Albert Rodney & Victoria Jeanette
Friday, October 24, 2003
Just called Dad, who was just coming in the door from his stress test. Of course, they wouldn't tell him any results. I reminded him that I would get a report too, when ready -- probably Monday.
He seemed OK. His voice was a little stronger, but he had trouble remembering some words and names. He complained about the food. He and Mom were served waffles this morning that were too hard to cut. Roxanne (Hospice) was there and helped him cut the waffle but neither Mom or Dad could chew it. He also complained about the 'competition' between the NewSeasons staff and Hospice staff.
I think Vicki and I need to sit down with the NS Manager and summarize our complaints.
Told Dad that Vicki and I will come up on Sunday and bring him some clothes and shoes from 'home'.
Dad has his rescheduled Thallium stress test today at 11AM.
Vicki called from South Carolina. She talked to Dad and has a list of clothing items he needs. We will both meet at the house in Allentown this Sunday to pack up some clothes and begin sorting through stuff in the garage.
Thursday, October 23, 2003
I stayed home for a 'mental health' day. Been quite stressed lately, almost constant headaches and anxiety. Felt I needed a rest. I actually used a gift certificate from Lin for a massage at the Millenium Day Spa. It was great. I could get used to that!
Well, not a total rest today. I payed 4 or 5 of Mom and Dad's bills and organized their paperwork. I am getting all their mail here now. I also answered email and phone calls from work (had my office phone forwarded to my cell).
This appears to be an eventful day -- no call from Dad. I just tried to call but got a busy signal.
I hope his brother, Dick, calls some time. I called Dick and Jeanne about a week ago and gave them the news.
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Dad seems happier with the new Hospice caretaker.
He says she (?) helps him wash every Mon, Wed, and Fri and makes the bed, straightens the room, takes out the trash and did some laundry.
He wanted to know if it would cost more to have her come every day. I reminded him that he told Ardy that he didn't want her every day (to wash him). I told him that it would be fine to ask her to come more often anyway. I believe Medicare pays anyway.
Great news. The NewSeasons caretakers are coming in less and less.
Dad's Stress Test
"Trish" from LVH Heart Care Group called to say that Dad was having the baseline stress test done today but would have to return on Friday to have it done again. No one told him not to have and caffiene or even decaffienated coffee 24 hours before the test. He's scheduled again for 11AM on Friday.
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.
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
Dad called me yesterday to complain about his biliary drain again. As I discovered on Sunday, the tube keeps slipping out at the junction with the bag. Ardy from Hospice 'fixed' it yesterday by shortening it and taping it up again. This annoys the heck out of Dad who can't even roll over without lying on the bag.
I called Hospice this morning to ask them again to replace the whole drain setup. Waiting for Ardy to call back.
Vicki Graves from Westminster Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd left message to ask if we've received the prepaid funeral info.
Monday, October 20, 2003
This is the first day of the rest of my blog. See the description for its purpose. I'll try to fill in the holes in the timeline after 10/01/03.
Dad: made appointment for his thallium stress test on 10/22 at 11AM. He is scheduled for pre-op testing on 10/31 and the Whipple procedure surgery on 11/4.
Sunday, October 19, 2003
Anniversary Brunch Visit
Vicki, Lin, Sara and I arrived at NewSeaons for the 12:30 brunch. Mom looked fine and was waiting for us in the lobby.
At first, Dad was quite unhappy because of issues with his 'bag' but we convinced him to come down to brunch.
We all retired to the private dining room for Anniversary cake and coffee after brunch.
While Lin and Sara took Mom for a stroll, Vicki and I had a heart-to-heart with Dad about his surgery option. He expressed his distain for the NewSeasons caretakers and his frustration with Mom. He did not commit to wanting surgery or not. The bottom line is that he needs to grow stronger and pass the stress test before he will be considered for surgery. He expressed doubt that he would make it through the surgery -- I think he sees that as the way "out".
