It has felt more like fall this week than summer. We have had some days with highs of 69 to 70 degrees. The evenings have dropped into the 50's. I actually had to wear a light jacket a couple off times this week. The weatherman is now predicting highs in the upper eighties for the weekend. This is crazy weather, but we have enjoyed the cool days. The blue and sunny skies today were very uplifting. It seemed so calm outside today and my dad was able to walk in his neighborhood today.
After a busy schedule last week of doctor appointments for my dad and getting him off some medications, he has jumped another hurdle in his recovery. I thought I was going to loose him over the weekend, as some heart medications were causing heart failure. He was so sick and the doctor stopped the medications, but he told us it would take a couple of weeks to get it out of his system. His heart is beating beautifully in sinus rhythm and the aortic valve is pumping away. We are optimistic that he is going to recover as he has improved greatly since Monday. I think I was having heart failure from worrying about him. It has been an intense and emotional time since his surgery. We both are resting a little easier now as we have jumped over many hurdles. My dad is definitely a hero, as he kept saying I am going to beat this. He waved to his neighbors today as he walked up the street today. They have been his cheering squad.
He still has a ways to go with cardiac rehab, but he was happy to be able to walk the short distance today. We are hoping to get back to living somewhat of a normal life. I need to get back into my life, least I not lose myself amidst all the care giving. I have tried to remember to stop and take care of myself and made an effort to meet up with friends and remember that I need time to be happy.
I got to enjoy some great music, as my dad and I listened to The Blue Danube Austrian waltz by Johann Strauss II. My dad loves the music and it was very relaxing. He talked about his dream to visit Austria and I was surprised to learn about his dreams and what his life has meant to him. I have learned a lot in the past six weeks about my dad. It has been some very good time spent together. We are hoping for many more great days together.
Life comes full circle as we raise our children and then roles reverse as we age, and our children take care of us. Our family is our precious gift and we are with the people who love us unconditionally. Every day is a gift and time spent with our loved ones makes a beautiful life.
Life is beautiful !!
Elizabeth:)
Friday, August 28, 2015
Monday, August 10, 2015
What A Difference A Week Makes
What a difference a week can make. Last Monday I was sitting in the hospital with my dad and he was so ill that I didn't think he would make it, as he said he was going to give up. Thank goodness the surgeon gave him a pep talk about not giving up. Now we are a week latter and I can see the dad I knew pre- surgery coming back. He is now in a rehab facility getting PT 4-6 times a week and trying to regain his strength. His funny disposition has returned and he is eating again. Thank goodness last week is behind us and he has been moved to a facility closer to my home. The trips to the hospital were long and tiring. I was so exhausted last Friday and Saturday and I felt like I could have slept all day. I feel much better today.
It is really something how much muscle mass we loose when we are bedridden for a week. My dad looked so frail to me last Friday as he tried to walk with assistance in the hospital. I told him he is going to have to work hard to get strong, but I know he can do it. He always told me not to give up and his grandchildren have told him to get moving, as they are ready for some corn hole tournaments.
I pray my dad does not have any more set backs. I am very grateful for his friends who are visiting him now that he is close to home. It gives him incentive to want to get stronger. Laney misses him too. My dad loves her and I told him she is waiting to see him.
God Bless my hero...Love you Dad!!
Life is Beautiful!!
Elizabeth:)
It is really something how much muscle mass we loose when we are bedridden for a week. My dad looked so frail to me last Friday as he tried to walk with assistance in the hospital. I told him he is going to have to work hard to get strong, but I know he can do it. He always told me not to give up and his grandchildren have told him to get moving, as they are ready for some corn hole tournaments.
I pray my dad does not have any more set backs. I am very grateful for his friends who are visiting him now that he is close to home. It gives him incentive to want to get stronger. Laney misses him too. My dad loves her and I told him she is waiting to see him.
God Bless my hero...Love you Dad!!
Life is Beautiful!!
Elizabeth:)
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Demands On A Caregiver
The days have now run altogether and I can not believe it is August. I have been totally exhausted, as my dad is back in the hospital. We had to call the ambulance last Thursday as he was struggling to breath and was pale as a ghost. His red blood cells were low and an X-ray showed a pleural effusion. He ended up one night in ICU and then back to the step down unit where he was after surgery. It has been very heartbreaking as he has struggled to get his strength back. He was about to give up on Monday, but the surgeon gave him a pep talk about not giving up as these set backs happen to about 50 percent of people having the type of surgery he had.
They ended up draining 2200 cc of fluid off his left lung after to thoracentesis. I got to watch them do the thoracentesis and it was bloody. They said it was old blood from the surgery. My dad is such a trooper. He is slowly getting better and has started to perk up. He had to have more blood transfusions and an EGD, because his red cell count kept dropping. I am so glad they stopped his blood thinner. It was one of the newer ones and we were so worried about him bleeding to death. He has gastritis. They finally found a new mixture of drugs to control his atrial fib. The surgeon said it may go away after the valve heals as the heart was angry from being touched.. My dad never had atrial fib before and it has been hard for him to understand everything. I was happy yesterday to see him smile. He is working hard with the PT to get moving again. He actually made it around the nurses station three times without his oxygen. They are trying to wean him off. He said he can tell they got rid of some of the fluid in his lungs.
They are preparing for him to go to a rehab facility to be watched for awhile. They will work with him to get him strong. I am hoping the insurance will okay it. He was compliant to let them help him, as I have run out of fuel myself. He is my hero and I want him to be strong when he returns home.
I guess when family gets ill you get to see how you raised your children. My daughter and son have been great and surprised me more than once the last couple of weeks as they have helped me so much with the care for my dad. They stepped up to the plate and helped him and me both. I love them so much, as my dad does also. Thanks to my dad's 92 year old friend for the surprise visit which really helped my dad want to get well. They are both remarkable people that have not let their age stop them from enjoying life.
So I am home to rest and praying that my dad continues to recover. God bless all caregivers who take care of their loved ones, as it is physically and emotionally draining. Thank you my dear friends who have been of great support to me.
Life is beautiful!!
Elizabeth:)
They ended up draining 2200 cc of fluid off his left lung after to thoracentesis. I got to watch them do the thoracentesis and it was bloody. They said it was old blood from the surgery. My dad is such a trooper. He is slowly getting better and has started to perk up. He had to have more blood transfusions and an EGD, because his red cell count kept dropping. I am so glad they stopped his blood thinner. It was one of the newer ones and we were so worried about him bleeding to death. He has gastritis. They finally found a new mixture of drugs to control his atrial fib. The surgeon said it may go away after the valve heals as the heart was angry from being touched.. My dad never had atrial fib before and it has been hard for him to understand everything. I was happy yesterday to see him smile. He is working hard with the PT to get moving again. He actually made it around the nurses station three times without his oxygen. They are trying to wean him off. He said he can tell they got rid of some of the fluid in his lungs.
They are preparing for him to go to a rehab facility to be watched for awhile. They will work with him to get him strong. I am hoping the insurance will okay it. He was compliant to let them help him, as I have run out of fuel myself. He is my hero and I want him to be strong when he returns home.
I guess when family gets ill you get to see how you raised your children. My daughter and son have been great and surprised me more than once the last couple of weeks as they have helped me so much with the care for my dad. They stepped up to the plate and helped him and me both. I love them so much, as my dad does also. Thanks to my dad's 92 year old friend for the surprise visit which really helped my dad want to get well. They are both remarkable people that have not let their age stop them from enjoying life.
So I am home to rest and praying that my dad continues to recover. God bless all caregivers who take care of their loved ones, as it is physically and emotionally draining. Thank you my dear friends who have been of great support to me.
Life is beautiful!!
Elizabeth:)
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