A update on Dad. Earlier this week he begin to suffer nausea and that resulted in adding another pill. His blood pressure is higher than it should be and since I just had his meds refilled we are just doubling the meds until he uses all then will go to just one pill. So 2 additional pills. Dad is not happy and I try to explain to him why but every time it is pill time we go through same discussion. But some good news after 6 months of voicing my concern about the pharmacy that hospice uses from deliveries anywhere from 10PM-1AM (since we are kind of out of the way) hospice is changing pharmacies and I will now be picking up meds at local pharmacy! I know this is small but in my world it is GREAT and BIG news! And their biggest mistake the wrong mg. on the meds. Now I will be able to check before I leave store to make sure correct and hopefully this will avoid the 5 errors from past company! And second request on my list has been granted. I have requested an MRI to compare how the tumor is growing - denied every time because of Dads physical conditions show the tumor is growing, slurred speech, seizures, blindness, dragging his foot when he walks, falling, sleeping more (20+ hours a day), mood swings, withdrawal and the list goes on. All signs that the tumor is progressing but I still have questions maybe I am just a visual type person! After asking the Director of Nursing if that could happen without removing Dad from hospice care for a full 3 days (yes this has been my answer in the past and I just could not take that kind of risk with his health) having MRI then re qualifying him for hospice. Sounds like a lot of red tape. Well yes it is. Yesterday she told me they have arranged to have the MRI completed at one of their imaging centers and I would not have to have him removed from hospice care. That was the good news then back to red tape, they told me your Dad is gaining weight and we have to reevaluate his status. There was a home visit from the nurse practitioner yesterday and she said without a doubt Dad will stay on hospice due to his condition. She is also the one who went back to office with my complaints/concerns and got the results needed from Director of Nursing. Dad has a wonderful nurse who comes 3 times a week, submits her reports and provides support. But until someone physically comes out and spends time with Dad are they going to get the full picture of what is going on from a report. Same way with phone calls - Dad can do pretty good for little bit but what you dont see is , I talked with Dad who he is calling before hand and I dialed that number so he could talk with you. Dad is gaining weight because of the steroid meds and the fact Dad loves sweets. I bake a pound cake (the real thing 7 eggs and 4 sticks of butter) every other day because he eats the entire cake. I would make him one every day if that makes him happy. Dad has always loves his sweets. I am happy he is eating and when he does not want to eat I sit with him and pretty much feed him. I dont want to see him skinny. Now I am waiting for the call as to what day we will make this drive to the Woodlands. It will be a challenge for him yet I think it will bring some much needed unanswered questions. Nothing will change treatment wise except maybe dosage in meds or even new meds but not surgery or chemo as this was Dads wish and I will honor his wishes, make him comfortable and happy with the time he has left with us. Prayers are always welcome.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 14:28:54 +0000
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