Works4me
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Someone responded to your personal ad - a German Shepherd named Tara wants to have you for dinner...
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Post by Works4me on Dec 18, 2013 18:40:53 GMT -5
Starting a new thread because I cannot figure out how to alter the header on my last thread - lol!
Anyway, my father may have at least one more Energizer Bunny left to pull out of his hat. It looks like the entire problem has been caused by an urinary tract infection which exacerbated his swallowing and palate issues which led to aspiration pneumonia. He is more alert and able to answer questions. He is still having problems swallowing, is not as alert as he was previously, and is extremely weak but all of this is not unexpected given a UTI and pneumonia in a man of his age/condition. He failed an initial swallowing test yesterday and they will be monitoring him closely as hopefully continues to improve and re-testing him.
The difference less than 24 hours can make still amazes me - yesterday I was looking at needing to make end of life decisions regarding tube feeding and today it looks like he may be bouncing back. Anyone want to make book on how many more Energizer Bunnies he has stashed? My current count is at 6 or 7 - lol.
Thank to all of you for being my virtual family and friends. I am amazed at how much you have come to mean to me.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Dec 18, 2013 18:44:56 GMT -5
The both of you hang in there.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Dec 18, 2013 18:45:12 GMT -5
So good to hear
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Dec 18, 2013 18:45:48 GMT -5
I'm glad the news is better, Sarahjese. Sending good thoughts for you and your Dad.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2013 18:46:13 GMT -5
Glad to hear it
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Dec 18, 2013 18:46:22 GMT -5
I'm glad he's rebounding!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2013 18:49:30 GMT -5
I'm so glad to hear that SarahJ! You must be so incredibly relieved! A belated happy birthday to you. I'm sorry, I'm sure you didn't have a great day, dealing with that. I think this is common in elderly patients. I know my BFF had the same problem with her mom (my "second mom"). I don't know why urinary tract infections wreak such havoc on the elderly, but apparently they do. If you want to change the heading of a thread you started, you need to go to the first post (the one you started) and click "edit". If you do that, you can edit the header too. (I'm NOT saying you should do that, just trying to help for next time.)
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Works4me
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Someone responded to your personal ad - a German Shepherd named Tara wants to have you for dinner...
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Post by Works4me on Dec 18, 2013 19:04:08 GMT -5
Thank you for the information Debthaven2 - not going to bother with it now but good to know for next time. And yes, I am greatly relieved - not only that he did not die on my birthday but also that it looks like he will pull through this. I know it is selfish of me but I don't want to lose him yet even though I want what is best for him - does that make any sense?
Thank you again Tennesseer, WhoIsJohnGalt, DannyLion, CopperBoxes, TheCaptain, and everyone else for your positive thoughts and prayers!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2013 19:07:35 GMT -5
It makes TOTAL sense!
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Bonny
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Post by Bonny on Dec 18, 2013 20:05:02 GMT -5
my father, ...the Energizer Bunny
fixed! Congratulations!
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busymom
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Post by busymom on Dec 18, 2013 20:12:49 GMT -5
Sarah, that is GREAT news!
I understand what you're going through. My own Mom has been up & down the last couple of years. I've been told at least twice by doctors that she wouldn't recover, but she's hanging in there!
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Works4me
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Someone responded to your personal ad - a German Shepherd named Tara wants to have you for dinner...
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Post by Works4me on Dec 18, 2013 20:31:00 GMT -5
In the mid 1990's he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure after almost dying - he thought it was a bad cold! Was the first time he had been in the hospital since his birth in 1930.
In 2001 he had an abdominal aortic aneurism repaired and then in 2004 he had 2 surgeries for bladder cancer.
Then he had a clogged aortic artery stinted and was not supposed to live through the summer of 2010 and then he was not supposed make it through the year.
He was again diagnosed as terminal in August of 2012 and put on Hospice at a nursing home - he did so well they took him off service in January 2013 because he was gaining weight and stable again.
Now this hospitalization for pneumonia and UTI - yet he seems to be recovering. As happy as I am to have him still with me, this constant death watch is exhausting! He does have vascular dementia and does not always know where he is or when it is but he always knows me, close friends and family - still lights up like a Christmas Tree for chocolate and loves a hot cup of coffee with a cigarette so he is still living.
Strangest part is we lost my mom back in 1991 and he said he really expected to go first. Life really is unpredictable! If the boy didn't smoke (2 packs per day of unfiltered cigarettes from age 18 to 82, still 1 or 2 per day) he would bury us all!
ETA - Bonnie - I LOVE IT!
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taz157
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Post by taz157 on Dec 18, 2013 20:34:39 GMT -5
sarah - Great news on your dad!
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Dec 18, 2013 20:56:25 GMT -5
Sarah I'm so glad your news is better about your Dad. I hope he continues to rebound.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Dec 18, 2013 21:00:12 GMT -5
Wonderful news. Maybe your dad has cat DNA and that means that there are a couple more "bunnies" left in him. I'm wishing for a quick recovery for your dad.
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Opti
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Post by Opti on Dec 18, 2013 21:09:00 GMT -5
Good news. UTIs can slow down middle-aged people after surgery so not surprised this is affecting him. Hopefully he'll recover quickly from this and have more life and joy to go. Glad to hear things are looking up.
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Timberwolf
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Post by Timberwolf on Dec 18, 2013 22:04:24 GMT -5
He wanted to celebrate another Christmas - good for him!
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sapphire12
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Post by sapphire12 on Dec 19, 2013 0:04:25 GMT -5
Excellent news SarahJ.
Will continue to keep you and your dad in my thoughts and prayers.
Yes, I understand completely about not wanting to lose your dad, but also wanting what is best for him.
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Dec 19, 2013 11:02:06 GMT -5
I'm so happy for the good news! What a rough time you've had lately, and right around the first anniversary of your best friend's daughter's death too Lots of virtual hugs. If lunch with me and Babybird would help, let me know and I'll be glad to make the drive.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2013 11:05:34 GMT -5
Glad to hear your Dad is bouncing back!
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Dec 19, 2013 11:08:07 GMT -5
Wonderful news. Maybe your dad has cat DNA and that means that there are a couple more "bunnies" left in him. I'm wishing for a quick recovery for your dad. Or kittens/cats? I'm so glad to hear he's doing better. I was hoping for an update.
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Dec 19, 2013 11:26:48 GMT -5
Awesome, your dad will be here to celebrate another holiday, and be a pain in the butt! (jk on the second one).
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Dec 19, 2013 11:29:29 GMT -5
Good news sarahjese, thanks for the update...
I remember my late MIL's last couple of years. I did call her the "Energizer Bunny". We'd go see her and leave convinced that was the last time, then the next time we saw her, she'd be 200% improved. People are truly amazing.
I'm glad your dad rallied - hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday with him.
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Works4me
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Someone responded to your personal ad - a German Shepherd named Tara wants to have you for dinner...
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Post by Works4me on Dec 19, 2013 21:24:01 GMT -5
Unfortunately my father is not doing as well today - he was in pain last night so they gave him morphine and he is still sleeping this afternoon but at least he is not in pain.
The doctor says his pneumonia is infiltrating/worsening. He still cannot swallow and is barely able to speak but is cognizant and tries to cooperate with his care as much as possible. To me, he appears to be shrinking away a little more each day.
Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers - my biggest wish continues to be for strength and wisdom to seek what is best for him, even if it is time for him to go home to God.
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Opti
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Post by Opti on Dec 19, 2013 21:35:10 GMT -5
Sarahjese, keep the faith. Since the UTI is complicating it and you have the pneumonia issue its not uncommon for there to be good days and bad days. I see it every day I'm at the subacute facility. I'll keep both of you in my prayers. Try to take it one day at a time knowing its common for bad and good days to follow each other.
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Jaguar
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Fear does not stop death. It stops life.
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Post by Jaguar on Dec 19, 2013 21:36:25 GMT -5
Your both in my thoughts and prayers.
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sapphire12
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Post by sapphire12 on Dec 19, 2013 21:37:13 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that Sarah J. I will pray that God's will be done as far as your father. Regardless of the outcome, you will get through this difficult time. Take care of yourself and keep us posted.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Dec 19, 2013 22:40:53 GMT -5
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ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Dec 19, 2013 22:48:05 GMT -5
So sorry you're dealing with this, Works4me . About all we can do for our loved ones when they're reaching their last time here before moving on to their next life, is the love and comfort we can provide for them to get them through this life and on to their next journey.
My thoughts are with you.
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Dec 19, 2013 22:52:19 GMT -5
Sarah, I'm sorry, hon. These ups and downs are so very difficult to watch. It was great to read he was doing so much better. Then, I read he'd taken another downward turn. Just hang in there as best you can. You love him and he knows that. That's the best we have to give.
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