Sunday afternoon after lunch, I had to go out to the market for a few things that I failed to bring over from Conway. When I got back home, Kenny asked if I would take him to the bathroom. As he sat down, he looked at me and said, " Ginny, I think I am having a heart attack." After three nitro tablets with no relief and a call to the Hospice nurse, we called 911. The whole emergency entourage arrived within 10 minutes and they also thought he was having a heart attack. After arguing about which hospital to take him to (I did not realize that I could demand that they take him to Conway where they know his history, etc.), we headed to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach (a very fine heart facility)where I had to make absolutely certain that they all understood that we had a DNR(do not resusitate) order which meant that they had to be very circumspect about what tests they ran, what scans they did (no dye because of his kidneys,no heart catherization, etc.) To make a long story a bit shorter, the hospitalist (hospital physician) understood our position and worked well with him and with us. Finally on Tuesday morning (yesterday) Papa was discharged. Dr. Shelver decided that he did not have a heart attack; the enzymes remained normal. But the CHF (congestive heart failure) is back and they think that is what caused the event of Sunday afternoon. We are home again in Murrells Inlet and he fells pretty good. He was wiped out as far as energy went yesterday. I tried to explain that was to be expected after two days in hospital but I am not sure he believed me. Anyway, right now it is Wednesday morning about 10:15 and he is still asleep. Since they gave him massive amounts of Lasix to rid him of so much fluid (I think he peed to his heart's content those two nights!)that I do not imagine he slept much in the hospital, but then who does sleep there? I have decided to let him sleep as long as he wants today.
Upon leaving the hospital and arriving in Murrells Inlet, I stopped by Lee's Farmers Market to pick up some Vidalia onions and some tomatoes for BLTs. On the marquee outside, the market always advertises the specials and Kenny evidently noticed the Maine lobsters at $7.99 per lb. because when he got home and decided to take a nap, he called me back into the room and wanted his wallet. I asked why on earth he wanted his wallet. He told me to get some money and go back and buy 3 lobsters for supper. I told him that maybe we should wait until tomorrow to have lobster. He replied, "No, let's have them tonight; I might not be here tomorrow." So we had lobster, corn on the cob and new potatoes for supper (dinner to some of you)and ice cream for dessert. What a feast!
It is interesting that at his age Kenny wants everything instantly. And he expects me to do it instantly. Even if I finally just sat down to eat. Maybe I will lose weight after all. George and Jude', my brother and sister-in-law came down and helped us remove the door to the bathroom which was very narrow and difficult to maneuver with the wheelchair. He now has a very nice curtain hanging over the doorway to give him privacy but we still are able to get the chair into the bathroom rather than leaving it in the little hallway and me trying to squeeze by it to help him. After 5 months I found a baby monitor that will allow me a little privacy but still be able to hear him if he needs me. It picks up the "liberty bell" very well.
My time is really stretched at the present time. Larry has a disc problem in his lower spine and it is causing him excruciating pain. He is simply unable to stand or walk for more than a little while, so that means that the "fetching and toting" falls on me at the moment which in turn leads to a frayed temper from me occasionally. I told him yesterday just not to worry, he would get his opportunity to help me when I finally have my knee replacement...way in the future, I am afraid.
So Larry will have an epidural in his spine tomorrow to hopefully aliviate the terrible pain so that he will be able to head to Gulfport and Biloxi, Mississippi early next week. Please pray that the injection does the trick.
This has been overly long. Sorry. I will attempt to blog more frequently and less verbosely in the future. God bless all of you and thanks so much for the .ove and the prayers.
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You have had quite a week. Very
ReplyDeleteglad to hear the diagnosis was not as dire as initially thought. I had not thought of the curtain "door" to give you more space. Well, I would have done better with my suggestions if I had been there in person instead of walking through my memory. Glad someone thought of it. Hope Larry's treatment goes well. If the doctor wants PT, check out the rehab and fitness center south on 17 on the right side going towards Pawleys. they have several branches in the area including across from Waccamaw Hospital but the one in Pawley has a salt water pool. I was impressed with additional specialized training the staff under go to deal with specific issues. After you have your knee done, you desire the finest resort vacation available where you are waited on hand & foot. Love to all, Ann