(no subject)

[ravena_kade]

Dad did not have his cardiac catherization today. There was very little room in the schedule and an emergency one pushed him out of his time slot. While its good that he isn't considered critical, its bad as I don't have any answers as to what is happening. Cant move forward until wee see if there is a blockage. No Doctor has returned my calls. They make the rounds in the morning, but I am not allowed in until noon. He still cant talk as he looses his breath. There is a lot of fluid around his heart. They did give him a pill for pain and he slept well last night in a bed.

I received a phone call from the hospital to talk about discharge. I asked if they knew something I didnt because he cant come home until we know what is wrong with him. They want to set up a visiting nurse and home health aid. Great, but I dont know if he will need that or if his insurance will cover it.

Lefty was squished today. The tiny thing that was discovered in 2006 has calcified. Its common that the type of thing goes crunchy after a time. I will need to go back in 6 months to see if any other crunchy bits

Comments

[fbhjr]

It’s like they get more credit for how many folks they move in and out than they help.
Sad it works that way.
Hopefully they can help him before moving him back home.

[fionaniconnor]

I am going to drop some advice on you. Hard won after 27 years of dealing my father's hospital woes.
Take it or not but here it is.

Get a face to face appointment with the hospitalist. Bring a notebook and pens.
Write down your questions beforehand so you are armed with a script.
Do NOT leave that office until you have gotten a satisfactory answer to every.single.question.

Do not talk about discharge until he has had every test necessary to find out what is wrong.

Ask about draining ascites; that may be the fluid retention in his chest and abdominal cavities.

Make sure you are his legal medical proxy (hospitalist will have the necessary paperwork) so you are authorized to make decisions on Dad's behalf, and so all medical information can be given to you legally.

Get his kidney and liver functions tested. Fluid backing up in the body can be a sign of decreased kidney function.

I wish you and your father all the best with this, and I know you know what sincerity I put behind these words.

[ravena_kade]

Thank you

I have been Dad's healthcare proxy since Ma died.

I had a meeting today with the hospitalist and 3 cardiac surgeons He needs a quadruple bypass.

I asked about the kidney function and they were tested. I didnt think liver and didnt know about the draining ascites. They will be on my list.

[fionaniconnor]

Oofh.

I'm here if you need me, honey.

[disneydream06]

Good that he was able to get some rest.

It's so frustrating to get appointments bounced like that. :(

I hope things are worked out soon.
Hugs, Jon

[brickhousewench]

While its good that he isn't considered critical,

Yes, I would take that as a tiny bit of hope.

I received a phone call from the hospital to talk about discharge.

How can they discharge him if they haven't diagnosed or treated him?!?!!?

I hope that was good news about Lefty? It sounds good?