Mini Update 2:20 PST: My dad's girlfriend just called - they've already finished the procedure and are going to return him right to his room. My good gosh, that was FAST!
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Well ... I was in the midst of typing an update about my father (as my dad's girlfriend just called me 45 minutes ago) and then my dad's girlfriend just called me again, so scratch the first draft. :)
It turns out that, based on the Swallow Therapist's (wonder what the real title is???) assessment yesterday, she spoke with the team of doctors (my dad is at UCLA and since it's a teaching hospital, each patient has a bazillion doctors) and they decided that he needs a stomach tube.
So ... they just came right now to take him down to surgery!
Thankfully, it is a very short procedure ... but my dad is greatly depleted from the last five days (MDGF was telling me that my father was on his feet and standing up five days ago) - once again his white cell count is elevated (they say the pneumonia is gone) and he has some fever (they don't know why currently), his forearms are all swollen up (they don't know why - this has happened to him before during hospital stays - they ran scans on his legs yesterday and were going to be doing them on his arms but now he's off to have the tube inserted) and he just wants to sleep.
I got to talk to him for a moment just now and he seemed to be in good spirits.
It's currently looking like he will need to go to a rehab facility even though he doesn't want to - he is too weak at this point for his girlfriend to manage on her own with him as planned previously.
Your continued good thoughts, prayers and healing vibes are most welcome. Thank you so much!
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Well ... I was in the midst of typing an update about my father (as my dad's girlfriend just called me 45 minutes ago) and then my dad's girlfriend just called me again, so scratch the first draft. :)
It turns out that, based on the Swallow Therapist's (wonder what the real title is???) assessment yesterday, she spoke with the team of doctors (my dad is at UCLA and since it's a teaching hospital, each patient has a bazillion doctors) and they decided that he needs a stomach tube.
So ... they just came right now to take him down to surgery!
Thankfully, it is a very short procedure ... but my dad is greatly depleted from the last five days (MDGF was telling me that my father was on his feet and standing up five days ago) - once again his white cell count is elevated (they say the pneumonia is gone) and he has some fever (they don't know why currently), his forearms are all swollen up (they don't know why - this has happened to him before during hospital stays - they ran scans on his legs yesterday and were going to be doing them on his arms but now he's off to have the tube inserted) and he just wants to sleep.
I got to talk to him for a moment just now and he seemed to be in good spirits.
It's currently looking like he will need to go to a rehab facility even though he doesn't want to - he is too weak at this point for his girlfriend to manage on her own with him as planned previously.
Your continued good thoughts, prayers and healing vibes are most welcome. Thank you so much!
getting the tube is a good thing he can get the nutrition to get stronger...and if he had pneumonia it may of been from aspirating. hopefully he will only have to be away from home long enough to get stronger..prayers ur way!
ReplyDeletePraying for your dad. Keep us posted!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Karen
Ladybug Creek
Aw, your Dad is really going through it. I hope he feels better very soon. Rehab might be just the ticket, where he will get 24-7 care to build up his strength. Good thoughts and prayers headed your way - xox Pam
ReplyDeleteAw, Sally......I hope all is well. Dad was back in the hospital too, but got out last Thurs after 2 weeks! Now we're just doing the Doc rounds of appointments.
ReplyDeleteSigh......Do you think they realize how much they worry us. What are they thinking....they're making us older than they are!!!
Oh Sally, sending good vibes your way.
ReplyDelete