Heart Failure, Alzheimer's and Acne

I feel like getting under the bed. This morning I took my father to his doctor who was amazed that my father has rebounded and stabilized -- not currently in heart failure. Of course my father was surprised to hear that he'd ever been in heart failure. I think he thought heart failure equals a heart attack. The doctor made the remark that attitude and will have a lot to do with survival for old people and people with cancer. My father has even gained five pounds and his bloodwork, etc. was great. So that was good, though my father complained that he's too tired to work out and that he didn't think what he was doing for strength training was working.

The last time I went to visit my father I found him doing laps with his walker in the parking lot. He was about to keel over, but he was doing laps.

My father complained to the doctor that he couldn't walk very far anymore. The doctor said, "You should be grateful for whatever distance you can walk." That doesn't compute with my father. The doctor said, "You look great. There's no change."

My father said, "That's terrible. I want to get better." He doesn't know that the doctor predicted over a year ago that my father wouldn't live until 7/07. He still believes he can get better and that the power is in his hands, if only he would work out more. I wish I had those genes, or those delusions.

My father insisted that we go to the hospice meeting early so I could practice being early (enough already!). We sat in the car and drank Cokes and talked. The meeting turned out to be very important. Those hospice people (a Lutheran group) are really wonderful. My father, the activist, had decided that since my mother's teeth hurt (they are falling apart -- I understand that sometimes happens at her age -- I mean, you go there one day and the tooth that was there the day before has broken off. It's quite shocking.) My mother is on painkillers for it as the goal right now is for her to be at peace and not hurting. Anyway, my father has decided that my mother needs all kinds of dental work. He's been agitating about it so much that he found a dentist to come in to do it. Hospice informed us of the risks and probable lack of benefits. They brought in their doctor to talk to us about it. Saintly Brother and I put the brakes on this scheduled tooth pulling (Non-Saintly Brother wasn't there, though I saw him in traffic later). We'll meet with the dentist and the social worker next week to see if Mama is (1) in pain that needs different treatment and (2) what on earth is the plan here?

Then I had to rush to take Lily to the dermatologist. For acne.

Whiplash here in the sandwich generation. But all are getting good care and sometimes that's the best you could possibly wish for.

Comments

[Katie]

Anne! From what I've read, you do such a great job with your whole family! Its great that your father has a positive attitude!

I'll be praying for you!

[Angry]

You and your family are uppermost in my thoughts, Anne.