Dad is home

[ravena_kade]

He has lost almost 20 pounds in 4 days. He is at 169 pounds. He looks too thin. They dont want him gaining any weight...but I know he will gain weight because he has never been this skinny in my life. He will gain weight once he eats 3 meals. I dont know what to feed him.

They also put him on a fluid restriction of 48 ounces. I found out that this includes any foods...like soup(not surprised),gravy, dressings, spaghetti sauce...ice cream. The NP said that the priority is straight up water so his kidney function remains healthy. He can have coffee...but shouldn't because he should focus on water. He cant even have protein shakes.

I find this a bit Spartan.

Now there is absolutely nothing nice I can due with him as when we went out it usually involved food or drink. I thought we could be safe to go get an ice cream in the summer... but no. The warden is also the prisoner.

On top of that one of his heart meds went from $135 for 90 days to $435 for 90 days... this along with another that is almost $800 for 90 days.

I am overwhelmed and depressed.

I have explained it to him the best I can. He will make the choices he wants to make. I know I would say f*ck it if I were 80.

And I need to get my own relationship with food under control. I had cookies for breakfast and jelly beans for lunch. The fish I made for dinner had no flavor.

Comments

[brickhousewench]

I am overwhelmed and depressed.

*hugs*

This all sounds very hard. =(

[ravena_kade]

the fluid restriction just knocked me for a loop.

[malterre]

So sorry about all this. I know that you don't get an opinion out of your Dad, but give it a shot. Does he want a shorter life or a healthy one? I'm sorry you are in this position

[ravena_kade]

I told him that we would gather info at the next Dr appointment and the one in July and then it is up to him to decide. I am hoping I can get some info on just what to do and maybe increase the liquid to 48 oz and then I dont have to measure his foods for liquids. He is incapable of doing the math. I tried it today and made him bring a coffee cup home from work... it's a 12 oz cup and he tills it to 7 ounces, be he thought it was just half a cup...

all the measuring is on me. And all the phone calls too as the Dr's/hospital have my phone number so he never talks to them I got 2 calls while I was grocery shopping. I dont want to ignore the call because calling back means being on hold for hours.

I just want to get him stable as I want to go away a couple weekends in May and then June.

He's just home 24 hours and is off to the cousins. I packed him a salad and measured out the dressing he can have.

[disneydream06]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is CRAZY strict.
It's one thing to have restrictions like that in the hospital, but how do they expect anyone to live with that in the real world?
{{{{{HUGS}}}}}
I hope they have a dietician available for you.

Some times you just have to have cookies and jelly beans. ♥
HUGS, Jon

[ravena_kade]

I had the realization that my Dad is now the weight I should be. Oi.

I think I have found a fluid formula that will work for work days. 1 ounce water for pills and 3 ounces milk with cereal for breakfast at home. At work two 7 ounce cups of coffee and a bottle of water. Then the rest water at home.

[disneydream06]

I really hope he can stick to the plan. :)

[kaishin108]

Oh dear, that does not sound good.
And the price of those meds!

[ravena_kade]

It's hard.

When he stops working I have asked my sister if she would help with the meds because I will have to pay for the rest of the bills.

[kaishin108]

When he stops working that creates an 'event' and you might be able to get him a medicare supplement that helps with his prescriptions? It might be worth checking into...

Sigh.

[chris_warrior]

wow. those med prices - is that what they cost even WITH Medicare? holy crap. the fluid restriction isn't shocking to me given the heart Dx, but i can appreciate it has to be hella impossible to get him to want to follow it. my mom gave me a fit even switching to a new pillbox so i can make sure she's taking them. i can't even imagine what she would have said if i had to try to restrict her food.

*HUGEHUG* sending you lots of luck.

[ravena_kade]

That is with the medicare supplement insurance for prescription. These are tier 4 drugs so they are not covered much.

[chris_warrior]

gah, hon. i'm more grateful every day that my dad was in a labor union and got decent supplemental coverage, and that my mom is on drugs that have generics. because holy crap. <3

sometime this summer, i need to drive out there, and we need to have an ocean day down in Rhode Island again. if there is any way to get away for a couple days between my mom and the cats, i will.