Monday, February 23, 2004
The appointment is Duluth went as I expected it would. My dad was put back in the hospital. Tomorrow I will have to bring my mom to see him (as I did on Saturday). I don't when or if they will be able to get him back to normal. I sometimes wonder how good an idea it is to operate on elderly people (or to put off what really should be done earlier.) But, we must all remember- doctors are just practicing.
Friday, February 20, 2004
It has been awhile since I've updated my postings. My dad came home from the hospital (even though we didn't feel he was ready.) He came home without eating much, walking at all, or being off oxygen. So, for the past week and a half he's been home, slowly regaining some strength and weight. Today my sister took him to Duluth for a check up, so we'll see what the doctors have to say.
My grandson is in town again this weekend. Again, I'm too busy to be able to spend much time with him. But, I did see him last night and I can't believe how much he has changed in the two weeks since I last saw him.
If you guys are looking at my project at all (A Woman's Voice) and have any issues you would like to see addressed or know of a good site for me to visit, please email me.
Tammy, have you seen A Dangerous Mind? Not for the kids, but very provocative. Might be worth seeing.
My grandson is in town again this weekend. Again, I'm too busy to be able to spend much time with him. But, I did see him last night and I can't believe how much he has changed in the two weeks since I last saw him.
If you guys are looking at my project at all (A Woman's Voice) and have any issues you would like to see addressed or know of a good site for me to visit, please email me.
Tammy, have you seen A Dangerous Mind? Not for the kids, but very provocative. Might be worth seeing.
Sunday, February 08, 2004
Well, here is what happened to my dad. He had valve replacement/repair on his heart. During the surgery, doctors discovered that there were actually two valves that needed work. So, one got replaced and one got repaired.
After that surgery (which was a success), he began having trouble with his lungs. Apparently, when they did the first surgery (and split his ribs open and laid his lungs out on the table- on each side of his open chest), his lungs became unattached to the diaphram (the way they are supposed to be). So, his lungs began letting fluid enter. The doctors tried pumping them out, but (after two or three times of doing that) they decided they couldn't continue with that. So, they decided to do surgery on his lungs.
The doctor made a small incision on each side of his chest (like under his arms) and went into the lung with a camera to see where the leaks were. When he ascertained where they were, he sprinkled talcum powder into those problem areas, (with the idea- gotten from performing many surgeries similar to this), so that the lungs would adhere to the diaphram (with the help of the talcum powder) and seal up the holes allowing fluid to enter.
Here is where the next problem began. My dad had a severe allergic reaction to the talcum powder. This resulted in more than a typical sneeze most people would experience if talcum powder got into their lungs. My dad's lungs collapsed and it was at this point that he was put on a breathing machine. (We did not know at this time why he was having difficulty breathing on his own. Duh!)
The breathing machine would allow his body to heal while maintaining an airway (so no brain damage would result). So, now he is awake, off the breathing machine, and still trying to clear out his lungs (by coughing up dried blood and big pieces of gunk.)
He is still in Intensive Care but seems to be on the mend again. I'm hoping, anyway. My life has been a roller coaster of emotional responses. One day up, the next day down. And then still trying to live my life, work as a GA, get my school work done, driving one day to Bemidji, the next day to Duluth, and repeating this routine almost every day of the week. I am about ready for a breakdown. But, I'm planning to wait until spring break to have it, so I don't miss anymore school.
Other than that, I'm still reading all the rest of you guys. Keep up the good work.
After that surgery (which was a success), he began having trouble with his lungs. Apparently, when they did the first surgery (and split his ribs open and laid his lungs out on the table- on each side of his open chest), his lungs became unattached to the diaphram (the way they are supposed to be). So, his lungs began letting fluid enter. The doctors tried pumping them out, but (after two or three times of doing that) they decided they couldn't continue with that. So, they decided to do surgery on his lungs.
The doctor made a small incision on each side of his chest (like under his arms) and went into the lung with a camera to see where the leaks were. When he ascertained where they were, he sprinkled talcum powder into those problem areas, (with the idea- gotten from performing many surgeries similar to this), so that the lungs would adhere to the diaphram (with the help of the talcum powder) and seal up the holes allowing fluid to enter.
Here is where the next problem began. My dad had a severe allergic reaction to the talcum powder. This resulted in more than a typical sneeze most people would experience if talcum powder got into their lungs. My dad's lungs collapsed and it was at this point that he was put on a breathing machine. (We did not know at this time why he was having difficulty breathing on his own. Duh!)
The breathing machine would allow his body to heal while maintaining an airway (so no brain damage would result). So, now he is awake, off the breathing machine, and still trying to clear out his lungs (by coughing up dried blood and big pieces of gunk.)
He is still in Intensive Care but seems to be on the mend again. I'm hoping, anyway. My life has been a roller coaster of emotional responses. One day up, the next day down. And then still trying to live my life, work as a GA, get my school work done, driving one day to Bemidji, the next day to Duluth, and repeating this routine almost every day of the week. I am about ready for a breakdown. But, I'm planning to wait until spring break to have it, so I don't miss anymore school.
Other than that, I'm still reading all the rest of you guys. Keep up the good work.
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
My dad is much better today. The doctor removed the respirator (breathing for him) and he is breathing on his own. He also pulled out his feeding tube (thinking it was oxygen, which he didn't need.) So, things are looking up. Back down there again tomorrow.
My computer is not working at all. Hope to get that up and running again before my Monday assignment is due.
My computer is not working at all. Hope to get that up and running again before my Monday assignment is due.
Monday, February 02, 2004
Well, today is another day. Not necessarily a better one, though. My dad was put on life support yesterday. Hooked up to a respirator (to breathe for him) and a feeding tube (to give him nourishment). Poor Guy! It is unbearable (at any age) to think of losing your parent. My dad is a stoic guy- never one to complain or talk negatively about anyone or anything. He never complains (so the nurses think he's an ideal patient.)
Today someone else is bringing my mom to the hospital - so I have the day off (or rather I have a day to do my homework, which I am totally unprepared to do at this moment.) That will take some prewriting or prethinking. More later if I have time.
Today someone else is bringing my mom to the hospital - so I have the day off (or rather I have a day to do my homework, which I am totally unprepared to do at this moment.) That will take some prewriting or prethinking. More later if I have time.
Saturday, January 31, 2004
I can't believe all the interesting lives my classmates are living. After reading all the blogs for the weekend, it is especially interesting to see that I am not included on anyone's reading list. So, I guess I shouldn't feel too bad about the personal things I put in my comments- since they are possibly not even being read.
Back to Duluth tomorrow. Spent the last two days there. Dad is still in intensive care unit, but kidney functions are better. They no longer are contemplating dialysis. So, that is a good sign. I don't know when I'll be back in school. I will try to make it Monday, but after that, I don't know if I'll be able to make it the rest of the week. Depends if I am the only one available to drive mom to Duluth.
Haven't been able to spend much time with my grandson, while he's been in Minnesota. He's over at his other grandmother's house, now, which is just as well, since I don't have time to pay attention to myself or my husband, let alone a baby who needs so much attention. That's why he has his mommy and daddy, instead of just a grandma. (That and the movable buffet his mom provides.)
A month into class already and I have missed the only meeting of my night class that I have had the opportunity to attend. The first night of class, the class showed up, but the teacher didn't. The second night of class was a holiday, and then last week (this is a once a week class) I didn't go because of my dad's sickness. So, I have to try to make it Monday night- or else I might as well drop the class and I really can't do that (I need the credits for my GA).
Anyway, that is all for now. I didn't get my homework done for this class or any of the others. Oh well, I'm feeling so fragile right now, I am just trying to maintain my sense of humor and my perception that the world is not out to schwank me.
Later.
Back to Duluth tomorrow. Spent the last two days there. Dad is still in intensive care unit, but kidney functions are better. They no longer are contemplating dialysis. So, that is a good sign. I don't know when I'll be back in school. I will try to make it Monday, but after that, I don't know if I'll be able to make it the rest of the week. Depends if I am the only one available to drive mom to Duluth.
Haven't been able to spend much time with my grandson, while he's been in Minnesota. He's over at his other grandmother's house, now, which is just as well, since I don't have time to pay attention to myself or my husband, let alone a baby who needs so much attention. That's why he has his mommy and daddy, instead of just a grandma. (That and the movable buffet his mom provides.)
A month into class already and I have missed the only meeting of my night class that I have had the opportunity to attend. The first night of class, the class showed up, but the teacher didn't. The second night of class was a holiday, and then last week (this is a once a week class) I didn't go because of my dad's sickness. So, I have to try to make it Monday night- or else I might as well drop the class and I really can't do that (I need the credits for my GA).
Anyway, that is all for now. I didn't get my homework done for this class or any of the others. Oh well, I'm feeling so fragile right now, I am just trying to maintain my sense of humor and my perception that the world is not out to schwank me.
Later.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
I don't know why the last entry had the wrong date. I actually wrote that on Monday (yesterday) when I couldn't make it to school because I was snowed in.
I had a BIG surprise on Sunday night. My son and daughter-in-law and new grandson (from Chicago) showed up at my door. They just decided to come for a little visit during the paternity leave (2 months) my son can opt to use. What a great idea!! This certainly helps my daughter-in-law in all the things she has to get used to, being a new mom. My son told her that her only job is to feed the baby, he will do everything else. How nice!
That's all for now.
I had a BIG surprise on Sunday night. My son and daughter-in-law and new grandson (from Chicago) showed up at my door. They just decided to come for a little visit during the paternity leave (2 months) my son can opt to use. What a great idea!! This certainly helps my daughter-in-law in all the things she has to get used to, being a new mom. My son told her that her only job is to feed the baby, he will do everything else. How nice!
That's all for now.
