(Not As) Bad News- Page 4
(Not As) Bad News
NYadgal
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/04
#75very bad news
Posted: 9/8/10 at 5:14pm
Matt,
Letting you know that you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers! I hope you are finding comfort in knowing you are doing everything you can, and I hope the time you are all spending together is cherished.
Sending love,
Addy
"Two drifters off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see. . ."
#76very bad news
Posted: 9/8/10 at 5:29pm
Thanks so much, everyone. I've been posting a bit more to try and return to a little more normalcy. My father has improved slightly and was moved out of ICU today, but he still has an infection and though he's been off sedation for a while and can spend most of the day without a ventilator, his motor skills are virtually non-existent and we don't know if it is a physical or neurological problem. The doctors only reply with a shrug, so we're trying to get someone to order a CT scan. Sometimes he can give us a nod or a shake of the head to communicate, but most of the time, he doesn't seem to know we're speaking to him or comprehend what is going on around him. It's very frustrating and exhausting for all of us.
And now the relatives are flying in. The intentions are well-meant, but the timing is terrible. We tried to get them to wait until we knew something more concrete, but they will have none of it.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
JbaraFan1
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/04
Bluemoon
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/28/04
#80very bad news
Posted: 9/8/10 at 8:46pmI will continue to keep you and your dad in my prayers, Matt. Thanks for taking the time to update us.
#81very bad news
Posted: 9/8/10 at 8:59pmSo sorry to hear this, Matt. I'm thinking of you tonight.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#83very bad news
Posted: 9/8/10 at 9:59pmYou and your family are in my prayers, Matt. I'm giving you a big hug.
wexy
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/19/05
#84very bad news
Posted: 9/8/10 at 10:00pmHang in there Matt...
'Take me out tonight where's there's music and there's people and they're young and alive.'
#85(Not As) Bad News
Posted: 10/14/10 at 11:42am
First, I want to thank everyone who has sent encouraging messages of support to me. I try to respond to everyone, but sometimes stuff falls through the cracks of my addled brain, so feel free to kick me in the ass if you don't hear from me.
Dad is IMPROVING! Slowly, to be sure, but he is awake, alert and moving his upper body. He's been weaned off the ventilator and can talk with his capped trach, but he's struggling big time with anxiety. Any time he gets into a seated position, he started hyperventilating and feels like he can't breath, even though everything indicates he is breathing normally and his oxygen levels are great. This has become a major roadblock and the anxiety and depression are dragging him so far behind in his therapy, the insurance is planning on kicking him out of his acute care facility (why do people think our health care system is acceptable?) and the physical rehab center he should be in won't take him until he's improved. Any day now, he might be moved to God-knows-where and we are scrambling to find a facility where he can continue treatment. My mother's at the end of her rope and trying to calm her is becoming a daily battle. Meanwhile, I've adopted their dog so she has a bit more freedom in her mobility. She really needs to spend less time at the hospital. I think they are becoming codependent and it's harming them both in the end. I'm going to try and give her a break tomorrow and spend the day with my dad (he's in the suburbs, so it's very difficult for me to get out there unless I take their car).
Anyway, three steps forward...two steps back...
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Updated On: 10/14/10 at 11:42 AM
#86(Not As) Bad News
Posted: 10/14/10 at 11:49amGood news is still good news, even with attendant problems. So glad to hear your dad is improving.
Q
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/3/05
#87(Not As) Bad News
Posted: 10/14/10 at 11:59am
Thanks for the update. Looking at the 'bottom line', you're still coming out ahead, so that's a good thing!
Best of luck as you deal with the continuing issues with his care. Feel free to raise a little hell within the system - they need to hear it, and it will relieve some of your tension 
#88(Not As) Bad News
Posted: 10/14/10 at 12:56pm
It's very hard to see a parent struggling with anxiety or struggling to breathe. We're so used to our parents being the ones we rely on, we don't want them to become the ones who rely on us.
Those are awful moments when you realize that you have indeed become an adult. But you have and the greatest gift you can give back is to be there for them the way they were for you, and to smile despite it, because ultimately your smile may make him smile.
But it stinks. It just stinks.
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