We have a full house! Uncle Jack, Geoff and Jon are all here, as are Dave and I. I met Geoff at the airport shortly after noon. Dave had gone to Walmart to get more equipment, specifically a moveable handhold for the shower, and an attachment that goes on the shower nozzle so we can use a hand-held sprayer. Although yesterday we thought it was a great idea to get Dad on the shower stool and let him enjoy a shower, now we're not sure he's up to it.
What a difference a day makes. Yesterday Dad was grumpy and feisty and getting out of his chair to stand up every hour. Today he is sleepy, as sweet as he can be, and has to be pulled out of his chair. Jon was concerned that perhaps the amount of pain pills we are giving him is too much, causing his lethargy. Thank goodness we had a visit from the Hospice visiting nurse today. She was helpful in explaining what is going on and reviewing the combination of his meds. She said she can tell Dad's lethargy is not from medication, he has taken a downward turn. We certainly do not want to reduce the pain medication if it is doing its job. And we want to add whatever will make him more comfortable.
Dad had a bad night last night (and therefore so did Jon). He was up more often, talking nonsense, not wanting to go back to bed, he was anxious and restless. Who knows what was going on inside????
Dad's urine output has dropped, which probably means his kidneys are not functioning properly. His heavily bruised right arm suddenly looks worse after 10 days of getting better, it's warm and was hurting. The nurse thinks he is developing blood clots in his arm. His left leg - his swollen leg - and his left foot has gotten much worse in the last 24 hours, and his right foot is swelling, too. That is another sign of his kidneys not working.
We're changing Dad's medications slightly, changing from Xanax to Atavan (for anxiety), and adding Restoril (for sleeping). His prescription for Oxycodone will be finished tomorrow and we're substituting morphine. Every day we are reminded that even though we wish there were concrete answers and fixes for things that hurt, there are not.
Dad was very happy to see Geoff and keeps calling him his old buddy. He's told him a few times how glad he is to see him. Dad has been very nice today, with the exception of a couple of digs during dinner, but we have to assume these are, excuse the expression, brain farts. We can expect changes in personality and perhaps delusions as time goes on.
Dad has been enjoying music, listening to Uncle Jack's iPod with earphones today, and at dinner (tonight was Billboard's Country Hits, again). I'll have to check my cache of CDs to see what other gems I can find. He's heard The Mavericks, Frank Sinatra, Paolo Conte and Edith Piaf. I've got a few ideas.
Dad is very frustrated he can't read. He fell asleep as Uncle Jack was reading him an article yesterday, and today as I was reading (at his request) an article about the NY Jets. I don't think he has the concentration for a book on CD.
The Jets and Vikings are on the tube, and 3 of the 5 guys are interested. Dave and I will be headed home. Jon is playing with his iPad. Since every day is different, I'm hoping for a good night's sleep for everyone, and a great day tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed.
No comments:
Post a Comment