More dips than ups actually. Two nights ago I reached my limit with the phone calls and the siblings. Kinda had a melt down. Then yesterday hit me pretty hard right in the heart.
Dad finally had his angiogram about 5PM Wednesday. He says he watched the entire procedure on the monitor. My brother was there when the Dr. came by afterwards. This is was he emailed me.
The guy who did the procedure said it was bad but not as bad as thought though lots of stuff was lumpy and bumpy but did not elaborate.
So I that to mean that things were better than worse. Not quite. Yesterday ( Thursday ) when a team of 5 MD’s came in, my sister very fortunately was there. She was let off work an hour early and for some reason came straight to the hospital and arrived mere moments before the Docs came by. One was the spokesman and was pretty blunt. Dad’s heart was in a very bad situation but it was too risky to operate, even with using the new trans catheter method, they the doctors could not justify it????????? Basically it was inferred that Dad had a choice of dying from likely a stroke due to his heart or from too much medication. They would increase his heparin so he could breathe and move but then he likely would have internal bleeding ( including his brain ). They also told him that he had to be moved to a less care area as his bed in the cardiac unit was for those who needed more care. In other words, they were telling him that there was nothing they could do for him.
Last night via my brothers’ cell phone on speaker mode ( yes everyone heard our very private conversation ) I had to go over the information with him and tell him that he was not going to get much better. Of course I gave a lot of support and suggestions but I had to be brutally honest so that he understood what lay ahead. My brother later told me that Dad’s face just fell listening to me. The important thing is that Dad wants to go home, not anywhere else. So it that is what he wants then that is want he is going to get.
So now today I am researching renting hospital beds and electric wheelchairs ( for easier mobility so as to not wear him out ). I also discussed with him, moving things around so that everything is in the same area of the condo. I’m thinking of moving his office to the living room area. It is a lovely condo with fabulous views but it had a lot of long hallways. Also things like getting another microwave that would be at counter level so he doesn’t have to reach up and then down with something hot in his hands. I told him that he has to wear his emergency pendant all the time or he would not be able to be on his own. He thinks that he can manage it all on his own, meals, showers, etc. Right now he can’t even get in and out of the hospital bed on his own nor lift his legs up onto the bed. I’m also thinking companion care for 2 -3 hours per day in addition to the home care visits or possibly a live in care person for a few months. I’m not sure that the research I did on assisted living is going to be used.
Just now my other sister called after visiting Dad and said that a Dr. has visited today and said that a team of MD’s has come up with a possible plan and that Dad should think about it over the weekend. What plan? Think about what? She didn’t ask and Dad didn’t know. The only thing she could tell me is that the guy in the other bed thought I did a good job explaining things to Dad last night! By the way I figured today that my father has been in hospital three months out of the last twelve, all related to falling. I think that that is a lot.
Speaking of roller coasters here is a shot from the late 80's, one of my helicopter flights with Colin.
We were living in Vancouver back then and were hired by the Port of Vancouver.. Colin still works for them even though we now live in Kelowna. He flies for them once or twice a year.
He did this shot the July 1st. It will be used to promote Vancouver around the world.
Just called the hospital to check on what the heck is going on with Dad. The roller coaster ride continues, he is now scheduled to have another test to confirm the severity of his heart problem. Based on that he may be having a valve replacement after all. Good news, bad news, who knows what it all means. I am officially on the chart as the “go to” person yet neither myself nor anyone else knows the que pasa of it all. One day at a time. Time for a glass of vino……
Sorry for the long paragraph, don’t know why, it looks okay before I hit the publish button. Oh well at least you got a post, I don’t have time to play with it.
I’m so sorry for all the stress and confusion that you’re going through right now..so hard to be miles away when you need to corner those doctors for answers, its hard enough when you’re close by, you never know when they will show up. Please take a deep breath and a glass of vino and take care of yourself. Been there, done that…..ain’t fun.
Dodi……thank you for your comment. You have it exactly right, who knows when a Dr. will show up. Right now I am at least being productive as we play this waiting game. The wine helps :), especially the really expensive stuff.
George….I hope so also.
Catheline…how nice to hear from you again. Yes you are reading between the lines, he is exhausted and when people visit it makes him even more tired. For him it takes all his energy to get thru the day. He is also so very very cold, likely related to the way his heart is not pumping properly.
Hopefully things will work out well for you soon.
My thoughts are with you. I hope you and your family have the strength to make the right decision for your Dad. He must be so tired.
Always reading your Blog,
Catheline