Dad is scheduled to have his Thallium stress test today at 11AM.

Yesterday morning, Ardy from Hospice returned my call and explained that the drain was OK. She saw him on Monday.

I think I convinced her that for both of our 'peace of minds', she should order a whole new drain setup. She said she would order one and try to visit him again late Tuesday.

Ardy and I discussed my Dad's wish for surgery and Dr. Hoover's overly optimistic sales job. She said that the Hospice team had discussed this with their Medical Director, Dr. Vincent. She was not sure how they would handle his hospice care if he should have the stress test or be scheduled for surgery. He may go off of hospice care and on to home care. Not sure of the financial issues.

While I was on the phone with Ardy, Dad left voicemail again for me yesterday morning complaining about his biliary drain.

On my way home, Ardy left me VM saying she had visited Dad and determined that his main complaint was more severe pain across his stomach and back. She will ask their doctor to increase his MS Contin from 30 mg to 60 mg. The drain was working fine.


- posted by Rodney B. Murray, PhD @ 12:13 PM