big but evidently very fragile. The nurses have been amazing. Everything of substance for our assimilation has come first from the nurses and confirmed after rigorous cross examination of a doctor.
Decisions by committee.
We are always encouraged to get a second opinion, and it is a good idea, but this carousel of "care" is dangerous. On more than one occasion, a doctor has come in to evaluate Dad and order meds or other procedures that were already prescribed and accomplished by another physician. This indicates to me that somebody ain't paying attention. Who knows what? When did they know it? What are they doing about it? When are they going to tell us? We know who is charging, we just don't know who is in charge.
Thanks to my sane sibling.
Nancy was less than thrilled with the lack of consideration and consultation about where we were being referred and when we were set to leave. I told her I was going to find the hospital administrator on Wednesday and give him what was left of my mind. Because her expertise in networking, she knows one of the officers of the hospital administration and gave him a call on Tuesday evening. When Mom and I got to the hospital this morning, the Director of Case Management was in Dad's room. She was there to suture up the loose ends. We expressed our grievances about the medical menagerie and quizzed her about the previous days daze. We also asked for a solid assessment of the rehab options. After making calls, reading Dad's record, and consulting with a rehab rep we finally got some solid facts to base a decision on.
We decided that Dad could get the best care at Regency in Springdale. The facility is on the sixth floor of the Springdale hospital and they have a cardiologist on staff as well as full service medical care and PT. There is a Regency in Fayetteville but it is not staffed with cardiologist and they do not make rounds there. The Springdale unit is the only facility that Dad would qualify for in their system. I asked if we could stay at WRMC through today just so we could decompress. The Director agreed and said that she would arrange transportation for Thursday to Fayetteville. I just shook my head and said, whoa wait a minute, I thought we had decided on Springdale. She called the Regency rep into the room and discovered for the first time that Dad did not qualify for the Fayetteville site. Finally, we are all on the same page and we are comfortable with the decision......not so fast.
I went to work feeling that we had accomplished what we set out to do. I came home for lunch and got a call from Mom. One of the cardiac surgeons had come in to assess Dad and told mother that he needed to go to Fayetteville Regency. He would have the cardiologist of record come by and arrange Dad's release. At that moment, I nearly became his next patient. He had managed to perplex Mom all over again. I told her that I wanted her to call the Case Manager immediately and get the Regency rep, the surgeon, the cardiologist, and the hospital administrator in the room and I would be there in five minutes. (like that was going to happen). By the time I got there, the case manager had gotten hold of the surgeon, he had eaten a helping of crow with Mom and Dad and we were back on track. I am still irritated, I want to know why he was opposed to the only sane option.
Nothing more dangerous that someone with authority but no accountability.
Tomorrow is a new day.
Now a brief on Dad's day.
He had a busy day. He got a new IV port, he took a long walk (about 30 feet), had lots of visitors and late this afternoon, his heart went into a normal rhythm. He was sleeping soundly when I went in tonight, having quite a dream. He woke up when they came to check his vitals. He gave me peace with his understanding of all of the days events. We had prayer and I left him laughing.
God is good.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Tuesday
I am in debt to Nancy for the following:
Dad had eaten most of his breakfast when I walked in this morning and he looked pretty rested. I asked him if he slept okay and he said he did the first part of the night but then he just couldn't get comfortable. He was thankful he didn't get any pudding this morning!
Mom just called and said that Dr. Fish had seen him this morning and I guess he ordered some test for Dad. They had taken Dad out of the room for an X-Ray of some sort and that they were going to give him another unit of blood. When I went and saw Lindsay (ICU Nurse)last night up in ICU - she looked at his chart online and she noticed that his red count or maybe hemoglobin was very low. She asked if they were giving him any blood and I said no. She said he was very low and that we might expect him to get some more very soon. Neither Mom nor I was in the room when Dr. Fish visited. I hate that part! We have to depend on the nurses telling us things.
Hopefully Mom will call me back when he gets in the room and after she talks to the nurses. I'll send another update out as soon as I hear something.
I just talked to Mom and she said they did a full body x-ray on Dad. They stood him up and turned him around, etc. Dr. Fish ordered it to make sure they aren't missing anything. Dad was also getting ready to get the IV of the unit of blood.
Mom said Dad slept through the Inauguration Speech.
Thanks Nan!
Many of you have been singing my praises for being some kind of saint, well let me edit the eulogy. In my heart I ache to be the person you characterize, but too may of you know me extremely well and I alas am but an antonym. But before I begin my desultory tirade, let me chronicle my visit with Dad tonight.
I went to visit Mom before going to the hospital. She had a lot to digest today and there were a lot of visitors and I wanted to get debriefed the lo-tech way, face to face. Unfortunately for her, I articulated my conjecture in an ardent demeanor and was less than circumspect in my rejoinder. Okay, I threw a fit! This will make sense later.
To be continued...
Dad had eaten most of his breakfast when I walked in this morning and he looked pretty rested. I asked him if he slept okay and he said he did the first part of the night but then he just couldn't get comfortable. He was thankful he didn't get any pudding this morning!
Mom just called and said that Dr. Fish had seen him this morning and I guess he ordered some test for Dad. They had taken Dad out of the room for an X-Ray of some sort and that they were going to give him another unit of blood. When I went and saw Lindsay (ICU Nurse)last night up in ICU - she looked at his chart online and she noticed that his red count or maybe hemoglobin was very low. She asked if they were giving him any blood and I said no. She said he was very low and that we might expect him to get some more very soon. Neither Mom nor I was in the room when Dr. Fish visited. I hate that part! We have to depend on the nurses telling us things.
Hopefully Mom will call me back when he gets in the room and after she talks to the nurses. I'll send another update out as soon as I hear something.
I just talked to Mom and she said they did a full body x-ray on Dad. They stood him up and turned him around, etc. Dr. Fish ordered it to make sure they aren't missing anything. Dad was also getting ready to get the IV of the unit of blood.
Mom said Dad slept through the Inauguration Speech.
Thanks Nan!
Many of you have been singing my praises for being some kind of saint, well let me edit the eulogy. In my heart I ache to be the person you characterize, but too may of you know me extremely well and I alas am but an antonym. But before I begin my desultory tirade, let me chronicle my visit with Dad tonight.
I went to visit Mom before going to the hospital. She had a lot to digest today and there were a lot of visitors and I wanted to get debriefed the lo-tech way, face to face. Unfortunately for her, I articulated my conjecture in an ardent demeanor and was less than circumspect in my rejoinder. Okay, I threw a fit! This will make sense later.
To be continued...
Monday, January 19, 2009
Monday
For all the confabs and visits from every kind of doctor and therapist today, I haven't got much to report.
His condition is still about where it was last night. He is aware that he is losing strength and is wanting something to do to curtail the atrophy. I found his PT and asked him for some diagrams of exercise he could do while in the bed or chair. We didn't get any diagrams but the PT did come in twice today and got him to walk twice. An OT came in and showed them some arm and hand exercises to do.
Mom and Dad did meet with a rehab liaison to get the ball rolling. She will evaluate Dad's condition and determine if he will do well at their facility. I don't think that the doctors are in a hurry to move him yet but thinking ahead keeps a goal in our minds. Finding the right balance between medical and therapy is a challenge.
Thanks again for all the support and good wishes, and especially the prayer.
God is good!
His condition is still about where it was last night. He is aware that he is losing strength and is wanting something to do to curtail the atrophy. I found his PT and asked him for some diagrams of exercise he could do while in the bed or chair. We didn't get any diagrams but the PT did come in twice today and got him to walk twice. An OT came in and showed them some arm and hand exercises to do.
Mom and Dad did meet with a rehab liaison to get the ball rolling. She will evaluate Dad's condition and determine if he will do well at their facility. I don't think that the doctors are in a hurry to move him yet but thinking ahead keeps a goal in our minds. Finding the right balance between medical and therapy is a challenge.
Thanks again for all the support and good wishes, and especially the prayer.
God is good!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sunday
We all had lunch at our house today. It was good to have Mike and Cindy with the regulars. Even though all the chairs were taken there was an obvious vacancy.
Dad said that he had a good day but Charlotte and I found him tired looking and lacking the energy he had last night. His white count was up a little today so he may have been feeling bad because of the infection. He seemed to be coughing more tonight. My brother Jamie called and we had to cut the call short because it was taking a toll on Dad. We managed to get his gabapentin pill early tonight because his restless leg syndrome was "kicking" up again.
He has a new nurse tonight and he explained to her the rigors of taking care of him. He was referring to the urgency that the Lasex brings on. She was not sure if Lasex was on the meds menu tonight. The edema in his legs and feet seem to be better than last night so maybe he will be spared tonight.
There is supposed to be a doctor confab tomorrow morning to determine the next course of action in Dad's recovery regimen. It is hard to think about what lies ahead. Watching him struggle to do small things that we all take for granted is difficult. The nagging unknown.
Heb.12
[11] For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
[12] Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,
[13] and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
God is good!
Dad said that he had a good day but Charlotte and I found him tired looking and lacking the energy he had last night. His white count was up a little today so he may have been feeling bad because of the infection. He seemed to be coughing more tonight. My brother Jamie called and we had to cut the call short because it was taking a toll on Dad. We managed to get his gabapentin pill early tonight because his restless leg syndrome was "kicking" up again.
He has a new nurse tonight and he explained to her the rigors of taking care of him. He was referring to the urgency that the Lasex brings on. She was not sure if Lasex was on the meds menu tonight. The edema in his legs and feet seem to be better than last night so maybe he will be spared tonight.
There is supposed to be a doctor confab tomorrow morning to determine the next course of action in Dad's recovery regimen. It is hard to think about what lies ahead. Watching him struggle to do small things that we all take for granted is difficult. The nagging unknown.
Heb.12
[11] For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
[12] Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,
[13] and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
God is good!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Saturday
I worked this morning, so the following will be a compilation of reports from Mom, Nancy, Cindy (sis from Conway), her husband Mike, Charlotte and our youngest Hannah.
(Some of you have asked for a program of who is who, maybe I will lay out the family tree at some point for those interested.)
Mike and Cindy arrived in town mid morning and joined Mom in the palacial suite. Dad had a good morning, probably because there were some new faces and new conversations to break up the mundane. "Dr. Jones" made him show off his respiratory skills on the hour. Dad ate a so so lunch because of all the Ensure shakes they are bringing him.
Apparently, the battle of wills ensued over Ensure for the remainder of the day. I have never had one before, but according to Dad, they are pure protein and fiber and sugary sweet and very filling. Every meal and in between someone was delivering another bottle. He told me that at one point during the day there were 6 shakes on his tray. This evening when Charlotte and Hannah were visiting, Dad had had enough of Ensure and the talk about how he needed to drink another one. Hannah told me she had never seen Pawpaw that grumpy.
I wasn't at all "ensure" whether I wanted to go see him tonight if he was in a combative mood. I did go see him about 8 p.m. and found him not only in good spirits, but looking more like himself since entering the hospital. We had a great conversation and laughed about several events of the day. He told me about the visitors he had and we talked about rehab. He was vigilant and awake during the entire visit. Normally he doses off or keeps his eyes closed when he talks. I really enjoyed my time with him tonight. I came home thinking how blessed I have been. He was Barnabas to me tonight, a "son of encouragement".
Medical reports.
His lungs are slowly getting back to "normal", although he still has some fluid in them. That means another dose of Lasex tonight. The edema in his legs and ankles is subsiding as well. He was able to "walk" into the hall of the wing and back with assistance. He was proud of that, and is still keeping his goals operative. His white cell count is falling so we hope that the blood infection is responding to the antibiotics. (We did find out that one of the antibiotics is a derivative of penicillin which he is allergic to, so far no reaction). All other vitals are looking good. He has started on coumadin which will take a couple of days to regulate.
As you pray tonight and tomorrow, please remember one of Dad's nurses, Shayla and her husband. They are expecting their first child in June and her husband is in Afghanistan. I also met a young man on the elevator who was visiting his 104 year old great grandfather. He has some circulatory problems. I bet there are some holy moments happening the room next door as well.
God is great! God is good!
(Some of you have asked for a program of who is who, maybe I will lay out the family tree at some point for those interested.)
Mike and Cindy arrived in town mid morning and joined Mom in the palacial suite. Dad had a good morning, probably because there were some new faces and new conversations to break up the mundane. "Dr. Jones" made him show off his respiratory skills on the hour. Dad ate a so so lunch because of all the Ensure shakes they are bringing him.
Apparently, the battle of wills ensued over Ensure for the remainder of the day. I have never had one before, but according to Dad, they are pure protein and fiber and sugary sweet and very filling. Every meal and in between someone was delivering another bottle. He told me that at one point during the day there were 6 shakes on his tray. This evening when Charlotte and Hannah were visiting, Dad had had enough of Ensure and the talk about how he needed to drink another one. Hannah told me she had never seen Pawpaw that grumpy.
I wasn't at all "ensure" whether I wanted to go see him tonight if he was in a combative mood. I did go see him about 8 p.m. and found him not only in good spirits, but looking more like himself since entering the hospital. We had a great conversation and laughed about several events of the day. He told me about the visitors he had and we talked about rehab. He was vigilant and awake during the entire visit. Normally he doses off or keeps his eyes closed when he talks. I really enjoyed my time with him tonight. I came home thinking how blessed I have been. He was Barnabas to me tonight, a "son of encouragement".
Medical reports.
His lungs are slowly getting back to "normal", although he still has some fluid in them. That means another dose of Lasex tonight. The edema in his legs and ankles is subsiding as well. He was able to "walk" into the hall of the wing and back with assistance. He was proud of that, and is still keeping his goals operative. His white cell count is falling so we hope that the blood infection is responding to the antibiotics. (We did find out that one of the antibiotics is a derivative of penicillin which he is allergic to, so far no reaction). All other vitals are looking good. He has started on coumadin which will take a couple of days to regulate.
As you pray tonight and tomorrow, please remember one of Dad's nurses, Shayla and her husband. They are expecting their first child in June and her husband is in Afghanistan. I also met a young man on the elevator who was visiting his 104 year old great grandfather. He has some circulatory problems. I bet there are some holy moments happening the room next door as well.
God is great! God is good!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Friday
Today's addition will be brief.
First an update from Nancy.
Well - I went into the room again this morning and Dad had eaten all of his breakfast with the exception of about 1/3 of his biscuit! With each bite - he gains strength.
I asked him how his night was and he said he had a rough night. He looked good and his spirits seemed good. But he is very sleepy. I will head up to see him at lunch time since I am working from home today.
I went to the hospital over lunch and Dad didn't quite eat as much as he needed to. Appetite wasn't as good as it was for breakfast.
I was there when Dr. Sexton (Lung Dr) came in. He listened to Dad's lungs. He still has fluid in both lung sacs. Left lung worse than right. He said that dad needs to work on eating a lot of protein to help with his fluid retention problem. Also stressed getting up, sitting up and doing his breathing machine religiously every hour.(nothing we didn't already know)
He then said that Dad has a serious blood infection. He is on 2 different antibiotics and will need to be on this for 10-14 more days. He said this kind of bacteria has its own mortality rate. I didn't hear the type of bacteria that Dad has however the Dr. also mentioned possibly consulting with an Infectious Disease Doctor to ensure Dad is on the right protocol of meds. Can't afford for this bacteria to colonize in dad's chest or heart valves. Rusty mentioned he hoped it wasn't from the blood transfusions and I hadn't even thought of that......
Dad was very tired and he dozed off a couple of times while I was sitting there.
I went by a rehab facility this morning and was impressed although it may be very strenuous for Dad at first. They told me that they treat the patient at the level they are at and set goals daily. While PT is their speciality, they do have a medical staff and we will pursue further.
I stopped in this afternoon to check on blood bug and see how Dad was fairing. He looked tired but Mom made him do his breathing exercise anyway. He calls her Dr. Jones. I asked the nurse how long he would be on the antibiotic and whether it had to be administered via IV. She said at least 10 days and it would be done by infusion (IV). This does not mean he has to stay in the hospital though. I am anxious to talk directly to his cardiologist.
Please continue to pray for Dad, he still has a long way to go.
God is good!
First an update from Nancy.
Well - I went into the room again this morning and Dad had eaten all of his breakfast with the exception of about 1/3 of his biscuit! With each bite - he gains strength.
I asked him how his night was and he said he had a rough night. He looked good and his spirits seemed good. But he is very sleepy. I will head up to see him at lunch time since I am working from home today.
I went to the hospital over lunch and Dad didn't quite eat as much as he needed to. Appetite wasn't as good as it was for breakfast.
I was there when Dr. Sexton (Lung Dr) came in. He listened to Dad's lungs. He still has fluid in both lung sacs. Left lung worse than right. He said that dad needs to work on eating a lot of protein to help with his fluid retention problem. Also stressed getting up, sitting up and doing his breathing machine religiously every hour.(nothing we didn't already know)
He then said that Dad has a serious blood infection. He is on 2 different antibiotics and will need to be on this for 10-14 more days. He said this kind of bacteria has its own mortality rate. I didn't hear the type of bacteria that Dad has however the Dr. also mentioned possibly consulting with an Infectious Disease Doctor to ensure Dad is on the right protocol of meds. Can't afford for this bacteria to colonize in dad's chest or heart valves. Rusty mentioned he hoped it wasn't from the blood transfusions and I hadn't even thought of that......
Dad was very tired and he dozed off a couple of times while I was sitting there.
I went by a rehab facility this morning and was impressed although it may be very strenuous for Dad at first. They told me that they treat the patient at the level they are at and set goals daily. While PT is their speciality, they do have a medical staff and we will pursue further.
I stopped in this afternoon to check on blood bug and see how Dad was fairing. He looked tired but Mom made him do his breathing exercise anyway. He calls her Dr. Jones. I asked the nurse how long he would be on the antibiotic and whether it had to be administered via IV. She said at least 10 days and it would be done by infusion (IV). This does not mean he has to stay in the hospital though. I am anxious to talk directly to his cardiologist.
Please continue to pray for Dad, he still has a long way to go.
God is good!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Thursday
Morning report from Nancy:
I walked in this morning to see Dad sitting up and his breakfast plate COMPLETELY empty! He had even eaten the orange slice garnish! He didn't realize he had oatmeal so I doctored that up for him and he was 1/2 way through that when I left. I asked him if he licked the plate and he laughed.
But it looked like he did!
ICU Nurses Karen and Lindsay stopped in to check on him and that made his day! They are SO SO SO Sweet! He also looked a lot less puffy today. His face is almost back to normal. Hands and ankles are going down as well.
He looked GOOD this morning even though he said he didn't sleep all that well. I am encouraged again!
He said one thing he did want today was a shave and a bath AND he wanted to comb his hair. That is a good sign!
Prayers are being answered and he is getting stronger. I am so very thankful to our Heavenly Father today.
Nancy has been so faithful in getting there early to get Dad going and stopping by after work. Thanks Nan!
I debated whether to go by tonight because I was not sure if Charlotte's bug was catching. Her Dr. said that she just had a bad sinus infection and put her on antibiotics. She is feeling much better today.
Dad's countenance was very normal tonight. His energy level is not as robust as we are used to yet but his personality has returned to a more normal cadence.
He had several visitors and phone calls today. While it takes effort to talk, I think it has been good not only physically but keeping him busy and breaking up the institutional monotony.
Medically: the cultures on the infection came back today and they have fine tuned the antibiotic to take care of the particular strain. He is getting heparin to minimize the chance of blood clots. The gabapentin took care of his restless leg problem from last night. I don't know if he will get more lasex tonight, but he has been doing fine with out the foley and we are grateful for that. He continues to have some PT although I think he is ready for more. He has been sitting up in the chair for several hours at a time. He continues to perform his respiratory therapy hourly and is doing better and better.
It is hard to believe that it will be 2 weeks tomorrow that we began this saga. He told me tonight that we needed to start thinking about life after WRMC. I told him that I had started looking for options on the internet and wanted to visit some step down rehab locations and check out levels of care and PT. We will also be checking into in home care. He indicated that his goal was to be able to walk with a walker as soon as possible. I find this very promising on several levels.
Many of you have asked about Dad's prognosis. I am not sure how to answer that. It reminds me of the story of the man who went to the doctor and came home and his wife said, "How did it go?" The man replied, "I'm dying honey." Alarmed, she exclaimed, "What happened? What's the problem?" Nonchalantly, the man said, "It's nothing serious, I've been dying for years!"
These are the "facts" that the doctor explained to us and some Dad that explained to the doctor:
>Dad has and always will have atrial fibrillation. It's an irregular twitch in the atria. Many people live with arhythmias.
>Due to the previous heart attack and the occlusion of the coronary arteries Dad's heart is only beating at 20% efficiency and even with the bypass will not likely improve to any great extent, the heart muscle has been damaged. Not ideal but many people lead productive lives with less that 20%.
>Dad is 86 years old chronologically, but physically he is much younger because he has taken care of himself through a disciplined exercise routine and "clean living".
>Dad loves life and believes God uses us where ever we are in life.
>Finally and most importantly, Dad has, as he puts it, "God's best gift" to him, in Beverly. After 61 years, they are just getting to know each other.
The doctor's last assessment: he could die tonight with another V-tach or stroke. he doesn't think that will happen but can't rule it out; or he could live to be 96. In conclusion, he didn't say it, but he might as well have, God only, knows.
Jas.4
[14] whereas you do not know about tomorrow. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
[15] Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and we shall do this or that."
We may have glimpses of God's providence in retrospect, but even then we only see it as through a glass darkly. Our family has been blessed in the past 2 weeks to be wrapped in a blanket of His providential love and compassion. We have been saturated with precious, tender, even holy moments. We have been shown hospitality by strangers and thereby entertained angels unawares. We have been reminded that the temporal has no meaning in the vast realm of our Creator.
God is good!
P.S. Now you know why they call this a Blog...maybe Blahg would be better.
Blah, Blah, Blahg
I walked in this morning to see Dad sitting up and his breakfast plate COMPLETELY empty! He had even eaten the orange slice garnish! He didn't realize he had oatmeal so I doctored that up for him and he was 1/2 way through that when I left. I asked him if he licked the plate and he laughed.
But it looked like he did!
ICU Nurses Karen and Lindsay stopped in to check on him and that made his day! They are SO SO SO Sweet! He also looked a lot less puffy today. His face is almost back to normal. Hands and ankles are going down as well.
He looked GOOD this morning even though he said he didn't sleep all that well. I am encouraged again!
He said one thing he did want today was a shave and a bath AND he wanted to comb his hair. That is a good sign!
Prayers are being answered and he is getting stronger. I am so very thankful to our Heavenly Father today.
Nancy has been so faithful in getting there early to get Dad going and stopping by after work. Thanks Nan!
I debated whether to go by tonight because I was not sure if Charlotte's bug was catching. Her Dr. said that she just had a bad sinus infection and put her on antibiotics. She is feeling much better today.
Dad's countenance was very normal tonight. His energy level is not as robust as we are used to yet but his personality has returned to a more normal cadence.
He had several visitors and phone calls today. While it takes effort to talk, I think it has been good not only physically but keeping him busy and breaking up the institutional monotony.
Medically: the cultures on the infection came back today and they have fine tuned the antibiotic to take care of the particular strain. He is getting heparin to minimize the chance of blood clots. The gabapentin took care of his restless leg problem from last night. I don't know if he will get more lasex tonight, but he has been doing fine with out the foley and we are grateful for that. He continues to have some PT although I think he is ready for more. He has been sitting up in the chair for several hours at a time. He continues to perform his respiratory therapy hourly and is doing better and better.
It is hard to believe that it will be 2 weeks tomorrow that we began this saga. He told me tonight that we needed to start thinking about life after WRMC. I told him that I had started looking for options on the internet and wanted to visit some step down rehab locations and check out levels of care and PT. We will also be checking into in home care. He indicated that his goal was to be able to walk with a walker as soon as possible. I find this very promising on several levels.
Many of you have asked about Dad's prognosis. I am not sure how to answer that. It reminds me of the story of the man who went to the doctor and came home and his wife said, "How did it go?" The man replied, "I'm dying honey." Alarmed, she exclaimed, "What happened? What's the problem?" Nonchalantly, the man said, "It's nothing serious, I've been dying for years!"
These are the "facts" that the doctor explained to us and some Dad that explained to the doctor:
>Dad has and always will have atrial fibrillation. It's an irregular twitch in the atria. Many people live with arhythmias.
>Due to the previous heart attack and the occlusion of the coronary arteries Dad's heart is only beating at 20% efficiency and even with the bypass will not likely improve to any great extent, the heart muscle has been damaged. Not ideal but many people lead productive lives with less that 20%.
>Dad is 86 years old chronologically, but physically he is much younger because he has taken care of himself through a disciplined exercise routine and "clean living".
>Dad loves life and believes God uses us where ever we are in life.
>Finally and most importantly, Dad has, as he puts it, "God's best gift" to him, in Beverly. After 61 years, they are just getting to know each other.
The doctor's last assessment: he could die tonight with another V-tach or stroke. he doesn't think that will happen but can't rule it out; or he could live to be 96. In conclusion, he didn't say it, but he might as well have, God only, knows.
Jas.4
[14] whereas you do not know about tomorrow. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
[15] Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and we shall do this or that."
We may have glimpses of God's providence in retrospect, but even then we only see it as through a glass darkly. Our family has been blessed in the past 2 weeks to be wrapped in a blanket of His providential love and compassion. We have been saturated with precious, tender, even holy moments. We have been shown hospitality by strangers and thereby entertained angels unawares. We have been reminded that the temporal has no meaning in the vast realm of our Creator.
God is good!
P.S. Now you know why they call this a Blog...maybe Blahg would be better.
Blah, Blah, Blahg
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Wednesday Closeout
Just left Dad, and he has had a very good day.
He has taken ownership of a lot of the things that will help him recover quicker.
He ate a good amount of dinner and has been much more active with his arms and legs with the tasks the OT gave him to do. He is getting the hang of the breathing therapy and has shown improvement there each time he does the exercise.
His countenance was much more Jamie like tonight and I told him he looked good and did really great today. He said that he had a busy day. I think the activity and visitors kept his mind off of the negative and brought back the hope and promise of the future.
Dad had restless legs tonight and I checked with the nurse to see if they could give him something for his peripheral neuropathy and she called the hospitalist and he will give him something for it tonight. They also removed the catheter at 4PM today to see if he can tolerate using the urinal. If he can't use the urinal within 6 hours he will have to have a new catheter because they will give him another dose of Lasex tonight. I think the edema is still the main issue that is slowing everything down.
The final result of the biopsy is negative and the spot on his lung was some kind of pneumonia. I didn't catch what that was all about but will ask more questions when I see the pulmonary doctor again. It is minor compared to everything else.
Well that's about it for tonight. There will probably be only one update tomorrow. Charlotte came home feeling awful and had a temp. Tomorrow is her birthday so keep her in your prayers tonight and tomorrow.
Helium balloon; $2.50, get well card; $1.50; emails and visits; precious time;
prayer and support behind them all; PRICELESS!
You are all treasures and we can never express what you mean to us!
God is good!
He has taken ownership of a lot of the things that will help him recover quicker.
He ate a good amount of dinner and has been much more active with his arms and legs with the tasks the OT gave him to do. He is getting the hang of the breathing therapy and has shown improvement there each time he does the exercise.
His countenance was much more Jamie like tonight and I told him he looked good and did really great today. He said that he had a busy day. I think the activity and visitors kept his mind off of the negative and brought back the hope and promise of the future.
Dad had restless legs tonight and I checked with the nurse to see if they could give him something for his peripheral neuropathy and she called the hospitalist and he will give him something for it tonight. They also removed the catheter at 4PM today to see if he can tolerate using the urinal. If he can't use the urinal within 6 hours he will have to have a new catheter because they will give him another dose of Lasex tonight. I think the edema is still the main issue that is slowing everything down.
The final result of the biopsy is negative and the spot on his lung was some kind of pneumonia. I didn't catch what that was all about but will ask more questions when I see the pulmonary doctor again. It is minor compared to everything else.
Well that's about it for tonight. There will probably be only one update tomorrow. Charlotte came home feeling awful and had a temp. Tomorrow is her birthday so keep her in your prayers tonight and tomorrow.
Helium balloon; $2.50, get well card; $1.50; emails and visits; precious time;
prayer and support behind them all; PRICELESS!
You are all treasures and we can never express what you mean to us!
God is good!
Wednesday
I am playing catchup from last night.
The transition to the new room and change in staff was rough on Dad. Between OT,PT,RT, antibiotics for urinary track infection, and Dr.s giving updates he was exhausted and a little grumpy. He was sitting in a chair after PT had assisted him in taking a few steps, he told the nurse that he wanted to get back into bed. She told him that they were about to bring him his meal. He said, "I'm not going to eat anything." Nancy and her daughter Madeline and John Tyson came in about the time the meal came and despite his earlier protest, Madeline got him to eat the majority of his food plus some ice cream that John had brought. No matter what his appetite is like, whenever John brings ice cream Dad seems to be able to eat a good helping of it.
Charlotte and I visited Dad about 8;30 PM, we met Steve Sheely (our pastor at RHBC) at the elevator. He had just come from Dad's room and found him sleeping. Charlotte and I went up and Dad was awake and had told us we just missed Steve. I ask him if he talked to him and he said that he thought he had called him Wayne. He was tired but we had a good visit. He reached out to both of us and took our hands. We had prayer together and we went home.
I spent most of the morning with Mom and Dad. He is fighting disappointment and the slow pace of progress. Mom and I are keeping him focused on short term goals and reminding him of the progress he has made. I reminded him of how we used to go turkey hunting down in a steep valley in the Boston Mts. We would start climbing out and get winded and have to stop. We would pick out a rock or tree several yards up the trail and set out for that goal before we rested again. I told him that is what we need to do with his rehab. He smiled and we started on the first leg of the day.
He did really well after we got going. He is doing his deep breathing therapy and is attempting to do the OT exercises on his own. He read some cards and letters and did his best to entertain a few visitors.
He continues to engage Dr.s, nurses, and other medical staff that come in and out. A new cardiologist came in and checked Dad out and as he was leaving Dad asked him where he was from. The Dr. said that he was from India. Dad asked him if he knew Raj Kolombi (forgive me Dr. Kolombi if I am misspelling your name), and of course he knew them and had worked with their son who is a urologist at WRMC now. Dad's nurse this morning is very professional and is vigilant in her duties and came across as kind of aloof. By the time she left the room she was smiling and had become warm and "winsome".
Medically, all of Dad's vitals are strong. The battle still remains with the edema and the infection. His temperature has come down and he got another dose of Lasex this morning. His hands are much better but he still has very swollen ankles and a crackle in his left lung. We hope that PT will help with getting the fluid to go where it needs to go. They plan to remove the catheter this afternoon after the Lasex has run it's course. We will see how that goes.
They say that for everyday you lie on your back in bed it takes 3 days of activity to get back your strength, so we are going to encourage the PT as often as possible. He was able to stand by the bed for about 20 seconds on his own and was able to take some very short steps assisted to get into the chair.
Pray for him as he presses toward his goals and for his spirit to remain high and hopeful.
God is good!
The transition to the new room and change in staff was rough on Dad. Between OT,PT,RT, antibiotics for urinary track infection, and Dr.s giving updates he was exhausted and a little grumpy. He was sitting in a chair after PT had assisted him in taking a few steps, he told the nurse that he wanted to get back into bed. She told him that they were about to bring him his meal. He said, "I'm not going to eat anything." Nancy and her daughter Madeline and John Tyson came in about the time the meal came and despite his earlier protest, Madeline got him to eat the majority of his food plus some ice cream that John had brought. No matter what his appetite is like, whenever John brings ice cream Dad seems to be able to eat a good helping of it.
Charlotte and I visited Dad about 8;30 PM, we met Steve Sheely (our pastor at RHBC) at the elevator. He had just come from Dad's room and found him sleeping. Charlotte and I went up and Dad was awake and had told us we just missed Steve. I ask him if he talked to him and he said that he thought he had called him Wayne. He was tired but we had a good visit. He reached out to both of us and took our hands. We had prayer together and we went home.
I spent most of the morning with Mom and Dad. He is fighting disappointment and the slow pace of progress. Mom and I are keeping him focused on short term goals and reminding him of the progress he has made. I reminded him of how we used to go turkey hunting down in a steep valley in the Boston Mts. We would start climbing out and get winded and have to stop. We would pick out a rock or tree several yards up the trail and set out for that goal before we rested again. I told him that is what we need to do with his rehab. He smiled and we started on the first leg of the day.
He did really well after we got going. He is doing his deep breathing therapy and is attempting to do the OT exercises on his own. He read some cards and letters and did his best to entertain a few visitors.
He continues to engage Dr.s, nurses, and other medical staff that come in and out. A new cardiologist came in and checked Dad out and as he was leaving Dad asked him where he was from. The Dr. said that he was from India. Dad asked him if he knew Raj Kolombi (forgive me Dr. Kolombi if I am misspelling your name), and of course he knew them and had worked with their son who is a urologist at WRMC now. Dad's nurse this morning is very professional and is vigilant in her duties and came across as kind of aloof. By the time she left the room she was smiling and had become warm and "winsome".
Medically, all of Dad's vitals are strong. The battle still remains with the edema and the infection. His temperature has come down and he got another dose of Lasex this morning. His hands are much better but he still has very swollen ankles and a crackle in his left lung. We hope that PT will help with getting the fluid to go where it needs to go. They plan to remove the catheter this afternoon after the Lasex has run it's course. We will see how that goes.
They say that for everyday you lie on your back in bed it takes 3 days of activity to get back your strength, so we are going to encourage the PT as often as possible. He was able to stand by the bed for about 20 seconds on his own and was able to take some very short steps assisted to get into the chair.
Pray for him as he presses toward his goals and for his spirit to remain high and hopeful.
God is good!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Tuesday Short Update
Dad had a good night and has made some progress this morning.
Occupational therapist has been in and demonstrated some exercise for him to do. Physical therapist will be working with him a couple of times today.
He will be moving to room 3318 sometime after lunch. This will allow us to see him at convenient times instead of the restricted visits we have had.
We are working on some goals to help move rehab along. He will probably have to go to a rehab facility for sometime so we are starting to look into what is available and the levels of care etc.
New life always begins with struggle and pain, and so it begins.
God is good!
Occupational therapist has been in and demonstrated some exercise for him to do. Physical therapist will be working with him a couple of times today.
He will be moving to room 3318 sometime after lunch. This will allow us to see him at convenient times instead of the restricted visits we have had.
We are working on some goals to help move rehab along. He will probably have to go to a rehab facility for sometime so we are starting to look into what is available and the levels of care etc.
New life always begins with struggle and pain, and so it begins.
God is good!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Monday Closeout
Nathan and I visited Dad around 9:30 PM.
He was resting peacefully but did want to know if it was night or day. I thought about taking him outside in the sun for a vitamin D bath but it is supposed to get down into the 20s tonight, the teens on Wednesday and single digits on Thursday, so maybe we will wait on that.
He is still in ICU because of the fluid in his lungs. They have removed the IV tonight and will watch him closely overnight. His BP has been a little low today.
I received an email from my cousin, Rick, who has been through the rigors of bypass surgery, and he assures me that it is hard for the uninitiated to understand how tiring talking, breathing, not to mention sitting up in a chair is on a patient. He also reassured me that this too shall pass. Thanks for the memories Rick.
Thank you Father for the holy event of each life. You sanction each second we live, and cheer us on as we search for the prize of this high calling. You pick us up when we stumble and encourage us to get back in the race. Dad has kept the faith, and continues to fight the fight, we selfishly ask that You extend to him a few more laps. so that he may finish the race with vigor. Even today new spectators have witnessed his faith, courage and discipline to exemplify and embody You. You are the author and finisher of all and to You all glory is given. Amen
Isa.40
[31] but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.
God is good!
He was resting peacefully but did want to know if it was night or day. I thought about taking him outside in the sun for a vitamin D bath but it is supposed to get down into the 20s tonight, the teens on Wednesday and single digits on Thursday, so maybe we will wait on that.
He is still in ICU because of the fluid in his lungs. They have removed the IV tonight and will watch him closely overnight. His BP has been a little low today.
I received an email from my cousin, Rick, who has been through the rigors of bypass surgery, and he assures me that it is hard for the uninitiated to understand how tiring talking, breathing, not to mention sitting up in a chair is on a patient. He also reassured me that this too shall pass. Thanks for the memories Rick.
Thank you Father for the holy event of each life. You sanction each second we live, and cheer us on as we search for the prize of this high calling. You pick us up when we stumble and encourage us to get back in the race. Dad has kept the faith, and continues to fight the fight, we selfishly ask that You extend to him a few more laps. so that he may finish the race with vigor. Even today new spectators have witnessed his faith, courage and discipline to exemplify and embody You. You are the author and finisher of all and to You all glory is given. Amen
Isa.40
[31] but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.
God is good!
Monday Afternoon
The highs and lows...3:30 PM
We will be in ICU again tonight. Dad has been very lethargic again today and is running a low fever. He seems to have energy for the first couple of hours of the day and then runs out of steam. His legs are still very swollen and he can't seem to get rid of the fluid. This morning the chest x-ray looked clear and this afternoon it looks like he has fluid in his lungs. He is still coughing up some blood we assume from the resection.
He had several visitors today and that may have worn him out as well. When people ask how he is doing he replies; "OK, I reckon". He doesn't seem to believe it. He was joking with the phlebotomist. He said, "Are you ready Mr. Jones?" and Dad said, "Yeah, I just hope you know what you are doing"
It is hard to see him robust at one minute and very sickly the next.
We will pray for a good evening and hope the med team can get these maladies under control.
A friend emailed this the other day...
Jesus told his disciples.......you should always pray and not give up! Cry out to him day and night.
God is good!
We will be in ICU again tonight. Dad has been very lethargic again today and is running a low fever. He seems to have energy for the first couple of hours of the day and then runs out of steam. His legs are still very swollen and he can't seem to get rid of the fluid. This morning the chest x-ray looked clear and this afternoon it looks like he has fluid in his lungs. He is still coughing up some blood we assume from the resection.
He had several visitors today and that may have worn him out as well. When people ask how he is doing he replies; "OK, I reckon". He doesn't seem to believe it. He was joking with the phlebotomist. He said, "Are you ready Mr. Jones?" and Dad said, "Yeah, I just hope you know what you are doing"
It is hard to see him robust at one minute and very sickly the next.
We will pray for a good evening and hope the med team can get these maladies under control.
A friend emailed this the other day...
Jesus told his disciples.......you should always pray and not give up! Cry out to him day and night.
God is good!
Monday Morning
New nurse, Nicole.
Nancy came in early and went to work.
Nancy related the following paragraph:
He told me this morning that this experience has made him want to become a kinder and gentler man. I told him he was already known for being a "kind and gentle" man. He said "well - I want to become so even more. Because of the kindness I have experienced - I want to become better".
Mother and I arrived at about the same time and found Dad sitting up in a chair. He had just finished breakfast and was looking good.
Dr Weiss had come by earlier and removed the last chest tube. He told Dad that he would probably be moved to a step down floor today. This is a progressive step from ICU to a regular room or rehab or home care.
Dad's hands were less swollen than last night so he is making progress with the fluid issue. We have not received the final results on the biopsy yet, but should hear something today.
We are thankful that Dad has come so far, and the attentive care he has received from the ICU staff. Several of the nurses have come by off duty to check in on him. It is bitter sweet that we leave ICU. The next phase is going to place the onus on Dad and supporters to continue the healing, rehab, and move toward independence again.
I will be going back to work this week but will do my best to keep you updated. As soon as I know the new room number I will get it out to you.
Again, thank all of you who continue to write, call, email and leave your best wishes here in the comments link. Please continue to pray for Mom and Dad as they face the new challenges ahead.
God is good!
Nancy came in early and went to work.
Nancy related the following paragraph:
He told me this morning that this experience has made him want to become a kinder and gentler man. I told him he was already known for being a "kind and gentle" man. He said "well - I want to become so even more. Because of the kindness I have experienced - I want to become better".
Mother and I arrived at about the same time and found Dad sitting up in a chair. He had just finished breakfast and was looking good.
Dr Weiss had come by earlier and removed the last chest tube. He told Dad that he would probably be moved to a step down floor today. This is a progressive step from ICU to a regular room or rehab or home care.
Dad's hands were less swollen than last night so he is making progress with the fluid issue. We have not received the final results on the biopsy yet, but should hear something today.
We are thankful that Dad has come so far, and the attentive care he has received from the ICU staff. Several of the nurses have come by off duty to check in on him. It is bitter sweet that we leave ICU. The next phase is going to place the onus on Dad and supporters to continue the healing, rehab, and move toward independence again.
I will be going back to work this week but will do my best to keep you updated. As soon as I know the new room number I will get it out to you.
Again, thank all of you who continue to write, call, email and leave your best wishes here in the comments link. Please continue to pray for Mom and Dad as they face the new challenges ahead.
God is good!
Sunday Night
I am playing catch-up because I was so sleepy when I got back last night.
Charlotte (my wife) and Nathan went with last night. New nurse Chelsie.
Dad was awake watching Andy Griffin when we got there last night.
He looked rested and was very social. We talked about the events of the day and he related his weird dreams to us. Dad's hands and feet are still swollen. Dad's coughing is less pronounced and we hope that the worst of that is over. The wedge resection he had on is lung was causing some nasty expectorates.
We had prayer and went home. We stayed until a little after 9 PM.
God is good!
Charlotte (my wife) and Nathan went with last night. New nurse Chelsie.
Dad was awake watching Andy Griffin when we got there last night.
He looked rested and was very social. We talked about the events of the day and he related his weird dreams to us. Dad's hands and feet are still swollen. Dad's coughing is less pronounced and we hope that the worst of that is over. The wedge resection he had on is lung was causing some nasty expectorates.
We had prayer and went home. We stayed until a little after 9 PM.
God is good!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Sunday Evening
Just got back from the hospital.
Dad was sound asleep and has been sleeping most of the day.
The nurse said that she thinks he is just tuckered out and he is catching up on lost rest.
We did not stay long and Mom wanted to go home so Adam and I took her home and put out the garbage and recycle.
Some RHBC folks ask if he could have visitors and I said probably brief visits, but you might want to hold off for tonight if you can.
Nancy and I will visit again tonight. Both of us will resume regular work weeks tomorrow so I will be going to one update per day.
We are rejoicing today for God's grace and faithfulness this week.
So if you are feeling low tonight, read Psalm 139, read it with gusto!
God is good!
Dad was sound asleep and has been sleeping most of the day.
The nurse said that she thinks he is just tuckered out and he is catching up on lost rest.
We did not stay long and Mom wanted to go home so Adam and I took her home and put out the garbage and recycle.
Some RHBC folks ask if he could have visitors and I said probably brief visits, but you might want to hold off for tonight if you can.
Nancy and I will visit again tonight. Both of us will resume regular work weeks tomorrow so I will be going to one update per day.
We are rejoicing today for God's grace and faithfulness this week.
So if you are feeling low tonight, read Psalm 139, read it with gusto!
God is good!
Sunday
I got in early this morning to see Dad briefly before church.
He looked good and seemed to have a lot of energy.
I helped him eat breakfast. He did much better this morning.
Ate almost all his eggs, some sausage and a bite or two of biscuit and gravy.
Couldn't hack the cream of wheat.
He made progress during the overnight. The Christmas tree of IVs is slowly losing it's ornaments. He still has a chest tube, catheter and one IV.
They are managing his pain orally for the most part and Nancy thinks that this cold turkey drop in medication is causing him to have weird dreams. She said that he told her that he was in Bethlehem this morning. Nancy said that he was napping more today than he has...this is good.
Since my sweet Adalynn (granddaughter) is in town this weekend I have not been back to the hospital today, but will be going this afternoon.
We had a wonderful service this morning and it was great to fellowship with the entire Smith clan. Of course Darcie married a Jones so we gained a little bit a ground on the Jones side.
God is good!
He looked good and seemed to have a lot of energy.
I helped him eat breakfast. He did much better this morning.
Ate almost all his eggs, some sausage and a bite or two of biscuit and gravy.
Couldn't hack the cream of wheat.
He made progress during the overnight. The Christmas tree of IVs is slowly losing it's ornaments. He still has a chest tube, catheter and one IV.
They are managing his pain orally for the most part and Nancy thinks that this cold turkey drop in medication is causing him to have weird dreams. She said that he told her that he was in Bethlehem this morning. Nancy said that he was napping more today than he has...this is good.
Since my sweet Adalynn (granddaughter) is in town this weekend I have not been back to the hospital today, but will be going this afternoon.
We had a wonderful service this morning and it was great to fellowship with the entire Smith clan. Of course Darcie married a Jones so we gained a little bit a ground on the Jones side.
God is good!
Saturday Closeout
It is very late and I will be brief.
I want to thank Nancy and Jamie for giving me a break from the institutional grind of the hospital today. I wish we could give Mom and Dad a break.
Dad seems to be improving or is at least his body is starting to stabilize itself and less medication is being used to keep the vitals where they ought to be.
He is trying to eat more even though this triggers a coughing spell which is an anathema to him. He seems to handle ice cream the best.
He was out of bed 3 times today which is chore for both him and the staff, but is good for him. He watched a little football today but turned off the TV when the Hogs started to raise his BP.
We had some quiet time together late this evening and he gave me some advice as I pondered my role in tomorrows ordination service for Darcie Smith. He said that God is not impressed by man's rhetoric, but rather in his sincerity.
So Darcie, if my form is off, hopefully my content will be genuine.
I love my Dad.
God is good!
I want to thank Nancy and Jamie for giving me a break from the institutional grind of the hospital today. I wish we could give Mom and Dad a break.
Dad seems to be improving or is at least his body is starting to stabilize itself and less medication is being used to keep the vitals where they ought to be.
He is trying to eat more even though this triggers a coughing spell which is an anathema to him. He seems to handle ice cream the best.
He was out of bed 3 times today which is chore for both him and the staff, but is good for him. He watched a little football today but turned off the TV when the Hogs started to raise his BP.
We had some quiet time together late this evening and he gave me some advice as I pondered my role in tomorrows ordination service for Darcie Smith. He said that God is not impressed by man's rhetoric, but rather in his sincerity.
So Darcie, if my form is off, hopefully my content will be genuine.
I love my Dad.
God is good!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Saturday Morning
It is hard to believe that it has been a week since we started this adventure.
I stopped in at 9 AM to get a quick assesment of Dad's progress and will relate that below, but I had some things to take care of that I let slide for a week. I have been at work this morning and don’t have any firsthand knowledge of this morning's activity so most of this report comes from my sister Nancy who has been a wonderful tag team partner all week. The rest of our "prodigal" siblings have been tremendous support when they have been in town and have given moral support from afar. It has been difficult for them because they feel detached due to the distance.
Dad was sitting in a chair when we got there this morning and had tried to eat a little breakfast. We are encouraging him to eat more, but he seems to get choked and loses interest so we will be cheerleaders in this endeavor today.
He is making progress but it is slow and tedious. The med team removed one of the chest tubes mid morning. They will be getting him up several times today and will be working on the breathing and coughing. They also took the wrapping off his leg where they had taken one of the grafts. They did not split him open from stem to stern to take the vein, they just made 2 small incisions so he will not have the long wound in his leg to deal with, and minimize the infection risk.
One of the surical team came by and did some assesment and spent quite a bit of time with the ICU nurse updating the record and directing course of action for the near future. Dad will continue to stay in ICU as long as necessary. He will probably spend some time in rehab facility after he gets out of the hospital to build up his strength and stamina as well assisting him with the difficulties associated with his NPH (normal pressure hydrocephalus).
Forgot one thing, a thanksgiving, Dad did not have to have much pain medication last night and tells us that he is not experincing a lot of pain except when he coughs or when they get him up.
Continue to pray that Dad can tolerate the exertion of the days demands.
God is good!
I stopped in at 9 AM to get a quick assesment of Dad's progress and will relate that below, but I had some things to take care of that I let slide for a week. I have been at work this morning and don’t have any firsthand knowledge of this morning's activity so most of this report comes from my sister Nancy who has been a wonderful tag team partner all week. The rest of our "prodigal" siblings have been tremendous support when they have been in town and have given moral support from afar. It has been difficult for them because they feel detached due to the distance.
Dad was sitting in a chair when we got there this morning and had tried to eat a little breakfast. We are encouraging him to eat more, but he seems to get choked and loses interest so we will be cheerleaders in this endeavor today.
He is making progress but it is slow and tedious. The med team removed one of the chest tubes mid morning. They will be getting him up several times today and will be working on the breathing and coughing. They also took the wrapping off his leg where they had taken one of the grafts. They did not split him open from stem to stern to take the vein, they just made 2 small incisions so he will not have the long wound in his leg to deal with, and minimize the infection risk.
One of the surical team came by and did some assesment and spent quite a bit of time with the ICU nurse updating the record and directing course of action for the near future. Dad will continue to stay in ICU as long as necessary. He will probably spend some time in rehab facility after he gets out of the hospital to build up his strength and stamina as well assisting him with the difficulties associated with his NPH (normal pressure hydrocephalus).
Forgot one thing, a thanksgiving, Dad did not have to have much pain medication last night and tells us that he is not experincing a lot of pain except when he coughs or when they get him up.
Continue to pray that Dad can tolerate the exertion of the days demands.
God is good!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Friday Closeout
Mom went home about 5:30 PM after a hopeful yet tiring day.
Nancy stayed with Dad most of the early evening.
Charlotte and I went to dinner with friends and I didn't get to the hospital until around 10 PM.
Dad had been sitting up again and had just gotten back to bed.
He looked a little uncomfortable so the nurse and I repositioned him in the bed and he took some meds and was watching one of his favorite TV shows.
We had prayer together and I went home.
I talked to the nurse about how he was doing and she said that things look pretty much like they should at this point. She did say that she was going to try and keep him very comfortable tonight and manage any pain so he could get some rest.
The schedule for tomorrow will be grueling if things go as planned. They plan to get him up for a short walk and put him through some rigorous respiratory treatment.
Say a special prayer for him tonight and in the morning.
God is good!
Nancy stayed with Dad most of the early evening.
Charlotte and I went to dinner with friends and I didn't get to the hospital until around 10 PM.
Dad had been sitting up again and had just gotten back to bed.
He looked a little uncomfortable so the nurse and I repositioned him in the bed and he took some meds and was watching one of his favorite TV shows.
We had prayer together and I went home.
I talked to the nurse about how he was doing and she said that things look pretty much like they should at this point. She did say that she was going to try and keep him very comfortable tonight and manage any pain so he could get some rest.
The schedule for tomorrow will be grueling if things go as planned. They plan to get him up for a short walk and put him through some rigorous respiratory treatment.
Say a special prayer for him tonight and in the morning.
God is good!
Friday Afternoon
Mom has been with Dad since this morning and is the greatest comfort.
Dad's appetite dropped off today as he only took small bites of each entr'ee.
He did eat a lot of the ice cream however.
Not a lot of change to report, everything is staying about where it was this morning.
His color is coming back and a few minutes ago the med team got him up and he is sitting in a chair for the first time. This aggravated his coughing which is good for him but it very painful. He is hugging his pillow as best he can.
He will still be in ICU tonight and probably tomorrow.
He is enjoying listening to your messages, emails, and cards.
Joyful joyful Lord we adore thee
God of glory Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee...
God is good!
Dad's appetite dropped off today as he only took small bites of each entr'ee.
He did eat a lot of the ice cream however.
Not a lot of change to report, everything is staying about where it was this morning.
His color is coming back and a few minutes ago the med team got him up and he is sitting in a chair for the first time. This aggravated his coughing which is good for him but it very painful. He is hugging his pillow as best he can.
He will still be in ICU tonight and probably tomorrow.
He is enjoying listening to your messages, emails, and cards.
Joyful joyful Lord we adore thee
God of glory Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee...
God is good!
Friday
I meant to tell you in the last update that I have been printing your comments from the Blog and emails and taking them to Dad. The emails to the hospital are also getting trough albeit a little slow being delivered.
Mom and Dad really appreciate them as well as the Birthday cards and others.
Spirits are uplifted each time we read them.
One more thing and I hesitate to write this because of different sensitivity levels. but Dad got a kick out of it so here goes.
Sometime back Dad had asked me to take a picture of him for his obituary because he didn't want an outdated picture of him (like when he had hair) used when the time came. I kept putting it off and never got around to it. One day, Jim Pat Bell came by to visit Mom and Dad, and Dad knowing of JP's photographic talents asked him if he had his camera and if he would take the picture. So JP took a series of pictures of both Mom and Dad. While visiting this week, JP took me aside and very delicately whispered to me that he didn't want to be morbid but that he had brought the pictures that Dad had requested and wanted to leave them with me. I told Dad this morning that JP had left his obit picture with me and that there were several others of him and mother that were very good. He laughed and said that he wanted to see it because that was a year ago and he wanted to have the editorial prerogative to have another made if need be.
Sense of humor is intact.
Hope no one is offended by this story, certainly not my intention...
I didn't get JP's permission but I added a couple of pictures at the end of the slide show. (Many thanks JP!)
God is good!
Mom and Dad really appreciate them as well as the Birthday cards and others.
Spirits are uplifted each time we read them.
One more thing and I hesitate to write this because of different sensitivity levels. but Dad got a kick out of it so here goes.
Sometime back Dad had asked me to take a picture of him for his obituary because he didn't want an outdated picture of him (like when he had hair) used when the time came. I kept putting it off and never got around to it. One day, Jim Pat Bell came by to visit Mom and Dad, and Dad knowing of JP's photographic talents asked him if he had his camera and if he would take the picture. So JP took a series of pictures of both Mom and Dad. While visiting this week, JP took me aside and very delicately whispered to me that he didn't want to be morbid but that he had brought the pictures that Dad had requested and wanted to leave them with me. I told Dad this morning that JP had left his obit picture with me and that there were several others of him and mother that were very good. He laughed and said that he wanted to see it because that was a year ago and he wanted to have the editorial prerogative to have another made if need be.
Sense of humor is intact.
Hope no one is offended by this story, certainly not my intention...
I didn't get JP's permission but I added a couple of pictures at the end of the slide show. (Many thanks JP!)
God is good!
Friday Morning
Quick update:
Just left Dad’s room, he had a busy night.
He was in bed but elevated to 45º and had the vent out.
He was talking and ate some jello while we were there.
He is starting to feel pain and has begun the deep breathing and coughing regimen.
This is very painful but one of the most important recovery aspects.
He remembers almost everyone who visited and what they talked about even though day and night are running together.
He is still losing some blood through the chest tubes and is receiving another unit of blood this morning.
They will get him up today, but he will be in ICU at least through today.
Visitors are restricted to family and only 2 at a time.
Pray that he can manage the pain and accomplish good work with the breathing and walking.
God is good!
Just left Dad’s room, he had a busy night.
He was in bed but elevated to 45º and had the vent out.
He was talking and ate some jello while we were there.
He is starting to feel pain and has begun the deep breathing and coughing regimen.
This is very painful but one of the most important recovery aspects.
He remembers almost everyone who visited and what they talked about even though day and night are running together.
He is still losing some blood through the chest tubes and is receiving another unit of blood this morning.
They will get him up today, but he will be in ICU at least through today.
Visitors are restricted to family and only 2 at a time.
Pray that he can manage the pain and accomplish good work with the breathing and walking.
God is good!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Thursday Closeout
Jamie III and I visited Dad tonight.
He is on track on all metrics with the exception of blood volume. Dad has had 2 units of blood since the surgery and was going to have another tonight. The drainage from the chest tubes has slowed significantly this evening and we are hopeful that this last unit of blood will be absorbed and will elevate and maintain the volume.
Dad was responsive to us and squeezed my hand when we had prayer together; I wished him happy birthday and he tried to smile; he motioned to us that he was cold and wanted a blanket; so we are grateful for his ability to engage after such an arduous invasive operation.
Emotionally we are pretty well spent and realize that we still have a long way to go in Dad's recovery. It is easy to think of bypass surgery as a routine operation in this day and age, and it is remarkable how far the technology and creativity has come in extending life, but routine or not, it is a high risk high reward proposition and we are aware that God's grace, faithfulness to us and His providence are the conventional keys that sustain us through all peril and accolade.
As I was driving home tonight I was thinking about the different ways we have communicated with each other during the past few days. Face to face, cell to cell, land line to land line, email, snail mail, IMs, texts, sign language, Blog, and even video phone via Skype, all have been extremely useful and efficient to one degree or another but the most effective and efficient form has been prayer.
Thanks be to God.
He is on track on all metrics with the exception of blood volume. Dad has had 2 units of blood since the surgery and was going to have another tonight. The drainage from the chest tubes has slowed significantly this evening and we are hopeful that this last unit of blood will be absorbed and will elevate and maintain the volume.
Dad was responsive to us and squeezed my hand when we had prayer together; I wished him happy birthday and he tried to smile; he motioned to us that he was cold and wanted a blanket; so we are grateful for his ability to engage after such an arduous invasive operation.
Emotionally we are pretty well spent and realize that we still have a long way to go in Dad's recovery. It is easy to think of bypass surgery as a routine operation in this day and age, and it is remarkable how far the technology and creativity has come in extending life, but routine or not, it is a high risk high reward proposition and we are aware that God's grace, faithfulness to us and His providence are the conventional keys that sustain us through all peril and accolade.
As I was driving home tonight I was thinking about the different ways we have communicated with each other during the past few days. Face to face, cell to cell, land line to land line, email, snail mail, IMs, texts, sign language, Blog, and even video phone via Skype, all have been extremely useful and efficient to one degree or another but the most effective and efficient form has been prayer.
Thanks be to God.
Thursday 5 PM Visit
I am getting report via phone because of the limited number of visitors allowed. My siblings will be leaving to go back to central Arkansas this evening so I will wait for the 8:30 PM visit period.
Shortly after getting settled back into the ICU, Dad's BP was a little low and he required 2 units of blood. I have been assured that this is normal and is not alarming.
When Mom and Nancy got to see him, his eyes were open and he responded to them by raising his hand when they spoke to him. He has made progress in breathing on his own and assisting the ventilator in doing so. The goal is to get the vent out as soon as possible and perhaps sit up in a chair.
Mom is going home for the evening and I will visit at 8:30 PM.
God is good!
Shortly after getting settled back into the ICU, Dad's BP was a little low and he required 2 units of blood. I have been assured that this is normal and is not alarming.
When Mom and Nancy got to see him, his eyes were open and he responded to them by raising his hand when they spoke to him. He has made progress in breathing on his own and assisting the ventilator in doing so. The goal is to get the vent out as soon as possible and perhaps sit up in a chair.
Mom is going home for the evening and I will visit at 8:30 PM.
God is good!
Thursday Post Surgery
Dad got out of surgery at 11:51AM.
He had 5 bypasses, and tolerated the surgery very well.
The lesion on his lung and the lymph nodes that were swollen were also removed and the "initial" biopsy was negative. They will do a more extensive slice and dice on all that tissue and give us the results tomorrow.
Everything went very well for a man celebrating his 86th.
With all the family and friends that came, we took over about a 5th of the space in the waiting room. We want to thank all of you who were able to come in person and for all of you who have called, emailed, texted, and tacitly tarried with us through the morning while waiting expectantly for the good news. Your support is overwhelming and deeply felt.
The family got to go in and see him for 2 minutes and have gathered at our house for lunch. We will be able to go in 2 at a time during the evening visiting hours.
Dad will be in ICU for a day or so. They will try to ween him from the ventilator sometime during the next 24 hours and begin removing the chest tubes and other hardware that is attached.
We are taking one mountain at a time and we are definitely at the apex of this one and are celebrating God's grace for this achievement. We will start climbing the next peak when Dad feels up to it.
The JJJ blogosphere may be a little silent for a while, but be assured that we know that you are praying and wishing Dad well.
Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me praise His holy name.
May He also continue to bless each of you!
God is good!
He had 5 bypasses, and tolerated the surgery very well.
The lesion on his lung and the lymph nodes that were swollen were also removed and the "initial" biopsy was negative. They will do a more extensive slice and dice on all that tissue and give us the results tomorrow.
Everything went very well for a man celebrating his 86th.
With all the family and friends that came, we took over about a 5th of the space in the waiting room. We want to thank all of you who were able to come in person and for all of you who have called, emailed, texted, and tacitly tarried with us through the morning while waiting expectantly for the good news. Your support is overwhelming and deeply felt.
The family got to go in and see him for 2 minutes and have gathered at our house for lunch. We will be able to go in 2 at a time during the evening visiting hours.
Dad will be in ICU for a day or so. They will try to ween him from the ventilator sometime during the next 24 hours and begin removing the chest tubes and other hardware that is attached.
We are taking one mountain at a time and we are definitely at the apex of this one and are celebrating God's grace for this achievement. We will start climbing the next peak when Dad feels up to it.
The JJJ blogosphere may be a little silent for a while, but be assured that we know that you are praying and wishing Dad well.
Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me praise His holy name.
May He also continue to bless each of you!
God is good!
Thursday
Happy Birthday Dad!
Everyone slept in this morning except Nathan (our son), he couldn't sleep so he read Dad's autobiography and came in at 5 AM and had a great visit with Dad.
Nathan related that Dad said, "Nathan, there are some things I have not gotten around to yet. "Nathan said, "What's that PawPaw?" Dad replied, "I need to write a couple of letters to the editor..."
He still has a To Do list.
The surgery has begun but didn't get started on time.
Sorry, I thought I had published this much earlier today.
God is Good!
Everyone slept in this morning except Nathan (our son), he couldn't sleep so he read Dad's autobiography and came in at 5 AM and had a great visit with Dad.
Nathan related that Dad said, "Nathan, there are some things I have not gotten around to yet. "Nathan said, "What's that PawPaw?" Dad replied, "I need to write a couple of letters to the editor..."
He still has a To Do list.
The surgery has begun but didn't get started on time.
Sorry, I thought I had published this much earlier today.
God is Good!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Wednesday Closeout
Surgery is scheduled early tomorrow morning around 7:30 AM.
The locations of the blockages are such that it will take at least 4 grafts and possibly 5.
Most of the family is back in Fayetteville tonight, and we gathered together in Dad's room to watch a video on what to expect before, during, and after surgery. We all asked a lot of questions and while we are all naturally apprehensive, we have all accepted the fact that this is Dad's best hope for a longer and more fulfilling life.
Mother and Dad now believe that despite the lack of angina, that he has noticed over time that he was getting weaker but assumed that it was due to his NPH (Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus) when in fact it was probably due to his heart disease.
We are hopeful that the surgery will actually relieve some of the symptoms that he had originally attributed to NPH.
Our prayer tonight is that Dad and Mom get much needed rest and that we have an uneventful night.
The family gathered at our house tonight for a less than heart healthy meal, and mother has gone home for the evening. My sister Suzanne and her daughter Allison will be staying with her tonight.
We covet your friendship and prayers.
When man has thought all the thoughts he can think of and made all the preparation that technology has to offer, it still boils down to trusting a loving creative God to take us in His arms and work his will through us.
I still remember Gert Behanna's testimony of conversion and transformation; She asked her assistant to get her a copy of the Bible as soon as possible. Her assistant, knowing her boss's past and lack of respect for anything religious, was shocked and struck by the change in her countenance and behavior. He asked, "My god, what has happened to you!" And Behanna replied, "My God has happened to me!"
Let it be.
God is good!
The locations of the blockages are such that it will take at least 4 grafts and possibly 5.
Most of the family is back in Fayetteville tonight, and we gathered together in Dad's room to watch a video on what to expect before, during, and after surgery. We all asked a lot of questions and while we are all naturally apprehensive, we have all accepted the fact that this is Dad's best hope for a longer and more fulfilling life.
Mother and Dad now believe that despite the lack of angina, that he has noticed over time that he was getting weaker but assumed that it was due to his NPH (Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus) when in fact it was probably due to his heart disease.
We are hopeful that the surgery will actually relieve some of the symptoms that he had originally attributed to NPH.
Our prayer tonight is that Dad and Mom get much needed rest and that we have an uneventful night.
The family gathered at our house tonight for a less than heart healthy meal, and mother has gone home for the evening. My sister Suzanne and her daughter Allison will be staying with her tonight.
We covet your friendship and prayers.
When man has thought all the thoughts he can think of and made all the preparation that technology has to offer, it still boils down to trusting a loving creative God to take us in His arms and work his will through us.
I still remember Gert Behanna's testimony of conversion and transformation; She asked her assistant to get her a copy of the Bible as soon as possible. Her assistant, knowing her boss's past and lack of respect for anything religious, was shocked and struck by the change in her countenance and behavior. He asked, "My god, what has happened to you!" And Behanna replied, "My God has happened to me!"
Let it be.
God is good!
Wednesday 2:23 PM
This resource just dawned on me.
If you would like to send Jamie or Beverly an email, you can do so by going to the WRMC website below and clicking on the "email a patient" link above the Search box on the right hand side of the page. Fill out the form and they will deliver your message to Mom and Dad.
http://www.wregional.com/
Or you can leave comments at the bottom of each update and I will print and take to Mom and Dad
Thanks again for your support.
If you would like to send Jamie or Beverly an email, you can do so by going to the WRMC website below and clicking on the "email a patient" link above the Search box on the right hand side of the page. Fill out the form and they will deliver your message to Mom and Dad.
http://www.wregional.com/
Or you can leave comments at the bottom of each update and I will print and take to Mom and Dad
Thanks again for your support.
Wednesday 11:41AM
First I apologize for the sketchiness of this addition, I am operating on very little sleep and processing a lot of information and dealing with a lot of emotional feedback as I write.
Present this morning were; Mom, Nancy, Madeline, Charlotte, Nathan, and Steve Sheely (our pastor at RHBC).
Dad tolerated the cath. procedure very well this morning. The results show blockages from 80% to 100% in all three of the main arteries that supply blood to the heart.
There is also a small aneurysm in the left anterior descending artery (LAD).
We are assessing and processing the risks of what few options there are.
The cardiac team and pulmonary specialist are recommending bypass surgery tomorrow which by coincidence is Dad's 86th birthday.
We will try to let Dad rest as much as possible and limit visits to family today and consult with the cardio/pulmonary team again this afternoon.
We want to again thank all of you who have been praying and calling and sending cards and best wishes through email and even tacitly. We are very aware of the great cloud of witnesses that surround us during this time.
Let me say how much we have appreciated the terrific ICU staff. Last night Dad wanted Mom and I to write a letter of appreciation for the kind and attentive care we have received during our stay at the hospital.
Many of you can appreciate this little aside that may illustrate a central component of Dad's character more than any other.
One morning a lady entered the room and introduced herself to Dad and said "My name is Vicki and I will be your housekeeper today." In typical fashion, Dad introduced himself and all of us to her, and in that Jamie Jones way of his he began to ask Vicki where she was from, how long she had lived here, about her family etc. This is why his address book is like a small town version of the white pages.
Dad knows no stranger, he knows some strange people, but no strangers.
Gal.3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
God is good!
Present this morning were; Mom, Nancy, Madeline, Charlotte, Nathan, and Steve Sheely (our pastor at RHBC).
Dad tolerated the cath. procedure very well this morning. The results show blockages from 80% to 100% in all three of the main arteries that supply blood to the heart.
There is also a small aneurysm in the left anterior descending artery (LAD).
We are assessing and processing the risks of what few options there are.
The cardiac team and pulmonary specialist are recommending bypass surgery tomorrow which by coincidence is Dad's 86th birthday.
We will try to let Dad rest as much as possible and limit visits to family today and consult with the cardio/pulmonary team again this afternoon.
We want to again thank all of you who have been praying and calling and sending cards and best wishes through email and even tacitly. We are very aware of the great cloud of witnesses that surround us during this time.
Let me say how much we have appreciated the terrific ICU staff. Last night Dad wanted Mom and I to write a letter of appreciation for the kind and attentive care we have received during our stay at the hospital.
Many of you can appreciate this little aside that may illustrate a central component of Dad's character more than any other.
One morning a lady entered the room and introduced herself to Dad and said "My name is Vicki and I will be your housekeeper today." In typical fashion, Dad introduced himself and all of us to her, and in that Jamie Jones way of his he began to ask Vicki where she was from, how long she had lived here, about her family etc. This is why his address book is like a small town version of the white pages.
Dad knows no stranger, he knows some strange people, but no strangers.
Gal.3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
God is good!
Wednesday 3:30 a.m.
Dad was coded again at 11:58pm Tuesday night. He went into V-Tach again.
He did not have to be intubated this time and was back in his normal abnormal A-Fib rhythm fairly quickly. They did have to shock him once, but no adrenaline this time, only some lidocain and a few chest compressions. It took a little time to rouse Mom but we both went in and sat with him until about 3:00am. He is resting comfortably and the procedure is still on for tomorrow at 10:30am unless he has another episode tonight in which case they may take him to the cath lab and insert a defib to keep him from having another V-Tach.
I am going to try and get a few hours of sleep. I will update when I can.
God is good!
He did not have to be intubated this time and was back in his normal abnormal A-Fib rhythm fairly quickly. They did have to shock him once, but no adrenaline this time, only some lidocain and a few chest compressions. It took a little time to rouse Mom but we both went in and sat with him until about 3:00am. He is resting comfortably and the procedure is still on for tomorrow at 10:30am unless he has another episode tonight in which case they may take him to the cath lab and insert a defib to keep him from having another V-Tach.
I am going to try and get a few hours of sleep. I will update when I can.
God is good!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Tuesday Closeout
Dad entertained a few of visitors this afternoon and a received a few phone calls including one from Dr. Charles Roselle, Dad's BSU director.
Nancy and I went to work for a while today and left Mom in charge for the afternoon.
He sat in a recliner a couple of times today and that had a good effect on his lungs.
His blood pressure has been a little high today but better a little high than low at this point.
Dad had a baked pork chop, rice, carrots, a salad, and some jello for dinner.
He said that it tasted pretty good.
The cardiologist came in this evening and explained the pros and cons to the catheterization procedure. He has scheduled it for Wednesday morning, but we don't have a time yet. Dad signed the authorizations, so we will see what tomorrow brings.
If the cardiologist finds blockages or conditions that he can treat with a stint or balloon, he will perform those procedures at that time.
I left a little early tonight after my #2 son was offered 4 court side tickets to the Texas vs Arkansas basketball game. I turned down the ticket because my #1 son came up from Ft. Smith to go to the game and brought my granddaughter with him, so he can have the ticket and Charlotte and I will play games instead of watching one.
We are praying for a good outcome tomorrow and that Dad tolerates another stressful invasive procedure.
Dad just called and said that the procedure would be at 10:30 am.
He also had been thinking back on significant times in his life when prayer was especially poignant. He recalled a short prayer that he read while he was in the hospital in Cullman Alabama; Lord I don't ask for life or health, but that I live through and in you.
God is good!
Nancy and I went to work for a while today and left Mom in charge for the afternoon.
He sat in a recliner a couple of times today and that had a good effect on his lungs.
His blood pressure has been a little high today but better a little high than low at this point.
Dad had a baked pork chop, rice, carrots, a salad, and some jello for dinner.
He said that it tasted pretty good.
The cardiologist came in this evening and explained the pros and cons to the catheterization procedure. He has scheduled it for Wednesday morning, but we don't have a time yet. Dad signed the authorizations, so we will see what tomorrow brings.
If the cardiologist finds blockages or conditions that he can treat with a stint or balloon, he will perform those procedures at that time.
I left a little early tonight after my #2 son was offered 4 court side tickets to the Texas vs Arkansas basketball game. I turned down the ticket because my #1 son came up from Ft. Smith to go to the game and brought my granddaughter with him, so he can have the ticket and Charlotte and I will play games instead of watching one.
We are praying for a good outcome tomorrow and that Dad tolerates another stressful invasive procedure.
Dad just called and said that the procedure would be at 10:30 am.
He also had been thinking back on significant times in his life when prayer was especially poignant. He recalled a short prayer that he read while he was in the hospital in Cullman Alabama; Lord I don't ask for life or health, but that I live through and in you.
God is good!
Tuesday
Mother, Nancy, Charlotte, and I visited Dad this morning.
Dad was sitting in a chair and had just finished breakfast.
"Fake" eggs, fruit, and a bagel like roll. Without salt and other flavor enhancers, Dad kind of views meals as taking oral medication.
Dad enjoyed seeing wedding pictures and other family pictures from the holidaze, and telling stories about events and encounters with staff during the night, and since they involve various functions of the body, I will not put them in print.
We have still not seen a doctor today, which may mean that Dad has moved down the priority list, which we take as a good sign but of course we would still like to be the center of attention. We have been assured that they have been in numerous times to see him.
The nurses tell us that we are moving toward an angiogram (this may be a misnomer), catheterization is what I was looking for, tomorrow. After they determine what kind of shape his arteries are in we will determine the next course of action.
Many of you have asked about Mother, she is a trooper and is taking things in stride, one day at a time. Mom and Dad just celebrated their 61st anniversary in December so they kinda got this symbiotic synergistic thing down. She is taking care of herself and knows when she has had enough of the hospital life.
Since there is less to update, I will be cutting back the updates to twice a day unless events warrant.
We continue to be grateful for your prayer and support.
God is good!
Dad was sitting in a chair and had just finished breakfast.
"Fake" eggs, fruit, and a bagel like roll. Without salt and other flavor enhancers, Dad kind of views meals as taking oral medication.
Dad enjoyed seeing wedding pictures and other family pictures from the holidaze, and telling stories about events and encounters with staff during the night, and since they involve various functions of the body, I will not put them in print.
We have still not seen a doctor today, which may mean that Dad has moved down the priority list, which we take as a good sign but of course we would still like to be the center of attention. We have been assured that they have been in numerous times to see him.
The nurses tell us that we are moving toward an angiogram (this may be a misnomer), catheterization is what I was looking for, tomorrow. After they determine what kind of shape his arteries are in we will determine the next course of action.
Many of you have asked about Mother, she is a trooper and is taking things in stride, one day at a time. Mom and Dad just celebrated their 61st anniversary in December so they kinda got this symbiotic synergistic thing down. She is taking care of herself and knows when she has had enough of the hospital life.
Since there is less to update, I will be cutting back the updates to twice a day unless events warrant.
We continue to be grateful for your prayer and support.
God is good!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Monday Close Out
Dad had a heart healthy meal tonight...yum yum.
Bring on the ham, biscuits and gravy.
No new events or changes in condition to report.
His vitals are not perfect but are stable and within expectations for his condition.
All was quiet in the ICU with the exception of a few IV and monitor alarms.
Dad's nurse is really sweet and attentive and said that she thinks he will be able to get some sleep tonight.
I didn't stay long because he looked sleepy.
We had a prayer together mainly gratitude and humility and I tucked him in.
Nancy dropped by for a few minutes as I was leaving.
For those of you in central Arkansas, stay safe and warm.
God is good!
Bring on the ham, biscuits and gravy.
No new events or changes in condition to report.
His vitals are not perfect but are stable and within expectations for his condition.
All was quiet in the ICU with the exception of a few IV and monitor alarms.
Dad's nurse is really sweet and attentive and said that she thinks he will be able to get some sleep tonight.
I didn't stay long because he looked sleepy.
We had a prayer together mainly gratitude and humility and I tucked him in.
Nancy dropped by for a few minutes as I was leaving.
For those of you in central Arkansas, stay safe and warm.
God is good!
Monday Update III
Dad is still doing well and is more vocal albeit in a bullfrog bass voice.
We can tell he is tired and ready to get out of the hospital.
Mom spent the afternoon with him and did not get to see the cardiologist, so she has retired for the day and will hopefully get a full nights sleep.
Suzanne and Cindy and her family have headed back to Conway, hopefully frozen precip free.
The Fayetteville crew is limiting our time with Dad tonight to let him rest.
As one of the communication conduits during our crisis, it has been my privilege to speak with many of you by phone or email and in doing so discovering that we are all fragile and have needs that need to be met. I know that Dad would ask that you include the following in your prayers: Bob and Jenny Riggs (Jenny had surgery today), Jim and Gayle Maloch (Gayle had eye surgery today with long difficult recovery ahead), Darrel Coleman's older sister and her family in Ft Smith and I am sure there are others. You are in our prayers and we hope that your needs are met.
God is good!
We can tell he is tired and ready to get out of the hospital.
Mom spent the afternoon with him and did not get to see the cardiologist, so she has retired for the day and will hopefully get a full nights sleep.
Suzanne and Cindy and her family have headed back to Conway, hopefully frozen precip free.
The Fayetteville crew is limiting our time with Dad tonight to let him rest.
As one of the communication conduits during our crisis, it has been my privilege to speak with many of you by phone or email and in doing so discovering that we are all fragile and have needs that need to be met. I know that Dad would ask that you include the following in your prayers: Bob and Jenny Riggs (Jenny had surgery today), Jim and Gayle Maloch (Gayle had eye surgery today with long difficult recovery ahead), Darrel Coleman's older sister and her family in Ft Smith and I am sure there are others. You are in our prayers and we hope that your needs are met.
God is good!
Monday Update II
3:00 p.m. Update;
Dad did very well during the last 4 hours and the med team were able to remove the "log chain" (quote from Dad) from his throat.
He is awake and alert and cracking jokes. All of our family have been able to see him with the exception of Jamie III and his family, grandson Aaron and granddaughter Jamie Ellen who is on her honeymoon.
We did not see the cardiologist during the visit but mother is able to stay in the room with him now and will hopefully get a report on what needs to happen next.
God is Good!
Dad did very well during the last 4 hours and the med team were able to remove the "log chain" (quote from Dad) from his throat.
He is awake and alert and cracking jokes. All of our family have been able to see him with the exception of Jamie III and his family, grandson Aaron and granddaughter Jamie Ellen who is on her honeymoon.
We did not see the cardiologist during the visit but mother is able to stay in the room with him now and will hopefully get a report on what needs to happen next.
God is Good!
Monday
Monday 1/5/09
This morning was a good morning!
We were rested and feeling good after the last visit.
Dad is fully awake and very alert this morning.
He had that bone crushing "prayer grip" on each hand that he touched.
I had to tell him to relax it so that he didn't over exert himself and get his heart rate up too high. He smiled.
When Beverly walked in, his heart rate set off an alarm...just kidding...but he was visibly very happy to see her.
He is frustrated that he cannot talk back but is in good humor and even did sign language to his great-granddaughter Makaleigh.
It was hard to leave when our time was up, but we are grateful and cherish this short time.
During this shift, the med team is going to take him off the ventilator to see if he can breathe on his own and maintain O2 levels high enough to remove the intubation tube.
We are hopeful that at 1:00 p.m. we will see him without that hindrance.
God is good.
This morning was a good morning!
We were rested and feeling good after the last visit.
Dad is fully awake and very alert this morning.
He had that bone crushing "prayer grip" on each hand that he touched.
I had to tell him to relax it so that he didn't over exert himself and get his heart rate up too high. He smiled.
When Beverly walked in, his heart rate set off an alarm...just kidding...but he was visibly very happy to see her.
He is frustrated that he cannot talk back but is in good humor and even did sign language to his great-granddaughter Makaleigh.
It was hard to leave when our time was up, but we are grateful and cherish this short time.
During this shift, the med team is going to take him off the ventilator to see if he can breathe on his own and maintain O2 levels high enough to remove the intubation tube.
We are hopeful that at 1:00 p.m. we will see him without that hindrance.
God is good.
Sunday
Sunday 1/4/09
They kicked us our of ICU at 3:00 a.m. and we went home to try get some sleep.
Sunday was a rest day for Dad and communication to friends and family.
Mom saw him at 9:00 a.m. and spoke with the doctor and we all were advised to go home and get some rest because he would be sedated all day.
Mom went home and turned the phone off (that's why you couldn't reach her, but thanks for trying) and got some needed rest.
At noon during the nurses shift they began to get appropriate responses from Dad when they would bring him out of sedation. He would nod appropriately to their questions and knew where he was.
By the evening visitation, Dad opened his eyes and squeezed our hands when we talked to him.
This was a great comfort and assurance to us, especially to Mom.
Thanks be to God.
We were able to sleep well last night.
They kicked us our of ICU at 3:00 a.m. and we went home to try get some sleep.
Sunday was a rest day for Dad and communication to friends and family.
Mom saw him at 9:00 a.m. and spoke with the doctor and we all were advised to go home and get some rest because he would be sedated all day.
Mom went home and turned the phone off (that's why you couldn't reach her, but thanks for trying) and got some needed rest.
At noon during the nurses shift they began to get appropriate responses from Dad when they would bring him out of sedation. He would nod appropriately to their questions and knew where he was.
By the evening visitation, Dad opened his eyes and squeezed our hands when we talked to him.
This was a great comfort and assurance to us, especially to Mom.
Thanks be to God.
We were able to sleep well last night.
Saturday
Saturday 1/3/09:
It is wedding day and Mom and I went to the hospital to check on how Dad did through the night. All of his vitals were fine and stable. He was eating breakfast and was happy to have food that had some taste to it. Didn't sleep well due to the mattress and all the alarms that were going off at the nurses station. He insisted that Charlotte and I go to Little Rock for the wedding and was upset that he was not going to be able to go.
I checked in with mother during the day and there was no visible change in his condition. He entertained a few visitors during the day and was fine. Mother went home to get some rest about 6:30 p.m.
On the way home from LR, I stopped by the hospital about 9:15p.m., and found Dad in much different condition than the last update I had from mother.
He was breathing through his mouth in short panting breaths and was somewhat confused about where he was and his capabilities especially about being able to get out of bed by himself. I noticed that the heart monitor was showing a much higher heart rate than it had been throughout the day.
As visiting hours ended, I asked the nurse to make sure that he didn't try to get out of bed by himself and that I was concerned about the breathing and heart rate.
I came home and called mother to see if some procedures had been done that I was not aware of that could have caused the change. She was unaware of any change. I called the nurse back and asked her to have the doctor check on his vitals. She responded, "We are on it"
At 10:30 p.m. I got a call from the nurse saying that Dad had gone into V-Tach or Ventricular tachycardia (Dad would want me to use the correct and full terms).
Basically, his ventricals started fluttering and the heart was not working.
He was "coded" and the team had to shock him once, administer epinephrine (adrenaline), did some chest compressions and stabilized him fairly quickly. He never stopped breathing on his own.
He was sedated and intubated so that he could relax and get O2 levels up.
Mom and I got to the hospital around 10:45 p.m. and spoke to the Cardiologist and Internist about what happened and what course of action to take.
We learned that sometime in the past 10 years Dad had a "silent" heart attack that was neither detected by Dad or his Dr., so his heart was already damaged and that his condition was and is critical.
I called all the family and made them aware of the changes and they all arrived during the wee hours of the morning and later on Sunday.
It is wedding day and Mom and I went to the hospital to check on how Dad did through the night. All of his vitals were fine and stable. He was eating breakfast and was happy to have food that had some taste to it. Didn't sleep well due to the mattress and all the alarms that were going off at the nurses station. He insisted that Charlotte and I go to Little Rock for the wedding and was upset that he was not going to be able to go.
I checked in with mother during the day and there was no visible change in his condition. He entertained a few visitors during the day and was fine. Mother went home to get some rest about 6:30 p.m.
On the way home from LR, I stopped by the hospital about 9:15p.m., and found Dad in much different condition than the last update I had from mother.
He was breathing through his mouth in short panting breaths and was somewhat confused about where he was and his capabilities especially about being able to get out of bed by himself. I noticed that the heart monitor was showing a much higher heart rate than it had been throughout the day.
As visiting hours ended, I asked the nurse to make sure that he didn't try to get out of bed by himself and that I was concerned about the breathing and heart rate.
I came home and called mother to see if some procedures had been done that I was not aware of that could have caused the change. She was unaware of any change. I called the nurse back and asked her to have the doctor check on his vitals. She responded, "We are on it"
At 10:30 p.m. I got a call from the nurse saying that Dad had gone into V-Tach or Ventricular tachycardia (Dad would want me to use the correct and full terms).
Basically, his ventricals started fluttering and the heart was not working.
He was "coded" and the team had to shock him once, administer epinephrine (adrenaline), did some chest compressions and stabilized him fairly quickly. He never stopped breathing on his own.
He was sedated and intubated so that he could relax and get O2 levels up.
Mom and I got to the hospital around 10:45 p.m. and spoke to the Cardiologist and Internist about what happened and what course of action to take.
We learned that sometime in the past 10 years Dad had a "silent" heart attack that was neither detected by Dad or his Dr., so his heart was already damaged and that his condition was and is critical.
I called all the family and made them aware of the changes and they all arrived during the wee hours of the morning and later on Sunday.
Brief History of Events This Past Week
First, Jamie and Beverly and the entire Jones family want to thank everyone for
the prayer and support from all over the world that we have received and felt
this weekend! God is good and has manifested Himself through you to us for years
and continues to do so today.
The purpose of this Blog is to keep you informed of Dad's condition and progress. I will try to update the blog every 4 hours or so after we visit and learn more from the medical staff.
Chronological timeline to this point:
Tuesday 12/30/08: I spoke with Dad on the phone tonight and he was congested and was thinking of going to the doctor to get some medication so that he could attend his granddaughter Jamie Ellen's wedding in Little Rock on Saturday. He told me that he was having trouble getting a full lung of air.
Wednesday 12/31/08: Normal day for Dad ending with his normal routine of exercise including riding stationary bike and stretching exercise.
Thursday 1/1/09: Normal day until bedtime when he began having shortness of breath and could not go to sleep.
Friday 1/2/09: Mom and Dad tried to get in to see his doctor but while waiting for the office to call back, Mom called me and said that they were going to go ahead and go to the emergency room.
I met them there and he was given oxygen which was an immediate relief to him.
A battery of test were run, EKG, chest and heart xray, blood gas, etc.
He was admitted to ICU for observation and additional test that evening.
The purpose of this Blog is to keep you informed of Dad's condition and progress. I will try to update the blog every 4 hours or so after we visit and learn more from the medical staff.
Chronological timeline to this point:
Tuesday 12/30/08: I spoke with Dad on the phone tonight and he was congested and was thinking of going to the doctor to get some medication so that he could attend his granddaughter Jamie Ellen's wedding in Little Rock on Saturday. He told me that he was having trouble getting a full lung of air.
Wednesday 12/31/08: Normal day for Dad ending with his normal routine of exercise including riding stationary bike and stretching exercise.
Thursday 1/1/09: Normal day until bedtime when he began having shortness of breath and could not go to sleep.
Friday 1/2/09: Mom and Dad tried to get in to see his doctor but while waiting for the office to call back, Mom called me and said that they were going to go ahead and go to the emergency room.
I met them there and he was given oxygen which was an immediate relief to him.
A battery of test were run, EKG, chest and heart xray, blood gas, etc.
He was admitted to ICU for observation and additional test that evening.
Aside
For those of you who are new to "Blogs", there is a "comment" link at the bottom of each entry. If you click on the link you can leave comments and I will get them to Mom and Dad. Please leave your full name and any contact information i.e. email address, phone, mailing address.
I have been given some advice by my critics on a better way to do this so it easier to keep up with, so I will make some changes to the format.
Thanks again for the prayer and support!
Rusty
I have been given some advice by my critics on a better way to do this so it easier to keep up with, so I will make some changes to the format.
Thanks again for the prayer and support!
Rusty
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