Suzanne and I are with Dad tonight at HH. Dad was dressed in Khakis and an oxford shirt. He looked great and dressed for the occasion. I took Suzanne to Mama Z's in Tontitown to fill her in on the situation so she would be ready for what she was going to see. Dad seems to have great fears at night....almost every night he thinks he is going to die. He has expressed that every day I have seen him since Wednesday.
He and Suzanne looked at photos from old times and Suzanne gave Dad a foot massage. Dad was in good spirits......best mood all week.
I will have her author the next blog so you get her impressions and thoughts from the trip.
I have been relaying all your thoughts, cards, prayers to Dad as they have been coming in. Thanks for the positive energy.
Steve
Friday, April 30, 2010
Kind Words
John was the only person in the world who would willingly take me to the airport.
Remember, he lived here. I feel like we are related to tell the
truth! I do say prayers for him, and will continue. You are great children to take such good care of him. Tell him hello for me (and Susie who lived across the hall from where he recently
lived in Evergreen). Yes, John didn't care if I called him early in
the morning when my planes were delayed...And, he was first and
foremost (and is) a GENTLEMAN, who really loved his mother. He used to
talk about her, and mail her things as I watched!
Love to John,
JoAnne Braley, and my little dog, Baby
Remember, he lived here. I feel like we are related to tell the
truth! I do say prayers for him, and will continue. You are great children to take such good care of him. Tell him hello for me (and Susie who lived across the hall from where he recently
lived in Evergreen). Yes, John didn't care if I called him early in
the morning when my planes were delayed...And, he was first and
foremost (and is) a GENTLEMAN, who really loved his mother. He used to
talk about her, and mail her things as I watched!
Love to John,
JoAnne Braley, and my little dog, Baby
Thursday, April 29, 2010
GMC HS Class of 53
Here is a note from Bill Curry-------
Yes, your blog address now works, and has been forwarded to the GMC H.S. class of '53 which is a tight group.
Your father was a special member of our class and we treasure him. We lived next door to each other in M'ville when your grandfather and my father worked at the M'ville State Hospital (aka GA Insane Asylum) back in the early '50's.
So Steve, you and and your uncle Pat and George are not alone - call or e-mail when the class of '53 can help -
Sincerely,
Classmate Bill - for the GMC H.S. Class of '53
Yes, your blog address now works, and has been forwarded to the GMC H.S. class of '53 which is a tight group.
Your father was a special member of our class and we treasure him. We lived next door to each other in M'ville when your grandfather and my father worked at the M'ville State Hospital (aka GA Insane Asylum) back in the early '50's.
So Steve, you and and your uncle Pat and George are not alone - call or e-mail when the class of '53 can help -
Sincerely,
Classmate Bill - for the GMC H.S. Class of '53
The Good The Bad The Ugly
Good.....Dad was eating and looking ok today and was getting excellent care. After meeting with the doctor he agreed to keep Dad in the HH facility until next Tuesday. We will review at that time the next move (if any) is needed. The social worker told us that she did not believe he would have to move, but we are planning for worse case scenario.
The Bad......We weighed Dad. He now weighs 115. If you recall, he weighed 121 when we entered him into the facility on Saturday. This is the main reason he is getting to stay in HH at this point. He is losing 1 pound per day.
The Ugly....We are probably going to see a decline over time after the visits from Suzanne and Stuart. He is excited for the company, but still there will be a downturn after they leave. Also, if Dad is staying in HH and it is not being covered by Medicare, the daily cost to us is $180. This could become a reality very quickly. This will have to be a discussion that we have early next week. I also requested for Stuart to bring the car title up this weekend in case we need to sell the vehicle before he passes away. It is not good for it to sit idle and Dad will never drive again. It depends on his mood.....not so sure its a good item to discuss this weekend due to the finality.
Dad has a patch on his neck that is helping to dry out his mouth. This will relieve him of all the coughing and congestion he has been dealing with every day after mealtime. He is struggling to eat and his shirt probably gets more food than his stomach. Its a real sad state of affairs on the nutrition side of the house.
On the sunny side of the house......Melissa and I are taking the dogs up to his room tonight for some pet therapy. I am trying to see Dad as much as possible since I have to leave on a business trip this Sunday.
The Bad......We weighed Dad. He now weighs 115. If you recall, he weighed 121 when we entered him into the facility on Saturday. This is the main reason he is getting to stay in HH at this point. He is losing 1 pound per day.
The Ugly....We are probably going to see a decline over time after the visits from Suzanne and Stuart. He is excited for the company, but still there will be a downturn after they leave. Also, if Dad is staying in HH and it is not being covered by Medicare, the daily cost to us is $180. This could become a reality very quickly. This will have to be a discussion that we have early next week. I also requested for Stuart to bring the car title up this weekend in case we need to sell the vehicle before he passes away. It is not good for it to sit idle and Dad will never drive again. It depends on his mood.....not so sure its a good item to discuss this weekend due to the finality.
Dad has a patch on his neck that is helping to dry out his mouth. This will relieve him of all the coughing and congestion he has been dealing with every day after mealtime. He is struggling to eat and his shirt probably gets more food than his stomach. Its a real sad state of affairs on the nutrition side of the house.
On the sunny side of the house......Melissa and I are taking the dogs up to his room tonight for some pet therapy. I am trying to see Dad as much as possible since I have to leave on a business trip this Sunday.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday
Visited Dad today after receiving phone call from him. He had not picked up the phone in a weeks time, so this was a shocker. He was calling concerning a question about his Sprint Bill. It was hard to understand him on the phone, so Melissa went to HH at lunch. Dad was sitting up in the barcolounger chair (this is the first time he has been out of bed since he left our house on Saturday). He also had a visit from a minister at his request today.
We completed the paperwork to release Dad from his apartment by May 28. There was a waiting list at Evergreen, so we are happy that his unit will go to someone in need.
We are having a family meeting tomorrow with his physician. More details on that tomorrow.
The plan is to take Dad's walker up to HH and get him back to walking and being more mobile. Pray for him to have the strength.
We completed the paperwork to release Dad from his apartment by May 28. There was a waiting list at Evergreen, so we are happy that his unit will go to someone in need.
We are having a family meeting tomorrow with his physician. More details on that tomorrow.
The plan is to take Dad's walker up to HH and get him back to walking and being more mobile. Pray for him to have the strength.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday Evening
Melissa and I are here at HH tonight. Dad is in good spirits. We are watching a movie called "Hard Knox" starring Robert Conrad, the infamous guy with the battery on his shoulder. Dad is now taking steriods and some kind of swish and swallow (Pink Magic) medicine. This is to increase his appetite and ease his swallowing.
Right now he is bedbound other than assistance to the bathroom or shower. He is also having his dressing changed every day.
Dad is also taking periodic morphine pills. Dad always says that is what they give people who are dying...not sure if he is being funny or not.
We are not sure on Dad's release from this site.....we are going to have a family consult with Dr. Pacl. We want to try to keep Dad at HH till after Suzanne's visit. This would give him some regularity and would not disrupt his care.
That is all the news for today.
Right now he is bedbound other than assistance to the bathroom or shower. He is also having his dressing changed every day.
Dad is also taking periodic morphine pills. Dad always says that is what they give people who are dying...not sure if he is being funny or not.
We are not sure on Dad's release from this site.....we are going to have a family consult with Dr. Pacl. We want to try to keep Dad at HH till after Suzanne's visit. This would give him some regularity and would not disrupt his care.
That is all the news for today.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday Monday
Went to go see Dad this morning at HH. He was sleeping peacefully when I arrived. The nurse, Roger (not Fokker), came in when I was in the room and took Dad's vitals. The orderly came in soon after with breakfast. Of course, Dad was not happy with the meal (cream of wheat). Instead, we arranged for eggs to be subsituted. I put some cheese on top and salt and pepper and we had a happy customer. He also likes his coffee, so I took care of that part. Dad was able to walk to the bathroom and back unattended, so that was a positive.
He had some memory issues last evening. He did not remember seeing Melissa and he also had a moment that he still thought the dogs were in his room (he could only be so lucky). I don't know if this is from lack of nourishment, blood flow restriction or something worse. The regular doctor was going to make his rounds today. This should allow us to get more complete information.
I helped dress Dad and I can only describe it as what you would see in WW II concentration camp photos. There is nothing left in regards to muscle tone. He is very simply skin and bone. I have also seen a return of something on the side of his neck (left hand side). Will get more details as we know of these situations.
Its been extremely emotional lately and very tough to witness his demise. Please pray for us to continue to show strength to Dad. He is a safe and caring place. If he is released soon I am going to set him up back in the home. We will secure nursing assistance to cover the periods that we are not there.
He had some memory issues last evening. He did not remember seeing Melissa and he also had a moment that he still thought the dogs were in his room (he could only be so lucky). I don't know if this is from lack of nourishment, blood flow restriction or something worse. The regular doctor was going to make his rounds today. This should allow us to get more complete information.
I helped dress Dad and I can only describe it as what you would see in WW II concentration camp photos. There is nothing left in regards to muscle tone. He is very simply skin and bone. I have also seen a return of something on the side of his neck (left hand side). Will get more details as we know of these situations.
Its been extremely emotional lately and very tough to witness his demise. Please pray for us to continue to show strength to Dad. He is a safe and caring place. If he is released soon I am going to set him up back in the home. We will secure nursing assistance to cover the periods that we are not there.
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