Hey family, I havent given the family an update for quite a while. But itIts time I do. Unfortunately, I dont think my fathers time on this earth is long. His aortic valve replacement on may 29th was successful. It took more toll on him than we anticipated, but it was successful. We then put dad in a rest home. We planned to bring him home when Linda and Brent came to town on July 9th. But when they went to get him, dad was very lethargic, almost comatose. He had become extremely dehydrated and his sodium level was extremely high. (Come to your own conclusions. I am very disappointed with the rest home. I think this could have been avoided had they monitored fluid input and output.) After some good work at the hospital, dad began to improve. Over the last week in the hospital we had some good conversations with dad. But due to the rest home episode he lost the ability to swallow and walk. He was making strides, but has yet to walk or swallow. We opted for a peg tube in his stomach as a temporary measure. Dad went to another rest home on Wednesday. On Friday he developed a cough. Eventually he vomited and aspirated the contents of his stomach. We took him to the ER and I opted for intubation (the machine that would breath for him). I felt it was reasonable that with this machine for a couple of days, the antibiotics would kick in and kill the bugs causing pneumonia. Dad has been in ICU for 2 days. His condition has not changed dramatically. I am concerned that he may never be able to breath on his own. Of course, this means that we would remove the tube and allow dad to pass peacefully. Dad has enjoyed good care at the hospital. We will communicate more with the doctors over the next few days to determine the appropriate type of care. But at this time it does not look good. Mom and dad have burial plots in SLC next to my maternal grandparents. When the time arises, I anticipate some type of service for dad in SLC where family can gather. We pray for dad constantly. We have recognized Gods hand in preserving his life for so many years. We have enjoyed so many wonderful experiences with dad. Mom is having a tough time. She so hoped for more time with dad. We all did, knowing what difference the new aortic valve could provide. But it is not looking that way. I am grateful for a testimony of the plan of salvation and of the reality of God. Doug Larsen
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 02:29:14 +0000
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