update on my Dad.

[opp2]

I felt bad hijacking ombrerose's thread. I have a quick update on my Dad. I knew he was in better spirits because my Mom told me he'd spoken to his doctor. The doc said that he may not be healing at the lung but he could go home with a one way valve in his chest. Similar to folks who have ostomy bags or catheters, he could go home with this valve and have home care help with it. This seems to have worked wonders for him. When I saw him today he looked sooooooo much better, and he feels way better too. So he says. My Mom has a meeting with the Dr tomorrow to arrange home care. It's a good feeling.

The strangest part is he just didn't want to die in the hospital. He wants to be at home, no matter what the prognosis. He is very emotional now. I suppose being that close to death will cause the emotions to come pouring out. He has quit smoking (like he had a choice) and hopefully my Mom will too. He's lost nearly 30lb in 2 weeks... It's so crazy...good but crazy...

he's only 69...hopefully he'll see 79...

[CHD63]

Oh my goodness, 69 is young these days ..... but smoking has a definite aging effect on the human body.

Many thoughts and prayers for you and your whole family during this most difficult time.

Clarice

[Kaybo]

Glad that he was able to come home!!  Continued healing for him and for your mom to stop smoking!!

K   

[wendysig]

Nikki,

I'm glad to hear your dad has shown so much improvement and will be able to go home.  I hate being in the hospital and find it very depressing and I'm sure I'm not alone.  I hope this is a wake up call for both your mom and dad and they give up smoking together.

You remain in my thoughts and prayers.

Wendy

[Jim Scott]

Nikki ~

Thanks for the encouraging update on your dad!  I was never in any danger of expiring while hospitalized for my AN surgery - but I was very anxious to be out and home.  I think most doctors realize that, when medically feasible, a patient that can go home to recuperate is usually better off in the long run.

As a former smoker (I quit, 'cold turkey' back in 1989) I can state that stopping smoking can do nothing but good for anyone.  As someone who is close to your father's age, I know that we grow somewhat resigned to our mortality as the years roll on.  Although I'm relatively sanguine about my inevitable demise, I never think much about it as it is not really within my control.   I simply enjoy each day that I'm given.  I trust that your dad - and all of us - can do the same....try to enjoy our lives as much as possible knowing that our mortal existence is finite - no exceptions.

Jim

[Keeping Up]

Hi Nikki

Sorry to hear of your father's health issues - 69 is way too young to be faced with a critical illness (especially when it is your Dad!)  Getting home will do him and your mom wonders.  Hospitals are awful places, especially if the recovery is slower than expected.

Take care - was thinking of you over the last week after the death of the police officer in Toronto, very sad and tragic.  (BTW - I moved well West to Calgary last month- unfortunate I didn't meet you when I was still living in Toronto.)

Ann

[opp2]

Thanks Ann...Wow Calgary! What a great adventure! I'm sure we'll meet some day.

I did hear from my Mom tonight and, if all goes as planned, he will be discharged home Saturday am. He should be having daily nursing care come by the house, and with my Mom being a nurse prior to her retirement, they should make out ok. I worry about her too though. She is his sole caregiver and he can be a handful. Hopefully she will take off when the nurse is there. I'm just happy that things worked out so differently than what we thought we were faced with on the 11th.

It was a sad and tragic day Sgt Russell was killed. The timing was the day after my Dad was rushed in..Brings home our own mortality and the fragility of life.

Have fun in the big C! Keep in touch with us...

[opp2]

I know there have been many stories of loss and sadness on the forum in recent weeks. I would like to announce that my Dad had his chest tube out yesterday! YAY!!! We thought they would never take it out, and I think that my Mom, secretly, thought they were sending him home to die. Peacefully and in his own time. Well I guess that time aint just yet. Each day is a blessing and he is not taking this lightly. I hope to be able to visit this weekend. They live 1.5 hours north of me, in deep snow country, but the weather is supposed to be warm and wet so we shall see. I'm happy that he's getting this second chance.

[mk]

Great news Nikki, I am happy that your Dad is doing so much better.  I hope you can visit this weekend and perhaps spend Family Day there.

Marianna

[msmaggie]

 Second chances are wonderful, aren't they?  I am so glad your dad is doing well and will be praying for him to continue to improve 
Priscilla

[Mark241]

So glad your Dads' doing better, my Father is the same age, if its' OK I would like to share your your story with him, I cant' get him to budge on his smoking habit.

[opp2]

It is definitely ok to share. Best wishes.