Here is Pop in the Hospital. Last Wednesday night, I dreamt that he had passed. I had two funeral services on Friday. For some reason I went to visit him with daughter K the next night (Thirsday) and also to take his new lambs wool rug to make him more comfortable. When we walked in the room at the Aged Care (ASL) his bed was lowered almost to the floor. He had a temperature of 38.6, they gave him panadol. His eyes couldn’t open. He couldn’t speak.
I phoned daugher B, she arrived within 10 minutes. Within an hour his temperature went to 40.6. They called a locum (local doctor) who was given the run down. He then said to the 3 of us, that he has an infection – not knowing where from. Given the state of his MSA & Parkinson’s, we had 2 choices. Take him to hospital to give him antibiotics, but given his state not to put wires and tubes in him as it would be too stressful for him. The other choice, to leave him in the home and let nature take its course…
I phoned my brother, he is of a different mindset to me, I said no he goes to Hospital. The ambulance came and us 3 girls went to the hospital where he had X-rays and blood tests. Mum didn’t come, half understanding, half not. She cried and hugged him as we left, saying she can’t live without him, as we all thought…
We all stayed till 2am. I couldn’t stop crying, either could my girls. Telling him he’s not going anywhere and to stay until I returned from the services and fight.I crawled into bed at 4, then up at 8 to do the funerals…this was not easy.
Back to the Hospital with K as soon as I was done. When I walked in, he opened his eyes a little more and started crying. As K went outside for a little, tears were unstoppable, I lay on his bed holding him, his speech still barely audible. I told him how much I love him. He started to cry saying “I don’t want to go”… I told him how I couldn’t have asked for a better father and pa to my girls. How proud of him I am, how he has accomplished so much in his life and much more. All this through so many tears.
B came in, his grandson, wife & their baby & Mr.S. Mr S doesn’t cope well with hospitals, remembering how his mum passed in one.
Mr.S took K back home, I slept at B’s. Back to the hospital at 7:15. Pop is more lucid, though not conversations. He has a catheter in and about to has had 3 enemas, (as he hasn’t been for 6 days).
His temperature is normal, BP a little low. I washed him, brushed his teeth and gave him a shave, (Santa has come early) as you will see.
He sleeps on and off and can open his eyes more. By mid morning he was talking far more and I even got smiles from him. It’s a waiting game. If the infection doesn’t subside in another 12-24 hrs, they said their best option is to just make him comfortable and in no pain..
Mum phoned this morning (Saturday) “I was just thinking, if dad isn’t going to be sitting in the chair next to me, I want to move into a unit” she got angry when I tried to say no and hung up on me, she doesn’t understand what’s really going on.
Doctors just came in, aspiration pneumonia, swallowed liquid or food the wrong way and went into his trachea to his lungs (hence infection) and a bowel obstruction. I stayed till 12am as he didn’t want to be alone, having pain spasms every couple of minutes in his tummy. I held his hand as he squeezed hard, rubbed his tummy, told him to breathe through it.
It’s now 6:30am Sunday morning and I just came in again, he just woke up, but he’s not like yesterday, I sit beside him and hold his hand.
Sorry for the long post, I’ll be back reading, when I can.
Thoughts and hugs for pop please.
I know as I sit beside you
I don’t want you to go
Call it selfish of me
But this I really know
As I hugged you on your bed
And I spoke my words of love
You told me how you treasured me
Those words were more than enough
I’ll have you for as much as I can
As I can’t bare that you won’t be
But the circle of life will continue
In my work – that’s all I see
Our thoughts are with you and your family J.
Thank you so much R.
Welcome 🙂
Oh Sweet Jenny – love to you!
Thank you so much Jodi ❤️
I am sending the biggest, tightest of hugs.
Thank you very much darling ❤️
Hugs and thoughts to you and yours, Jen.
Thank you sweetheart. ❤️
Hugs, love and strength to you my darling Jen xxxx
Thank you darling, all needed ❤️ xxx
My thoughts are with you Jen, and your Handsome-Santa-Penguin-Pop and Mum. ❤
Thank you Colleen, yes he is a handsome man. Smiles. Thank you for all your kind wishes. ❤️
hugs and thoughts to all of you, i’m so glad that you have this chance to say things to him –
So am I darling. Thank you so much xx ❤️
Oh, Jen, your Pop looks so sweet and young! I am so sorry. My eyes teared up reading this. What a great relationship you have. I will pray for him. A gentle hug to him and a warm, comforting strong hug to you for your kindness, love and courage. xoxo
Thank you sweet Beth. He hasn’t one wrinkle for 88, I wish I could say the same.yes we have an extremely close bond, that’s why this will be so hard if….. Like it is with any one you love. Thank you for the hugs and love and support xxx❤️
Oh Jenny I am sending you lots of love and you are in my thoughts (hugs)
Thank you Yves, greatly appreciated ❤️ xx
Jen, sending you belated hugs and kisses xoxoxo for your Dad. May the medicine and I.V. therapy hold healing powers for him. Hope this is a type of virus which doctors may battle and overcome.
I wish there were a way to hold back time and it’s ravages on mind and body. This is so sad about your dear sweet-natured father. I am very sympathetic and hope you know I am one who would be willing to sit for hours with sick or hospitalized friends, neighbors or their family members. If only you or I lived closer. . . ♡♡♡♡
How nice would it be to have you here too. They are very long days, but I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else right now. He still has a rash which they don’t know what it is. You are right he is so sweet natured. Holding time….oh only if we could. Thank you sweetheart for your kind words, hugs & kisses. xxx❤️
Just stopped by again realizing time is passing. Hoping for the best news, rash gone, virus killed, etc. In past week, 4 grandies had their holiday concerts; one left to listen to. Kyah goes to a preschool which doesn’t allow specific holidays but will have a dress up day and a pajama day. Sending you cheery thoughts and lots more hugs. Sleep, rest, take care of self, too. ♡♡
Jen, just stopping by to say “Love you!” Take care and hope the silence does not mean something bad happening. Hugs, Robin xo ♡ If you are okay, Merry Christmas and hope you have a wonderful new year, 2016.
Sending you love and hugs, just been all this with my sister. Hope you have a better outcome that we did. But be strong and prepared. xxxx
Thank you lovely, I am trying too and I know the pain and anguish you must have gone through. Hugs ❤️ xxx
Thinking of you xx
Hugs – thank you xxx
Thoughts, hugs and prayers. ❤️
Thank you sweetheart for all 3 ❤️ xx
Sorry to here that your Dad is so unwell. My thoughts are with you and your family at the moment Jenny. Heather
Thank you Heather very much for your kindness & well wishes.
So very sorry prayers for all of you are being said and a big hug coming to you xo
Thank you so much for both xx❤️
Email me anytime miss our chats
Bless you sweetheart, I will try xx ❤️
My goodness your Dad looks young for 88–definite evidence of a life well-lived. My thoughts are with you and your family. Remember to occasionally take care of yourself in the midst of caring so for others. 🙂
Thank you love, I hope he can reach his 90th in July. He has the softest and wrinkle free skin for a man his age. I try, it can get chaotic, mum with dementia, pop with MSA and now the new baby.