Just a note. On the previous status update, I made a little typo. Mom got the call from ER at 2 am, not 2 pm.
Dad spent the better part of two weeks in ICU. He was in so much pain that they had to sedate him. They used the Michael Jackson drug we were told. He had tubes everywhere. He was conscious that first day, but after speaking to him on Friday, he has no memory of that time. He was also intubated and restrained. As the nurse described, anyone who is intubated is tied down because is would just be natural to want to pull it out.
Well, they needed to bring him out of sedation to help with something like his blood pressure. I am unclear on what specifically. Nonetheless, he was brought out of sedation and was very uncomfortable with the tube. Somehow he managed to free his hands and he pulled it out. Everyone was shocked, but they decided to just keep him free of the breathing tube.
From this point on he was conscious, but a little loopy. He insisted that Cheryl had a dog and that Mike was making a cage for that dog on their speed boat. There were other moments of weirdness as well. When we asked the nurse about it, she called it ICU psychosis. Also, his kidneys stopped functioning during this time so she also suggested that because the kidneys were not filtering the blood that the medicine was still affecting him.
Also during this time, we were told that he would possibly need dialysis three times a week for the rest of his life. They put him on constant dialysis for a day or so, and then just a tube that they could bring the dialysis machine in for four hours a day. In another fit of loopiness, he managed to pull that tube out as well. But as it all worked out, his kidneys seem to be springing back.
He was moved to the ward last week. The initial doctor said that he would need to stay for 6 weeks to ensure that his kidneys were functioning well. Mom still felt that dad was having loopy moments. She mentioned it to the nurse and the nurse suggested that a bladder infection may be the result. They did the tests and dad's sanity returned.
He was told that he would have to walk up 7 steps if he wanted to go home because from the front landing to the first floor there are 7 steps. That was his goal. He achieved it quite quickly. He was then told that he would have to be off the IV antibiotics to be sent home. Well for goodness sakes, that man is a timex. He takes a licken' and keeps on ticken'. He came home on Friday.
When I called him, the first week was missing from his memory. I filled him in. For instance, he had not remembered Auntie Cathy or Uncle Ernie visiting him. Well, we thought this was the end, so EVERYONE was there.
Upon coming home, the cats didn't remember him. He is getting around alright, but he is staying on the first floor. The doctors and dietitians have scared the spit out of him, so we hope that he will make some lifestyle changes for the better.
All in all, my dad is better. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers.
He obviously has not completed what he needs to complete in this life. God has a greater plan for him. I am eager to find out what it is.
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