TerryJ2
Well-Known Member
And the visit with-the psychiatrist today didn't go well. difficult child had a meltdown and the psychiatrist is considering lithium. Lots of decisions to make. He is going to talk to the therapist first.
I haven't posted a lot about my dad lately, but the most recent development as of Friday was that I was going to fly to MN and my dad would be placed at a neat ranch for Alzheimer's pts 2 hrs from my little sister, and we'd rent a cabin, so we could write and drink wine and visit Dad.
Not going to happen. (And amazing that she could find humor in this, too! I well remember that incident.)
HI,This is a sad email to write, but dad isn't doing well-- and they need to sedate him more for comfort care-- he is failing to thrive. This is often how it goes at this stage-- faster than any other stage.
He may not make it more then a few weeks, maybe less. The good news is, he's 91 and what a life! It helps to look at this that way. For me at least.
I'm going to talk to the dr and to the social worker again tomorrow, (I talked to the psychiatrist, internist and social worker today), about moving dad to a hospice area in the hospital or if he is maintaining, to a nursing home-- close, where I can be there a lot. We talked in detail about the use of morphine during this process. So, we will not have the opportunity for him to go to LakevVIew Ranch.
If I were to speak for dad, I think he's done with this disease. If he had his choice on care for him, he would not be living like this. The most important thing is that he is at peace and pain free. I am at peace after watching this for this long-- I do not want him to suffer. So, although dad made me wait until after he finished his sandwich to get me stitches when Terry dropped the bed on my finger, I am going to make a swift decision that he should suffer no pain or anxiety at this stage. So, no feeding tube--- which I know for certain none of you would want to do anyway. We need to let him go.
There's not much else to tell you. If he makes it longer, every day is good-- but I wanted you to know what I know. Anyone is welcome to come here at any time. He will most likely be asleep but
you would see him. So, if that's something you want to do, you certainly have a place to stay. This is not an easy thing to see right now-- if you don't want this memory he would be the first to understand.
If anyone wants to talk to the doctors it should probably be by conference call-- There are two doctors, and four of you. You could arrange it and I could get you numbers if you want. There's not much to say at this point though-- he will almost certainly be moved on Thursday. I will keep you posted, and just know the goal is peace for dad.
I haven't posted a lot about my dad lately, but the most recent development as of Friday was that I was going to fly to MN and my dad would be placed at a neat ranch for Alzheimer's pts 2 hrs from my little sister, and we'd rent a cabin, so we could write and drink wine and visit Dad.
Not going to happen. (And amazing that she could find humor in this, too! I well remember that incident.)
HI,This is a sad email to write, but dad isn't doing well-- and they need to sedate him more for comfort care-- he is failing to thrive. This is often how it goes at this stage-- faster than any other stage.
He may not make it more then a few weeks, maybe less. The good news is, he's 91 and what a life! It helps to look at this that way. For me at least.
I'm going to talk to the dr and to the social worker again tomorrow, (I talked to the psychiatrist, internist and social worker today), about moving dad to a hospice area in the hospital or if he is maintaining, to a nursing home-- close, where I can be there a lot. We talked in detail about the use of morphine during this process. So, we will not have the opportunity for him to go to LakevVIew Ranch.
If I were to speak for dad, I think he's done with this disease. If he had his choice on care for him, he would not be living like this. The most important thing is that he is at peace and pain free. I am at peace after watching this for this long-- I do not want him to suffer. So, although dad made me wait until after he finished his sandwich to get me stitches when Terry dropped the bed on my finger, I am going to make a swift decision that he should suffer no pain or anxiety at this stage. So, no feeding tube--- which I know for certain none of you would want to do anyway. We need to let him go.
There's not much else to tell you. If he makes it longer, every day is good-- but I wanted you to know what I know. Anyone is welcome to come here at any time. He will most likely be asleep but
you would see him. So, if that's something you want to do, you certainly have a place to stay. This is not an easy thing to see right now-- if you don't want this memory he would be the first to understand.
If anyone wants to talk to the doctors it should probably be by conference call-- There are two doctors, and four of you. You could arrange it and I could get you numbers if you want. There's not much to say at this point though-- he will almost certainly be moved on Thursday. I will keep you posted, and just know the goal is peace for dad.