Hi everyone,
First off, let me thank you all for your understanding and support. I appreciate it very much.
To the last post, I know you're not coming down on me, so don't worry about being direct.
When I posted, I had hit a wall on many levels and pretty dang fatigued. Hindsight is 20-20 in regards to what we should've done before Dad came home. The reality is, he is here. And I'm happier about that than not and regret giving any other impression.
Currently, an RN comes twice a week ( but she's only been here twice ) and a PT is supposed to come 3x a week. It is hard to gauge any effectiveness ( with the exception of the lack of attention paid to his colostomy ) of this schedule at this point in time. Particularly now.
The last 5 days he developed some problematic symptoms which became progressively worse. Over the phone, the docs can only throw meds at them and my dad was not interested in going back ( mainly because that was suggested by a resident, not a fellow AND psychologically...well..he'd been there for over a month...so going back was a gloomy consideration psychologically ). Well, I kind of 'took the opportunity' to send the osotomy surgeon an email last night bullet pointing some of his problems. They called this morning and because a 'real' doctor said he should come in, that's just what happened. He was admitted and they're going to look into what's happening ( so far, there's no blockage ). I have no idea, at this point, how long they'll keep him but he will come right back home. Frankly, I was relieved they admitted him as some of these problems were at the root of his refusing food and drink. At the very least, they can rehydrate him.
One of the nurses at the hospital wasn't too impressed by the home health care nurses work .
Believe me when I say I don't have any desire to make my father more dependent on me than is good for either of us. And I am looking into some respite services, and others, offered through an elder organization here in town. Haven't talked to them yet as when I'm done here I plan on trying to sleep a few hours before going back to the hospital ;-)
But I won't argue that there probably is some truth to a kind of Pavlov's dog cycle having been allowed to develop over time by both of us.
I'm glad I found this board because reading your own experiences only confirmed my rising suspicions that firing on all pistons continually is draining at best and can, in the long run, be devestating both to my health and my father's.