Journal
08/06/2023
Dad started having cold sweats, wasn't feeling well, and blood pressure was very low. Truman ambulance transported dad to Fairmont ER, and was later transported back to Rochester. Dad had an infection caused by an obstruction, I believe in his bile duct. This was found during his previous hospitalization but Drs were hoping they would be able to treat the infection with antibiotics and not have to do another procedure on dad (this was just one more thing holding him up from getting better in any way). Unfortunately this was ineffective, resulting in the current hospitalization.
08/08/2023
Labs confirmed bloodstream infection, CT confirmed multiple obstructions occuring.
Because the blockage wasn’t resolving itself, dad underwent a procedure to stent the bile ducts.
An ERCP was done to place stents, and the following couple days dad was experiencing a significant amount of pain.
My aunt Claudia, Heather, and I were on a call when Drs came in and had bad news. The window for any kind of treatment was closing quickly and wouldn't be able to do any type of treatment while dad still had the infection.
Dad has been experiencing what they call Hospital Acquired Delirium. Vivid dreams.
08/17/2023
My mom, Heather, and I had a care conference with dad and his team. They expressed that it is not safe for dad to do chemo and explained what it will do to him, that it will make him sicker and he may not come back from it due to his current state. We talked about hospice and told him that it will improve his quality of life greatly and explained what hospice is all about and that it doesn’t mean we are giving up.
I think it made dad at peace that we we’re on the same page that hospice was the best thing for his quality of life, to be able to be in the comfort of his own home, close to his family.
Dad will be trying steroid therapy to see if it will resolve the blockage some so he is able to eat some.
It sounds like next week dad will be coming home on hospice. This is extremely difficult for our family but we are praying for his comfort and peace throughout all of this.
We are still asking for prayers, or good thoughts and words of encouragement.
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