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An update on my father's health

I know I have discussed the health issues facing my parents here on the Nexus before, and I really appreciate the support and love everyone has given me here concerning these issues.

I was talking with my Mom late Friday morning, and I'm afraid I have some pretty tough news concerning my Dad.

For background, my dad has been in declining health for the past several years, mostly Parkinson's disease. AFAWK, much of it was brought on because of his alcohol abuse over the years while he was working in the steel mills of our hometown. It was part of the culture when we were growing up in the 60s and 70s there - you worked hard in the mill all day (or whenever your shift was) and then went afterwards and drank in the many corner bars harder.

As the disease as progressed, his swallowing capacity has been steadily reduced and because of previously clogged arteries in his neck, he has been prone to fainting spells and has fallen many, many times. Fortunately, no bones have been broken in these falls, but he has been cut up pretty bad (though, in fairness, the bleeding has looked much worse than it really was because of blood thinners he's been taking). He requires a walker to get around and can barely talk.

He spends most of his days watching TV, particularly sports - baseball, football, golf, college basketball and some hockey and soccer. The amount of care he's had to have, plus some other factors, have forced my parents to move to a semi-independent living community near where they had been living on the Illinois side of St. Louis.

Anyway, back to the phone call with mom: She told me that he had to take a swallowing test this morning at the doctor, the latest in a series of tests he's taken over the years.

He flunked.

Mom indicated that dad will have to have a feeding tube inserted into him, and that procedure is set to take place in the next couple of days. He went into a hospital in my hometown (Granite City, IL) Monday, and from all indications, when he swallows, it's not going into his stomach, but into his lungs instead. Obviously, that's not a good thing.

I talked to my mom and my sister today and from what I've been told, he'll have the tube inserted into his stomach and then go to a long-term rehab facility in Edwardsville, IL.

As always, we've offered to help in any way possible, and mom told me this morning that she knows that and really appreciates it, even if we can't do a whole lot. I told her that we're here for them anytime they need us.

Just wanted to let everyone know the latest and any advice or support you can give to my brother Colin and I, as well as the rest of the family, is greatly appreciated.

No doubt, this is going to be tough, but like the recent problems we faced after we got back home from a trip we took to Nevada, we will fight our way through this and we will be strong.

Thanks everyone. Much love from Colin and I...

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Comment by Steph S. on May 5, 2012 at 10:32am: Thanks for the update Brent. I hope he improves.

My thoughts are with you and your family.

Comment by Brent Feeney on May 5, 2012 at 10:23am: Thanks Steph! =)

Here's the latest. On Monday, he was put in a cardiac care unit; his heart was starting to go haywire and he also developed a high fever. He was in the unit for several days, but was placed in a rehab room Thursday and is doing much better. Needless to say, he's sleeping a lot *LOL*, but that's not unexpected.

My brother and I are going to go see him in a little bit from the timestamp on this post. Hopefully he'll be in very good shape. More later...

Comment by Steph S. on April 30, 2012 at 12:11am: Thanks for keeping us up to date. My thoughts are with you.

Comment by Brent Feeney on April 29, 2012 at 11:16pm: Here's another update: Dad got through surgery well - had some pins inserted into the fracture - and he's resting comfortably in hospital. He's on pain meds and is sleeping well, from what I was told.

Comment by Brent Feeney on April 29, 2012 at 2:58pm: Thanks Sentinet, it's very much appreciated.

However, I have some pretty bad news. Friday night, at the nursing home, dad fell down and broke one of his hips. How it happened, I have not been told.

He was taken back to hospital immediately and, at this moment, is scheduled to be taken into surgery to insert some pins into his hip. Hopefully the surgery will go well, but at his age and stage of health, I think it may be safe to say dad might be in some trouble.

As soon as I know how the operation went, I'll let everyone know. Needless to say, this is not a good break, no pun intended. I just hope he gets through things well.

Comment by Sentient Biped on April 29, 2012 at 7:41am: Glad your dad is feeling better. I hope your family gets to have some quality time together in this time of need.

Comment by Brent Feeney on April 27, 2012 at 8:34pm: A new update: Dad had a couple of test runs with the new tube today, and they both went well, so he was discharged from the hospital this afternoon. He's now in the nursing home for rehab and he's doing pretty well; he's actually gained some strength.

Thanks very much for all your kind thoughts and wishes; I really, really appreciate it. And, of course, I'll keep everyone posted on how he's doing as conditions warrant.

Comment by Brent Feeney on April 26, 2012 at 6:24pm: Here's an update: Talked with mom late this morning; he had the tube inserted into him yesterday and was scheduled to have a test run or two with it at some point today. In fact, a nurse was walking into his room when I was talking with her, so that may well have been the first test.

If all goes well, he'll be discharged from hospital as soon as tomorrow, after which he'll be heading to a nursing home.

More updates as they become available...

Comment by SecularCortex13.x on April 26, 2012 at 6:18pm: hrmm.. that's some private stuff; reminds me how mortal we are; or the amount of time left~
take care
may the road lead you to a snorkel or scuba down south
a treck through redwoods
or night somewhere with megatelescope
sry to hear mr.!

Comment by Brent Feeney on April 26, 2012 at 11:23am: Thanks annet. =) I'll try to have an update on him later today; I'll give my mom a call in a bit.