I received a call from the nursing home around the corner from my home regarding my father I have not seen in three months. Seems there was a triggering incident that happened yesterday related to trying to eat/swallowing and or lack thereof and getting caught in throat. Then some other unpleasant things. He is in his bed in the nursing care with Hospice on duty and they changed his status to critical care.
I was able to go see him now as that is indicative of short time left.
He has lost lots of weight in three months. His eyes are closed and he is not responding to you talking to him and not waking up. He needs a haircut but at this point is it really needed?
I talked withe the Hospice RN who is very kind and knows my father. She has monitored him now for several months.
His feet are all swelled with water. His heart is beating around 50 beats per minute and sometimes below that.
He is in very end stages of dementia and I am surprised that the pacemaker has not stopped altogether although maybe it has as it was set at 60 bpm and ithas not been that for months. Could be his own heart beating at 50. He has two bad valves. Cardiologist said when the pacemaker stops his heart would also... Well, that has not happened..
The Social Worker rom the Hospice called me yesterday afternoon to talk with me. She is very kind and gave me some more information and wanted to know if there was anything they could dofor me or the family.
She also advised I go ahead and pay the Transport company the $250.00 to move dad's body to the Medical Center upon death so I don't have to worry about that when death comes.
I do not think they would be telling me these things if my dad was not nearing the endof his earthly life.. Hospice almost always knows when the end is near.
So I am somewhat on an emotional rollercoaster this morning because though I have been prepared for this time for awhile, it still hits like a ton of bricks when your last remaining parent is no longer here to talk to.. A security blanket has been removed..
I think this morning all these things are finally hitting home.
Think I will tak day off and spend what remaining time my father has with him. Even if he cannot open his eyes the socail worker said he can still hear my voice. She said that is normal...
See you all later or another day.
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