Interfaith Group

At my request given concerns by my family with several doctors on my father's team, their minister got involved & likely saved my father's life.

The second surgery on the ulcer was successful. He was unable to eat though due to some unknown throat issue. Several doctors simply suggested that it was time for him to die. It was not.

After a new team came on board, a CT determined there was no stroke. A barium study did determine that he had a epiglotal spasm that prevented him from swallowing. They expected it to resolve but due to the ulcer they could not give him a feeding tube. They instead gave him IV feeding. Within 2 days, he was strong enough to fight off the pneumonia. His ulcer surgery has held and there is no further bleeding. They have advised that the risk of stroke is lower than the risks of more ulcers so he is off the cumodin permanently.

He has been downgraded from critical and has left the ICU as of Friday. He will be in a rehab facility by the end of this week. He is stronger and very alert. His voice is returning as is his ability to swallow and now eat. We had a difficult but necessary family phone conference this morning about the fact that my mother is simply to old herself to care for my father even if he bounces back from this critical period. Thankfully they planned ahead for this and the senior apartments they live in has an elevated care assisted living facility attached via a separate wing. He will likely move into a single room there post rehab. My mother can literally walk through the second building and then through to the adjacent wing to see him any time they desire. I know he would love to go back to their apartment together but sadly, I fear that will not be a reality now.

My S.O. and I will plan at least a visit after the flu season dies down some in the coming months. While there we will also look for a place to live with more earnest. I have accepted that 'not this time' but 'soon' is coming. I want the chance for us to spend the last months or years together if we can make it happen.

I may not check in a for a short while. The level of poutrage on DU has become a bit much for me given what we are going through. I will touch base when I am able but starting Monday, I feel I need a break from this place.

Thanks y'all.