Best E-mails of the Week

 April 23, 2006

Gas prices throughout the country:

http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_gastemperaturemap.aspx

Solution to Word Puzzle:

Wilfred:

 Hi all

Just want to update you on all going on.

Dad and I got about 4 hours sleep last night as they gave him Benedryl for the rash on his back as it was itching and needless to say it put him in out-of-space.  He kept having many dreams and delusions about many issues.  He also kept trying to get out of bed because he ...does not understand how the catheter works.  I am doing good and hanging in their.  Please don't worry about me.

I met with the social worker and his Physician this am.  First of all, he is being transferred to ... VA "Nursing Home" this afternoon where he needs 24 hour care from this point on.  I will email all of you regarding his new address, phone #, room #, and all pertinent information and you will be updated daily on his progress just as you have previously.  His heparin level is 1.9 which is a safe % to transfer him--if it were above 2.0 they would not be doing this.

Dad has renal insufficiency which you can pull up on the computer and do a follow up regarding what it is if you are unfamiliar with it.  He has lost approximately  25% function of his kidneys--but can still function with that loss.  He will never gain that loss back unless if for some miracle he makes a big turnaround which does not look like it will happen.  He has a blood clot in his heart which they are trying to dissolve with 3 different types of coumadin.  If his kidneys become bad again his heart will take a beating and the cycle will continue where his heart will have to do more work which means his rate will be fluctuating again.  It is somewhat stable now at between 90-100. 

I talked with Liz and left a message for Mary to contact me immediately as at this time we have no way Dad can sign checks to pay his bills.  Liz needs to get EMERGENCY GUARDIANSHIP which involves an attorney as well as the courts.  When this has to go to court, the attorney will probably subpoena the hospital for his medical records.  We are on top of this--just want to let you know what is going on.  I personally feel in my hear Dad will not leave the VA being he is in the condition he is in.

I am in constant contact with Father Brown, Dad's priest,  and he will in turn be coming often to the VA to visit Dad.  I also will make sure the spiritual representative sees Dad on a daily basis to say Mass with him as well as communion. 

Last night when Larry saw Dad he saw the bad condition Dad is in and I let Larry visit with Dad alone.  I let Larry tell me his views on all this.  I also am contacting the relatives regarding just general info so you do not need to call them at this time.


Will chat more later.

Love
Jean/Mom/Aunt

I had to cut the other email short from what I wanted to state to you because the psychiatrist needed to speak with me.

Anyway the Doctor stated that Dad had some heart attach/stroke down the way.

The 2nd psychiatrist stated Dad will NEVER BE ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN because he could not only hurt himself but also hurt someone else and we could have a real law suit on our hands.  He also conferred what the neuro psychiatrist stated that he needs 24 hour care at this time in a nursing home.
For how long that is going to depend on Dad.

The social worker just contacted me and stated that Mother of Mercy Nursing Home just called her and stated they had an opening in the nursing home unit.  I talked with Mary, she stated to call Chuck U. which I did and he advised Dad go into the VA Nursing Home so at appr 1400 pm this afternoon he will go there--Dad will be paid at 100% which we can't kick about.

I talked with the social worker at the VA and she stated that she suggest no one physically stay there with Dad--for one reason is he will be in a semi private room with another vet.  I think this is a super idea as Dad needs to be depending on the staff only, not family to get better.  I work with staff all the time and it is real hard when family sometimes step in that is why I state what I do.

Again I feel personally that Dad will not leave the VA.  I told him that he is going there and he is not completely happy about that--I explained I will be with him to help get him settled in and he is ok with that.   I feel he will be giving them grief over there--not a dx just my opinion.

Will chat later.

Love
Jean/Mom/aunt
 

Here is Dad's address and phone numbers:  (call me, Pete, for this info.- emailed to my family)

Phone number to Dad's room:  ""

Phone number to Nurses Station:  ""

I have been down with a sinus infection/bladder infection/chest cold this week so the timing for that was not good.  I didn't want to be around Dad with my sickness either.  I am so thankful Jean is here and willing to give of her time right now!   Dan, the boys and I will get to (dad) Sunday.  What a whirlwind of events in a week+ time!

Here are some cool tattoos.

Chris went to a convention in Phily to learn how to do this.

Did you all have fun filing your taxes last week?

Here's one solution:

And another appropriate sign: