7 days a week

Dad has hospice nurses lined up each night of the week. He seems much more comfortable at home and said the hospital bed from hospice is quite comfortable. His voice still sounds strong.

dad's phone

Dad called my house asking what HIS cell phone number is. Turns out that the hospice nurse cannot hear the hand bell from my dad's room to the living room. So Dad will call the house number from his cell to reach the nurse.

His cell number is also the best to use when wanting to reach him directly.

getting settled

I've been talking to Dad and he's getting settled at home. He seems a bit impatient as his different hospice nurses get up to speed and each ask him the same questions which takes some time. But his voice sounds 100% normal now. I can't detect the breathlessness that he'd have at times while at Spa Creek.

going home

On Monday Dad will be going home! I hope he will be much more comfortable there despite still having a hospital bed (arriving tomorrow).

While Dad greatly appreciates your well wishes, unannounced guests are not welcome. Please call Jeanne in advance to make arrangements to visit Dad. This might also allow her to plan and run quick errands during visits from friends and family.

no fluid

Over the holiday weekend I was able to see Dad several times. He was able to meet with his doctor who tapped on Dad's belly. Turns out that Dad's abdomen isn't filling with fluid, just some gas. So the transport to the hospital and the procedure are not necessary.

In the upcoming weeks, Dad will be going home. Going through hospice, Jeanne is arranging to have a nurse come part-time to assist Dad. I'm sure being home will be so much more comfortable for him.

fluid

Talked to Dad today. He sounded really strong and I couldn't detect any shortness of breath. He said that a male nurse at the rehab center had taken it upon himself to call dad's doctor to inform the doctor that dad's stomach was distended and that fluid needed to be drained.

Dad, and his doctor, had been aware of some fluid accumulating but had decided to wait for the time being to drain it since it would be required for Dad to go to the hospital for the procedure. But everyone agrees it will need to be done, probably sometime next week.

keeping up the pace

Dad is still working hard each day with the physical therapist. He usually walks twice a day. He said he worked with the therapist for over two hours the other day. I'm sure that it is very exhausting.

He's started to complain of some bloating in his abdomen, although he looked good when I saw him this morning. He was sitting in his wheelchair with his legs propped up on the bed. It is good for him to keep them elevated since he still has edema in his legs. He even showed off for his guests by demonstrating how he could stand up on his own.

cards rather than food

Thank you to all for your unwavering support of my father. He really appreciates all of the cards that he has been receiving. And I should add that he is not allowed to eat or drink anything you bring for him. So skip the perishables and keep the cards coming!

physical therapy

I talked to Jeanne and Dad today. Dad worked with a physical therapist today and walked the hall, which is great progress. Albeit he was whipped by the end of the day! He'll be doing physical therapy six days a week so he'll surely build up his stamina.

And while he seems to still have some shortness of breath, his blood is being oxygenated at nearly 100%, as was the case while up at UMMC.

solid food

Dad started solid foods like mashed potatoes and some Ritz crackers.