Finally back...

Well, it's been a long two weeks since I last blogged and a lot has happened in-between.


Dad went to the hosptial emergency room on March 25 with sever lower abdominal pain. A cat-scan was done and nothing definitive showed up. Dad was treated for his pain for two days and was sent home with pain medication. We do know that there are bladder issues, so the presumption is that the pain is a symptom of what is going on with his bladder.


Over this two weeks, Dad has been to the hospital in Round Rock and the same thing happened...he was sent home with pain medication. Last Thursday, Mom and Jean took Dad to his physician in Marble Falls because he was having a related pain issue and the doctor wanted to put Dad back in the hospital, but Dad refused. He insisted on being taken back home, and at home he will remain. Dad does not want any treatment, other than for his pain. So be it.


It is amazing how quickly Dad has declined over the past two weeks. He is being kept on pain medication 24 hours a day, with a stronger med at night because that seems to be when his pain is worse. We have 24-hour care with him and have, as of today, called in Hospice. None of us know how this will go, but we wanted Hospice to be involved so that we are doing everything right. There will now be a Hospice nurse that visits at least once a week and a Hospice aide who will come 2 times a week, to start with, to bathe Dad. The aide is another pair of eyes to watch for bed sores or any other issue that we might miss.


Dad hasn't much appetite, but I think a lot of that is due to the pain medication. His taste buds have changed over the past few months and very few things taste good to him, and he is very conscious of the consistency of foods. Things like mashed potatoes or soft vegetables don't suit him at all. So, every couple of hours we offer him things that we think he will eat. Mom has been making him fruit smoothies and he will usually drink those.


I have basically moved in , for now. None of us knows what to expect, but Mom is so emotionally and physically tired that I want to be here for the every-day-type decisions and duties and to support her in any way I possibly can. Jean spelled me last night so I could go home and have a night with Ollie and our grandson, Austin. All we can do is take one day at a time, but I plan to be here as long as I feel like Mom needs me. I praise God that I have such a supportive and self-sufficient husband who understands that he married a Momma's baby!


I am so comforted that our precious Lord has Dad in His loving hands and that He knows the perfect time for Dad to join HIm in Heaven. Until then, I faithfully believe that He is guiding us to take the best care of Dad here at home. "For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end." (Psalm 48:14)


I will do my best to keep you posted on Dad's condition. I know you will continue to keep Dad and Mom in your prayers. Jean, Glenda, Danny and I, and all of our famiies are so grateful for that.


Lord, be merciful on our Father and give him peace. Amen.