Tuesday Update on Dad

Hello Family and Friends,

Yesterday (Monday) we decided that we should start the process of getting Dad home from the Rice Lake Convalescent Center.  So, I talked to the Social Worker about it and she said that we would have to have the doctor agree and we agree and then we can work that out.  

So, this morning (Tuesday) when I got up, I called Dr. McClelland, who agreed to take Dad as a patient when he left the hospital and headed for the nursing home/rehab.  I made an appointment for 11:20am.  Then I headed off to have breakfast with Dad at RLCC.  During breakfast Dad made a comment that this whole deal was missing one thing, a doctor.  Dad's right arm had a terrible bruise spreading from above his elbow to his hand.  So far, everyone has agreed that this is bleeding caused by the injuries to his arm from numerous IVs while in ICU compounded by the injections of Lovonox (heparin) and the oral Coumadin (blood thinner) medications.  It has started to bother Dad so it was another good reason to so see the doctor.

Okay, flash forward to the meeting with Dr. McClelland.  We brought her up to speed as to what Dad's recent history is all about and then she listened to his heart and did an EKG and we found out that Dad's heart is back out of rhythm & his heart rate is fast.  Dang!  She also looked at Dad's arm and said that if it becomes any more painful, she will stop the Lovonox injections and just work on getting Dad's blood to the anticoagulant level using Coumadin only.  Dr. McClelland has arranged for the Marshfield Coumadin Clinic to follow Dad when he leaves the RLCC and she will oversee this drug therapy.  Once he goes back to Iowa, it will all transfer back to the VA.

Dr. McClelland called the cardiologist, Dr. Alaoa, today and will consult with him about next steps for Dad.  This could mean another cardio-conversion (shock) or not.  This could mean a sleep study to see if he has sleep apnea, which may be causing his heart to go out of rhythm, or not.  This could mean just living with atrial fibrillation and using medications to keep the heart rate slower and keeping the blood anticoagulant at a therapeutic level.  Recommendations will be coming from the doctors tomorrow or the next day.

In the meantime...Dad will continue to be at the RLCC for Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy.  Dr. McClelland increased two medications Diltiazen & Metoprolol (I hope I have those drug names right) which will help slow down his heart rate and may allow his heart to return to normal sinus rhythm.  Due to his arm bruise, he won't do any more arm physical therapy but he will continue the legs and balance work to continue to build back his strength.

After the doctor's appointment we went for a very late lunch to The Rice Lake Family Restaurant, Dad's first chance to decide what to order being mindful of salt content and avoiding green leafy veggies.  We all three enjoyed a leisurely meal and visit and time to hash over all the doctor had told us.  Then we took a little drive along Lakeshore Drive along the North West edge of Rice Lake.  It was warm, windy and sunny and the lake was shining with diamonds, we saw some really nice homes and I had never been on that road until today.  We three enjoyed the outing today.

Then we took Dad back to his room and settled him in for a nap.  He will have dinner in his room tonight and Ev and I will stop up later for a little visit.

Dad feels pretty good, so we may look at moving Dad back here in a couple more days if he continues to get stronger and is more confident in moving around on his own.  We also have to work out the medications that he needs after he leaves RLCC as we want the VA to pay for those.

Okay, this was a very long update, but now you know everything I know.

Please let me know if you have any questions.  Greeting cards can be sent here to my address and I will deliver to Dad while he is at RLCC.

Thinking of those who were impacted by 9/11 eleven years ago and who continue to suffer the loss of loved ones.

Peace, out.