It’s Been an Insane Week
I haven’t been able to post anything new since Monday because my FIL is in the hospital again, and there’s still no sign of when he will be well enough to be released.
He was rushed to the hospital on Tuesday because of breathing problems, and he’s being given “breathing treatments” several times a day, but continues to sound as though he’s gasping for air.
He’s been a heavy smoker for most of his life, and even though he knows he’s in the hospital, on oxygen no less, he still tries to smoke. In the hospital! He actually will get out of bed and slide open the window in his room and start smoking. We’ve since confiscated his hidden stash, so that won’t be happening again.
According to what the doctors are saying, it appears that we must begin searching for 24-hour nursing care for my FIL, as he just can’t be left alone for any period of time now. These are the of type situations that make me feel bad that I’m not a stay-at-home mom, so I could take care of him instead of strangers stepping in and doing for him, but it’s just not possible at this point.
With both my husband and I working full-time, it’s rather difficult to get in contact with the doctor at the hospital to get some clear answers. The nurses are of NO help, with their comments that we just “need to talk to the doctor”. Well, put him on the friggin phone!
Anyway, I apologize for the slow posting schedule, and hopefully things around here will balance out in a way that I have the needed time to write. Cheers!
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I’m sorry to hear you’re going through this. We went through the same thing with my father in law a couple of years ago. It’s not very much fun. And you’re right. The nurses are NO help.
Hi Lynnae, it’s really a tough situation. Unfortunately, there aren’t any others in the family that have been much help, so we’re carrying the full load ourselves. Whatever my FIL needs is what he’s going to get.
I loved looking around your blog. You have an excellent blog. I’ll be back!
Trey, what a nice compliment! Thank you so much! I look forward to your continued participation here.
I’m commiserating with you from a distance…
Your FIL is a lucky man to have you there for him.
Your father-in-law is a lucky guy. Nice and caring daughter-in-laws are few and far between. I hope his health improves soon.
Thanks guys. Watching his health rapidly decline over the last five or six years has been really hard. We’re coming to the realization that he likely won’t be with us for much longer, probably within a year or so.
At the hospital last night, during the couple of hours we were there with him, he must have asked five or six times “Where are my keys?” Not remembering that we told him each time that my husband has his keys safe and secure.
That sort of thing has been happening more and more lately, not being able to remember things he’d asked five minutes before.
He isn’t eating properly, as he says nothing tastes good anymore. But, he doesn’t have any problem with the taste of chocolate or other sugary sweets. That’s pretty much all he eats, so we don’t buy that stuff to try and get him to eat healthy. It doesn’t work very well, because he has friends that continue to supply him with the junk.
I realize that certain medications can alter the taste of foods, making them not taste quite the same anymore, but it’s interesting that sugary junk doesn’t seem to be affected at all. Argh.
He refuses to eat the hospital food (it actually tastes pretty darn good!), but will ask my husband to bring him some hershey bars. Nope, not gonna do it. He instead brought him some grilled chicken strips, but after taking two bites he refused to eat anymore. Again, Argh!
Hi Lin,
Whew, insane weeks … I know how that goes. I’m sorry to hear about your Father-in-law, I hope his condition improves. As for your last line … lol, bloggers … why do we always feel the need to apologize when life keeps us off the computer for a few days? For some of us, that might not necessarily always be such a bad thing
Talk to you again soon,
Todd
Todd you’re right. There are definite advantages of not posting very frequently (like every friggin day), so I no longer am sorry.
I had a crazy day, must be a full moon…lol..hope things get better…;)
meemOe, I hope yours improves too!
Sounds like a tough time for your family. Hopefully, things work out ok … well as ok as you can reasonably expect.
And, gees, aren’t smokers determined to have their puff?
Hi Ian, yes he certainly is determined to have his smokes. Thanks for the well wishes.
I hope he gets better! Smoking is such an inbelievable addiction. My Mom still smokes even though she watched her sister die of lung cancer. I don’t get it.
Yeah, it’s pretty rough to watch this happen. As of today, he’s still in the hospital and I’m off to go see him since it’s my day off work.
I am sorry it took so long to get over here and wish him well. I hope you are getting a little break though, I know life has been crazy for you. Thinking of ya.