Hi all.  I just wanted to provide a brief update.  While not easy to type this, I want to let those who are following along know what is going on.

My dad's health continues to deteriorate.  I have seen him every few days when I can make it down there, and my brothers are also visiting frequently.  My mom is there every day (sometimes more than once per day).  It seemed as though he was in a glide pattern - no improvement but also no worsening.   He had periods in which he was awake and somewhat chatty, and other others he was very tired or asleep.  But it was hard to tell if there were any changes.

That seemed to change today.  We learned that the hospice nurse started him on morphine, and he also is now on oxygen.  He has had some trouble swallowing and catching his breath, and the morphine is supposed to make him more comfortable while the oxygen helps with his breathing.  We are expecting more updates tomorrow about his medications, the medication plan, and his eating.   However, we are not expecting much change or improvement.

I will be down there on Friday and Saturday (my brothers and mom will be down there tomorrow and Friday) - it will be good to see him.  He may not be awake or able to chat, but we'll spend some time and I know he will at least be aware we are visiting. 

The nurses are doing what they can to make him as comfortable as possible (the nursing home nurses and other staff and hospice nurses and staff have been outstanding) and I'm sure will continue to keep a close eye on him.  We will all visit when we can and appreciate your thoughts in this hard (surreal for me) time.  Thanks for your thoughts, prayers and positive energy.  I, my brothers and mom (and I'm sure my dad) appreciate it.