Guest guest Posted July 5, 2002 Report Share Posted July 5, 2002 In a message dated 7/5/02 2:44:43 PM Central Daylight Time, KDEmerson2@... writes: > What is worse, the doctors/staff are now advising against the weekly > overnight visits at " home " with my Dad. As if it is not bad enough my Mom > is not there every day...now he can't have the sleep overs for a touch of > comfort and the couplehood they have shared for nearly 40 years? What is > the balance for the good of both of them? Oh dear, but this is so hard!! Not something I'd considered. So sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2002 Report Share Posted July 6, 2002 Sure wish I had some " quick fix " answers for you. I can tell you are struggling with the grieving we go through through out this terrible disease. Just know you are not alone...even though my dad has had his diagnosis for almost 5 yrs. I still grieve for the loss of the dad I grew up with. He coached me in soccer when I was younger...now he lays in bed refusing care and his meds. sleeping most of the time. He loved joking and telling jokes...now he struggles to say my name. He used to laugh and smile a lot...no " if " he is awake, he cries through most of my visits. Life doesn't always seem fair yet I find myself thankful that he is still here on earth for me to look in his eyes and he still trusts me...what a wonderful feeling. Sandie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2002 Report Share Posted July 8, 2002 How true Sandie that life doesn't seem fair. Your father is lucky to have a great daughter like you, and it sounds like you were very lucky to get him for a father too! > Re: " Going Home " > > > Sure wish I had some " quick fix " answers for you. I can tell you are > struggling with the grieving we go through through out this terrible > disease. Just know you are not alone...even though my dad has had his > diagnosis for almost 5 yrs. I still grieve for the loss of the dad I > grew up with. He coached me in soccer when I was younger...now he lays > in bed refusing care and his meds. sleeping most of the time. He loved > joking and telling jokes...now he struggles to say my name. He used to > laugh and smile a lot...no " if " he is awake, he cries through most of my > visits. Life doesn't always seem fair yet I find myself thankful that > he is still here on earth for me to look in his eyes and he still trusts > me...what a wonderful feeling. > Sandie > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2002 Report Share Posted July 8, 2002 Thank you for the kind words...sure needed it after my visit yesterday with my dad. :-))))) You have brought a smile back to my heart. Sandie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2002 Report Share Posted July 9, 2002 Sandie Sounds like you have been going through a couple of bad weeks. Is your dad still sleeping all the time? Thinking about you. Debbie C. Norwalk, IA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2002 Report Share Posted July 9, 2002 Debbie Dad " woke up " for about 5 days, then went back into the sleep mode again. Now, for the past 2 days he is up and about again. Never sure what tomorrow will bring, but for him, I hope his days are happy ones. Thank you for asking and for caring. : -)) How has your dad been doing? Hopefully he still hasn't had any more bouts of pneumonia. Does the staff still get him up and walk him? Thinking of you... Sandie Des Moines, IA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2002 Report Share Posted July 10, 2002 All is OK here. Dad was on antibiotics about a week ago. Walking is an on and off thing for us now. Depends on his day. Dementia has progressed to being more often for us now but with the LBD it comes and goes. Has your dad been checked for urinary track infection? Or have they checked his thyroid? If they have not done this for a while, something to think about. Keep me posted. Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 Sandie, If your dad is able to use the restroom they can catch it in a sterile cup. Unfortunately my dad cannot so they have in the past had to catheterize him. UTI's are very common in NH patients. If he was in bed for two weeks and did not use the restroom like he would have it could be a possibility. Thinking of you, Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 Debbie Thank you for the report on your dad. So sorry I haven't called in a while. Dad had a general blood work up about 2 weeks ago which one of the two times the blood was taken I had to help hold him down. Such a horrible memory. The test results found everything to be normal except his potassium level was at a critical level the first time and a high normal the second time. Forgive my stupidity, but is the urinary tract infection test done through blood work or a urine test? Sure don't want any blood taken if we can avoid it. Again, thank you for asking and for caring!! Sandie Des Moines, IA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2002 Report Share Posted July 12, 2002 Hi Sandie. Wanted to suggest that the next time your father has blood drawn, you may want to ask the lab nurse to use a " butterfly " with the draw. This makes it a little less painful, and it is easier on the patient, especially if they have tough veins or " rolling " veins. For catherterization, I would suggest asking for some ativan (or other temporary " calming " ) medication prior to the procedure. My MIL has an upcoming gynecology exam, and I am requesting some Ativan for her 45 minutes prior to the procedure. Take care, > Re: " Going Home " > > Sandie, > If your dad is able to use the restroom they can catch it in a sterile > cup. > Unfortunately my dad cannot so they have in the past had to catheterize > him. > UTI's are very common in NH patients. If he was in bed for two weeks and > did > not use the restroom like he would have it could be a possibility. > > Thinking of you, > Debbie > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2002 Report Share Posted July 12, 2002 Thanks so much for the helpful advice to get blood drawn from my dad. I will print this off and have it for the future. Please try some other temporary calming med. for your MIL. Even though I agree everyone can and does react differently to meds., my dad had serious effects due to the Ativan he was on. He truly never has been the same. Maybe even something as simple as Extra Strength Tylenol...something. Please let me know if you do try the Ativan, and how your MIL did on it. Hey, 7 more days and counting....... Sandie Des Moines, IA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2002 Report Share Posted July 15, 2002 Hi Sandie! Thank you for the advice. I will certainly make sure her doctor is aware of the issues involved with Ativan. Thanks! Getting more nervous! > RE: " Going Home " > > > Thanks so much for the helpful advice to get blood drawn from my dad. I > will print this off and have it for the future. > > Please try some other temporary calming med. for your MIL. Even though > I agree everyone can and does react differently to meds., my dad had > serious effects due to the Ativan he was on. He truly never has been > the same. Maybe even something as simple as Extra Strength > Tylenol...something. Please let me know if you do try the Ativan, and > how your MIL did on it. > Hey, 7 more days and counting....... > Sandie > Des Moines, IA > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2002 Report Share Posted July 15, 2002 So...........Friday is " wedding day " . I am so glad you have a happy occasion in your life at this time. Amazing how this is arranged, where we have sorrows and joys, both at the same time. My belief is there is a higher power arranging for the joys when life seems so complicated, helps us make it through. I wish you and your future hubby the best of everything in life, and all the happiness in the world. God Bless you!! Sandie Des Moines, IA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2002 Report Share Posted July 15, 2002 I agree with you Sandie that the " higher " power arranges things as so. Thank you so much for the nice words! I am looking forward to my new " married " life! > RE: " Going Home " > > > So...........Friday is " wedding day " . I am so glad you have a happy > occasion in your life at this time. Amazing how this is arranged, where > we have sorrows and joys, both at the same time. My belief is there is > a higher power arranging for the joys when life seems so complicated, > helps us make it through. > > I wish you and your future hubby the best of everything in life, and all > the happiness in the world. God Bless you!! > Sandie > Des Moines, IA > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2002 Report Share Posted July 16, 2002 , Congradulations on your upcoming wedding. I am sure it will bring much joy to your family. And welcome home to the sailor lady:). My son will be home for a week around the 25th of this month. Then another 3 yrs and 8 months to go, unless he decides to make a career out of it, can't wait,..... Shirley PROUD MOTHER OF A SAILOR _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2002 Report Share Posted July 16, 2002 Thank you Shirley! I am very excited for Friday! How nice your son will be coming home! Enjoy the time. sure seems happy in her chosen career. I don't know how they do it (being on a ship for so long, the strict environment...). Take care! > RE: " Going Home " > > , > Congradulations on your upcoming wedding. I am sure it will bring much joy > > to your family. > And welcome home to the sailor lady:). > My son will be home for a week around the 25th of this month. Then another > 3 > yrs and 8 months to go, unless he decides to make a career out of it, > can't > wait,..... Shirley > > PROUD MOTHER OF A SAILOR > > > _________________________________________________________________ > MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: > <http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx> > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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