December 8, 2010 - Something Funny

As you may know, Dad has oesteoarthritis and aesteoporosis (hope I spelled those right), anyway every Sunday Dad has to take a heavy duty calcium pill first thing in the morning.  He also has to drink a full glass of water with it.  Then he can't eat or drink anything for at least an hour (2 hours preferably) and he is also not allowed to lay down.  Last Sunday, I gave Dad his pill and Brian walked in and asked Dad how he was.  Dad replied "I'm on the pill!".  It was funny!

December 8, 2010 - Dad's Hip, Eye & Ears Update

Hip - Well it is done.  Dad's hip surgery is scheduled for January 31st.

Eye - we were going to take Dad to Kelowna to get cataract surgery on his eye in January, but we are now going to have it done in March or April because of his hip surgery in January.  For him to have cataract surgery in Prince George he has to wait a year but he can get it sooner in Kelowna for a price - $995 in January - $225 in March or April.

Ears - We are going to get Dad a hearing aid tomorrow or at least order it.  Yahoo!

December 8, 2010 - Cougars Hockey Game & Brian

Just wanted to let you know, Brian took Dad to a Prince George Cougars hockey game last night.  I don't think Dad has ever been to a hockey game!  Anyway, they both had a good time even though the Cougars lost.

Brian has been so great with Dad - taking him for blood tests, taking him to doctor appointments, picking him up at Rainbow, making his breakfast every morning, going home at lunch (3 days a week) to make lunch for Dad and to check on him, taking him shopping, taking him for hair cuts, and playing crib with him!!  And I am sure there is more he has done that I have not listed.  Dad and I do appreciate Brian very much!!  Thanks, Brian!

Fishing - Stuart Lake, Fort St. James, B.C. (Holly’s favourite place)

November 8, 2010 - Concerts

Just wanted to say .... you know .... life can be funny at times .... I don't mean funny "ha ha" .... I mean funny as in "interesting".  I only say this because I never ever thought in my life time would I buy concert tickets to "Heart" and "Tommy Hunter" in the same week!!  For the record ... and you all need to know this ... I didn't buy Tommy Hunter because it was on my "life list"!!  My list is pretty long but I have to say Tommy just didn't make the cut.  Having said that, it is funny he wasn't on the list because when I was little we listened to Tommy Hunter and Don Messer every week!  Funny how life is!! 

October 27, 2010 - The Surgeon

Well ... it is done .... Dad decided to have his hip replaced.  Brian took Dad to see the surgeon today to make final arrangements for Dad's hip surgery.  I couldn't take Dad as I had to work, but I am glad I didn't have to go.  I don't feel real good about Dad's decision to have his hip replaced.  I understand why he made the decision - he is tired of the pain and tired of using his cane, walker, and wheelchair.  It looks like the surgery will be in January sometime which isn't too long of a wait!  Prior to the surgery, Dad will have a heart test to make sure his heart can handle the operation.  I am scared but I will think good thoughts!!   I need you all to think of good thoughts too!!

October 20, 2010 - Stuart McLean

Hi everyone ....
I am sorry it has taken me so long for an update - hard to believe October 2nd was the last update!!  All is well here. 

Dad, Brian, and I went to see Stuart McLean last Wednesday (Oct. 20th) from CBC's Vinyl Cafe .  Stuart McLean is an awesome story teller.  He also had an awesome blues singer called Matt Andersen.  He was from New Brunswick and as it turned out, he is the brother of Allison Andersen, a great guy we used to work with.  It was a great time!  If you ever get a chance I suggest you listen to Stuart McLean one Sunday - he is on CBC radio on Sundays at noon.  Stuart McLean tells awesome stories about Morley and Dave and their two kids, but he also tells stories about Canadiana. 

One time when Dad and I were listening to the Vinyl Cafe, Suart McLean was talking about crossing Canada by rail.  It was a great story about the old days when people often hopped on the train travelling across this great country.  I will never forget watching Dad tear up.  I didn't ask, but I know he was thinking about days long ago (65+ years ago) when he was crossing this country by train.  He left home (Nova Scotia) in 1944 with $17, his guitar, and six of his friends.  They all rode the rails to Alberta.  Dad was 16 years old.  After the war ended, and after working on the railroad, Dad went back home to Nova Scotia.  In 1946 Dad and his brother Herb rode the rails again and came back west to Calgary.  You could tell by looking at Dad, he was reminiscing about days long ago.  It was a poignant moment. 

Being a 'Follower'

Please feel free to become a "follower" of Dad's blog (see right hand side).  I'm not exactly sure how it works, but any comments you may have would be great.  Thanks!

A Funny Moment

As you know, Dad can't see very well and definitely can't hear!  I just wanted to mention a funny moment last Sunday.  I was running around cleaning the house.  Dad was sitting in his chair by the window, playing solitaire, and looking out the window every once in awhile.  Dad starts to laugh, and I ask him what was so funny .... he says "I was sitting here watching a bird on the grass, and then after a few moments I realized it wasn't a bird, it was a fly on the window!!  We both had a good laugh.  Between Dad not seeing well and not hearing well, it does make for some funny moments.  I will try to post some of these "funny moments" when they happen.

October 2, 2010

I know I haven't been keeping up with this blog as much as I should, just never seems to be enough time!  I just wanted to mention ... Dad is now going to Rainbow Day Centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  It is a place Dad can go to, to meet other seniors.  I can drop him off on my way to work and pick him up on my way home.  He can play crib, do exercises, have lunch and snacks, and sometimes they go on outings.  I'm not sure if Dad has decided he likes it or not.  I think he may be a bit too "young" for it.  I am going to see what the seniors centres here offer.  Maybe that would be more to his liking.  Keep your fingers crossed!

October 2, 2010

Hi sisters .....

Just wanted to let you know we will be in Grande Prairie for Thanksgiving.  We decided to go to Grande Prairie for Thanksgiving instead of for Christmas, just in case the weather doesn't cooperate.  Hope we see you all!!

Love Holly, Dad, and Brian  

September 9, 2010 - General Update

Hi everyone .....

Long Weekend
Hope you all had a great long weekend!  We had a very good time at the lake.  The weather wasn't too bad - a little cool and windy on Saturday, beautiful on Sunday, and Monday it rained but did not matter as we left at 11:00 am.  I am sorry to say we couldn't take Dad fishing.  The water was very low and as a result we were unable to take the boat out of the marina.  Oh well, next year!  Dad did enjoy sitting around the campfire working in his puzzle book - much better than sitting in the house!

Transportation
I do continue to have problems getting Dad to and from the GAT Unit.  I can get "We Care" to drive him but it will cost $37.00 each way for a total of $74.00!   I had a lady from Pineview drive him this morning for $30.00 one way.  Brian may be off work soon so it won't be a problem in the future (I hope!).  We do need good transporation as Dad may be going to Rainbow, a place where he can spend the day and socialize with people instead of dogs!

Doctor
Dad now has a Doctor which may, or may not, be a good thing.  I have to say the service Dad received from the "Unattached Patient Clinic" was exceptional!  I know it was/is better care than he would have received from a Doctor!  We will miss them!

Hearing
Did mention, Dad can't hear very well!  It can be painful sometimes when you are trying to have a serious conversation with him.  Dad finds it frustrating too, not being able to hear and always having to say "huh?".  We are going to look into getting him a hearing aid.  They cost quite a bit ($2,500 - $4,000), but I think it is worth it!  Having said that, there are many funny moments when we say something, Dad responds, and the response has nothing to do with that we said!!  We do have a some good laughs!!  :o)

September 3, 2010 - Warafin & Camping

Hi all .... just wanted to let you know I have reviewed all the notes I've made in regards to my discussions with the Unattached Patient Clinic and the GAT Unit over the last four weeks.  It looks like I may have made the error in regards to Dad's warafin dose.  I feel very bad.  I have been so careful when it comes to Dad's medication.  I do have to say other mistakes have been made too.  I will be sending a letter to both the Clinic and Unit advising what happened over the last few weeks and a few suggestions on how we can communicate better between us all!  Anyway, Dad's INR is down to 2.3 (between 2 and 3 is good).  Hopefully, I won't get charged with elder abuse!  Did I mention on the last fishing trip with Dad we just about gave Dad sun stroke?!!  A story for another day.  Shhhh! ... don't tell anyone!

This weekend is a long weekend so we are leaving after work and heading to Stuart Lake.  The weather is not supposed to be very good at all, but what the heck.  It would be nice if Dad went fishing one more time this year and if the weather is too, too, bad then we can always come home!  Have a wonderful long weekend everyone!!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - Blood Thinners

You know sometimes when you're "living with Mac" you learn a lot.  One of the things I have learned is you have to be careful when it comes to Dad's medication.  Over the last few months, when it comes to Dad's medication, the pharmacy has make mistakes and the Doctors have made mistakes.  I know, I know, we all make mistakes, we are all human ... but it is scarey because when a mistake is made the medication can affect Dad's life.  You know I have no idea how seniors living on their own can track and keep tabs on what they are taking and why.  I am sure the majority of them put their trust in "the system".  Anyway, I digress .... I bring this "medication issue" up because over the last few days the following has happened:

Dad is on blood thinners.  He is on blood thinners (Warafin) because of his congenital heart failure (did I mention that before?) and to reduce the risk of stroke.  You may know, or not know, Warafin is rat poison, but they call it Warafin, well, because "rat poison" doesn't sound very good, does it.  I believe Dad has been on blood thinners for at least 6-7 years, maybe more. 

As a result of being on Warafin, Dad needs an INR test every two weeks.  This is a blood test that shows if his blood is too thin or too thick.  If it is too thin he could bleed to death internally.  If it is too thick he could have a stroke.  Anyway, Dad has been getting his INR checked every two weeks for quite awhile.  He has taken 2 or 2 1/2 milligrams of Warafin per day pretty consistently for some time.  Last Thursday (Aug. 26) we had a call from the "Unattached Patient Clinic" advising to increase Dad's warafin from 2 milligrams to 3.5 milligrams.  I thought that was quite an increase and was going to question it but did not (lesson learned).  Today we were told his blood is much too thin to and quit taking the Warafin.  That is not good.

I will be talking to the Geriatric Specialist and the Unattached Patient Clinic tomorrow to find out what happened.  Something was missed somewhere.  Just thought I would share this and for your information you should always check the medication prescribed and dispensed whether it is for you or your loved one!

The "Decisions"

Well .... Dad has a few decisions to make. 

The First Decision - Cataract Surgery
The first decision is to decide if he wants cataract surgery on his left eye.  An eye specialist here in Prince George advised Dad he only had 20% vision in his left eye due to cataracts.  You would assume this is an easy decision to make ... get the cataract surgery!  But, alas ... it is not that simple a deicision to make.  When Dad had cataract surgery on his right eye about 8-10 years ago he said it made his eye sight worse.  I advised Dad that technology has improved since then.  Now he has a decision to make.

The Second Decision - Hip Replacement Surgery
As some of you may know, it is very hard for Dad to get around.  He has very bad osteoporoporis and osteoarthritis in all his bones and joints.  In early 2009 Dad also fractured two vertabrae in his back.  Dad's hips are very bad and very painful and so, as a result, it is hard for Dad to get around.  Having said that when he first came to live with us he could only use his wheelchair (for long distances) and his walker (for short distances), now he is back to using a cane in the house.  This is as a result of going to physio and the Geriatric Day Hospital. 

Anyway, the Geriatric Specialist recommended Dad get him replacement surgery right away.  I was concerned about Dad having major surgery at his age (82).  Below are some questions I asked the Doctor and the responses:

- Can Dad's heart handle major surgery? - before the operation Dad will be assessed by a cardiologist.  Currently Dad's heart status is stable.

- Because Dad is on blood thinners, how will this affect the surgery? - you go off the warafin before surgery and you get shots of blood thinner for a few days then you restart the blood thinner.

- Isn't there a risk Dad could catch pneumonia while in the hospital? - sure, it is possible but not common.  The best protection from pneumonia is to get moving as soon as possible after surgery.

- What town/city will the operation take place?  - it will take place here but if you would rather go elsewhere such as Kelowna or Vancouver where the wait list is shorter we can look into referring you there.

- Will there be home support after the operation?  - yes.  You might need home support (i.e. assistance with dressing or bathing) for awhile after surgery.  You would also likely attend the Day Hospital again to help with rehab.

- What other risks are there? - other risks are infections in the wound or the artificial joint, stroke, heart attacks, blood clots, pneumonia, etc.

The Geriatric Specialist advised Dad that he will only get worse as time goes on, and there will be a point when the only way he will be able to get around will be in a wheelchair.  Also, if Dad waits too long to get the surgery there will be a point where it will be too late, where the surgery won't help him - they won't be able to fix the hip.

There is a one year wait list so Dad has some time to make a decision.  Having said that we meet with the surgeon on September 28th!

This is a decision Dad has to make - a scarey decision.  Maybe it is better he doesn't get the surgery but only Dad can decide if he wants to be in a wheelchair 24/7.

Fishing

On August 10, 2010 Brian and I took Dad fishing to Stuart Lake.  We stayed in a 2 bedroom motel at the Pitka Bay Resort.  We had wonderful weather for the 4 days we were there.  There was only one problem though, the lake was too rough to go out on for the first 3 days. 

Getting Dad on the Boat
Well ... it was interesting getting Dad on our 24 foot Bayliner.  You have to give Dad credit, he put his trust in Brian and I to get him on the boat.  He was very brave.  We took Dad down to the dock in the wheelchair.  To get him down a 2 foot drop to the lower dock we had a "two-step" step stool with us.  Once we got Dad by the boat he had to get on the boat!  With the dock and the boat moving it was interesting but he did it!

Brian was able to take Dad out for a few hours on the Thursday night and Dad caught two baby fish so he let them go (thanks, Dad).

On the Friday all three of us went fishing for 5 hours!  Brian was the only one to catch a fish on Friday but it was fun nonetheless.  We plan to go fishing on the September long weekend, maybe we will all catch a fish then!

Oh yeah, when we were out on the Friday, Dad just about got sun stroke thanks to Brian and I.  We will be more careful next time!  Sorry Dad!

Geriatric Day Hospital

About four weeks ago, Dad and I went to go see a "Geriatric Specialist".  I never even knew these existed!  Anyway, after a 2 1/2 hour visit and two weeks later Dad was asked to attend a Geriatric Day Hospital twice a week (on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm). 

This Day Hospital has a team consisting of:  Geriatric Doctor, Charge Nurse, Practical Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Recreational Therapist, Physio Therapist, Rehab Assistant, and Social Worker.  They are a team that focus on improving Dad's physical and mental health.  They work on improving his mobility and overall health.  He will be attending this day hospital for 6-10 weeks.  To date, they have modified his medication so he only has to take his many, many pills twice a day instead of three times a day and he seems to be getting around a bit better (using a cane in the house instead of his walker).

Each day (Tues and Thurs) all the "old folks" meet with the different therapists, are weighed, and have blood pressure and pulse taken, and do an exercise circuit, They also have different events each day such as:  Food Safety Facts, 50's sing along, brain games, baking, etc.  Dad seems to enjoy going here.  It is a great opportunity to get out and socialize with other "old folks".

With Brian and myself working, it has been a challenge at times to get Dad to the Day Hospital and back.  Handi-dart will not pick up Dad because we are outside of city limits.  We can't get a taxi as Dad needs help getting up and down our stairs.  We are very thankful, and grateful, to Sarah (Mac's granddaugher and my daughter).  When she can, she comes to pick up Dad, help him down the stairs and out to the car.  She drops him off at 9:30 and then picks him up at 2:00 and brings him back home.  There has been a few times when she couldn't do it and we were very thankful, once again, to have Christine (Brian's niece) to be Dad's Chauffer for the day!