My daddy passed away last night around 1:15am. He was very peaceful and comfortable. Doug, mom and myself were there. We rubbed his head one last time, held his hand, and cried on his shoulder. Trudy, Bobby, Timmy, Lindsey, Baby Ansleigh, and Ryan all joined us to see Dad and to have prayer and comfort each other. Dad is now in a much better place and his suffering is over. He is probably fishing with Moses as I type. :)
Funeral Arrangements are below:
Wells Memorial Funeral Home
1903 W Reynolds Street
Plant City, FL 33563
Phone Number: (813) 752-1111
Monday June 29, 2009
Visitation is at 10:00AM
Service is at 11:00AM
Grave Side Service immediately following.
Please join us for lunch for the family at my grandparents home:
1501 N. Franklin St. Plant City, FL 33563
Food will be provided.
This is the floral shop we are using:
Creative Flower Designs by Glenn
116 West Alsobrook St., Plant City, FL 33563
(813) 754-7449 (800) 821-9601
Other flower shops:
Browns Flower Shop
1802 W. Reynolds St., Plant City, FL 33567
(813) 752-5189 (800) 752-4035
If so desired, donations can be made to the following in Memory of Frank Gavin.
Lifepath Hospice House
http://www.lifepath-hospice.org/donations/
Cancer Care & Research
http://www.lakelandcancertreatment.com/
Thank you for all your love and support! We love you all.
Jennie M.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Wednesday
Dad is resting peacefully now. We have had a time adjusting the Atavin (anxiety meds) to get it just right. Dad woke up again last night with breathing problems, and just overall anxiety. We talked with the doctor today and they are going to change his drug to something a little different than Ativan. Same effects just a little stronger. To relieve the anxious stress. The crew here is fine. All a little tired, but supporting each other. We have an awesome family. The people here keep telling us that Frank must be a good person to have all this family here all the time, and that some people never have any family here. So he has made an impact already. :)
Funeral arrangements have been made at Wells Funeral Home.
Burial Plot is at Shiloh Cemetery.
Lunch after the funeral will be at my grandmothers home a few blocks from dads.
The address is 1501 N. Franklin St. Plant City, FL 33563
Funeral arrangements have been made at Wells Funeral Home.
Burial Plot is at Shiloh Cemetery.
Lunch after the funeral will be at my grandmothers home a few blocks from dads.
The address is 1501 N. Franklin St. Plant City, FL 33563
Monday, June 22, 2009
Drama at the Hospice House, With a Capital D!
This afternoon, Dad woke up gasping again for breath and in fear asked to go back to the Emergency Room. Mom was there and they did a breathing treatment together. The Nurse Rebecca and also the social worker Ann and also another nurse had been there already today to check on him and on mom. They discussed taking dad to the Hospice House, but this was before the emergency request from dad. I got to the house and mom and I decided let's go ahead and take him to the Hospice House. We felt we had his pain under control, but his fear was not under control, and that they would have better means of caring for him and keeping him assured there. (Of course with us being there with him)
So we got Ann and Rebecca, they came back to the house. They are very sweet and awesome caring women. Taking care of all of us along the way. Got the call to take us to the Hospice House. The only catch was, it is in Sun City Center. (ruskin) So the transport took no time in arriving. Mom rode along with them to make sure everything was alright, and Anna Jeff, Ryan, and myself followed shortly after we gathered all our belongings and some of dads. We arrived in Sun City Center Hospice this evening around 5ish?? Maybe later... And got settled in. The building is awesome just like the one in Temple Terrace.
The first nurse we met with was not very personable. She was ready to go off shift. (and we could tell) While filling out paperwork, Dad had a wheezy coughing spell and she didnt even get up to see what was going on. Of course all of us are around him trying to help, and he was just coughing badly, asking for help. So mom asked the nurse to get up and come check on him which she seemed to do with much reluctance. She said his lungs sounded fine. His coughing stopped on his own. Thanks for nothing.
After the shift change, there were a few nurses and aids in and out of the room but nothing serious. Until it was time for his Atavan (which is his anti-anxiety medicine). When it comes to this stage of dying a patient can become extremely anxious, fearful, not know what is going on. THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE. So the nurse barges in the room with this syringe full of his medicine, hollering the whole time, "I'VE GOT YOUR MEDICINE, HERE WE ARE, BLAH BLAH, HERE WE GO, TIME TO TAKE THE MEDICINE" like at the top of her loud football cheering voice. And heads straight for his head and would have jammed the syringe in his mouth and probably out the other side of his head, had he not fought her off. Oh yes, and for those of you who have seen dad in the last week, you know he can barely move his arms. He was awaken from a dead sleep, now panicking, flailing his arms in front of him AND ALL THE WHILE SHE IS STILL TRYING TO GET THIS MEDICINE IN HIS MOUTH. Of course we are all right there frozen in shock and disbelief, when I speak up and say something like, you have to be gentle and quiet. And mom jumped right in and said this is not going to work... and she went on to help him and the nurse get the meds taken. When the nurse barged out, we were all kind of standing there shocked now, and dad is all shaken up. Anger!! You have no idea. So mom goes out and speaks with the nurse about how that just completely upset her whole family and especially the patient. And how that is unnacceptable, and how she has read the Hospice manual and you are supposed to enter and come at a patient with gentleness and concern. Not boisterous hollering. And as mom was coming back to the room, I was walking out and they did not know, and as I walked by they were all kind of mocking us. Basically giving a major attitude like they had done nothing wrong.
Soooo Mom got on the phone for about half an hour to 45 minutes and got like the head of Hospice on the phone after about 7 phone calls, and completely told all of them about ALL of the unpleasant people we have dealt with....
OH YEAH and the other big thing is while mom is on the phone complaining, Dad is in the room asking to GO HOME!! :(..
And we are all like we were doing better at home with a 24 hour care person than here with this crap! So finally the head person asked mom, what can we do to make you happy, and she said move us out of this wing and into another room in another hall without having to move him from his bed. AND THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED.
We are now in a new hall with very pleasant gentle nurses and aids. (who I am sure have been warned about us) but that's fine, cause they have been like a million percent better.
And now Dad, Mom, and Doug are all sleeping in beds, and recliners, and I am about to go to sleep in my recliner. :)
UPDATE ON TIME: We do not expect Dad to make it through the week. We know nothing for sure. The social worker today said that he was fighting it tooth and nail. And asked if we had talked to him about it being ok to go. We haven't really but we may do that tomorrow. His beautiful plot is waiting for him to rest.
Going to do funeral plans tomorrow. (Thats where I was when I got the call to come help with all of this) :)
Love yall! Thanks for your love and support. Feel Free to leave comments on this!
Good night!
So we got Ann and Rebecca, they came back to the house. They are very sweet and awesome caring women. Taking care of all of us along the way. Got the call to take us to the Hospice House. The only catch was, it is in Sun City Center. (ruskin) So the transport took no time in arriving. Mom rode along with them to make sure everything was alright, and Anna Jeff, Ryan, and myself followed shortly after we gathered all our belongings and some of dads. We arrived in Sun City Center Hospice this evening around 5ish?? Maybe later... And got settled in. The building is awesome just like the one in Temple Terrace.
The first nurse we met with was not very personable. She was ready to go off shift. (and we could tell) While filling out paperwork, Dad had a wheezy coughing spell and she didnt even get up to see what was going on. Of course all of us are around him trying to help, and he was just coughing badly, asking for help. So mom asked the nurse to get up and come check on him which she seemed to do with much reluctance. She said his lungs sounded fine. His coughing stopped on his own. Thanks for nothing.
After the shift change, there were a few nurses and aids in and out of the room but nothing serious. Until it was time for his Atavan (which is his anti-anxiety medicine). When it comes to this stage of dying a patient can become extremely anxious, fearful, not know what is going on. THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE. So the nurse barges in the room with this syringe full of his medicine, hollering the whole time, "I'VE GOT YOUR MEDICINE, HERE WE ARE, BLAH BLAH, HERE WE GO, TIME TO TAKE THE MEDICINE" like at the top of her loud football cheering voice. And heads straight for his head and would have jammed the syringe in his mouth and probably out the other side of his head, had he not fought her off. Oh yes, and for those of you who have seen dad in the last week, you know he can barely move his arms. He was awaken from a dead sleep, now panicking, flailing his arms in front of him AND ALL THE WHILE SHE IS STILL TRYING TO GET THIS MEDICINE IN HIS MOUTH. Of course we are all right there frozen in shock and disbelief, when I speak up and say something like, you have to be gentle and quiet. And mom jumped right in and said this is not going to work... and she went on to help him and the nurse get the meds taken. When the nurse barged out, we were all kind of standing there shocked now, and dad is all shaken up. Anger!! You have no idea. So mom goes out and speaks with the nurse about how that just completely upset her whole family and especially the patient. And how that is unnacceptable, and how she has read the Hospice manual and you are supposed to enter and come at a patient with gentleness and concern. Not boisterous hollering. And as mom was coming back to the room, I was walking out and they did not know, and as I walked by they were all kind of mocking us. Basically giving a major attitude like they had done nothing wrong.
Soooo Mom got on the phone for about half an hour to 45 minutes and got like the head of Hospice on the phone after about 7 phone calls, and completely told all of them about ALL of the unpleasant people we have dealt with....
OH YEAH and the other big thing is while mom is on the phone complaining, Dad is in the room asking to GO HOME!! :(..
And we are all like we were doing better at home with a 24 hour care person than here with this crap! So finally the head person asked mom, what can we do to make you happy, and she said move us out of this wing and into another room in another hall without having to move him from his bed. AND THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED.
We are now in a new hall with very pleasant gentle nurses and aids. (who I am sure have been warned about us) but that's fine, cause they have been like a million percent better.
And now Dad, Mom, and Doug are all sleeping in beds, and recliners, and I am about to go to sleep in my recliner. :)
UPDATE ON TIME: We do not expect Dad to make it through the week. We know nothing for sure. The social worker today said that he was fighting it tooth and nail. And asked if we had talked to him about it being ok to go. We haven't really but we may do that tomorrow. His beautiful plot is waiting for him to rest.
Going to do funeral plans tomorrow. (Thats where I was when I got the call to come help with all of this) :)
Love yall! Thanks for your love and support. Feel Free to leave comments on this!
Good night!
Father's Day!
Well Fathers Day was a doozy. All the kids came over for a nice BBQ lunch around 12:30-1:00. We had a nice visit, watched some home movies, and ate! After lunch everyone was pooped and most left to nap and visit other fathers. We had or 24 hour care aid there so dad was never alone. Usually with more than one person at all times. After about 4:30 dad got a visit from the Baker clan. It was about 45 minutes into this that Dad woke up gasping for breath and in fear because he could not breath. He asked mom to call an ambulance; this is an emergency. None of us knew what to do. Mom caledd Hospice and they said that if he asked to call 911 then do it! So we did. Robert jumped on the phone and directed the EMT and Paramedics with the situation. We threw all the furniture out the way, and less than 5 minutes we had at least 10 EMT/Paramedic people in the room. I guess they took dad's vitals, I am not sure I was helping to fill out paperwork amongst tears. Then they loaded dad up and off we went to Plant City Hospital. Mom got to ride with them in the ambulance, and when we all got there it was about 10-15 minutes before they called Anna and I back to his room.
When we got back therem Dad had just about fully woken up from his usual drowsy cloudiness and was prepared to talk to his family. He gave me a list of things to tell people, and then he wanted to see everyone one by one or 2 by 2. But he was definitely alert and cognitive.
It was a very difficult night because first I had to sign this long list of the Hospital DNR papers. Basically telling them not to treat with anything life prolonging or invasive, but then when the doctor spoke with him he got the impression that dad wanted more treatment with Xrays and Cat scans and the whole 9 yards. So after a long conversation about all the options with Trudy, me, the doc, and the nurse in the hallway we then had to discuss with dad what was going on. That his breathing was not really going to get much better either way, and that we thought the best thing was to get the breathing and anxiety under control and go back home. SO he agreed with us, and that was that. He thought that he was going to pass away last night. He told us anyhow.
So we went back home for the evening, which Hospice had already cancelled our 24 hour care for thr night, so Mom and I stayed over and mom slept in the living room (we were supposed to take shifts, but she never came to get me, and neither of us can really sleep much over there wherever we are) and so she watched him through sleeping till early this morning when she came to get me to go home for a few hours. I slept in the LR till later in the morning when she came back, I had to leave to get an MRI a few hours later. No worries, routine physical thing because of my headaches. Everything was fine...
Ryan and I then went to purchase Dad's New Resting Place. And it is so beautiful, I was very excited to see it. Here are some pics of Dad's Plot.
When we got back therem Dad had just about fully woken up from his usual drowsy cloudiness and was prepared to talk to his family. He gave me a list of things to tell people, and then he wanted to see everyone one by one or 2 by 2. But he was definitely alert and cognitive.
It was a very difficult night because first I had to sign this long list of the Hospital DNR papers. Basically telling them not to treat with anything life prolonging or invasive, but then when the doctor spoke with him he got the impression that dad wanted more treatment with Xrays and Cat scans and the whole 9 yards. So after a long conversation about all the options with Trudy, me, the doc, and the nurse in the hallway we then had to discuss with dad what was going on. That his breathing was not really going to get much better either way, and that we thought the best thing was to get the breathing and anxiety under control and go back home. SO he agreed with us, and that was that. He thought that he was going to pass away last night. He told us anyhow.
So we went back home for the evening, which Hospice had already cancelled our 24 hour care for thr night, so Mom and I stayed over and mom slept in the living room (we were supposed to take shifts, but she never came to get me, and neither of us can really sleep much over there wherever we are) and so she watched him through sleeping till early this morning when she came to get me to go home for a few hours. I slept in the LR till later in the morning when she came back, I had to leave to get an MRI a few hours later. No worries, routine physical thing because of my headaches. Everything was fine...
Ryan and I then went to purchase Dad's New Resting Place. And it is so beautiful, I was very excited to see it. Here are some pics of Dad's Plot.
Friday, June 19, 2009
TGIF
Today dad got moved onto a morphine infusion. (through the port in his chest) Liquid morphine basically. Mom has been just completely awesome. Taking care of dad whatever he needs whenever. She really is an amazing woman of God, and my true inspiration. I love her to pieces. Anywho, there about 100 people at dads today. :) (sarcasm) But really like 5-7. Several nurses, prescription people, meals on wheels, brothers and sisters, etc.
Hospice decided that it was time for us to have some larger help. We now have 24 hour care from nurses, meaning someone will be at the house 24 hours everyday from now on. This is such a huge relief. Now we can spend our final days talking to him and visiting with him. And also they know what is going on better than we do and are just a wonderful help.
Anna, Jeff, Tiffany, Me (Jennie), mom, a nurse, and dad all watched the video Doug made for us to watch. It was really sweet, dad liked it a lot. He kept saying who's that, who's that... and some of them we were like that's YOU dad! :)
And then he would pipe up and say that was fifth grade, or that was oklahoma. :)
Anyhow, I am going to beddy-by to start again tomorrow.
Love yall!
Goodnight.
-Jennie
Hospice decided that it was time for us to have some larger help. We now have 24 hour care from nurses, meaning someone will be at the house 24 hours everyday from now on. This is such a huge relief. Now we can spend our final days talking to him and visiting with him. And also they know what is going on better than we do and are just a wonderful help.
Anna, Jeff, Tiffany, Me (Jennie), mom, a nurse, and dad all watched the video Doug made for us to watch. It was really sweet, dad liked it a lot. He kept saying who's that, who's that... and some of them we were like that's YOU dad! :)
And then he would pipe up and say that was fifth grade, or that was oklahoma. :)
Anyhow, I am going to beddy-by to start again tomorrow.
Love yall!
Goodnight.
-Jennie
Thursday, June 18, 2009
And Caregiver Gone...
Caregiver started today, much to dad's dismay I think. Basic personality clash, I don't think she was gentle enough. So we will begin the search again. Tonight mom and I were here most of the night and Anna and Jeff stopped by for a visit also.
They think dad has a urinary tract infection, so they came out and changed out his catheter, because he was having pain. It gets clogged with particles because of the infection, and the changing did it! It released his pain.
Tomorrow Trudy, Doug & Timmy will be coming by during the daytime for a visit. I am sure dad is looking forward to that. and then I will be staying here tomorrow night and part of the morning and day on Saturday. We are planning a BBQ for Sunday Father's Day around 12:30. All the kids are bringing things to contribute, and we are grilling burgers on the grill. It should be a nice time. We will probably watch the DVD Doug made for us all.
One update on other things, Ben fell down tonight at work tonight and broke his arm, so he is in the Sarasota Hospital right now with Jennifer and mom and I might be driving down there... not sure...but he is ok so don't worry. I will update you on that as well.
I think that is all for now.Good night
They think dad has a urinary tract infection, so they came out and changed out his catheter, because he was having pain. It gets clogged with particles because of the infection, and the changing did it! It released his pain.
Tomorrow Trudy, Doug & Timmy will be coming by during the daytime for a visit. I am sure dad is looking forward to that. and then I will be staying here tomorrow night and part of the morning and day on Saturday. We are planning a BBQ for Sunday Father's Day around 12:30. All the kids are bringing things to contribute, and we are grilling burgers on the grill. It should be a nice time. We will probably watch the DVD Doug made for us all.
One update on other things, Ben fell down tonight at work tonight and broke his arm, so he is in the Sarasota Hospital right now with Jennifer and mom and I might be driving down there... not sure...but he is ok so don't worry. I will update you on that as well.
I think that is all for now.Good night
New Caregiver!
Good morning all,
So last night we met with Laura and she was very nice. She is loud and bold and not afraid to say it like it is, which is a good thing. She has a ton of experience with cancer patients including her own fathers. We have hired her to work with us. She will be working 9-5 today and tomorrow to see how things go. I hope that she is gentle enough for dad's liking. Dad has been in never never land for the past few days talking all kind of craziness about going fishing, why aren't we in school, getting the phone book out... on and on... Some of them are funny and some are not. He got mad when we told him we weren't in school anymore, until we told him we all graduated and then he said Hallelujah!
Anyways, Trudy and Laura will be there tomorrow. Have a good one!
Jennie
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
We've Moved.... into the living room! :P
Ok so we had a crowd of nurses and volunteers and mom and meals on wheels and the whole planet today... And needless to say the nurse said it was time to move the bed into the living room. Dad is just not able to move around anymore, so Ryan and Jennie (me) went over tonight while Doug "dad-sat" and moved all the furniture around. Doug actually helped a lot with that as well.
Now we will all 4 be drugged up tonight to relieve the excitment of the furniture move.
I meet with a professional caregiver tomorrow at dad's at 7PM. This is a person who will come and be with dad in home as we schedule. It's basically like hiring another family member. The woman I am meeting with tomorrow sounds awesome. Her father passed of terminal colon cancer and she was with him all the way. She is a nurse and has worked at Hospice in the past. I will let everyone know how it goes. Her name is Laura.
And that is her. I am exhausted. Doug is spending the night with dad. Talk to you later!
-Jennie
Now we will all 4 be drugged up tonight to relieve the excitment of the furniture move.
I meet with a professional caregiver tomorrow at dad's at 7PM. This is a person who will come and be with dad in home as we schedule. It's basically like hiring another family member. The woman I am meeting with tomorrow sounds awesome. Her father passed of terminal colon cancer and she was with him all the way. She is a nurse and has worked at Hospice in the past. I will let everyone know how it goes. Her name is Laura.
And that is her. I am exhausted. Doug is spending the night with dad. Talk to you later!
-Jennie
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Sunday Morning!!
Good morning sunshine. We're up and at em. Coffee in hand! Looking good so far, Dad slept all through the whole night and didn't ring his bell one time. So he is well rested. Hoping to have a good day.
-Jennie
-Jennie
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Home Sweet Home...sigh :)
Everyone's home and its 12:26 am now so sleeping or fixing to. Thanks for all the emails and phone calls. Sorry if we didn't get to anyone, it was a busy day.
Mom told me to let everyone know that dad loves greeting cards, so if you happen to have a chance you might pick one up for him.
Mailing Address is:
1107 W. Dixie St.
Plant City, FL 33563
GOODNIGHT!
Mom told me to let everyone know that dad loves greeting cards, so if you happen to have a chance you might pick one up for him.
Mailing Address is:
1107 W. Dixie St.
Plant City, FL 33563
GOODNIGHT!
Coming Home@
We are coming home!! Nurse just popped in and said the ambulance would be here within the hour! Woohoo! Dad is doing ok today. Sleeping a lot. They will be delivering all his meds this evening, so that we can go home now. Dad ate a lot of breakfast he said, and not very much lunch. We shall see how it goes.
Hospice House Day 3
8:00 am: Got a call from dad. He sounds excited to be awake. He already had 2 cups of coffee and breakfast delivered in bed. He is rested and actually said he had a nice visit there (except for the beginning; he wasn't too sure about it). He let me know about Trudy and Lindsey and Robert and Leann and the Baby Ansleigh coming to visit last night. He said they had a very nice visit, and talked about the art at the Strawberry Festival and all. Anyways, supposedly we are coming home today, so I will let you know how that goes.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Photo Time!
Alright we are rocking out to some serious elevator music now! Dad is painting up a storm, we got the shades open to our exciting nature view, and I had to take shots of the place. It is very cool you will see. I think I might just move in here. :)
Sponge Bath Complete!
2:43 in the afternoon here on day 2. Dad says to tell you all that "Jennie has been a tremendous help today, ready to jump in and get the job done....and Anna and Ben work real hard to see that my needs are met in this stressful time...the nurses and previous doctors have all commented on what a great family he has" I think he is commenting on the sponge bath we just got done taking with the help of one of the nurses. "He prays to die without a lot of pain, and be in heaven with all his loved ones, and look forward to eventually having one big family get together!!!!
Oh he is going to sleep now. That bath wore him out. No more news here. Dad is clean!!! :)
He had a very small portion of lunch. Some ham and soup with asparagus in it or something... I missed it, I was out getting Chic Fil A. Yum! (he said the soup was good except for the Asparagus was too chewy) oh and Banana Pudding.
I talked to Trudy this afternoon and she and Lindsey will be coming up this evening for a visit. And I believe Anna is going to be trying to come up as well. I will be leaving at 5:00 to babysit for my sister.
Dad is in good spirits, if we have time tomorrow he said he might want to try and take a shower sitting in the shower here.
Also FYI, we have been talking and looking into a Burial Plot in Plant City at the Shiloh Cemetery. We are most likely going to be purchasing his plot this week. We will probably use the Wells Memorial Home for the funeral arrangements.
Oh he is going to sleep now. That bath wore him out. No more news here. Dad is clean!!! :)
He had a very small portion of lunch. Some ham and soup with asparagus in it or something... I missed it, I was out getting Chic Fil A. Yum! (he said the soup was good except for the Asparagus was too chewy) oh and Banana Pudding.
I talked to Trudy this afternoon and she and Lindsey will be coming up this evening for a visit. And I believe Anna is going to be trying to come up as well. I will be leaving at 5:00 to babysit for my sister.
Dad is in good spirits, if we have time tomorrow he said he might want to try and take a shower sitting in the shower here.
Also FYI, we have been talking and looking into a Burial Plot in Plant City at the Shiloh Cemetery. We are most likely going to be purchasing his plot this week. We will probably use the Wells Memorial Home for the funeral arrangements.
Hospice House Day 2
I just arrived at the Hospice House. The nurse practitioner had just walked in. Talk about good timing! They had dad's blood analyzed last night and it came back good. Full of hemoglobin. She specifically mentioned the number 13, but I am not really sure what the number stood for. :)
Anyways, so dad will not need a blood transfusion today. They are going to keep him overnight 1 more night, to monitor his pain and help him get some rest. The catheter that he had placed is working quite well. They said that when you are on pain meds your body can have a hard time relieving itself. They are debating whether or not to send him home with the catheter. I think they are planning on trying to take it out and see how he does later this afternoon. (But I think we will probably end up taking it home, it is a huge help)
They did start him today on the drug that is supposed to help with nausea and help give him some appetite. I think she said it is a steroid, and he is getting a low dose once a day right now. So we will see if that helps. Dad is sleeping right now. Just had meds right before I got here. He was painting when we came in. :)
The social worker lady will be coming by today to help us create a schedule for the family to stay with dad. He is not supposed to be alone much anymore.
Well that's all I know for now. The photos above are from last nights visit.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Hospice House!
Today dad had to go to the Hospice House. His nurse Rebecca was on her routine visit out to the house, when she determined that his weakness and difficulty breathing was enough to warrant an overnight tune up. I was at work and mom was filling me in the whole time over cell phone calls. The nurse got to see dad try and get up to go to the bathroom and saw the trouble he was having moving around, so off he went. An ambulance came to get dad, and he said "the clowns" on board weren't very good. They were joking around and he had to remind them that he was sick, and they needed to take care of him. Once they arrived at the Hospice House, dad's room was too hot apparently the air conditioner was having troubles. He quickly spoke up and said he needed a fan! So the fan is a-going. :)
Mom said that the nurse this afternoon think he may be anemic. They took his blood and it is being analyzed today and tomorrow if he is anemic, he will receive a blood transfusion which will make him feel a whole lot better. They have also catheterized him because of his weak body. Mom said that the nurse said his bladder may be weak as well and not working at full potential. His catheter bag is half full now so something is working there! The nurse today (her name is Rebecca) also mentioned that she is going to be getting him a prescription for some pills that will make him hungry and increase his appetite. Apparently dad didn't eat much tonight at the Hospice House either. A bite or 2 of spaghetti and a couple of bites of the other things. He drinks a lot, but no food.
Last night as I was preparing his utilities for bedtime, he wanted soda in his cup NOT WATER! :) and had me call out all the sodas in the kitchen for him to choose from... we wound up with Cream Soda mixed with some water and ice. Yum! Bedtime drink! :)
So... that is about all I know. The Hospice House is really nice! There are lots of little living room areas with tv's and computers and even one room labeled the Quiet Room with no TV's or computers. His room is really big. It has a full size couch that pulls out into a bed, a recliner, a circle table with 2 chairs, a nightstand table with pull out table over the bed, and a tv armoir. Pretty big. It's like a 5 star hospital room. :)
He is sleeping now. He nods in and out of consciousness, sometimes waking up to talk to us about his dreams...like we are still in them. :) Fishing and boot camp... all kinds of stuff.
It's pretty interesting the stories he is dreaming of.
Alright well, I will update this tomorrow with whatever happens. I think I will be skipping work some if not all day to be up here. I know he likes to have some helpers around. And he would do the same for me.
Thank you all for your love, help and support always!
Signing out!
Jennie M.
Mom said that the nurse this afternoon think he may be anemic. They took his blood and it is being analyzed today and tomorrow if he is anemic, he will receive a blood transfusion which will make him feel a whole lot better. They have also catheterized him because of his weak body. Mom said that the nurse said his bladder may be weak as well and not working at full potential. His catheter bag is half full now so something is working there! The nurse today (her name is Rebecca) also mentioned that she is going to be getting him a prescription for some pills that will make him hungry and increase his appetite. Apparently dad didn't eat much tonight at the Hospice House either. A bite or 2 of spaghetti and a couple of bites of the other things. He drinks a lot, but no food.
Last night as I was preparing his utilities for bedtime, he wanted soda in his cup NOT WATER! :) and had me call out all the sodas in the kitchen for him to choose from... we wound up with Cream Soda mixed with some water and ice. Yum! Bedtime drink! :)
So... that is about all I know. The Hospice House is really nice! There are lots of little living room areas with tv's and computers and even one room labeled the Quiet Room with no TV's or computers. His room is really big. It has a full size couch that pulls out into a bed, a recliner, a circle table with 2 chairs, a nightstand table with pull out table over the bed, and a tv armoir. Pretty big. It's like a 5 star hospital room. :)
He is sleeping now. He nods in and out of consciousness, sometimes waking up to talk to us about his dreams...like we are still in them. :) Fishing and boot camp... all kinds of stuff.
It's pretty interesting the stories he is dreaming of.
Alright well, I will update this tomorrow with whatever happens. I think I will be skipping work some if not all day to be up here. I know he likes to have some helpers around. And he would do the same for me.
Thank you all for your love, help and support always!
Signing out!
Jennie M.
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