For the past few weeks I have been told great news about my Grandpa getting better. Until now..... As I write this, the surgeons are deciding whether to give Grandpa surgery or to let him live through it and pass away. I love my Grandpa so much, to see him like this just breaks my heart.
I keep on saying to myself whatever the lord does it is what's best for Grandpa. If Grandpa does pass away all of us will be with him someday. I want my Granpa on earth a little longer though.
We all have bumps on the road in life and right now we have got a huge bump.
Keep on praying for him.......
Hannah
Friday, February 27
2/20/09 to 2/27/09 -- One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
As noted in my post of last Friday, February 20, and Anne's post of Sunday, February 22, just a week ago Dad was alert, telling stories, entertaining the nurses and therapists with his jokes, and reveling in U.Va.'s recent defeat of Va. Tech on the basketball court. His rehabilitation appeared to be moving forward well, and the HealthSouth staff had even talked about a potential return home as early as the middle of March.
Today, only a week later, Dad is, as one of his doctors told Anne this morning, a very sick man. The infection that hit him last weekend is very serious, and is causing issues with a number of systems in his body. He is back at U.Va. Medical Center, having been admitted through the emergency department on Wednesday, and is being treated for the infection.
We have been told we will likely have a good idea of how things are going to go in the next 24 t0 48 hours. If you believe that there is power in prayer, now would be a good time to bring it to bear.
Today, only a week later, Dad is, as one of his doctors told Anne this morning, a very sick man. The infection that hit him last weekend is very serious, and is causing issues with a number of systems in his body. He is back at U.Va. Medical Center, having been admitted through the emergency department on Wednesday, and is being treated for the infection.
We have been told we will likely have a good idea of how things are going to go in the next 24 t0 48 hours. If you believe that there is power in prayer, now would be a good time to bring it to bear.
Wednesday, February 25
Wednesday February 25, 2009
Finally a Few Answers - As I write this Dad is on his way back to UVA Medical Center. They got the results of testing back this afternoon and found that he has C Diff, short for Clostridium difficile. It's a nasty bacteria most frequently brought on by killing the natural bacteria in a person's stomach with antibiotics. It is often found in hospitals and nursing homes. The good news is they began treating him for it last night even before they got the results of the test. Due to the concern of monitoring him more closely and the fact that he isn't able to participate in rehab, feeling so bad, they decided to transfer him back to the regular hospital.
They have pretty much ruling out an infection in his heart since they found out he had C Diff. He also won't have to be transported back and forth for testing, etc. He has to be admitted through the emergency room. What a bummer. (I don't like roller coasters at amusement parks and I definitely don't like feeling as if I'm on one with my Dad). There's nothing we can do though so I guess we'll all just hold on.
Matt, bless him, is on his way from Richmond to the hospital now.
We'll keep everyone updated. Thanks for your support!!!!!
They have pretty much ruling out an infection in his heart since they found out he had C Diff. He also won't have to be transported back and forth for testing, etc. He has to be admitted through the emergency room. What a bummer. (I don't like roller coasters at amusement parks and I definitely don't like feeling as if I'm on one with my Dad). There's nothing we can do though so I guess we'll all just hold on.
Matt, bless him, is on his way from Richmond to the hospital now.
We'll keep everyone updated. Thanks for your support!!!!!
Tuesday, February 24
Tuesday February 24, 2009
Dad continues to feel pretty rough. I spoke with the Doctor today and they definitely think he has an infection. Until they can get the infection cleared up they won't know where he stands on his progress with rehabilitation. I feel comfortable his Doctor is covering all the bases for every possible thing that might be causing problems. Unfortunately, it means more trips (by ambulance) for tests, scans, etc. Hopefully there won't be another transportation fiasco.
Dad continues to want a drink of water more than just about anything. He told Mom this evening, "If Anne was here she'd get me ice chips." He's probably right. When he was in the acute hospital I would sneak him an ice chip or two on the pink swabs for his mouth. It's cool he remembered.
Dad continues to want a drink of water more than just about anything. He told Mom this evening, "If Anne was here she'd get me ice chips." He's probably right. When he was in the acute hospital I would sneak him an ice chip or two on the pink swabs for his mouth. It's cool he remembered.
Monday, February 23
Monday February 23, 2009
Today marks one full week of Dad being in rehab. I'm not counting the first weekend since they didn't begin working with him full time until last Monday. Last Monday we met wtih the social worker at the rehab, discussed our hopes for Dad and the treatment team's goals. We have had a few glitches along the way and today was another one. When we talked with the social worker today we found out some good news (Dad's CT scan from Friday was negatiave) and some not so positive news - they are looking at several medical issues they need to resolve before Dad will be able to make full use of his rehab time. They have been testing, checking lab work, blood sugar and the like to make the very best plan for Dad's care. They are making changes in his tube feeding, increasing some medications and decreasing others. It is hard being so far away. Without seeing Dad it is hard to truly assess how he is doing. When Dad gets better we're going to have to have a talk about what an inconvenient time he chose to have a stroke. If he had had it in the summer I would have been off and could have been there all the time. (How's that for being a selfish daughter). I hope to be able to talk with Dad's doctor, Dr. Diamond, tomorrow and get some of my medical questions answered. We'll keep you posted. Keep Dad in your prayers.
Sunday, February 22
Sunday February 22, 2009
I got to see Dad yesterday for the first time since Monday. He appears to be making great strides in his recovery. I cannot get over how much stronger he looks. His face is less drawn and he is showing significant improvement in the use of his left side. He is receiving, as part of his speech therapy, electronic stimulation to his throat. They hope this will help him regain function in the muscles that affect his swallowing. Dad is able to transfer with very little assistance from his bed to his wheelchair and back. He continues to be very tired. With all the activity he has during the day I'd be tired too and I haven't had a stroke.
Dad is feeling well enough to complain. He has several goals for himself ---to get out of rehab, to get out of rehab and to get out of rehab. Seriously though, Dad wants very much to get home to our Mom so they can begin to rebuild their lives. He wants to have a drink of water so badly and he wants to get his purple wrist band. (The purple wrist band means it is safe to go about the rehab center by yourself without the risk of falling). I think Dad's goals are the ones we all have for him.
This morning on the way to church I was anxious, tearful, and sad. I felt so overwhelmed. I kept thinking, what if Dad doesn't get to the point he can swallow, what if his short term memory does not improve, what if he goes home, stumbles and falls? After snapping at Joe and sitting in the parking lot of the church for a few moments crying, I walked into church. A feeling of peace began to come over me. It was the same peace my father told me about when we would talk going back and forth to college/work thirty years ago, the same peace that has kept my father the rock of the family throughout the years. Dad would always say, "Anne have you prayed?" At the time, I didn't understand, now I do. We are only alone and lost when we try to carry on by ourselves and forget God's love for us. I was reminded that you only have to look at my father and know that God's outpouring of love is shown through him.
Dad is feeling well enough to complain. He has several goals for himself ---to get out of rehab, to get out of rehab and to get out of rehab. Seriously though, Dad wants very much to get home to our Mom so they can begin to rebuild their lives. He wants to have a drink of water so badly and he wants to get his purple wrist band. (The purple wrist band means it is safe to go about the rehab center by yourself without the risk of falling). I think Dad's goals are the ones we all have for him.
This morning on the way to church I was anxious, tearful, and sad. I felt so overwhelmed. I kept thinking, what if Dad doesn't get to the point he can swallow, what if his short term memory does not improve, what if he goes home, stumbles and falls? After snapping at Joe and sitting in the parking lot of the church for a few moments crying, I walked into church. A feeling of peace began to come over me. It was the same peace my father told me about when we would talk going back and forth to college/work thirty years ago, the same peace that has kept my father the rock of the family throughout the years. Dad would always say, "Anne have you prayed?" At the time, I didn't understand, now I do. We are only alone and lost when we try to carry on by ourselves and forget God's love for us. I was reminded that you only have to look at my father and know that God's outpouring of love is shown through him.
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