LIfe in Turmoil

Hello, hello.  Life in this household is going full tilt.  So much has happened, is happening and some I don't think I can share, but must.

First of all, dear Daddy-O is yet again in the hospital.  

This is a photo of the last time he was in there.  He doesn't look this good, trust me.  

My siblings and I have been in turmoil trying to decide the best course for him.  He was at home but it was very clear that it was bad this time.  When I walked in the door on Sunday he turned to me and said, "I'm DYING!" Oh my, scared me to death because he had lost so much weight.  His eyes were hollow and he was frightened.  Bro took him to a regular visit to his doctor and it was a miracle he got him in the car, out of the car and in the door.  Then the DUMB ASS doctor said, "He needs to eat and exercise," and SENT HIM HOME!  Clearly he was not seeing or experiencing what we were.  By Thursday Bro loaded Daddy in the car and headed to the hospital.  We were done.  After Bro and Daddy sat in the ER from 3 in the afternoon till (Bro finally left at 11pm) 3 in the morning, they admitted Daddy.  What was happening to him is that his muscles were breaking down and coming out in his urine.  OH MY GOD!  What could be going on here.  I went yesterday and they did an abdominal ultrasound to see about his liver and kidneys suspecting that his cholestrol/statin drug that the DUMB ASS doctor prescribed has been KILLING HIM!  He has all the symptoms that lead to this conclusion.  ALSO, could be that Daddy did forgot to mention (or just flat is in denial) that he was diagnosed many years ago with cirrhosis of the liver.  Clearly, and I'm not a doctor, you DON'T prescribe a patient with cirrhosis statin drugs.  Poor Daddy, he doesn't realize that this may be the end of him living at home by himself.  We cannot watch him 24/7.  We are active people with hugely active lives that we can't just sit with him.  It is time to sell the house and move on to the next chapter but as he gets to feeling a bit better he is under the impression that he will get to go home.  Also, the hospital will get tired of him whining "I want to go home NOW!" and will release him too early.  Well, found out we can stop that because of his medicare, we hope.  We tried to get the D.A. doctor to prescribe home health care which Medicare pays for but he WON'T do it, they DON'T pay for nursing home or assisted living.  Daddy has no money, even after we sell the house, NO MONEY, to pay for assisted living or even a nursing home and Medicaid facilities in this state are almost non-existent, and we don't won't to go there anyway.  I don't know what we are going to do with a stubborn old man and a DUMB ASS doctor.  

Plus sweet Susie may have to find a new home, maybe here!!!! 

Not only are we dealing with Daddy and drama I'm helping with this little project 

Plein Air Tulsa!  

So if you are a Plein Air painter and have not heard about this event, it is taking place October 21, 2017.  Click on the link for more info! 

and......I'm still doing the 30 day painting challenge.  Oh my gosh, it is day 23 and we (my friend Linda and I) are almost at the end.  It has been quite fun and it forces you to paint everyday and you do get better.  So far I've even sold a couple of them and one of them, the skull is going to be in a show next month.  Speaking of art shows, we have been entering all kinds of online and actual shows.  In fact we have several large ones coming up, local and one in Arkansas (that on if we're juried in.)  

AND if that isn't enough for me to be busy with, along with work, next Saturday we having 40-50 of my sweet Mother-in-Laws family and friends to celebrate her 90th birthday here for DINNER!  I really must have rocks in my head to be planning this but I am having it catered so I really just have to get the house ready.  So clean house I have to squeeze into all the time I have in my day.  EGADS!!!!!

I ALMOST FORGOT...

B wrote the most precious accounting of Snicklefritz's friendship with the train conductors and it has gone VIRAL!  Check it out.

Being Home?

Being home may not be all it's cracked up to be for Daddy.  He has been home since Monday with Home Health Care coming in every 24 hours to run his IV infusion but yesterday was a hiccup.  He developed a clogged in his pic line.  So off to the hospital my brother took him about 11 a.m.  to have it flushed.  I was watching Rio all day so I was not able to go.  I checked in later in the day about 4:30 to find out they were STILL in the ER waiting.  WHAT!  I decided I needed to spell brother so I canceled my plans and headed that way.  Bro took the brunt of that trip while I only had a couple hours of waiting.  They finally, FINALLY came in to clear Daddy's pic line about 7:15 p.m. He had not had his daily dose of antibiotic either so after a 45 minute wait while they searched for a pump he had his meds on board and we were out the door about 8:30.  So count the hours, 9-1/2 hours Daddy and us waited to be seen for a pic line flush.  That was totally ridiculous and as we were leaving the "head" nurse guy came in and apologized for the wait and asked that we call and lodge a complaint with his boss, the head honcho over all the nurses.  Said that it would have more impact from patients than employees.  I guess there is some terrible internal hospital crap going on there.  I so wish Daddy was with a different medical group because this hospital has had lots of issues for years.  I can't imagine that this is only the 3rd day for the pic line at home and he has weeks and weeks more of this.  We made sure that Daddy understood that this kind of wait for us would not be happening if he were in the skilled nursing care.  And if they doctor thinks he will be able to do this infusion thing on his own in a few weeks they are NUTS!  

Stubborn, Stubborn, Stubborn

Those three words are how I describe my Daddy.  Stubborn!!!  He went home yesterday from the hospital against what we knew he needed.  It was all my brother could do to get the get the guy even in the hospital in the first place.  The plan was 3-4 days in the hospital with his antibiotic infusion, then to skilled nursing for 60-90 days.  Once the plan was made the battle began and continued until he came home yesterday.  My daddy can be a very, VERY angry man.  You will often see a waving finger pointing at you and more often his fist, which he has used.  That fist was waved at the lady doctor and we had to apologize.  And the look, oh the look will buckle my knees, it's the look of an angry parent.  I am nearly 59 years old and that look still makes me quake in my boots.  On Sunday Bro and I both got phone calls from the hospital social worker telling us that he was going to go home with the pic line and needed to have the infusion done every 12 hours and that it would take an hour or so each.  Asked if we could do it, that he said "Carla can swing by to do it!"  No Carla can not.  He had the nerve to tell Bro that we kids needed to "Step Up."  What in the world does he think we have been doing.  Daddy will be 80 in August and he pretty much has his mind, angry and all, and mostly his health.  He still goes and goes when he wants to.  He is now home with home health care coming every 24 hours because the doctor knuckled and changed the protocol of meds to allow him to go home.  The HHC will only be there for two weeks because of insurance but they will teach him how to change the bag of meds.  Okay, really.  I told Bro that the next time this happens Daddy probably won't tell us, I can guarantee it.  I told Daddy at the hospital yesterday that I was leaving on Sunday for Scottsdale Artist School and would be gone for a week.  His response was, "well, we'll see!" Like I'm NOT going.  He is home with two good siblings to fill in and I have planned this for 6 months.  I am going!!!!!!!  It's funny, Daddy tells all three of us kids different things.  He plays us on each other too.  Not cool Daddy.  Taking a page from his mother's playbook and that was nasty.  He told Sis that he didn't have long to live.  He tells Bro that he can live on his own, that Carla can take of it all.  When he sees me he starts saying he can live with me.  NO!  Not happening Daddy.  I grew up with that anger and not going to live with it again.  Daddy has been hanging around with his childhood best friend again and although I love the guy, Jay has a very nasty mouth on him, a bigoted nasty mouth.  Well, Daddy has started emulating that and it is not pretty.  I think even the anger is being enhanced by it.  

Oh gosh, I am rambling but it is good to vent here and let it go!  Thanks for reading.  

Daddy Update.

Brother and I have taken turns and spent time together during the days with Daddy at the hospital since Tuesday.  They did a CAT scan on Wednesday and yesterday they informed us that he definitely had a small stroke.  They still don't know what is causing the fever, and he's having horrendous headaches but that may be the stroke.  We left yesterday afternoon when the rehab people came in to assess his capabilities so we're not sure how the legs are working but he was flailing them a lot in the ER on Tuesday trying to get comfortable on the bed after about 7 hours.  They only thing we can detect is a bit of confusion sometimes but that only comes up when the fever comes up.  The doctor said that could be part of the stroke too but just don't know.  Daddy told us and the doctors that he was sick for 4 days with fever and had not eaten for the 4 days and I was sure that was what caused the weakness, but...last night I talked to his neighbor and he told me that Daddy was standing out back by the fence yakking to him on Sunday night for about 30 minutes.  Hmmmm, makes me think he is saying this stuff about "4 days of being sick" because of the stroke and that he can't remember.  Makes much more sense.  He's always been kind of liberal with any kind of information, stretching the truth, and such it just seems a bit more wild.  We have to remember this when he tells us stuff and not take anything he says literally.  Anyway, he's still in the hospital at least till Monday when they determine if it's rehab at home or at a center.  

He's Fallen and He Can't Get Up

Yes that was the phone call I received yesterday.  The day started quite innocently and on a very happy note as the scale hit 22 pounds lost for me so far.  I went about my day taking a thank you note to my doctor who has decided to no longer be in the practice of taking care of people like me.  He has chosen to focus on nursing home care...well, I'll probably see him again then!  Then I ordered birthday cakes for Rio, Bri, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law for this weekend.  Then it was home to fix a quick bite for The Hubby and I before my art class.  The night before my Daddy had called to say he had a fever the night before but he was feeling better.  I sent an email yesterday morning telling him to respond but had not received a response by lunch.  That's no unlike him as he doesn't respond sometimes.  But on the way to art class I called him and there was no answer.  Hmmmm, well, that is odd so I sent a text to Bro and Sis to go by and check on him.  They live in the same city so it's easier for them to run by.  I set up my art stuff and began to paint when my cell phone rang with an unknown number.  It was Daddy's neighbor from across the street.  He had fallen and could not get up.  I didn't know the specifics but the ambulance was on the way to take him to the hospital.  EGADDDDDD!

My sweet friends in art class Linda and Sheila quickly packed up my art stuff while I was getting the info from the neighbor and I was on my way to the hospital.  I called Bro and Sis and The Hubby to tell them what had happened.  He was supposed to be taken to SouthCrest-Hillcrest, his fav hospital.  I also called Bri but hated to ruin her birthday.  She was already having a rough day as Rio was in no nap mode and very upset.  

Arriving at the hospital I was met by The Hubby, the first one there.  We went inside and Daddy wasn't there yet.  Sis arrived and Bro had to finish a project he was in the middle of but would be on his way soon.  No problem as we sat for 30 minutes for the ambulance to arrive.  The girl said that they would probably be diverted because their hospital was full. Great do they know where we asked but she had no clue and there was no way to find out if the patient in the ambulance that coming to their door was even Daddy.  I mean really, I was close to downtown Tulsa and made it to 91st and Mingo in a matter of 15 minutes without speeding.  Daddy was just in Broken Arrow how could it take 30-45 minutes.  They had already left his house when I got their.  After waiting for 30 minutes the girl said he had been diverted to St. Francis South, right across the highway from them.  So back in our cars we go to the other hospital.  

Yes, we found him and he was in his little room and very coherent but not well.  He still had a fever and a horrible headache from the high fever.  Sis and I sat with him and waited.  He only had one hearing aid in so we had to be kind of loud to chat.  During the very long wait we find out that he has fallen once a day for 4 days, that he had not eaten for 4 days.  WHAT!  That is not what he had told me.  He apparently he fell going to the bathroom but because he was so weak he couldn't make it.  He was able to crawl to the front door and use his cane to prop open the door and holler to anyone passing to get help from 6:30 in the morning till about 1 when the neighbor finally heard him.  That also meant a mess, if you get my meaning.  The Hubby took his clothes home and washed them (bless him).  We threw away his wallet and The Hubby just happened to have a brand new one to give him.  All this happening and still we waited.

Sis had to make a hair appointment so she left.!?!  Bro and I still waited.  We had not seen a doctor yet but they took x-ray's of his chest to see if he had pneumonia which he didn't.  Then the nurse came in to give him some anti-nausea meds and other stuff.  Asking him and us questions.  They kept asking stuff about whether anyone was hitting or beating him or making him do stuff he didn't want to do.  I tell you I was beginning to feel like they thought we had hurt our father.  I felt, well, kind of defensive for a bit.  Anyway, he started to tell the nurse about a place on his leg groin area that was red and irritated.  WOOO, well, I got a show.  He's has psoriasis and eczema areas in his groin that are NASTY and he's battled them for years but YUCK!  Then she looked at his scar where the hip fiasco was and she was concerned that it was a bit heated and it looks horrible anyway.  Really, it didn't look any different than it has all along.  I think Bro was concerned about it but like I said it didn't look any different.  She asked if he had any sores on his bottom and he said, "Oh yes."  WHAT...that is the first I have heard of that.  It is sort of a bed sore and it is BAD!  Oh my goodness, now I do feel bad.  

The P.A. came in and we asked her when the doctor was going to show up, that we have not been told anything and it was 5 pm.  She introduced herself to us as the P.A. and that Daddy didn't have pneumonia which was good to hear.  She also didn't think the hip area had infection which was also VERY good to know but they are stumped as to why he has a bad infection.  They decided to x-ray his hips to make sure there is no infection or any kind of break.  He wasn't complaining of any kind of pain in his hips is why they didn't before.  

Bro told me to go ahead and go as we were to celebrate Bri's birthday with dinner at her favorite restaurant at India Palace.  I took him up on it and ran.  During dinner he texted that he needed the list of meds that were in Daddy's wallet.  Damn, they were at home.  He was going to have to go to Daddy's and assess the pill bottles and of course get Daddy some clothes.  By the time we were through with dinner and I made it home I was able to text Bro the info and they finally got Daddy into a room.  Still they don't know where the infection is and they are more concerned with Daddy falling.  I wanted to yell, "HE FELL BECAUSE HE HAS HAD A FEVER FOR 4 DAYS AND NOT EATEN FOR 4 DAYS!"  What is wrong with you doctors, it's not anything but that!  

Today, I can't get to the hospital to check on Daddy until this afternoon as I'm in charge of watching Rio while Bri teaches.  But immediately after I will fly there and hopefully they will have all day to find out something.  

This morning I have it set up that Daddy's carpet will be cleaned, YUCK!  and then the house cleaned, ready for him to be home.  Bro has to let them in as I can't be there but they are all paid for!  

Sorry for the ramble but I have to get it out!  I feel like we're in that merry-go-round of hospital crap again.  

Daddy, House and Clayton

Daddy, on the left had a great day with his friend Jay at the Pioneer Dinner today.  He stayed the whole day, from 10-2, which was quite an outing for someone who has been housed in a hospital setting since March 17.  Check out the new shirt he's sporting.  He loved it when I bought it.  He had a haircut, new shirt and new shoes.

Construction is still on going, mainly the brick mason.  My goodness he is slow but it should be done next week and then they pour the patio.  The insulation has been done inside and the sheet rock should begin!  The notches in the brick columns are for the brick wall that should attach here.  

Oh Clayton has got to check out the progress. 

What?

Ahhhh, stretch....

....stretch...

wait I forgot to sniff here.

Hip, Hip, Hooray

Wednesday I had a physical at the doctors office, blood drawn, step on the scale, EKG, chit-chat, paperwork, blood pressure taken...all the usual stuff.  First of all was the scale, the dreaded scale.  Well, what-da-ya-know, it hadn't budged since the last time I had been there, last fall.  Drat, drat, drat.  All the treadmill work, eating so differently, no fast food and the damn thing was the same.  Some of my clothes are so loose on me and people are really able to see the difference in my face, yet that scale!  Of course the next step, blood pressure, was up.  Figures.  Dr. TL asked if anything was going on.  Ha-Ha-Ha.  Well, here we go...I proceeded to tell him I was of course upset by the scale but he reminded me of the conversation we've had so many times, that I have changed so much in my diet and lifestyle, that muscle weighs more than fat and DON'T WORRY.  Okay, okay.  Then I told him about the stuff going on with Daddy and he said well, that will surely do it.  Then he wanted to do the BP again and we started to talk about my painting, he paints too, well, what-da-ya-know the BP started going down.  Whew.  He did suggest that I get a BP cuff but I really don't want to admit to any of that you know.  We will see how the blood work goes, think my thyroid may need to adjusted.

Friday was to be a day off of work but it certainly was not a day off from life.  I went to visit Daddy and he looked horrible.  He said he had a tummy ache but really it was a bit of constipation and that puts him in a funk.  He has been kind of nasty to the staff because he is bored and does not feel well.  While there the case worker on staff came in to talk to me.  They want to release him April 11.  Okay, then where does he go and she again mentioned him going home.  WHOA...hold on there partner, that is not going to happen.  First of all he has NO HIP and his leg is 5 inches shorter than the other one.  Second is that he is on an IV drip.  She understood pretty quick that he has to go to a skilled nursing care facility.  Really I thought that was where he was now.  So now we are in that world again, like mother.  Shiver, bad memories.  I contacted the siblings and they are quite okay with whatever I decide.  Oh man, I don't want to do this but I guess I'm there, again.  Last night was searches on http://www.medicare.gov/ about nursing facilities close to us and the siblings so we can all visit him often.  Daddy understands that this is a necessary step in his healing even though he wants to go home very bad.  I have to be a bit stern with him, in a nice way about how this is going to have happen and that if he gets more mobile and heals quick then he will get the new hip and be home before you know it.  I can tell you now I am going to REALLY think hard if a doctor EVER wants to replace my hip at this point. 

An Unexpected Day

Yesterday just didn't pan out like it was supposed to.  I went workout as usual then rushed home to shower and head out for my monthly massage and facial.  That is something I really look forward to but it was not to be yesterday.  I headed out the door at 8:30 for the 9 am appointment all fresh and clean when my cell phone rang.  It was the place where I go to be pampered and the office manager told me that my wonderful massage therapist had been rushed to the hospital.  Oh my goodness.  That meant the massage was off and since the facial was for 10 am I decided to not go to that one too.  I instead opted to visit my Daddy. 

Daddy's been going through some stuff with his new hip.  He has gotten an infection on it and has spent two solid days doing bone scan things to see what is really going on.  Really scary because the doctors said that if they can't get it cleared up then the new hip will have to come out for a few months.  That would mean immobility and a stay in a special care hospital.  My Sis, is not up with that.  She is adamant that if he ever needs any kind of "nursing home" care that he would live with her.  Uh, that is NOT going to happen.  Her home is in a bit of chaos right now and he can't deal with it.  Anyway, the visit with him yesterday was nice.  He's good except for the hip.  He has absolutely no health concerns except for arthritis, bad hearing and the hip for a 75 year old guy. 

Back to my day yesterday.  After the visit with Pops I headed to the office to spell B while she had to go teach.  The good thing was that I painted for a couple of hours till the end of the day.  I had to stay for the nephew to come and work on my work computer.  A few days ago I posted about the check disk message and he said that meant the hard drive was getting ready to go.  Yesterday he came by at 4:30 to install a new hard drive, I left at 6 while he was still trying to find the driver with no success.  I came home to wait for The Hubby as we were going to go out to eat, the only time this week.  I waited and waited and waited.  Finally, at 8:30 I knew the out to eat plan was out so I scrounged around and made tuna salad.  I called The Hubby to see how much longer and he said that the nephew was going to have to TAKE my computer but would bring it back today.  Thank goodness payroll was last week!  Scary that my accounting walked out the door! 

While whipping up the tuna salad a mosquito must have gotten inside and was buzzing my face.  I slapped it a bit too hard and my hand, fingers came down on the edge of the cabinet.  I hit the right hand ring finger knuckle so hard that I just knew it was broken.  OHHHHH!!!!!  Oh my goodness, it was so sore but I could move it, thank goodness.  This morning it is swollen, stiff, and a tad blue but I can move it, just not grasp anything.  I thought about having it x-rayed but I think it is just severely bruised.  I was also supposed to work out this morning, cardio day but with all the stuff yesterday I also contended with a tummy ache all day long.  It was really weird and it is still a bit on the edge so I'm opting to take it easy.  Yesterday was not at all what I planned. 

Babbling

Today is a babbling day.  I will type whatever comes through my mind and it may not be good I can tell ya! 


Workout this morning was INTENSE...oh my legs have the wobbles.  It's all good though. 

Harri called to let us know that Mr. T is still in the hospital and may stay through the weekend.  The infection or blockage is still there and the doc's are playing the wait and see game.  Mrs. P is not happy and I can see why.  It's hard to watch someone you love laying there in obvious pain.  Good thoughts are with you Mr. T and gosh darnit, yesterday was his birthday!  Happy Birthday Mr. T!

Having some weird kind of thoughts about friends again.  Goes back to when I was a teenager and I could not understand what was wrong with me.  Why couldn't I get a guy to go out with me.  Why did my friends treat me so bad.  What is/was so wrong with me that no one takes the time to get to know me.  Why don't I get invited to stuff.  Am I such a dolt that I'm just not fun!  Crap!  I asked The Hubby last night, Why.  His response, "It's because you're a party pooper!"  WHAT!!!!!!  I responded, "Why can't you for once be on my side."  I AM NOT A PARTY POOPER!   What the...HAY!!!!!  I don't get it.  I am loyal, a great listener.  I am interesting, I think.  Gemini's are supposed to glib and fun-loving!  Guess maybe I'm a dud there.  Oh well.  Onward!

Back to better thoughts.  Just not worth the worry is it.  I'm an okay person and I like me, that's what counts, right!  Didn't go dancing last night so The Hubby was a bit ticked at me.  I had a sniffle that was driving me crazy, allergies I think.  Besides I don't believe the people would like to be dancing with and touching hands with someone with the sniffles, allergies or not.  Next Monday we will start a class called Night Club Two-Step.  Not sure what that is but we will stop the West Coast Swing for about 6 weeks to do it.  I told The Hubby that the agreement was 1 night a week.  He was not too happy, but hey, I'm actually giving up a meeting for my art group for it.  I'm not doing it next time.  Hmphhhh! 

Rain.  We've had some downpours since yesterday thanks to hurricane Hermine!  The area really needed it and I think it should help the fall color.  Yep, fall is just around the corner.  I'm not too sure that I'm ready for it though.  It will lead into winter my most NOT favorite time of year.  It can be so depressing.  I have to really gear up with the painting stuff and keep my mind focused on it to get me through.  I temporarily moved my painting stuff to the office/shop and have taken up a back office that is not used.  Since I'm having to be there a lot since B is teaching, why not paint.  Yesterday I started a commission piece but I'm not happy with it so far.  Not good.  May have to restart.  Last night I kept thinking about it all night long.  Not sure moving my art place there was a good idea.  I don't feel inspired there.  Oh well, onward! 

See babbling day.  Later gators!

Update, update!

The news is in on Sis. She passed the stress test and can go home, just not for a few days while they get her coumodin leveled out right. She was in tears and begging to go home but it is best that she stay in the hospital. We DO NOT want another episode again. Thank you so very much EVERYONE for the well wishes for me and Sis. It meant so much to me. Thanks again.

To top off the day, I got yet another jury duty summons today. It has been 10 months since I was last called for municipal court. This summons is for district court. I know they can't call you again for a time period, but that may be for the one I already served on and not the district. You know I really don't mind at all serving but right now I just don't need it. I've got too many irons in the fire to squeeze it in. I'll call tomorrow and see what they say but if I have too I guess I have too.

Just a little note...ENOUGH Entertainment Tonight...I've had enough of the nightly stories about the octoplets and their mother. Yadda, yadda, yadda! I thought that show was the "entertainment" industry. Apparently not. They are perpetuating the story and keeping it in the limelight which is exactly what she wants. She's a nut. I feel for the babies and her other children being brought into the forefront of the world like that. Okay, I'm stepping down off the soapbox.

Dermatologist Saga - Part II

To see Part I of my incident at the Dermatologist read this then you can go on to read this post. I wrote a letter to my dermatologist about what happened with his PA and the assistant. Last night after I had turned my phone off my dermatologist called and left me a message to call him back which I did at 8 am this morning. Thank goodness he was very upset about what happened to me and vowed to get to the bottom of the incident. I am very glad and will, from now on only book an appointment to see him instead of the PA, unless I'm very desperate. The rest of the conversation left me absolutely scared out of my wits and very anxious. He was more concerned with the problem with the MRSA and wants me to see an ear, nose and throat guy and possibly an infectious disease doctor. YIPES! I really don't want to do that and it scares the bejeezes out of me. My gut is in knots right now. He will call back tonight and wants his office to order me up a antibiotic ointment for my nose and ears, yuck. There might be another round of different antibiotics eventually if I have another outbreak and possibly a stay in the hospital and IV antibiotics. OH MY GOD!!!!! Yeah, I'm pretty scared about it all but we'll see if I can keep this stuff at bay on my own with my probiotics, vitamins, Omega 3-6-9, vitamin C, etc. I just don't want to go that route if I can help it. My God I'm really in a little bit of a panic.

A Hippy Day

I hit the ground running today and never even made it to the office. Thank goodness we have an answering service. Since the entry bathroom remodel is going so fast I had to find a wallpaper. I found one online and went to the store to see if they had it in stock. My track record for stuff like that is nil but I took the chance. I had to wait till 10 when they opened but that was okay as I spent the time getting ready, reading blogs, talking to my cleaning lady and the carpenter. It was 9:45 by the time I left the house. I called Daddy on the way and told him that I would meet him at the doctor/surgeons office about his hip at 1:30. He told me he had to be there at 1:10 to fill out paperwork. Okay, that was no problem. I rushed to the wallpaper place to find out that the one and only paper I liked was discontinued and they only had three rolls, I needed five. He took my number on a tiny piece of paper and promised to call after the distributor called him back if there were more to be found. Yeah right. I was again on the hunt for more places to look for wallpaper as he was not offering to help me at all. A quick stop at Harri's for the bathroom and a little chat and I was again moving. Bad lunch at Taco Bueno (bad girl) and another round of wallpaper books. I left the girl my number and a piece of the one I liked that I had printed off from the website and told her I would be back after the doctor's appointment.

Finding the building where Daddy's appointment was took me a bit. I finally found the right one at 1:30 and walked in to find him sitting, waiting anxiously for me. He filled out part of the paper work and was glad to have me finish it. Sitting in the waiting room with my Daddy and waiting and waiting was agonizing for me. The room was packed with all ages of people, well at least over forty at least. There were canes and wheelchairs in abundance. Some even lined up against the wall with people. One of the wheelchair ladies either got really hot sitting there or she had a stomach bug because a nurse came running out from behind the window with a small trash basket in her hand. She was quick to catch the vomit. I couldn't look. Coughing, hacking and vomit was not what I needed right now with my compromised immune system. There were so many people in the office that there was not a place to sit. I was getting a little claustrophobic with fear of illness. People were going through the door to find themselves coming back out to wait more. Finally at 2:00 his name was called and he with cane slowly made his way to the next waiting area. Actually, that was short. The nurse came in immediately and began asking him questions, most of which he could not hear, one of the reasons I was to be there. Daddy had his x-ray's that his primary care doctor took but they weren't good enough, naturally, so new x-ray's. They handed him a pair of blue paper shorts that he needed to put on. I got the wonderful task of helping him out of his jeans and into the shorts. (Where was my sister or brother.) The doctor was pretty nice and told him that he definitely had bone on bone, arthritis. He could do surgery now or he could wait. It would not get better but probably worse. Daddy went in with the idea that he was doing surgery and if they told him tomorrow he would do it. We were given a card to call tomorrow to set up the appointment for the big day, probably April. Tomorrow morning I will show up at his house where I can tap into him for information and his health insurance cards to set up the appointment. He doesn't hear well on the phone and relies on we kids to do this part. As we were standing in the elevator going down to the lobby I teared up. I was just having a meltdown right there in the elevator. We walked outside and I told him again that I would be at his house in the AM to set up the details and he was glad. I walked to my car in the opposite part of the parking lot and the tears were welling up. I just can't do this. I called my brother and told him what went down and cried. I called my sister and then totally lost it. I just can't do this. I know in my head that Daddy is really in very good health and will be okay but Granny fell, broke her hip, and had surgery. She was never the same. Momma fell, broke her hip, had surgery and died a month later. I know logically that he will be fine but my heart is just terrified. I just can't go through this stuff so soon again without being healed inside and out. I think I'll make an appointment with the therapist tomorrow. This is going to set me up for more depression.

More update

As I have written the tube is out and The Hubby had a liquid lunch today. It was rather funny to watch him try to hit his mouth with wiggly jello and a wiggly hand but he managed to drink all that was on the tray. Every minute of the day the fog in his mind has diminished. He is so ready to go home already but they want him there for another 24 hours. He also wanted to have his cell phone for work but thank goodness no cell phones in ICU. He looks really good but as he said he is a little toasty smelling, literally. His eyebrows are a little shorter and so there is the smell of toasty burned hair and no shower. Funny.

Now that The Hubby is on the mend I will write a little about the hospital and the employees. The doctors and the nurses have been absolutely fabulous, fabulous, although one little incident with a nurse was very bad. On Sunday morning, early, my brother and wife went up there to visit and since it is ICU they had to be buzzed in and directed to the room The Hubby is in. Now mind you I told my bro that The Hubby was not burned bad and that he was going to be fine. The nurse led my brother to a room where a man was laying, totally bandaged and oozy and told them he was burned over 90% of his body. My brother and wife were in absolute total shock. I didn't talk to him until that evening and then realized that they had sent them to the wrong patient. My brother thought I was delusional. The agonized all day long over the prospect of the imminent death of my husband when it was not true. Absolutely horrible. Plus the nurse told one of our employees and his wife all about my husband and his medical stuff...uh HIPPA violation I think.

Next I will comment on the nasty, nasty bathroom that we had to use then the stupid pretense of washing our hands and put on sterile robes and gloves after that. That bathroom was disgusting and that is all I'm gonna say.

Hopefully The Hubby will be home by Thursday. Stay tuned.