Here’s the latest on dad. I spoke with my mom this morning and it appears that dad will be released from the hospital late this afternoon or early tomorrow morning. It all depends on his oxygen levels reaching acceptable levels. He will be bringing home oxygen and a nebulizer. Sounds like and even looks like something from Star Trek. I can almost hear Dr. McCoy saying, “nurse, activate the nebulizer and hand me a hypo.” The good news is that his heart is as okay as it can be given that he’s had a quadruple bypass (1989) and a few other heart treatments over the years. The culprit this time is a respiratory infection that caused fluid build up in his lungs, around his trachea and into his throat causing restricted breathing. His weight has also played a big role in this. Even with fifteen pounds of fluid drained his trachea is still constricted because of his weight. Weight loss will ease the pressure on the trachea and it will open itself back up. He now has no choice what so ever on the issue of loosing weight. It’s this simple: loose weight and breath, don’t and… Continued stubbornness and defiance of doctor’s orders on his part will only cost him his life. If this recent experience doesn’t serve as his wake up call then nothing will. I think I need to call that Jared guy from the Subway commercials and get him to visit dad.
I'm glad to hear it's something that can be treated with your Dad....sometimes when it's a vague type of thing it's worse....maybe this will open his eyes? No? Well, we can all pray it will anyway!
And I know a little about nebulizers...Jeff's Nannie had one for awhile....loud things! You're right, they are kind of Trek like...where are those nurses in the short skirts anyway?
Posted by: Becky on March 14, 2003 05:05 PM