I finally have a moment to sit and look at my blog. My life has been turned upside down for a few weeks. I finally was able to bring my dad home from the hospital last Wednesday evening. He was getting around pretty good until Saturday when he went down hill. One of his medications was causing some very unpleasant side effects. We were instructed to stop the medication and we were so glad. My dad did not eat for two days and he is weak. He is eating very little. The nurse told him to eat six small meals a day. He is stubborn and says nothing taste good. I told him he has to eat regardless. He holds the power to get well. I can only encourage him, but he has to have the mind set to get stronger. He was doing so well and hope we can get past this hurdle.
I am exhausted and it is so nice to just be home and sit here writing. I don't remember going to bed last night, but slept a long time. I feel like I could go back to sleep right now. I keep reminding myself that I need time to myself as a caregiver, but it is hard when someone needs a lot of care. We are working on getting home health care nurses, physical therapy and occupational therapy. I hope they can help, because I am running out of fuel. The nurse today that visited said he is doing well. That is easy for them to say based on 20 minutes they spent with him. It is frustrating for my dad to feel poorly and heartbreaking for the family to see him struggling. We were told it may take awhile for the side effects of the drug to wear off. I know we need medications to help us recover, but the side effects are very debilitating. For now I will cherish this short time by myself. I am hoping in another month this will all be behind us.
We have finally gotten into some drier weather. Yes it feels like summer now and my garden is producing like crazy. I had to laugh as I read my last post that said I was pooping grape tomatoes in my mouth. The auto correct likes to change words and I did correct that. I assure everyone I was popping grape tomatoes into my mouth. They are delicious. Well it is time to sign off as I just caught myself nodding off while typing. Please say a prayer for my dad.
Life Is Beautiful !!
Elizabeth:)
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Our Body Responds To Our Thoughts
Sitting here inside today and enjoying the air conditioner, as it is in the nineties. We had a week of severe storms and lots of rain. North of us got six inches of rain that fell on Tuesday. Where is my boat and oars? It is nice to see the sunshine and to sit and relax for a few minutes. This is the wettest and greenest summer in years. My garden has exploded with fresh vegetables. I was picking grape tomatoes off the vine and popping them in my mouth. They are so good.
My dad is doing well after a long week of recovery in the ICU. He finally has made it to the step down unit and I am finally starting to see his ornery personality coming back. He said he call tell his heart is working good. His shortness of breathe has subsided with activity. The doctors are working on getting his red blood counts regulated and we are beginning to see a discharge date in the next couple of days. I will be glad when he is able to return home, as it has been a long week traveling back and forth to the hospital. Although I am very happy he is doing well and seeing him smile has been worth all the disruption in our lives. The last six months of watching him struggle to do even the simplest of activities was heartbreaking. I hope now his dream of living into his nineties comes true. My dad informed he told his nurses he wasn't old and they believed him as they said they were quite impressed how well he has recovered. He has his own cheering squad at the hospital. Way to go dad. I love you!
The mind is a powerful thing and our body believes what the mind thinks. My dad believed in his surgeons and other doctors. They have taken good care of him. We are very grateful to them. God bless them!
Life is beautiful !!
Elizabeth:)
My dad is doing well after a long week of recovery in the ICU. He finally has made it to the step down unit and I am finally starting to see his ornery personality coming back. He said he call tell his heart is working good. His shortness of breathe has subsided with activity. The doctors are working on getting his red blood counts regulated and we are beginning to see a discharge date in the next couple of days. I will be glad when he is able to return home, as it has been a long week traveling back and forth to the hospital. Although I am very happy he is doing well and seeing him smile has been worth all the disruption in our lives. The last six months of watching him struggle to do even the simplest of activities was heartbreaking. I hope now his dream of living into his nineties comes true. My dad informed he told his nurses he wasn't old and they believed him as they said they were quite impressed how well he has recovered. He has his own cheering squad at the hospital. Way to go dad. I love you!
The mind is a powerful thing and our body believes what the mind thinks. My dad believed in his surgeons and other doctors. They have taken good care of him. We are very grateful to them. God bless them!
Life is beautiful !!
Elizabeth:)
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Life Is Full of Surprises
I am very happy to say that my dad survived his aortic valve replacement and is recovering very well. He amazes me and everyone around him every day. He is now almost 36 hours shy of post op. He had a good day other than some side effects from anesthesia and pain medication. What can I say other than for a man of 85 years old he is my hero. He told me he is ready to go home and I told him to rest and let the nurses do their job. Yes, I need my sleep as his heart is beating beautifully and he is probably going to out walk me when he recovers. He has already been up and in the chair and if it were not for all of the post op tubes and IV's, he probably would have followed the nurses around. He keeps me smiling and laughing everyday. If all continues to go well with recovery he will have a new lease on life. He told me going into surgery to always think positive and today he reminded his nurse that positive thinking will take you places in life.
Sometimes in life when we experience traumatic things our mind tucks them neatly away to protect us. Then sometimes something may trigger that traumatic event. It did not dawn on me yesterday when I saw my dad, that he was taken to a floor in the hospital where my mother passed away. The nurse told me he was making up stories and was paranoid about something. After spending seven hours with him today and listening to him tell me to think back in time. I finally put the pieces together of what he was trying to tell me. He was reliving the day that my mother died, as we could see her room from the window of his ICU room. I reassured him that we would both be alright and that I would be back tomorrow. It was upsetting for him and I tried to hold myself together, because he was worried that he was going to die there also. I hope they move him to the step down unit tomorrow. My family is still traumatized by her death and it was an experience I would never want anyone else to experience. I hope he sleeps tonight.
As for me, I was exhausted last night and slept twelve hours. I woke up in disbelief as I looked at the clock. I hope I sleep as well tonight. Life is always full of surprises and the best ones of course are always when we least expect them. God bless my mother as she watches over my dad. Sweet dreams !!!
Life is beautiful !!!
Elizabeth:)
Sometimes in life when we experience traumatic things our mind tucks them neatly away to protect us. Then sometimes something may trigger that traumatic event. It did not dawn on me yesterday when I saw my dad, that he was taken to a floor in the hospital where my mother passed away. The nurse told me he was making up stories and was paranoid about something. After spending seven hours with him today and listening to him tell me to think back in time. I finally put the pieces together of what he was trying to tell me. He was reliving the day that my mother died, as we could see her room from the window of his ICU room. I reassured him that we would both be alright and that I would be back tomorrow. It was upsetting for him and I tried to hold myself together, because he was worried that he was going to die there also. I hope they move him to the step down unit tomorrow. My family is still traumatized by her death and it was an experience I would never want anyone else to experience. I hope he sleeps tonight.
As for me, I was exhausted last night and slept twelve hours. I woke up in disbelief as I looked at the clock. I hope I sleep as well tonight. Life is always full of surprises and the best ones of course are always when we least expect them. God bless my mother as she watches over my dad. Sweet dreams !!!
Life is beautiful !!!
Elizabeth:)
Monday, July 6, 2015
Another Year Of Life to Celebrate
We had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend. The rain that has pounded us for the past month finally gave way to sunny skies on Saturday. I got to enjoy city fireworks Thursday evening and again on Saturday night. They were beautiful and I always say they know how to make a birthday girl smile. Another year of love, life and happiness.
My husband took me shopping on my birthday and out to dinner. We ate in the German Village of Columbus. There is a lot of heritage there and history. It has been preserved with cobblestone streets,Tutor style homes and German restaurants. I have to laugh because we ate at an Irish pub. What can I say my mother was Irish and my dad German. The best of both worlds all in one place. The food was excellent. We visited a book store there that has over 500,000 books. It is in an old house with many nooks and crannies. The courtyard leading into the store was beautifully adorned with flowers that were thriving heartily from all the rain. I wished I would of had my camera. For now my memories will have to suffice.
I have been spending as much time as possible with my dad, as we count down the days to surgery. I asked him many questions on Saturday about his life and family. He is one of twelve siblings and is the oldest of the three that are still alive. We had fun talking about his life and how he was taught to always enjoy life. His advice to me was always have fun and be happy. He said he was always happy and loved people. I think his secret is forgiveness. He said to keep my husband out of trouble, as he laughed. LOL!
We had fun at a family reunion the last weekend in June. It was my dad's family. My aunt who is still living is just as funny as my dad and has a very healthy attitude of life. She said she came from a strong family and that my dad was probably giving the doctors heck, as she laughed. She told me he was lucky to have me for a daughter. I told her of course, I learned only the best from him. I am the lucky one, because as far as I am concerned he is the greatest dad ever.
We live each day to the fullest and we know that what ever happens that we are the lucky ones to have a dad who cares to give the very best.... Hallmark cards!
And yes indeed, it was a beautiful card that brought smiles and tears to my face. Thank you dad.
Life is beautiful !!
Elizabeth:)
My husband took me shopping on my birthday and out to dinner. We ate in the German Village of Columbus. There is a lot of heritage there and history. It has been preserved with cobblestone streets,Tutor style homes and German restaurants. I have to laugh because we ate at an Irish pub. What can I say my mother was Irish and my dad German. The best of both worlds all in one place. The food was excellent. We visited a book store there that has over 500,000 books. It is in an old house with many nooks and crannies. The courtyard leading into the store was beautifully adorned with flowers that were thriving heartily from all the rain. I wished I would of had my camera. For now my memories will have to suffice.
I have been spending as much time as possible with my dad, as we count down the days to surgery. I asked him many questions on Saturday about his life and family. He is one of twelve siblings and is the oldest of the three that are still alive. We had fun talking about his life and how he was taught to always enjoy life. His advice to me was always have fun and be happy. He said he was always happy and loved people. I think his secret is forgiveness. He said to keep my husband out of trouble, as he laughed. LOL!
We had fun at a family reunion the last weekend in June. It was my dad's family. My aunt who is still living is just as funny as my dad and has a very healthy attitude of life. She said she came from a strong family and that my dad was probably giving the doctors heck, as she laughed. She told me he was lucky to have me for a daughter. I told her of course, I learned only the best from him. I am the lucky one, because as far as I am concerned he is the greatest dad ever.
We live each day to the fullest and we know that what ever happens that we are the lucky ones to have a dad who cares to give the very best.... Hallmark cards!
And yes indeed, it was a beautiful card that brought smiles and tears to my face. Thank you dad.
Life is beautiful !!
Elizabeth:)
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