(no subject)

[ravena_kade]

All I want to do is hibernate. I am eagerly counting down the 64 days until spring. I need a walk on a beach.

Dad and I met a man with an LVad. He had a lot in common with Dad so the nurses made a great match. Then man is 80 and still works driving a box truck. He had to give up driving a semi because of the LVad. The guy talked like a truck driver and that made Dad more comfortable. It turns out the guy was the guest speaker at the hospital's annual Christmas dinner party for Lvad patients and Heart transplant patients. He swore a lot and kept apologizing...I found that funny. Swear words don't bother me unless they are directed at me and then I will give it back. The guy was bright and active. He said that the first year is hard, the machine sucks, but it's worth it to keep going. For him it's all about his grand kids.

His daughter was his caregiver during recovery and helps him change the dressings. He said he is lucky because his daughter is a ER Nurse. I think I should be okay, but I do think I may need to see someone, and maybe get something, to address my building anxiety. I need less panic and more sleep.

One thing I need to do is get an intercom for downstairs so I can turn my phone off at night. Several people call me when I am trying to sleep. I don't turn it off now as Dad uses his cell phone to call if something is wrong as I can't hear him if he yells upstairs.

Not sure if sister and company will stay here or not. She has not called me at a time where I was awake. Part of me would be happy if she had an extended stay place, but that is a lot of money.

Lead cousin said she would learn to change the dressings on Dad's drive line incase I got sick or wanted to go away once he was stable. Happy she offered. She trained as a medical assistant years ago and knows how to change dressings and keep things sterile.

Im hoping he is stable this summer as I want a few days away...even just for a weekend here or there. Yeah, maybe too optimistic.

Comments

[disneydream06]

Please take care of yourself and see about getting yourself something. ♥

That was really nice of the Lead Cousin to offer to help you. :)

Sounds like it was a great guy for your dad and you to talk with. :)
HUGS, Jon

[fionaniconnor]

These are all great updates!

[gwendraith]

The guy your dad talked to sounds really great, I'm glad he was helpful.

[malterre]

I'll be hopeful for you!

[brickhousewench]

I'm glad you've finally met someone with an LVad.

Does your dad have surgery scheduled or a target date?

[ravena_kade]

He still needs an MRI before we can move forward. I want March or April it as I have so much to get in order, but can't do until I have a date. He wants to go earlier.. I swear just to make things hard for me. I need time to do his taxes, get FLMA papers for him and my sister. I still dont know if my sister can find a place to stay and she won't know without a date. If they can't find a place then I have to dismantle the craft room and Great Dane proof my apartment.

[brickhousewench]

Have you asked how much advance notice they need to schedule the surgery once he has his MRI? From what it sounded like when I scheduled my last colonoscopy, they might schedule and entire quarter (three months) at a time.

[ravena_kade]

The cardiologist seemed to think they are scheduling within 2 weeks. It's a very specialized surgery. I will know more when I talk to the LVad team after the MRI.