Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Its tough parenting your parents
Today was especially tough @ the hospital. I'm starting to get irritable and frustrated and more than a little scared over my dad. I don't know how my stepmother deals with him and how she's holding it together (although today I saw a few cracks in her composure and that scares me too).
I sat with him for about an hour during the late visiting hours last night and his night nurse assured me everything was ok. He hasn't needed Ativan or anything and he'd been sleeping comfortably, eating well, etc. But then this morning I came in to find out that he'd ripped out his ventricular catheter.
Frightening for the fact that this thing was attached to his BRAIN but also because they can't monitor the pressure in there anymore. And then this afternoon his blood pressure kept spiking and wasn't responding to the medication. They had taken him off the heavy BP meds but now I think they are reintroducing some.
He slept a lot and seemed very irritable and restless most of the day. Some of his cognitive stuff is improving... he's starting to remember the year (albeit after a few tries) as well as the president. He still refuses to believe that its July and that his birthday was this weekend but then he was able to answer correctly that he is 57. At one point he couldn't remember Sissy's name (although he wasn't confused about who she was) and that was troubling for all of us, including the nurse. He's been able to easily identify all of his family members since he got off the ventilator.
I'm back going back home again tonight and then off to PP tomorrow night. I'm kind of looking forward to the diversion of teaching for a couple of days although I'm praying that nothing happens while I'm down there. Aside from that I'm thoroughly mentally exhausted. I think I need to sleep for about 4 days to recover from the stress so far.
I sat with him for about an hour during the late visiting hours last night and his night nurse assured me everything was ok. He hasn't needed Ativan or anything and he'd been sleeping comfortably, eating well, etc. But then this morning I came in to find out that he'd ripped out his ventricular catheter.
Frightening for the fact that this thing was attached to his BRAIN but also because they can't monitor the pressure in there anymore. And then this afternoon his blood pressure kept spiking and wasn't responding to the medication. They had taken him off the heavy BP meds but now I think they are reintroducing some.
He slept a lot and seemed very irritable and restless most of the day. Some of his cognitive stuff is improving... he's starting to remember the year (albeit after a few tries) as well as the president. He still refuses to believe that its July and that his birthday was this weekend but then he was able to answer correctly that he is 57. At one point he couldn't remember Sissy's name (although he wasn't confused about who she was) and that was troubling for all of us, including the nurse. He's been able to easily identify all of his family members since he got off the ventilator.
I'm back going back home again tonight and then off to PP tomorrow night. I'm kind of looking forward to the diversion of teaching for a couple of days although I'm praying that nothing happens while I'm down there. Aside from that I'm thoroughly mentally exhausted. I think I need to sleep for about 4 days to recover from the stress so far.
// posted by Stephanie Cake @ 7/25/2006 05:27:00 PM 
Comments:
<< Home
Oh, Stephanie. I cannot imagine just how difficult this must be for you. I have all the empathy in the world for you and thoughtful cares for your well-being and that of your father. If there is anything I can do...say the word and I'll be right there.
Post a Comment
# posted by 
: 4:16 PM
: 4:16 PM Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
