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:)
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