Prayers 4 Pop: Update 7/30

[Doc Nock]

Thanks, All.  Turns out the Doc who visits weekly got covered up in other patients and didn't get to even see Dad so all the angst and anticipation, never happened.  He gets back Thursday so we start the anticipation all over again.  

Lots of good thoughts shared by you guys. Thanks.

James, Just paying it forward. Been a lot of times people here lifted and held me up in time of need. It's what were to do... live in community.

[BenBow]

Prayers continue David

[Doc Nock]

Talked to the Doc. Thursday he spoke to Dad about his hip pain and then reviewed his progress and future health based on his declining heart function.

Doc told me Dad kept trying to change the subject.

I got in about 7pm and even though his beloved Phillies were on TV, he started to tell me the Doc basically told him that he'll never go home to his apt...

We talked back and forth. I tried to ask him questions about how he's not able to do most things for himself... and that he seems to always enjoy folks 'doing for him' so why was the nursing home enviornment not a good thing?

I pointed out different positive things, and how if we did close his apt, I could bring Mom's electric lift chair so he could get in and out of a recliner easier than the fight he now has with his increasing weakness...we talked about the nice flat screen TV (not big one) I'd gotten him that sits up there, and putting a phone in his room so he could call folks... etc.

Please keep Pop in prayers for peace and acceptance. Since Mom's death 5.5 yrs ago, he'd made friends with a lady in another wing of this apt complex...and they're good buddies. Dad's often spoken of wanting to "get married" but now he shared last night that he actually asked her, as he sits there with 02 in his nose 24/7, and she said 'no.'

He's tellin everyone, so it must really bother him. I tried to reason with her poor heart function, she couldn't begin to assist him with bathing and dressing as it takes 2 to help him from his motorized wheel chair to his recliner and into/out of bed...on the commode, and it would "kill" her literally.

He ponders and reasons quietly. I feel so darned bad for him... this is hitting hard.

Lord in your mercy...be with "Tite" and help him feel your love and grace.

[BenBow]

Amen and for Tite's son as well

[bear1336]

Brother Dave, our prayers continue for you and Pops.
In HIS service
Dave

[Rookie@51]

I'm still here Doc. I am still praying and lifting up Pop. I wanted you to know I haven't forgotten about ya'll.

[BenBow]

Amen. Prayer continue

[Doc Nock]

That's so nice, guys! DAd and I appreciate it.

Not posted much for what is-is. He's slipping a bit each week and since we went on "self-pay" the care has slipped it seems too! Odd...

I find things that just shouldn't be...almost weekly and try to nicely point them out...

Alas, now he's again retaining fluid big time. 23# in the past 3 weeks. I've been telling nurses he's gotten a cold..can't breathe right, then he started coughin a lot... head draining, then he's filling up with fluid..well, Yeah! Can't breath, found the tank of 02 turned off on his motorized chair 3x in 10 days when I came in to transfer him to his recliner after his dinner when I can get there..so he was without.

I don't care how good a nursing facility is, they're all under-staffed and quality suffers.  :(  Most are decent care-givers but a few it's just a temporary job and they can't get much else. Shame.

They're trying to get the fluid down with water pills which he hates...cause he's got contenance problems then... but...otherwise, he'll drown or kill what heart function he has left...double bind.

Thanks for the prayers for Titus!    And for me.

[BRITTMAN]

Prayers for peace and the Lord be with you and your dad in the good days and the bad .

[bucksdown]

dave my heart just breaks for you and your dad, all the things he is feeling, losing his independance, losing your mom (even though it's been 5 years, he still thinks of her all the time), not wanting to be a burden to you, and deep down wondering if he only has a short time left. these are the things you see and want so desperately to change, to make everything better for him. dave i know you must feel so helpless at times, but brother you are such a blessing to him in more ways than you could ever imagine just being there for him and letting him know you love him. that is the number one thing you can do, "faith, hope and love" "the greatest of all is love". loving him is so deeply spirtual, but not surprisingly, "GOD IS LOVE"  hang in there brother, we love you and are here for you continuely praying for GODS hand upon you.

[BenBow]

Amen

[Doc Nock]

Thanks, guys. WEnt to Shade Gap for a day shoot with a friend and didn't see Pop today... the swelling and fluid isn't dropping even with the water pills... they might have to catheter him. As swollen as he is, they'll have to send him to the hospital to do it and the bucks just keep mounting in costs!  :(

thank you so much for your prayers for Tite. Tomorrow, I reluctantly undertake the onerous task of starting to organize packing up the apartment... Working alone it's going to be a process...  

Blessing on all who come, read and pray, not just those of us who post!

[bear1336]

You and your Dad are in my prayers Brother Dave.

In HIS service
Dave

[Rookie@51]

Doc, I haven't posted in a while but am still praying for you and Pop. Having worked in EMS some years back I did wittness first hand the short falls of assisted living. For the most part it isn't the assisted living you would think you are getting because there isn't much assistance being given. What a crime most of these places are or should be. At the price tag for most of them you could stay at a 5 star hotel cheaper. Just don't forget to take care of the care taker as he needs attentions as well. God please hugg my brother right now in what ever he is doing. I know you are watching and protecting him and Pop every step of the way. Lord please show your mercy to Pop and Doc as they continue to keep the faith. Please fill their hearts with the joy of your presents and grace. I thank you Lord for all that you do and are doing that we will never see. I ask all this knowing that you hear my prayers in your Son's name JESUS...Amen.... I feel for you and Pop and what ya'll are having to endure. I'm still here and I'm still praying for you both......Psalm 50:15 Trust me in your time of trouble and I will rescue you and you will give me glory....

[Doc Nock]

Thanks, Dusty.

I was going to wait to re-post till I had more information.

Dad is slipping. He's filling up with fluid big time...they have him on a lot of water pills, but it's not working too well. That is the prognosis of congestive heart failure...

He's getting weaker, but doesn't seem to have a clue what's happening. He's pretty private in some things...in his time, he will start to ask me tough questions.

Been having some sinus problems and feeling beat down... still workign on trying to sort through the mess in his apt... all that "stuff."   :(   Don't have much time and less energy.

Tried to go center of state for bow opener and it was pretty... but got a call he was having trouble breathing about 3pm. I tried to hunt cause he was stable then...but mind would not allow it. Packed up, left the woods, and went to where I was staying, loaded the truck "in case" the call came in I was ready.

Couldn't chance getting a deer and then either neglecting the deer or my Dad.. Call never came but I'm at peace with giving up the evening watch.

Thanks for the prayers, Dusty and all others.

Doc says it's not immenent "end times" but it's getting closer. Please pray for Dad to have peace through this and not suffer indignities before he goes "home."

Thanks.

[BenBow]

Amen Dave and prayers for comfort, peace, strength, and wisdom through a very tough time.

[J. Clabaugh]

Prayers your way from Oregon brother. Went through this with my own mother and father.

How's the trail going for him now?

Jeff

[Doc Nock]

Jeff,

Thanks for asking. They lost his $3K hearing aid and it took 5 days to find out... We're working on that issue now.

His hands shake terribly...no disease..just the doc says that as the brain continues to loose some control over motor things, our muscles always twitch and jerk, but the brain controls it. Dad is loosing that control.

The result is that he struggles with feeding himself and especially drinking as he drops his cup! I asked about an adult lidded 2 handle "sippy" cup...and they assured me they had them but it's been "on order" for 3 weeks!

With the fluid pills, he is fighting inconteance (?) because of the horrific amount of fluid pills he's on to keep his lungs from filling up but he's still retaining water and outgrowing every pant size I buy him...

With all the muscle loss of control, he is more and more dependent on staff.

I can see his spirits sagging...especially now that his beloved Phillies lost a chance at the World Series...    So he still in mentally involved, but he's struggling more and more with daily living and functioning.

He's starting to share comments that "living this way is no fun..." so it's wearing on him.

Not to suggest the nursing home isn't doing a good job..it's just I'm there daily to catch any/all their errors... and when it comes to my Dad... I get like a momma bear w/ a cub!  :(

Thank all readers and posters for Prayers for Tite. I pray that the Lord calls him home before he hates his daily life and lives in total loss of dignity and hope.

Oh... and prayers around the 18th of Nov. He broke a front tooth and the dentist told him his teeth are hollow so they're surgically removing 4 front teeth 11/18, heal for 6 weeks and then make a partial!!! At almost 89... in his condition...but he doesn't like how his teeth look and with one broken at the gum line, he wants to spend the $2K to do it and go through all that pain and healing!    What a tough old bird!  

[BenBow]

Praying for both of you Dave. Also praying for the staff at the facility to be filled with compassion.

[TexMex]

My prayers for you both Bro.

God Bless