Prayers for dad

[nikkoo]

I'm still praying

[Godslittleangel]

Here's an update. My dad is on his way down here to the hospital by ambulance. His walking today has gotten worse, my mom said she had to practically carry him to the bathroom and back. He has a temp, his blood sugar is high again and she brought him in. His blood sugar was high too when they checked it. it wasn't a bladder infection (or they'd have kept him there) so they sent him here by ambulance. It's a 2 1/2 hour drive so hopefully they get here safely. But they don't know where the infection is. I'm praying that this is something that can easily be treated. Mom said he kind of perked up when they were leaving. But earlier during the day, he was white. I know God's in control and knows whats going on, but I worry still. With his high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabeties and with the previous surgery, this is the last thing he needs. I'm waiting for my mom to call me when they arrive so I may not be able to update till tomorrow or saturday depending on how things are going. But thanks again for all the prayers. They do mean a lot.

[Diggindeeper]

Oh honey! I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm already helping you to pray for him.
Thank you so much for taking time to update us. May God help him and strengthen you and your Mom and all your family.
I wish I could do more than pray....

[Godslittleangel]

Another update, he seems to be doing pretty good as far as his attitude he's been joking around and letting every doctor, nurse or aide that comes in that he's hungry and "when can I eat? I'm starved!". But they did some tests on him like having him touch his nose with his finger and than bring that finger over to touch the doctors hands and other stuff like that. They said that the shunt may not be working as it should be, so they are going to maybe tap it to see if they can get things moving or do a limbropuncture deal (can't remember how they said it) to try to drain the spinal fluid from his brain. They also think he has some type of infection, not sure if it's with the shunt or something completely different. But all we know now for treatment is they are going to definitely put him on antibiotics. Then go on from there. Thanks again for the prayers. It was good to see him joking around. Made me feel a little better about it. I had to leave since I have to work at 3 pm today but he's at the same place I work at so I can pop in and see him during break and before I go to work too. I"ll post more updates as I find out along the way.

[IMINXTC]

Thank you for the update. Its heartening to know he is doing better.

Praying right now for resolution to any shunt problems, a successful drainage of spinal fluid and an effective course of antibiotics.

Prayers for you and your family.

(Its great he's got a good appetite..!)

[Godslittleangel]

I went down to sit with him at supper break. He slept most of the time. He didnt seem interested in talking so I let him rest. But he's been like that in the afternoon. My mom said he was cheery during the morning but as the afternoon went by, he got to be like he was Thursday when she brought him in. Couldn't stay awake. Can't keep food down. he was throwing up when I saw him before I went to work at 2:40. And when i went to see him before I left, he had thrown up again. He had taken a few bites of half a sandwich and couldn't keep it down. Poor guy. But he had a temp too. And he was really forgetful. he couldn't remember eating that day. And when the neurologist came in, he had him hold up 2 fingers on his left arm and my dad couldn't find his fingers. It was so weird. He's not himself. We don't know whats going on. My mom was almost in tears when she was talking to me about what we were going to do with him when he got home. he's not going into the basement. We are going to use one of the bedrooms and put his recliner and tv and dish from downstairs in there. Its right across from the bathroom and not far from the kitchen. But my mom is worrying about what to do if he cant be home alone. And if they can afford home health if the insurance doesn't cover it. But I'm praying they figure out what is going on. They are now seeing what my mom was talking about. So I'm glad about that part. My uncle came to see him too right after I left and my dad couldn't even look at him when talking, his eyes were darting left to right to left to right constantly. So we went backwards again. My mom is worried and stressed about this and how she is going to take care of him, and now found out my brother is going to stay with his girlfriend while here visiting in her 2 bedroom apartment so she is worried about that.

Thanks for the prayers though. They mean a lot. I keep reminding my self that God is bigger and he knows what is going on. He will get us through this and the strength. Sometimes I forget but I need to remember that.

[Godslittleangel]

Another update. Dad was better in the morning, a cousin of his came to visit him and he seemed happy to see him. They got there before we did. They were out of the room when we came as the doctors were giving a shunt tap. Early afternoon, the anesthesiologist came by and told us they were going to remove the shunt completely. That a bug was in there. Than the neurologist came by and explained it more clearly. He had menningitis bacteria in the tube they found and he wanted to remove the shunt completely and put an external drain into his brain to drain it that way, and collect the drainage for lab every 2-3 days to test for more bacteria. So back to surgery he went. It went quickly. An hour and an half. And successful. He is in the ICU till monday to monitor the drain. But he may go back to the other hospital to get his balance issues checked out again to see if there's something else. They brought up parkinson's again. But I guess the tests come back negative so its a condition that really doesn't get diagnosed till signs really start to show? From what I heard. But he looks better now after surgery. He looked pretty sick before hand and slept a lot more as the day progressed (he seems to really feel it in the afternoon). But after surgery, he was tired but he didn't have that sick look when sleeping. He was confused but may have been due to the anesthesia. So now we wait and see how everything goes.

But I better get going. Need to catch up on sleep. Was up all night at the er thursday night/friday morning, slept from 630-1 pm worked at 3 and then didn't sleep much last night. Napping was scarce at the hospital, no comfortable place to rest. Feel a lot better getting some answers to what is going on. His white blood cell count was up high but they are trying to see if its due to the infection or menningitis. So thanks again for the prayers. God is working, and we are taking this step by step.

[IMINXTC]

Sorry to see you and your family going through so much here, with your Dad's condition up and down - it must be very taxing on you.

Glad to know the surgery seemed to help him, and am praying there is no further infection and they are able to adequately drain.

Continuing here to watch and pray for your Dad, asking for relief from immediate suffering and confusion.

Praying also that his medical/health expenses are more than adequately met and that he will be safe and mangeable at home.

Prayers for your Mom.

[Godslittleangel]

Thank you for the prayers. Insurance is another deal now that we have been wondering about. Especially if his balance is that bad that he can't be home alone, so whether or not it will cover swing bed/tcu for him for the time being, or if able to be home, home health. And if it covers all this. Thats something mom and grandma are discussing now. But I gotta go again. Thanks again. God is answering the prayers, adn know he will continue to guide us.

[Godslittleangel]

Came home to do some quick laundry to have clothes for work this week. Dad is sleeping now, and we have been letting him sleep on his own while in the family room. We go in one at a time for a few minutes at a time. He was confused when we first got there. He kept asking me if I put the stuff away or figured it out. I asked him what he was talking about, he said he was talking about a package we gave him yesterday. All we gave him yesterday was the newspaper. He must have been dreaming or still confused. I bought him a little stuff pup to have on his stand and he liked that. Named it buster again after his previous pup who passed last spring. My mom won't give him a real pup until he is fully recovered and able to care for it on his own. And he's dying for a pup. So I told him this was as close as we get for now. May have to find him another treat here this week. Maybe a game he can play himself while in the hospital to not get bored.

[IMINXTC]

Hoping Buster keeps your Dad some great company. He likely will
Praying here.

[TRL1957]

Sooo sorry, praying for you and your family.

[Godslittleangel]

Here's the update, they moved him to rehab this week. They took the external shunt out and are going to wait until the infection is completely clear before placing the permanent on in again but they will do that on the opposite side this time. But he will be in rehab for 10 days to 2 weeks. He went there on tuesday I believe. Been busy with work this week. Watched the Bison play last night with him, had supper too with him. So we had fun. Mom went home, starts work this week at school but will be down again friday. But things are getting better. They are turning one of my brother's rooms into a den for dad right now as we dont want him to be going downstairs for awhile. So things are getting better. Going to go over there when my laundry is done and if the doctor ok'd him to go outside, I may bring him out for a walk.

[IMINXTC]

Prayers for your Dad right now and continuing - Prayers for your Mom and yourself.

[Godslittleangel]

Thanks! I think he likes it there. He hates speech therapy but loves the pt/ot part. He's using a walker. We got to go outside for an half hour and he enjoyed that outing. I had supper with him there again tonight. I always feel bad leaving but I needed to get back to clean my apartment so its clean when my brother gets here. He's spending the night here before he heads back to his home. But going to head over to day here in a bit (I told him I'd be back). If all goes well this week, they may let him out for a couple days next weekend for a little break. He will stay with me since my apartment is on second floor. My other brother's is on 3rd. Which would be alot of stairs for him. My apartment is a split level so first floor is in basement. But yeah, he's doing good. A little more weak at night but with all the therapy, it wears him out so evenings may seem more weak. Today he had a day off from therapy and did well transferring to the chair.