The posts in the Check it Out forum about two greats who have passed away only brought me down further today.
The third will be My Father. He has between five and seven days, depending on his strength.
Last Saturday night, he fell and broke his hip while being transferred from his wheelchair and bed by the CNA who was aiding him. We've reviewed the incident, and she even showed us how it happened, and we cannot fault her in this. Perhaps a change in policy at the home, but I digress.
He was admitted for a broken femur, high enough to be considered a hip break, but they soon found that he had pneumonia, and put him on antibiotics. He's been on them off and on ever since, along with morphine to manage his pain, and occasionally something for his stomach, which has been upset. He cannot eat anything because he's lost what little gag reflex he had left after the strokes, but hasn't had any new ones.
All in all, it's only a matter of time. We've decided against a feeding tube, because it will only lengthen his pain, and we know he doesn't want to be kept alive like that.
My younger sister is out here from Nebraska along with my niece, and most if not all of his siblings (2 sisters and 4 brothers) are coming out this weekend to see him. It's going to be hectic for the next week or so.
My Father was a great man. I know most people feel that way, but I can't help but compare to others. He may not have done anything notable to the rest of the world, but he taught me right from wrong as well as the values that I hold dear.
D and I are going to pick up the paperwork on Monday and, if my Uncle is willing, have him perform a simple ceremony at his bedside so he can be present. Hopefully he'll be lucid enough to realize what's happening. I know it'll make him smile.
Thank you all for letting me vent a bit.
Eric the Grey
The third will be My Father. He has between five and seven days, depending on his strength.
Last Saturday night, he fell and broke his hip while being transferred from his wheelchair and bed by the CNA who was aiding him. We've reviewed the incident, and she even showed us how it happened, and we cannot fault her in this. Perhaps a change in policy at the home, but I digress.
He was admitted for a broken femur, high enough to be considered a hip break, but they soon found that he had pneumonia, and put him on antibiotics. He's been on them off and on ever since, along with morphine to manage his pain, and occasionally something for his stomach, which has been upset. He cannot eat anything because he's lost what little gag reflex he had left after the strokes, but hasn't had any new ones.
All in all, it's only a matter of time. We've decided against a feeding tube, because it will only lengthen his pain, and we know he doesn't want to be kept alive like that.
My younger sister is out here from Nebraska along with my niece, and most if not all of his siblings (2 sisters and 4 brothers) are coming out this weekend to see him. It's going to be hectic for the next week or so.
My Father was a great man. I know most people feel that way, but I can't help but compare to others. He may not have done anything notable to the rest of the world, but he taught me right from wrong as well as the values that I hold dear.
D and I are going to pick up the paperwork on Monday and, if my Uncle is willing, have him perform a simple ceremony at his bedside so he can be present. Hopefully he'll be lucid enough to realize what's happening. I know it'll make him smile.
Thank you all for letting me vent a bit.
Eric the Grey
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