We had a bad storm on Sunday, June 19. Lightning struck our modem which made our phone lines go out. When Carey got up on Monday to go to work about 5:45, there was a sheriff at our door. Carey woke us up and the sheriff told me that I needed to go to Mom and Dad's house. Mom was unable to get in touch with me because of the phone lines. When I arrived at their house, the Effingham Crime Scene Unit and the ambulance was there. They were bringing Dad out of the house on a stretcher, strapped down, in a neck brace, his face covered with blood. Mom was frantic. Apparently, Dad had a seizure and bit his tongue very badly. He was headed to St. Joseph's hospital. This is what the wall in his bathroom looks like from his fall. He took quite a lick....
Dad was very disoriented at the hospital. His tongue was still bleeding and he had a cut on the back of his head. After 13 LOOOOOONG hours in the ER, he was admitted to the hospital. He was put on Keppra, a seizure medicine. On Tuesday, he started having trouble breathing, holding his breath and not exhaling. It was very scary and exhausting to watch. After a day and a half of this, it was decided that he was having a reaction to the Keppra. After breathing treatments and oxygen he began breathing better, however, physically and mentally he was much worse. Dad was unable to walk and was leaning towards the left. Physical therapy worked with him and he was so inconsistent. One day he seemed to be better and the next day he could not put one foot in front of the other. There were so many different opinions as to what was going on. I really think that once they see an Alzheimer's diagnosis, many of the doctors immediately "write you off" because they know what the outcome will eventually be.
Brant was here during this whole ordeal and I do not know what we would have done without him. He was the "voice of reason" for Mom and I. Reality set in quickly that Dad would not be able to come home. Although we knew that this day would eventually come, we had no idea that we would be forced to make a decision so quickly. Time was limited for Dad's stay in the hospital and we needed to make some decisions. Cheryl and Kathy came in for the weekend and were a GREAT help to us. They stayed with Dad while we went to look at places for him. I was amazed at how much of a "business" operation these places are. Everyone can make you a deal if you choose to stay with them. We eventually chose Spanish Oaks. It is such a bittersweet place because that is where my Grandmother, who is also Dad's mom, stayed until her death. It was such a wonderful place but we had no idea many years ago that Dad would eventually be there too.
On Wednesday, June 30, Dad was released from the hospital to Spanish Oaks. They are all so welcoming and caring. We couldn't ask for a better place and we know that Dad is being WELL taken care of. That, in itself, is a huge relief and gives all of us a lot of peace.
Dad transferred to Dr. Rahimi who is the resident doctor there. He was scheduled to see Dr. Rahimi on July 9 for his initial visit. We wanted to meet with him also. While we were waiting, the hospice nurse told us that they had evaluated Dad and he qualified for Hospice. Needless to say, Mom and I were caught completely off guard and did not expect this so soon. Brant came in on Friday and we met with Hospice on Sat. Basically, they are seeing some changes in Dad and expect him to have less than a year to live. Hospice will take care of him and assess him twice a week. Just the finality of the situation and how quickly things have moved downhill has been a shock and has taken its toll mentally, physically and emotionally on all of us. Dad has settled in nicely and fortunately has not asked to go home or questioned why he is there. I honestly don't think he knows where he is. Physical therapy is coming 3 times a week, but he is not walking on his own. Since Saturday, he has kept his eyes closed and is not very responsive but is still up in the wheelchair. Who knows what is going on????
We visit him a lot and the kids enjoy going. I am so thankful for that. Bryson has become the assistant activities director and helps with Bingo or anything else that is needed. She is probably having the hardest time with this change. Blake keeps things inside, but has also asked deep questions such as, "When Grandaddy gets to heaven, will his Alzheimer's be gone?" This caught me completely off guard but I know that his mind is constantly working. Bryson cries a good bit and talks about him a lot. I have not talked to them yet about Hospice or what might be happening soon. I know I need to and I will. Right now, I just hope that they will grow up to be kind and compassionate towards other people because of all this. I think that they will. They love to help and be needed.
These are some pictures from Dad's second day at Spanish Oaks during our visit. We are helping with the luau on Friday so I should have some really good pictures then!!
No comments:
Post a Comment