Sat, Feb 6, 2016

Last night, Mom and I left the hospital a little after 11:00 p.m. When we left, Dad was sitting in the recliner, watching TV. He wasn't tired yet.

We arrived this morning at the hospital at 8:45 a.m. It's an easy 35-minute drive from Barnesville.

12:43 p.m.

Dad will probably go home this afternoon. Another doctor stopped by late this morning to discuss leaving today. He said no medical reasons existed for Dad to remain in the hospital. Everything that the nurses are doing for Dad in the hospital can be done at home.

Dad walked around the floor around 11:30 am, and he did better. But he said that he feels more tired today than yesterday. He didn't eat as much yesterday as he ate on Thursday. He seems back to his normal way of eating which never appeared to be enough in the past.

At about 11:40 am, Mom and I were told to leave for an hour. A nurse was going to install a picc line into Dad's right arm. After the procedure, Dad will visit x-ray to ensure that the picc line was installed correctly. Mom and I ate a quick lunch, and now Mom is at the pharmacy, arranging Dad's medicine.

Early afternoon

We are back in the room. Dad is all set. He's waiting for lunch to arrive. Mom has the medicine, which includes the blood thinner and the pain reliever. He had been taking medicine to control his blood pressure, and that will continue. We are gathering things up in the room. I'm guessing that we will leave in an hour or two.

Mid-afternoon

Minnesota arrived about 20 minutes ago. The girls got to see Pap. We are now in the waiting room because Pap is getting dressed. We will be heading to Barnesville soon.

Mid-afternoon 2

Pap is dressed. Thin charcoal-colored sweater, jeans, and sneakers. Nurse removed leftover CCU bandages from his hands. Now the nurse is going over paperwork and medicines. And then we will leave.

4:24 p.m.

Dad is home. Fish got fed.

We arrived at the house at 4:20 pm.

Step 1 upon exiting the car was to take a little walk and get the mail. That was Dad's idea. It's a sunny day with a light wind and temps in the low 40s.

Step 2, enter house.

Step 3, feed fish.

Step 4, water indoor plants.

Step 5, lie down in bed.

He has been in hospitals, since last Friday, which meant a lot of time in bed. He's a little weak. It will take a few days to build strength. Being home and moving around more should help.

9:56 p.m.

Minnesota crew here. Uncle John and Ma got Pap all settled at home. Uncle John then left to go back to Toledo.

Pap ate some dinner and even came to the table with the rest of us. He ate pretty well and then took half a dose of Vicodin and has been resting.

Ma has been watching a movie snuggling the girls. She also just gave Pap his shot and like any new routine it takes time to feel comfortable with it.

A Home Health Nurse is coming to the house tomorrow and we will ask for another lesson in giving the shots.

Hopefully everyone gets some sleep tonight. Overall, Pap looks better than I expected.