Prayers 4 Pop: Update 7/30

[Rookie@51]

Hello Doc. Been out of touch a little while. I have dialup at the house and it takes all day to get on line. How is Pop's doing and how are you holding up?

[mooseman1967]

Doc Nock, I've been such a fool. I have been so busy worrying for my wife I forget there are other people out there that need support even if it is words that are typed on a keyboard. I pray for you and pop. I sometimes have alot of trouble translating what is on my mind to a keyboard, but I do look at all these threads and pray. And thankyou once again for all of your kind words you have given me in the last 3 weeks.

[Doc Nock]

Hey, guys... Thanks so much for thinking of Tite and me.

He's not progressing very fast...he seems to really be struggling. I started lookin HARD at the contract hire PT/OT/Speech Therapy being provided at his retirement village and didn't like what I saw.

Prayed hard all last weekend cause the stuff I was finding out made me madder'n a wet hen!  :(  I don't like me when I get angry.  I was still praying through that for a way to communicate, when the social worker called me and handed me some fluff.

I've been getting a lot of double talk, promises and mis-information. I got the retirement village's social worker up to speed that what she's telling me and what's being done aren't the same, so she set up a conference call with the whole PT unit and mgr.

Anyway, my colleagues at work said there was no mistake I was dead serious...and my tone of voice changed a few times, but that I was fair and reasonable in what I said and how...

We'll see if it makes any difference.

Some folks just throw in the towel and say it's in God's hands...but I think we're charged with dealing with what's in our bucket to help, and then leave the rest to the Lord.

Thank you for your prayers. I'll share with Pop that he's got warriors still on his side he never knew!  

Big Dave, stop it!    You've got a whale on your plate and a plastic spork to eat it with... You're no fool. Dad's 88 and while so very important to me and wanting what's best for him and a chance to try... but, son, you have a much bigger challenge to handle.

God will see us both through...that i know. We might not like the path, but HE will get us through.

Peace to all and thank you!

[bear1336]

Brother got you and Dad covered up in prayers from your Brother in Georiga.

[Bonebuster]

More quiet prayers for you especially Doc.

Sometimes things that are, just don`t make sense to me.

Imagine how difficult it would all be without faith.

I shouldn`t lurk here as I do. My heart gets heavy without posting.

[Doc Nock]

Thanks, Folks.

Dad just isn't getting stronger. At the Rehab Hosp where they specialize in stroke patient, they pushed him 3 hrs. day for PT, OT, Speech.

He had to transfer to the nursing care facility in the retirement village where he has an apt.

The therapy there isn't up to par. I've had to be involved and badger some...but it's improved in continuity, but he's not improving.

I fear his days in independent living might soon be over...  :(   He lost Mom 5 yrs ago, found a neat lady friend who has been a great companion that lives in an apt. nearby. If he goes to ASst. Living...he'll be across campus and she can't and he can't make the trip often to visit.

Makes me so very sad... Dad had a lot of verve but he's just not getting stronger to go it on his own I'm afraid.

Lord willing, maybe we can get him back for a few months with Visiting nurses coming in AM and PM to get him up and going, dressed, bathed and then to bed...

He ended up with ugly red marks at the corners of his mouth that look like some infection. There aren't doctors on site so nothting till tomorrow..  :(

People say he's lucky to have me being an advocate. Wow...when it's my time, without a family of my own, will someone please just take me to the woods like the native american's did...and let me finish out my time there in peace...

[bear1336]

Continue prayers my Brother for you and Dad.

In HIS service
Brother Dave

[Doc Nock]

I am sad to report things are not going well... :(

Dad's been increasingly short of breath, so I fight with rehab to keep up the pace, mindful he's showing signs of fatigue...

I start buggin to check other "causes". Alas, he's got pneumonia..fluid on the lungs. Of course, they want to focus on other reasons other'n the serious infection his "nurse" had at the initial rehab hospital he was in for all 3 weeks of his stay and that he left there with a horrible head/chest "cold." Never stopped coughin or the nasal discharge.

He's now on O2..antibiotics, has had red circles with ugly centers on his face since I found them Sat AM and reported it..nothing done till doc shows on Tues...fungal skin infection. he looks beat down... now has this HUGE O2 tank anchoring him so I guess they'll not do any more PT/OT, etc... and he'll back slide AGAIN.

I'm plumb wore out!  :(   I try to remain assertive but not aggressive but it's like trying to plug holes in a leaky damn with my fingers.

I know God's in charge...but that doesn't mean I don't have a role to play as advocate. Its endless.

Pray for God's will in Dad's healing. As Dad's brother told me 25 yrs ago, while in final stages of bone cancer, "David, even death is God's perfect healing!"

Please pray for strength and Peace for Dad and discernment and peace for me.

Thank you.

[BenBow]

Amen David, praying. Any other facilities available? You may be dealing with a bad one. Also check with your states health dept as most have an ombudsman that is set up to help with poor care issues.
g

[Doc Nock]

Benson, thanks.

I think being raised by an "old school" RN mother, I just see what they don't do by way of coordination...at 88, each one of their individual oversights collectively diminsh Dad's capacity.

They "bought in" to this retirement community years ago, paid a big fee (for them) and then paid a LOT for a 1-bedroom apt...so that regardless, they have care till they both die.

Not much option on dad's money (nor mine) to do or go anywhere else...

Just requires constant, heavy vigilance on my part... and it has me plumb wore out! But Dad worked many hours all his life to provide for me and Mom...so he's due my focus.

Just so hard to watch him diminsh and think there could have been a better way...

Lord in Your Mercy...

[BenBow]

David consider talking with your health dept or at least feel them out. They may not be any better considering the lack of quality care at this facility. I worked 15+ years in long term care and my wife has 25 years in administration in with 2 national awards so if you have any questions let me know and I'll let my wife see if she can give you any suggestions.
g

[Doc Nock]

New Developments: Dad's "shortness of breath" the past month turns out to be pneumonia and fluid build-up in his lung.  :(   They're of course, attriubting much of the fluid to his aortic stenosis (bad valve from rhumatic fever as a kid).

Now he's getting swelling in his limbs. Yet they have not put him on a reduced salt diet. He's not been following all their "rules" about turning off his power chair before trying to exit it, so now they're threatening to forbid him to use it!

It never ends! But then, those who've been here, know the drill and I'm not experiencing anything others have not...

I cannot see DAd rebounding enough to ever get back to his apt. That, when it's finalized, will just about break him...both spiritually and financially rather quickly. Been tough watching him slowly spiral down, and not know definitively what the cause has been.

So many contributing factors that I cannot fault the care to any provable point...The doctor left me voice mails yesterday indicating that this is likely a permanent decline...

Thank you for the prayers to date, and Dad's been blessed in many ways, given all that he has been fighting for years... but pray for Pop's peace and that the Holy Spirit will wrap Titus in his loving arms and help him accept whatever lies ahead with Grace and Dignity.

thanks...

[BenBow]

Amen & prayers for comfort for you

[chopx2]

Stay strong, we're here for you in.

[MR BILL SHORTY]

GOD BLESS AND GODS BLISS FOR DAD AND YOU

[stringstretcher]

Prayers sent for you and you family Doc.  Hang in there.

[Killdeer]

Prayers for you both, Dave.

Killdeer

[Rookie@51]

I'm still here Doc. I'm still praying too.   Dusty

[MR BILL SHORTY]

STILL PRAYING IN R.I. HANG IN THERE DAVE

[BenBow]

Amen