Feb 28, 2008

Back in the Hospital

Yesterday afternoon, my Dad was taken from work to the E.R. by ambulance. His heart rate was down around 25 beats and his systemic functions were starting to shut down. The doctors at RHS hospital think the meds the VA Hospital had prescribed was too high and instead of keeping his heart rate high, it had the opposite effect. Of course, they don’t know for sure. Currently, his system is being "cleansed" of the drugs so they can see what’s going on with him and his heart. Then they’ll decide on a course of action. The hospital put my Dad on oxygen (which of course, he finds annoying: having to wear the mask all the time –and- the drying out of his throat). I kept watching the heart rate monitor and it was jumping all over the place. One second it was 93, the next 45, the next 78, the next 59, etc. He’ll be spending the next few days in ICU Critical Care for observation and the doctors can figure out how to treat him.

By the time I got home last night, I was emotionally exhausted. I was in bed sleeping by 9:30pm. I’m glad to learn that my brothers have been helping out a bit more when my Dad needs it. Bro #1 has been plowing my parents driveway and Bro #1 took my Dad to the ER last week, as well as took my Mom to the hospital yesterday. Both picked up my Dad’s truck from work and took it back to my parent’s home.

I’ll be going back to the hospital tonight with my Mom.

To put a positive spin on all this (slight as it may be): I was able to work on “Brrr” while sitting at the hospital. I may just finish it by the end of the month!

20 comments:

dragonxser said...

hope things get straightened out with your dad! Big hugs - and you have been tagged! Check back to my blog to see the details.

deborahinwi said...

Meari- God bless and keep you and your family in all this.
((Hugs))Deb

Rene la Frog said...

My thoughts and prayers continue for your Dad, Mom and family. I know how stressful this must be for all of you. I hope they can figure out how to help your Dad and get him back to normal.
{{{{{Meari}}}}

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about your dad Meari, I sure hope they figure out what is wrong and soon. In my Thoughts take care of you!

Sherry said...

You are in my thoughts and prayers. wish I were there to give you a hug.

Velda said...

(((hugs))) keeping your dad in my thoughts

Unknown said...

I am sorry to hear about your Dad. I hope they figure everything out soon.

Jennifer said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad!! I do hope things get better soon. I know how frustrating it can be to get medications worked out - the older the patient is, the harder it gets, and every little change could set off a whole other chain reaction to deal with - it's a delicate process! Hopefully your dad will keep his spirits up as much as possible until they get this worked out. And you too! It's tough to just be on standby waiting for something to have the right effect. Hang in there!!!

Paisley said...

How scary! I hope he's well and back home soon.

Unknown said...

oh dear i hope you dad gets better soon and they find out whats wrong, if you need to talk your blogger family are hear :)

shel x

Chiloe said...

I hope the doctors will find what is wrong with him and will find the right medecine for him. I'm glad all the family is finally together to help ;-)

(((hugs)))

Kendra said...

Sorry to hear this about your Dad! Hopefully they'll get things all figured out and he'll be back to his normal self soon.

Christine H said...

Praying for you and your family.

mercy said...

Hi Meari...sorry to hear about your dad. I just took my grandfather to the ER last night, they decided to keep him :-( I'm pretty sure someone at the hospital might have already done it but just in case they haven't, if your dad is still on the oxygen they may want to try humidifying it. I believe they can do it for all types of masks except the non-rebreather (the one with the bag underneath the mask)

Hope they find out what caused your dad's HR to go so low. Keep us updated

Anonymous said...

I hope your dad's doing a lot better! I know how frightening the journey is - my dad, too, had cong heart failure. I'll keep you & your family in my prayers.
Those snow pictures from your yard - oh my gosh!! Fortunately, we get snow, then it melts ... then we get more, then it melts. *lol*

Terry said...

I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. Hopefully they will be able to figure his meds out quickly so he can go home to rest. You can never rest while in the hospital; about the time you fall asleep they wake you up to check on something. Your family and you are in our prayers. Lots of hugs from all of us.

Vicki said...

Wow, how scary, Meari! Saying a prayer for him.

Deirdre said...

Great big ((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))) and prayers!

Marita said...

I'm so sorry.

Saying prayers for him.

glenda said...

Good thoughts going out for you and your family!!!