Wow, I’ve been busy running back and forth to my parents’ house and home that I haven’t been able to get on here. I finally found some time tonight (late night) while the hubby and baby are sleeping. I can’t remember what week this is. All I know is that my sister hasn’t been home for about a month now since Dad entered the hospital. We had that scare and we really thought we were going to lose him. So many of our friends and family were praying for him that I really believe that the man upstairs stepped in. Of course, Dad’s not out of the woods yet. He still has “partially resolved” pneumonia as indicated by his Xray last Tuesday. He’s due for another one this Tuesday. But I think we’ll take him today (it’s monday morning and I’m up late again!)

Surprise Recovery

Since we brought Dad home, my sister’s and our caregiver have done an excellent job rehabilitating him. Of course, I have a little girl so I haven’t been there 24 hours a day, but I’ll give myself some credit too (pat on back haha) for the time  that I have been able to devote to go over to the house. but I really think the key factors have been Josie, who directed and organized his pre and post treatment , my other sister and our caregiver. Their combined efforts have shocked the therapists and nurse that have come by the house to check on him. I really think had it no been for Josie’s diligence and the fact that she was really a pain in the behind to the hospital staff about providing correct care, our dad may have not had a chance. I’ll save my opinion on that for another post, but she really did a good job being his nurse.

Here’s a picture of Dad just the other day sitting with Mom. He looks so much better each day  I visit. Of course, he can’t stand the oxygen tubes in his nose, but I’m sure he’s getting used to them now.

When he’s not in the living room, we keep an eye on him with the video baby monitor.

We were given a Hoyer Lift to help with transfers. But so far, we haven’t had the need to use it. We probably will on days when Dad is not feeling good or can’t stand on his feet.

Challenges Ahead

Josie has been with him everyday for almost a month now, and so it’s of course, taken time from  our business. Our number one goal is for him to recover fully. However, we are going to need more help for him. Our caregiver would drop dead if she had to care for our mom and dad together with the needs he now has. The problem is, of course money. We’re a middle class family trying to make ends meet ourselves. If you’ve read my previous articles on the costs of caregiving and housing, it is a large financial burden. Hopefully, we can get our parents on medi-cal although I think they may make too much. But any help that we can get for them, we’re going to need in order to sustain our business (to also contribute to private caregivers).  We made a promise to our parents that we would never put them in a facility again, and so we will do everything we can do. Hopefully we can get some assistance from other members of our family.

Starting a new week this week. We’re crossing our fingers that the Xray goes well.