Update on my dad

Dear Robin,

My thoughts are with you and your Dad.

Wishing the very best for your Dad and your family.

Leigh

Dear Robin -- My heart goes out -- again-- to you and your family. I am so sorry and hope you can all find comfort and peace. I've been off line afew days; that is why this is delayed -- in support -- Susan

Robin,

I am sorry to hear things have progressed so quickly. Your idea of using the hospice facility is probably a wise decision. I know how you feel about his being proud, we always made sure my dads hair was combed and he looked presentable, as he always did. I too spent 7 days at hospice with my dad, on morphine, they have family rooms that you can spend the night in with a bed situation, open out couch.We slept in my dads room 2 nites with him,and the rest in the family room. They have kitchens as well, whatever it takes to be near him..All in all your loosng your dad, which is something none of us deal with very well. I will pray for you that you have strength in the coming days, and my heart goes out to you,,
Lovingly, Ginger

Robin, my husband would get delirious when he had a urinary tract infection whenever he ran a slight fever. Right now he is in the hospital with pneumonia and strangely enough even with a fever and extreme sleepiness he is oriented. So there is something about kidney/bladder problems that seems to increase the disorientation.
I am sorry your Dad is in such discomfort. I learned when my Dad was dying that Hospice could start even when he was in the hospital. They became much more focused on comfort rather than treatment.
Julie

Thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts and wishes. My dad is allergic to morphine...so there's no morphine to look at. He does have a Fentanyl patch and takes Dilaudid for break through pain. We talked to the nursing staff yesterday regarding the Dilaudid and they have reduced it by half. The oral meds that he takes for pain have been changed in the last week, so I'm not even sure what they are right now. I called hospice today with questions and will speak with their intake nurse tomorrow. I spent a few hours at the hospital this afternoon and am heading back there soon. I had to come home to wash some clothes for work (only two more days for me!! I am a media specialist at a middle school) and make sure that things are okay around the house. It seems like I haven't been here in ages. Anyway...I am just rambling now. I need to be there for my mom and for my dad. In fact, there is NO WHERE else I want to be right now. I'll check in later. Thanks again...and Happy Father's Day to all of you.
Robin

Robin,

After reading alot of the other posts regarding meds...When my husband was hospitalized last month they had him on Oxcontin 80 mg. This drug really messed up his mind...he was relatively unconcious, not getting out of bed etc...I also agree that looking at the meds is a good idea...my husband does much better on the Dilaudid and Fentanyl for instance...

My best to you,
Karen