For our friends and family who haven't been aware of Dad's situation, I was thinking it might be good to have the story of how we got to where we are today...
On 5/1/07 Dad went in to the hospital for open heart surgery. After 5 heart attacks, he gave into the prompting of doctors and family to have the required valve replacement and quintuple bypass surgery. The surgery was successful and the long road to recovery was started.
On 5/7 Dad was talking nonsense so they discontinued medication that can often lead to post operative confusion. After 24 hrs without medication, the nonsense and confusion continued. After a couple of CT Scans, it was determined that he had suffered a stroke.
The stroke affected his right side. He can not use his right arm, hand, leg, foot, etc. He has trouble remembering names (calls Marsha Helen, couldn't remember Lacy's name, etc.). It took a few days to realize the extent of the damage from the stroke.
I was out of town on business and in between flights on 5/17 when I called to check in with Marsha. Their social worker had discussed Dad's care at home and the reality of the tasks required to care for him really hit home for her. At the time, it seemed overwhelming for her. Bathing, feeding, etc., when just moving him is impossible for her alone. I put out a call for help to all the siblings. Poor Cory was avail to take the call. I was getting on a plane and asked that he contact everyone to ask them to come visit and to help with Dad's care. I suggested we each take a day of the week, so the tasks could be spread out. Then poor Beth returned my call before I got on the plane and I asked her to do the same. Sharing the load seemed like a sensible thing to do.
Since then we have learned that Marsha will continue to have outside help from home care nurses and therapists. However, the visits from his kids seem to be helping. Since 5/17 Dad has been making small improvements daily. For instance, Marsha reports that one day he couldn't recognize the letters of the alphabet by sight, but could recite the alphabet. The next day, he knew all the letters, but 3 by sight. One day he couldn't read words, but could tell you what the same words were if you spelled them to him. The very next day, he was not only reading the words, but would spell them to the therapist, just to show off!
On 5/20 Dad's sense of humor came back. As Barb was helping him get ready for the day, combing his hair, etc., he was rolling his eyes and pulling funny faces. When his nurse accused him of 'not eating much, Buster' - Dad replied with, 'well, if it had any flavor, I might eat more, Buster!'
Dad's spirits are still fragile. He does so much better on days he has visitors. Visitors remind him that he is improving and that he has friends and loved ones. If you feel so inclined, come as often as you are able. - Merri
