Care, Comfort And Time For Hospice

Care, comfort and time for Hospice is my article today.

Because my 96 year old dad, Homer, has had progression of his congestive heart failure, I flew on an emergency flight back to Ohio. I needed to be by his side

So due to his right lung filling up with fluid, the pulmonologist set up an out patient thoracentesis. A draining of his lung.

As a former nurse, and concerned daughter, there was no other place I could be.  Being with Dad during this time was essential.

 

My brother, Jim, brought Dad back to the Toledo home from his summer home to be close to the hospital.

You see, my 4 siblings and spouses, and I work together as a team with Dad and also, when Mom was alive. She passed away August 16, 2021.

The care and comfort we each give are all unique.

Since we each have different gifts to share, we each play our parts.

 

The intervention radiologist at Toledo Hospital, was one of the most caring doctors, we have experienced ever.

He explained in great detail what was going on with my dads lungs, in particular, his right lung he just drained a very large amount of fluid from.

After his explanations, Dad and I both had a clear picture of what was going on and why.

Clarity helps when everything feels scary.

 

As the days went on, and Dad’s lung filled up again, it was clear he needed more care and comfort. It was time for Hospice.

 

Consequently, the medical team, determined it was time to put a permanent chest tube in his right lung to help keep him comfortable.

Another out patient surgery, meetings with hospice coordinators and RN’s, calls I made to his insurance company, and the care of an RN named Tracy, helped make things come together.

Dad’s request was to be back in Port Clinton, Ohio, at his summer place. He calls it “My happy place”.

With the help of two of my sisters, brother-in-law, and brother, we got him back there with his oxygen and all he needs.

 

Basically, I was running on auto-pilot for two weeks, staying with Dad, 24/7, and pulling everything together.

Finally, it was clear, after hospice RN’s, aides, social worker, hospice chaplain, his HomeInstead helper, and family members, were in place, I could fly home.

Since Dad has had the HomeInstead workers, coming in at least twice each week for well over a year, his laundry, cleaning, and sheets etc were taken care of.

In addition, I requested another chest X-ray to make sure his left lung was still stable. Thank God it was.

 

Also, the first weekend after the thoracentesis, my daughter, Abby, came for the weekend. She needed to be with her grandpa she adores. She was a great support for me as well.

Any care and comfort during times like these are greatly appreciated.

 

Above all, the knowledge I now have of Hospice care, helps me to know Dad is in good hands.

 

I still call him at least twice each day from my home in Minnesota, as he gives me his updates. I’m a proactive person, as my Dad is. It’s vital to stay ahead of anything I hear is possibly off.

Dad’s faith, his love of life, perseverance and determination, have kept him going thus far. You see, his health has been a concern now since his diagnosis of CHF in February 2022.

He knows I’m only a flight away if he needs me.

 

I am honored to be able to care for my amazing dad. The conversations we had about life and also about death, were priceless.

 

Lastly, I know how fortunate I am to have Dad here, and to have the parents I have had.

Thank you for any prayers you send to Dad and to all of us,

Connie

PS. Photos below are of Dad and Abby before she left to fly home from the Toledo home.