Dad is out of the hospital and back home with us. He's pretty weak, and a bit sore in some spots (incisions) but doing pretty well, considering he just went through major surgery Thursday.
Do I think he was discharged too soon? ABSOLUTELY!
Do I think he will recover faster here with us? ABSOLUTELY!
I am not pleased with the level of care he received once he got to his actual hospital room - - it was the same floor he was on after his last surgery, and I wasn't happy with his care then, either . . . in fact, I have the name of the Nursing Administrator, and I believe she and I will be having a chat soon.
More later - - right now, we are exhausted, and I need to get some rest. But first I need to make sure Dad takes his mountain of meds . . . *sigh*
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Yay Dad!!!
Dad came through his surgery with flying colors! The stent was placed successfully; therefore, the doctor did not have to open up and do an actual repair (which is a very, very GOOD thing!) - - also, the bypass to his right leg artery was successful, and he now has strong pulse and good blood flow in BOTH legs (which is also a very, very GOOD thing!)
He will be in the hospital for a few days, and then back home with me for a few more before he can head back to his own house.
It's been a long day - - we got to the hospital at 5:45 AM - - and Steve and I are totally exhausted. More info later . . .
(YAY DAD!!!)
He will be in the hospital for a few days, and then back home with me for a few more before he can head back to his own house.
It's been a long day - - we got to the hospital at 5:45 AM - - and Steve and I are totally exhausted. More info later . . .
(YAY DAD!!!)
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tomorrow
Tomorrow is Dad's surgery.
It will be a long day for all of us - - We will get him to the hospital between 5:35 - 5:45 AM, and his procedure is scheduled for 7:30 AM.
We are all pretty nervous at the moment, but Dad is really handling things well. I think he is just ready to get it done and over with. (as are Steve and I also!).
Dad went to a church here in town this morning and visited with the parish priest. He said he now feels much better about things, and I'm glad.
Here's hoping all goes smoothly and I can report back good things tomorrow.
It will be a long day for all of us - - We will get him to the hospital between 5:35 - 5:45 AM, and his procedure is scheduled for 7:30 AM.
We are all pretty nervous at the moment, but Dad is really handling things well. I think he is just ready to get it done and over with. (as are Steve and I also!).
Dad went to a church here in town this morning and visited with the parish priest. He said he now feels much better about things, and I'm glad.
Here's hoping all goes smoothly and I can report back good things tomorrow.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Letter to Mother Nature
Dear Mother Nature,
Friday was the first day of Spring.
Sunday was Easter.
This morning, I wake up to find this:
As I said - - it's SPRING already. You might want to GET WITH THE PROGRAM . . .
Sincerely,
"Dizzy"
*sigh*
I hate snow . . .
Friday was the first day of Spring.
Sunday was Easter.
This morning, I wake up to find this:
As I said - - it's SPRING already. You might want to GET WITH THE PROGRAM . . .
Sincerely,
"Dizzy"
*sigh*
I hate snow . . .
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Jealousy . . .
Well, I'm in trouble now . . .
Carmichael got pretty miffed at me when I posted a picture of Squeak on here earlier in the week, to try to lighten things up. Now he thinks she's "Mommy's favorite" . . . *sigh* . . . kids these days . . .
ANYWAYS - -
To bring back peace and harmony to my humble home, I have decided to post pictures of my dear little boy also, just to make him feel "special" - - so here they are:
Asleep (or trying to!) in Mommy's lap
Look at those eyes - - gorgeous!
There - - I hope that makes my dear little boy feel better!
Carmichael got pretty miffed at me when I posted a picture of Squeak on here earlier in the week, to try to lighten things up. Now he thinks she's "Mommy's favorite" . . . *sigh* . . . kids these days . . .
ANYWAYS - -
To bring back peace and harmony to my humble home, I have decided to post pictures of my dear little boy also, just to make him feel "special" - - so here they are:
Asleep (or trying to!) in Mommy's lap
Look at those eyes - - gorgeous!
There - - I hope that makes my dear little boy feel better!
So Far, NOT So Good
Dad had to have the catheter put back IN today. Needless to say, he is NOT a happy camper at the moment!
His system is working, but not good enough yet. He is still retaining too much fluid. The Nurse said she could put it back in today, or he would more than likely be making a trip to the Emergency Room this weekend to have it done.
He was so looking forward to being able to go home for a few days before his next surgery! He is pretty down at the moment, and I'm just heartbroken for him.
This is very difficult for me to be dealing with - - I have always been "Daddy's Girl", and have always viewed my Dad as this big, strong man who is able to do anything. Seeing him like this is so hard . . . he feels he is being a bother and is disrupting our lives, and I am trying to make him understand that is not the case. So what if my routine has been disrupted? Big freakin' deal! My routine has not been nearly as disrupted as his!
Just before my Mom passed away - - five years ago next month, actually - - she told me she was worried about my Dad and him being able to take good care of himself. I promised her that I would do everything I could to take care of him, no matter what it took. I did not mean that when it got difficult, it would be time to "bail"!
I am very fortunate to have a partner by my side who is very caring and compassionate, and does everything he can to help me with this situation. He adores my Dad, and Dad considers him the son he never had (sorry Dad, but Hi! I'm a GIRL!). Having Steve here has made it much easier to get through all this, and even thought I didn't think it was possible, I love him even more for it.
Please send good thoughts Dad's way - - he needs all the hope and encouragement he can get. And Steve and I appreciate it.
His system is working, but not good enough yet. He is still retaining too much fluid. The Nurse said she could put it back in today, or he would more than likely be making a trip to the Emergency Room this weekend to have it done.
He was so looking forward to being able to go home for a few days before his next surgery! He is pretty down at the moment, and I'm just heartbroken for him.
This is very difficult for me to be dealing with - - I have always been "Daddy's Girl", and have always viewed my Dad as this big, strong man who is able to do anything. Seeing him like this is so hard . . . he feels he is being a bother and is disrupting our lives, and I am trying to make him understand that is not the case. So what if my routine has been disrupted? Big freakin' deal! My routine has not been nearly as disrupted as his!
Just before my Mom passed away - - five years ago next month, actually - - she told me she was worried about my Dad and him being able to take good care of himself. I promised her that I would do everything I could to take care of him, no matter what it took. I did not mean that when it got difficult, it would be time to "bail"!
I am very fortunate to have a partner by my side who is very caring and compassionate, and does everything he can to help me with this situation. He adores my Dad, and Dad considers him the son he never had (sorry Dad, but Hi! I'm a GIRL!). Having Steve here has made it much easier to get through all this, and even thought I didn't think it was possible, I love him even more for it.
Please send good thoughts Dad's way - - he needs all the hope and encouragement he can get. And Steve and I appreciate it.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
So Far, So Good . . .
Dad finally had his catheter removed, and so far, the 'plumbing' is working pretty well!
We go back to the Urologist tomorrow morning at 8 AM so they can scan his bladder and make sure things are working well.
So Dad is a pretty happy camper at the moment!
Next week is his second surgery, and of course - - you guessed it - - they will have to put a CATHETER back in! Here we go again . . . *sigh*
Please continue keeping Dad in your thoughts and prayers . . . they are greatly appreciated.
We go back to the Urologist tomorrow morning at 8 AM so they can scan his bladder and make sure things are working well.
So Dad is a pretty happy camper at the moment!
Next week is his second surgery, and of course - - you guessed it - - they will have to put a CATHETER back in! Here we go again . . . *sigh*
Please continue keeping Dad in your thoughts and prayers . . . they are greatly appreciated.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
On A Lighter Note . . .
I haven't posted a picture of Squeak lately . . .
We took her to the Vet last week for her shots and a checkup, and she has gained almost THREE POUNDS since we brought her home! I guess that is what happens when she doesn't have to fight 16 other cats for food!
We may have to change her name again - - to "Chunky Monkey" . . . :-)
The picture was taken yesterday during the "Great Jackson Chili and Soup Luncheon" at our house. We had the usual group of loonies over here, and we all made soup or chili and had all the fixin's on the side. Dad knows all of them also, so he had a great time getting to see everybody as well, even though he was so tired he had to excuse himself early and go lay down for a rest.
As you can tell, Squeak was really tired also - - and you can tell the day's activities were REALLY BOTHERING HER . . . =^.^=
We took her to the Vet last week for her shots and a checkup, and she has gained almost THREE POUNDS since we brought her home! I guess that is what happens when she doesn't have to fight 16 other cats for food!
We may have to change her name again - - to "Chunky Monkey" . . . :-)
The picture was taken yesterday during the "Great Jackson Chili and Soup Luncheon" at our house. We had the usual group of loonies over here, and we all made soup or chili and had all the fixin's on the side. Dad knows all of them also, so he had a great time getting to see everybody as well, even though he was so tired he had to excuse himself early and go lay down for a rest.
As you can tell, Squeak was really tired also - - and you can tell the day's activities were REALLY BOTHERING HER . . . =^.^=
Dad Update, Part 2
OKAY - -
Dad had a procedure that completely shut off an artery in his right leg that was pretty much 100% blocked anyway. That way, when he has his next procedure on the 27th of this month, it will not create a "backwash" into the anuerysm that they will be repairing; also, they will do a 'bypass' from the left let artery over to the right leg, and he should then have very good blood flow to both legs.
The surgeon had some difficulty when he first got in and started working on the leg artery, and it took quite a bit longer than he had expected, but he got the job done. As he said, he is working with 83-year-old 'plumbing', and sometimes things don't always work out as planned. Since it was a little more complicated than he had anticipated, they decided to hold him overnight for observation.
I am SO glad they did.
In the middle of the night, Dad woke up in extreme pain, and called for the nurse. It seems that he could not go to the bathroom, and his stomach was distended and very sore. They put a catheter in, and it relieved things immediately.
The next morning I came to the hospital and was told what had occurred. Dad seemed to be feeling pretty good, but tired. They decided late morning to take the catheter out and see how things progressed.
Well, they didn't.
By mid-afternoon, Dad was again in severe pain, his stomach distended and sore, so they had to put the catheter back in. (ouch!!!!) Dad's surgeon told the nurses to contact the urologist and have Dad checked out. They also had a specimen sent to the Lab to get tested.
The urologist checked Dad out and said he had developed a prostate infection, and the prostate was swollen and preventing him from being able to pass anything. They prescribed a kick-ass antibiotic and FlowMax, and sent him on his was - - to our house - - WITH the catheter and Foley bag still attached. He will be wearing this contraption until at least Wednesday, when we are to get an appointment with the urologist at his office for a recheck.
Dad is still very tired and pretty weak, which is to be expected - - after all, not only did he just go through surgery, but that infections is probably really wearing him down! He spends a lot of time sleeping, and his appetite isn't very good at the moment, but I make sure he at leasts eats SOMETHING so he can try to get his strength built back up a little.
I'm just glad he is here instead of at home.
We will know more Wednesday after we meet with the doctors - - the surgeon for a Carotid artery scan, then Pre-admissions at the hospital for the surgery on the 27th, then the urologist for all the other stuff.
What a week this is going to be . . . at least it's Spring Break at the College, and with no students on campus, it will be pretty quiet.
Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Dad had a procedure that completely shut off an artery in his right leg that was pretty much 100% blocked anyway. That way, when he has his next procedure on the 27th of this month, it will not create a "backwash" into the anuerysm that they will be repairing; also, they will do a 'bypass' from the left let artery over to the right leg, and he should then have very good blood flow to both legs.
The surgeon had some difficulty when he first got in and started working on the leg artery, and it took quite a bit longer than he had expected, but he got the job done. As he said, he is working with 83-year-old 'plumbing', and sometimes things don't always work out as planned. Since it was a little more complicated than he had anticipated, they decided to hold him overnight for observation.
I am SO glad they did.
In the middle of the night, Dad woke up in extreme pain, and called for the nurse. It seems that he could not go to the bathroom, and his stomach was distended and very sore. They put a catheter in, and it relieved things immediately.
The next morning I came to the hospital and was told what had occurred. Dad seemed to be feeling pretty good, but tired. They decided late morning to take the catheter out and see how things progressed.
Well, they didn't.
By mid-afternoon, Dad was again in severe pain, his stomach distended and sore, so they had to put the catheter back in. (ouch!!!!) Dad's surgeon told the nurses to contact the urologist and have Dad checked out. They also had a specimen sent to the Lab to get tested.
The urologist checked Dad out and said he had developed a prostate infection, and the prostate was swollen and preventing him from being able to pass anything. They prescribed a kick-ass antibiotic and FlowMax, and sent him on his was - - to our house - - WITH the catheter and Foley bag still attached. He will be wearing this contraption until at least Wednesday, when we are to get an appointment with the urologist at his office for a recheck.
Dad is still very tired and pretty weak, which is to be expected - - after all, not only did he just go through surgery, but that infections is probably really wearing him down! He spends a lot of time sleeping, and his appetite isn't very good at the moment, but I make sure he at leasts eats SOMETHING so he can try to get his strength built back up a little.
I'm just glad he is here instead of at home.
We will know more Wednesday after we meet with the doctors - - the surgeon for a Carotid artery scan, then Pre-admissions at the hospital for the surgery on the 27th, then the urologist for all the other stuff.
What a week this is going to be . . . at least it's Spring Break at the College, and with no students on campus, it will be pretty quiet.
Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Dad Update
Well, Dad's leg procedure did not go exactly as expected.
Oh, the procedure itself went great! But there was a complication, and he developed a prostate infection, and they kept him overnight for observation. He is catheterized at the moment, and will be until at least Wednesday.
Steve finally has Dad home from the hospital, and then went back out to pick up some prescriptions for him. Dad is now comfortable and in bed. (In fact, I think I can hear him snoring - - he is sleeping hard!)
I will go into more detail a little later - - but right now it's LATE, and I'm exhausted after spending the most part of two whole days in the hospital . . . just sitting, and waiting, and sitting some more, and waiting some more . . .
So I am going to finish up a couple of things for the "Great Jackson Chili and Soup Cookoff" tomorrow, and then heading to bed for some well-deserved sleep. *yawn*
Oh, the procedure itself went great! But there was a complication, and he developed a prostate infection, and they kept him overnight for observation. He is catheterized at the moment, and will be until at least Wednesday.
Steve finally has Dad home from the hospital, and then went back out to pick up some prescriptions for him. Dad is now comfortable and in bed. (In fact, I think I can hear him snoring - - he is sleeping hard!)
I will go into more detail a little later - - but right now it's LATE, and I'm exhausted after spending the most part of two whole days in the hospital . . . just sitting, and waiting, and sitting some more, and waiting some more . . .
So I am going to finish up a couple of things for the "Great Jackson Chili and Soup Cookoff" tomorrow, and then heading to bed for some well-deserved sleep. *yawn*
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Well!
It only took THREE WEEKS - -
And TWO PHONE CALLS - -
But the box of 2-1/2 inch galvanized screwes that the flooring guys took off with . . . FINALLY got returned!
FINALLY!
About time.
And TWO PHONE CALLS - -
But the box of 2-1/2 inch galvanized screwes that the flooring guys took off with . . . FINALLY got returned!
FINALLY!
About time.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Update on Dad
Well, Dad has his surgeries scheduled.
He is going to have the leg artery worked on this Thursday, the 13th. He's coming up to stay with us Wednesday night, then he and I will be at the hospital at 9 AM to get him admitted. His procecure is scheduled for 10 AM.
This is just a same-day procedure, so he will be coming back and staying with us that evening, and then spending the weekend with us. If he behaves himself, I MAY let him go back home on Sunday.
Please keep my Daddy in your thoughts and prayers, and thank you for doing so.
He is going to have the leg artery worked on this Thursday, the 13th. He's coming up to stay with us Wednesday night, then he and I will be at the hospital at 9 AM to get him admitted. His procecure is scheduled for 10 AM.
This is just a same-day procedure, so he will be coming back and staying with us that evening, and then spending the weekend with us. If he behaves himself, I MAY let him go back home on Sunday.
Please keep my Daddy in your thoughts and prayers, and thank you for doing so.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Yes, I Know . . .
It's been awhile since I posted - - actually, a lot longer than I had meant for it to be.
The reason? Burn-out. Sheer, total burn-out.
Things at work have been busy, things at home have been hectic, the other house STILL has not sold, the dishwasher died, Dad's surgery procedures (yes, PLURAL) are coming up this month . . . the stress has just been piling up lately, and it's really been affecting me.
Add to all this that I have over 3-1/2 weeks of vacation time accrued, and almost 225 sick hours accumulated, and you can see that there have been no breaks for this girl.
So last week I had a long talk with my boss and told him very frankly that I was not doing well. We decided a little mini-vacation was in order for me, so I put in my request for this past Friday and Monday off.
Oh man - - that is JUST what the doctor ordered!
It was funny - - I had all these little 'projects' around the house that I have been wanting to do, and I was like, "I can work on this one, and do some stuff on this one over here, and start on that one . . . "
Reality - - I sat on my ass on the couch and pet the cats and napped for four days!
And it was good.
I went back to work Tuesday feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world - - or at least my little corner of it!
So I am back, and have LOTS of things to post about. So be watching!
The reason? Burn-out. Sheer, total burn-out.
Things at work have been busy, things at home have been hectic, the other house STILL has not sold, the dishwasher died, Dad's surgery procedures (yes, PLURAL) are coming up this month . . . the stress has just been piling up lately, and it's really been affecting me.
Add to all this that I have over 3-1/2 weeks of vacation time accrued, and almost 225 sick hours accumulated, and you can see that there have been no breaks for this girl.
So last week I had a long talk with my boss and told him very frankly that I was not doing well. We decided a little mini-vacation was in order for me, so I put in my request for this past Friday and Monday off.
Oh man - - that is JUST what the doctor ordered!
It was funny - - I had all these little 'projects' around the house that I have been wanting to do, and I was like, "I can work on this one, and do some stuff on this one over here, and start on that one . . . "
Reality - - I sat on my ass on the couch and pet the cats and napped for four days!
And it was good.
I went back to work Tuesday feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world - - or at least my little corner of it!
So I am back, and have LOTS of things to post about. So be watching!
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