Grrr...frustration...Update on Dad Sept 16

Well, I've been trying to post an update about Dad and running into technical difficulties with Internet Explorer this morning, so hopefully I can get this out before it shuts down on me again.


Dad has had several ups and downs this last week, and we have been very frustrated with his situation, and where he is being treated (or not treated) but I think for the time being we have evened those out, and things seem "okay" right now.

Dad is still at Kindred Hospital, which is an "Long Term Acute Care Hospital". He is finally out of the ICU, and in a regular hospital room. He has really gone up and down, from fighting breathing difficulties and having fluid in his left lung to having quite a few hallucinations or visions or dreams that are upsetting to him. He has also struggled just with strength and energy, often not being able to even stay awake for a few minutes when you come to visit, just seeming to have NO energy at all.

Right now, he seems to be on the upswing, ever so slightly. He has had a bit more energy the last few days, and is able to remain awake during a visit. Half of what he says is right on, and clear as a bell mentally, and half seems very confused, with visions of Mom being there, and secret Army work he has been up to. He is very anxious to get back to Victoria, and really does not think he needs to be in the hospital, but is too weak to even pull the sheet away from his body.

He still has the chest tube in, but is draining almost no fluid from it. The Dr's have been deliberating about taking it out/replacing it/or just taking it out period.

So bottom line is, he is slightly stronger and breathing has been a little better the last few days. He is having enough energy to argue with the nurses about treatment, and pull tubes out of his body. But his body is still extremely weak, and his mind is quite confused. What this all means, and the long term prognosis we are still not sure of. The Dr. told David last week that he felt this week would show a shift one way or the other...either moving toward improvement, or continuing further decline. We seem to be in kind of a holding pattern right now.

Please keep Dad in your prayers.