Dad Update

Thank you all for your prayers and concerns regarding my dad. By many requests, an update on him as well!! :>)

I saw him Monday, yes, I wobbled, crawled, strolled with my walker but made it! haha! We thought he was suppose to have burr surgery (drill holes in head to remove fluid in the brain). Ouch! So Sonia (who arrived AM) and I (arrived around noon) sat in the hospital until 8 PM just to find out many more tests and procedures were needed to stabilize him before the surgery.

Naturally this was frustrating, all of these issues preventing surgery existed from the previous week. Like the week they scheduled the surgery! So, we sat there, asking questions, giving thoughts, requesting tests.

We did sneak to the cafeteria for lunch and dinner. The first time, Sonia patiently waited for me as I rolled the halls with my walker, short of breath...obviously out of shape! Dinner was different! We found a wheelchair!! Not being a Hospital Candy Striper like myself, Sonia had me to the cafeteria in no time, we learned to go real slow! haha! The whole time, me keeping my hands and toes tucked as she hit several corners, got us stuck entering the elevator and in tight corners! But it was so nice to have a ride! I felt bad for her as she seems to never catch a break from her mommy life. When she is not with the kids, she is at the hospital with my dad, brushing his teeth, cleaning his hands, clipping his nails and feeding him. Then I show up and her lunch away from my dad and her kids is getting me from point A to B, helping me get my meals and so forth. Calgon...take her away!!

On Wednesday he appeared much more alert,but he was not. He often thought he was working or in Mexico where he grew up. It was sad and heart wrenching. He talked of the University of Michigan hospital with me and my surgery as if I was not there.

His lung was drained of fluid which is currently being tested. The doctors said there was a lot of fluid not just a little. His platelet counts continue to drop, again...still searching why. A painful bone marrow test will be done, hopefully this will provide answers. Antibiotics were given in case he developed an infection. But the edema in his feet looked a lot better! He was finally allowed to eat again, they cut his foods off Sunday,"preparing for surgery." I'm sure he was happy about that!

As soon as his is "stable" again, they will resume with surgery.

Going on five long weeks in the hospital, it's obvious he's fighting hard. I pray the fight gives him a chance to live life with quality.