Tonight's picture was taken on St. Patrick's Day of 2009. Mattie received these cute shamrock glasses and headband from Team Mattie. We were headed that day to the outpatient clinic and before we left, Mattie got in the holiday spirit.
Quote of the day: Courage isn’t having the strength to go on, it is going on when you don’t have the strength. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte
It was quite the day. We got to the hospital before 10am. When I walked into my dad's room he wasn't even out of bed. He was in the clothes he went to bed with and by his side was a speech therapist. She was working with him on a couple of brain games. Though I was happy someone was with him and stimulating his mind, I was annoyed that I got there so early when I am SO SO tired.
Of course as soon as my dad saw me he was ready to go home. Which of course he couldn't do as he still had an IV in his arm and we had to go through the discharge process with his nurse. So while waiting for the nurse to pull paperwork together, I washed my dad's head, face, and hands, brushed his teeth and shaved him. I wasn't allowed to get him out of bed, so I literally put him at the edge of the bed and changed his clothes. What I did not realize was that NO ONE changed his depends since the day before. I learned that the hard way when I took my dad into the car. He smelled absolutely awful and was soaked.
For the past couple of days, my dad's blood pressure has been very high. In the 180's to be exact. They added a new blood pressure med yesterday, but given that my dad's blood pressure was 181/81 upon discharge, my mom and I were concerned that the new med wasn't working. In my opinion it would be nice to have a cardiac patient stabilized before taking him home! I know, too much to ask! Regardless of our stated concerned he was discharged. I am NOT happy.
In addition to not being happy, I am exhausted. I have a very short wick right now and the slightest stuff will make me start screaming. I packed up my dad's room and dealt with his non-stop questions. He was particularly focused on a walker in the room and wanted to take it home. Not happening as it belonged to the hospital. It is answering his non-stop questions when I am tired that really sends me over the deep end.
We transferred my dad into the car and my mom wanted to go out to lunch. I am not sure where I found the inner strength for that, but I did it, and carted my dad along. However, before leaving the hospital parking lot I contacted the cardiology office to report the high blood pressure. Needless to say they want to see him tomorrow morning. Naturally! Not sure why the hospital did not understand our concerns.
Of course coming home has its challenges. First of which was 6 prescriptions needed to be filled. Thankfully Peter did that, while I got my dad situated. I am now taking his blood pressure every two hours and recording it. Also funny as how many families actually own a blood pressure cuff? I love when hospitals send you home whether you are prepared or not. The hospital said that my dad's in home care team would be on the scene tomorrow to help me (since I know all about home care, I know darn well that these professionals don't stick around long enough to help with day to day issues). Of course in home care can't come on Friday because I have to take my dad to the cardiologist in the morning. Which means that I have to figure out transferring, up and down stairs, and a shower all on my own. Luckily I have these skills but not every person does. No regard for family and caregiver stress whatsoever!
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