OK, most times I do not post my crises

[Guest guest]

You may have noticed I very infrequently post my relativly few (I prefer them

that way) crises. This one takes the cake.

My wife was out of town (5-6 hour drive) taking care of her dad who had been

airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY on Christmas eve. I

stayed home, minding things, the dog and our special needs son.

Anyway, here is copy of a message my wife sent to her brothers and best friend

of what transpired. No sympathy please, but prayers would be appreciated,

especially that we can organize getting her dad, (Archie-91yo) now on 24X7 O2,

squared away. That will definitely help the stress currently in my life. By

the way, he has another son in town who has been a big help, but they butt heads

too often and we need to get Archie down here. The problem is dealing with our

friends in the Medical insurance companies and medicare. Doesn't that ring a

bell for many of us?

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I am home only because when Tom called me Sunday eve, (Late) I knew something

was wrong. He sounded so horrible on the phone and said his sinuses were still

acting up and he was running a low grade fever. By 9:45pm against everyones

concerns I left for PA. I am so glad I did. I got in at 3:15 am. He was in

horrible shape and it took me 30 minutes to get him downstairs and into a car!

By 3:45 am he was in the ER. His joints were so painful that it hurt him to

move, his temp was 101.6 ( which for you or me wouldn't be a crisis, but is for

him), and coughing and I swear mentally he didn't know what was going on. At

the ER, he got an IV for antibiotics, Diluadid for pain and solumedrol for his

joints. Within, 15 minutes, he was relaxed and sleepy and starting to move

better. His chest xray was neg, but his sinuses were obviously swollen (his

head looked like a huge balloon). His O2 sats were running good. Some of his

blood work was low or off a little but not serious. By 9:30am, he was doing

much better and we were home by 10:00. His dr. didn't want him in the hospital

and chose to put him on heavy doses of steroids, pain meds(Percocet)

antibiotics. His resistance is so low she was afraid he would develope more

infections. He has not been able for about 4 weeks to take his Humara shot or

the methotrexate which he needs to keep the arthritis in check. Thus he " locked

up " because lack of meds. He had a run of antibiotics for sinuses over

Christmas plus he was being treated for a leg wound that was very stubborn in

healing. When you are on antibiotics you can't take the Humaria and Metho.

Through all of this getting to ER, he said he remembers so little. Now he is

more alert, still very weak, tired and slow in movements. His recliner is his

bed for the moment. I called and Esther to stay with Daddy before I left.

Thank you two for your immeditate response. Dad is still on O2 and slow to get

around but is walking pretty good. Appetite still needs working on. Slow but

sure, I guess. Still plan on having him with me, but plans have changed a

little on how he gets here as Tom is in no shape to take care of Matt who by the

way was so good thru all of this little adventure. So that's it for now. Will

keep you posted. Cheryl

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