Services will be at:
Plunkett Louis Swift Funeral Home
529 N York Rd
Hatboro, PA 19040
215-672-6262
Funeral will be at:
Washington Crossing National Cemetery
830 Highland Road
Newtown, PA 18940
Phone: (215) 504-5610
Viewing: Tuesday, August 2, 2011 from 6 - 8
Funeral: Wednesday, August 3, 2011 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
At Peace
I am with mixed emotions to say that Dad is now at peace with no more pain or worry or struggle. He passed on Thursday, July 28th. He is the strongest man I will ever know, but he met his match with the cancer and after 2 long years of battle, he is now with God. I am so proud to call him my Dad.
Funeral arrangements are being made today and I will update when I have them.
Funeral arrangements are being made today and I will update when I have them.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Another Day
I got up early this morning and was with Dad at 7:00 a.m. in order to be there when his doctor got there and of course the doctor didn't show up until almost 11:00 a.m. Just my luck
Dad had a rough night. He woke up somewhere around 3:00 a.m. and had a horrible nightmare about being in a war. He woke up and thought it was real and got out of bed by himself on the wrong side and ended up getting all tangled up in his wires. From the story I got he did finally push the call bell and the nurses came rushing in and had to calm him down and get him back in bed and unraveled. When I showed up I saw the sign on his door that said "bed alarm" and right as I read it, the one nurses aide saw me and said your dad is making all that noise (I could hear the alarms going while he was moving around in his bed. They are very touchy)
Good thing about today is Dad has lots of help since today the student nurses where there so every time we needed something, someone was there really quick. After I spoke with Dad and he told me what had happened the student nurse came in and explained to me what she read about the incident as well. I was very upset and started crying. Let me back track a bit since I didn't get to update yesterday evening. I found out last night that dad hasn't had any pain meds since Monday after the NG tube went in. Which, is good that he isn't in pain anymore, but doesn't explain his 'loopiness'. So, after hearing what happened during the night and seeing him this morning, I'm just very worried that something isn't right with him.
Alot went on this morning, but while the nurse was giving him his bath she noticed that his port was leaking. She called in the nurse and she had to call the IV nurse to the room. Turns out he must have pulled out his needle from the port last night during his scare. I was upset and voiced it about how the nurses didn't check it after they got him back in bed, but of course everybody present now wasn't there during the night.
Finally the doc came in and I voiced my anger about the nurses not checking the port and he did make me feel a little better stating that sometimes it's hard to know that it's not in because of the tape that is around it to hold it in place. That made me feel better. He said it's not as bad as the nurses made it sound and they put an IV in his arm to get his 'sugar water' for today and then tomorrow they should be able to access the port again so they can resume his nutrition, etc. We also discussed his 'loopiness' and the doc is ordering bloodwork to see if there is anything funky going on. He did say that liver disease can sometimes cause excess ammonia to be in the blood and that could be the cause, but the test will show us if there's anything going on. He also said that he will order another XRay to see how things are going. He said he wants to make sure that there's not a block also in his small intestines. But, he said when we first came to the hospital and they did the XRay that it didn't show any signs, but he wants to be sure. I let the doctor know that I had to leave soon so he has my cell number and will call me with the results.
Later, Dad's case manager had visited and we discussed his occupational therapy and physical therapy that he will start receiving today. She stated that they will evaluate him throughout his stay and that will determine whether or not he is safe enough to go home or whether he will need to go to rehab when he's released. She also discussed that he'll be getting trained on how to take care of his ostomy bag and the person that will be there for him should also learn. Well, I guess that will be me since Mom can't do it. I'm not sure that i'm ready for this, but of course, it's my Dad, and I will do anything for him.
Clark and I were up to see Dad last night and we brought him a VCR and some movies since he's extremely bored and really doesn't like TV. He was happy about it, but of course last night we couldn't hook it up because the wires weren't long enough. Today when the one nurses aide was in the room she saw the DVD and I told her what happened and next thing you know she brought in a table and we were able to set it up for him. Now the problem was that Dad had requested a box set that he had, but it was about War. We turned it on and as I watched the first minute of it, I said to him that I didn't think this was such a good idea especially with the dream he just had last night. He agreed, so later I will bring him something more of a comedy for him.
Looks as though Dad is in this for the long haul and probably won't be getting out for at least another week. I hate seeing him like this. He's so sad and bored and angry and weak. I could keep going on with the ANDS.
I finally got back home around 1:00 and will now attempt to get some work work done for Todd and take care of Mom and then will go back to the hospital later on.
Dad had a rough night. He woke up somewhere around 3:00 a.m. and had a horrible nightmare about being in a war. He woke up and thought it was real and got out of bed by himself on the wrong side and ended up getting all tangled up in his wires. From the story I got he did finally push the call bell and the nurses came rushing in and had to calm him down and get him back in bed and unraveled. When I showed up I saw the sign on his door that said "bed alarm" and right as I read it, the one nurses aide saw me and said your dad is making all that noise (I could hear the alarms going while he was moving around in his bed. They are very touchy)
Good thing about today is Dad has lots of help since today the student nurses where there so every time we needed something, someone was there really quick. After I spoke with Dad and he told me what had happened the student nurse came in and explained to me what she read about the incident as well. I was very upset and started crying. Let me back track a bit since I didn't get to update yesterday evening. I found out last night that dad hasn't had any pain meds since Monday after the NG tube went in. Which, is good that he isn't in pain anymore, but doesn't explain his 'loopiness'. So, after hearing what happened during the night and seeing him this morning, I'm just very worried that something isn't right with him.
Alot went on this morning, but while the nurse was giving him his bath she noticed that his port was leaking. She called in the nurse and she had to call the IV nurse to the room. Turns out he must have pulled out his needle from the port last night during his scare. I was upset and voiced it about how the nurses didn't check it after they got him back in bed, but of course everybody present now wasn't there during the night.
Finally the doc came in and I voiced my anger about the nurses not checking the port and he did make me feel a little better stating that sometimes it's hard to know that it's not in because of the tape that is around it to hold it in place. That made me feel better. He said it's not as bad as the nurses made it sound and they put an IV in his arm to get his 'sugar water' for today and then tomorrow they should be able to access the port again so they can resume his nutrition, etc. We also discussed his 'loopiness' and the doc is ordering bloodwork to see if there is anything funky going on. He did say that liver disease can sometimes cause excess ammonia to be in the blood and that could be the cause, but the test will show us if there's anything going on. He also said that he will order another XRay to see how things are going. He said he wants to make sure that there's not a block also in his small intestines. But, he said when we first came to the hospital and they did the XRay that it didn't show any signs, but he wants to be sure. I let the doctor know that I had to leave soon so he has my cell number and will call me with the results.
Later, Dad's case manager had visited and we discussed his occupational therapy and physical therapy that he will start receiving today. She stated that they will evaluate him throughout his stay and that will determine whether or not he is safe enough to go home or whether he will need to go to rehab when he's released. She also discussed that he'll be getting trained on how to take care of his ostomy bag and the person that will be there for him should also learn. Well, I guess that will be me since Mom can't do it. I'm not sure that i'm ready for this, but of course, it's my Dad, and I will do anything for him.
Clark and I were up to see Dad last night and we brought him a VCR and some movies since he's extremely bored and really doesn't like TV. He was happy about it, but of course last night we couldn't hook it up because the wires weren't long enough. Today when the one nurses aide was in the room she saw the DVD and I told her what happened and next thing you know she brought in a table and we were able to set it up for him. Now the problem was that Dad had requested a box set that he had, but it was about War. We turned it on and as I watched the first minute of it, I said to him that I didn't think this was such a good idea especially with the dream he just had last night. He agreed, so later I will bring him something more of a comedy for him.
Looks as though Dad is in this for the long haul and probably won't be getting out for at least another week. I hate seeing him like this. He's so sad and bored and angry and weak. I could keep going on with the ANDS.
I finally got back home around 1:00 and will now attempt to get some work work done for Todd and take care of Mom and then will go back to the hospital later on.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Hanging in there
Went and saw Dad this morning. He's doing well. He's very weak and a bit down since he now knows he won't be coming home until next week. He was really hoping to get home tomorrow, but since the set back with the small intestine, there's just no way. The pain meds have him a bit out of it and he's getting frustrated when he can't remember things. I told him that it's because of the meds and he'll be fine when he doesn't have to take them anymore. The therapist was in today and took him for a walk and spoke with him about getting him a walker instead of the cane. He's still on nothing by mouth except sips of water or gingerale which isn't making him happy either. He's still on his pain meds and is still getting his antibiotics. Doc was in this morning, but Dad doesn't remember what he said. I'm going to see if I can go early in the am tomorrow so that I can catch the doc when he makes his rounds. Of course, you never know when he will be there, so I'll have to just get there early early and hang around until he does.
I'm going to try and make it over there again later, but I first have to take Mom to the doctor since her knee is becoming infected from her fall. It's always something.
I'm going to try and make it over there again later, but I first have to take Mom to the doctor since her knee is becoming infected from her fall. It's always something.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Relief
OK...it's been a tough day. I was speaking to Dad on the phone this morning and he didn't sound right. Of course, he's all doped up from his meds so talking to him is a chore, but he was telling me how he was throwing up alot, couldn't eat, his back was killing him, and the nurses were never coming when he called.
I was so frustrated, I decided I needed to get down there right away and went. When I got there, Dad looked miserable. He was constantly tossing and turning and was in pain because of his back. The nurse said to me it's probably from the bed and being in the OR and it's his body 'waking' up after all the stuff going on. I was doubtful. Then he starting vomiting. And let me tell you, it was the most disgusting this I had ever seen. I was so upset. It was black in color and just didn't look right. I questioned the nurses aid and she brought the nurse in. I told her something is wrong and that's not right. She called the doctor and the doctor order an XRay.
Meanwhile, my phone was dying and I needed to make phone calls about work. I go to the parking garage to find that my charger is not there. I was so mad. Then, the storms come and boy they were strong. Of course, I didn't have an umbrella so I tried to wait out the storm, but it was never ending so I eventually hobbled into the hospital (can't run because my knee is still messed up).
I finally get back to the hospital and Dad is sitting in the doorway on the gurney. He said he just got back from XRay. Boy that was fast. So, a short time the doctor comes in and explains that the results show the small intestines are inflamed. So, he said they were going to put an NG tube in which will suck out the fluid that's in there. He said it's a complication that should be relieved in time. I asked the doctor if that's why his back was hurting so much and he said he wasn't sure, but it could be a variety of things.
Well, as soon as they got the tube in, the fluids started flowing and he filled up one cup within 2 minutes. By the time I left he was on his 3rd. We were joking that he really was "full of sh*t". I wasn't going to leave for a while, but Dad said his back was relieved and was thanking me for pushing them to do testing. He was finally comfortable again and said he was going to go to sleep.
So, now he's back on ice chips and of course this set back means that Dad will not be coming home by Wednesday as we had hoped.
I was so frustrated, I decided I needed to get down there right away and went. When I got there, Dad looked miserable. He was constantly tossing and turning and was in pain because of his back. The nurse said to me it's probably from the bed and being in the OR and it's his body 'waking' up after all the stuff going on. I was doubtful. Then he starting vomiting. And let me tell you, it was the most disgusting this I had ever seen. I was so upset. It was black in color and just didn't look right. I questioned the nurses aid and she brought the nurse in. I told her something is wrong and that's not right. She called the doctor and the doctor order an XRay.
Meanwhile, my phone was dying and I needed to make phone calls about work. I go to the parking garage to find that my charger is not there. I was so mad. Then, the storms come and boy they were strong. Of course, I didn't have an umbrella so I tried to wait out the storm, but it was never ending so I eventually hobbled into the hospital (can't run because my knee is still messed up).
I finally get back to the hospital and Dad is sitting in the doorway on the gurney. He said he just got back from XRay. Boy that was fast. So, a short time the doctor comes in and explains that the results show the small intestines are inflamed. So, he said they were going to put an NG tube in which will suck out the fluid that's in there. He said it's a complication that should be relieved in time. I asked the doctor if that's why his back was hurting so much and he said he wasn't sure, but it could be a variety of things.
Well, as soon as they got the tube in, the fluids started flowing and he filled up one cup within 2 minutes. By the time I left he was on his 3rd. We were joking that he really was "full of sh*t". I wasn't going to leave for a while, but Dad said his back was relieved and was thanking me for pushing them to do testing. He was finally comfortable again and said he was going to go to sleep.
So, now he's back on ice chips and of course this set back means that Dad will not be coming home by Wednesday as we had hoped.
uncertain
dad is now back on no liquids. hes been throwing up a lot this morning and its been dark brown in color. the doc was called and dad just got back from xray. they want to make sure there is no obstruction or leakage going on. we are waiting for the results.
please say a prayer.
please say a prayer.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Not so bad
Doc says Dad's doing well and recovering nicely. He could be home by Wednesday, so that's great. He still is in pain from the surgery, but the meds are helping with that. His blood pressure has been very high since Thursday, so they were giving him meds to lower it and today it was very low. Like 90 over 56 or something like that. Luckily, they just took it and it was 110/64 so it's getting better.
He's in good spirits, although he has been complaining about the bed and how is back hurts because of it. haha that's how you know he's feeling better when he starts complaining. He's finally on liquids and he was loving that this morning when we were there. He drank everything in site :) Tomorrow he'll hopefully start on mush food, as I like to call it.
So, things are finally starting to look up. I've been staying with Mom since the whole thing started and as much as I love her, I'm really getting home sick. But I do what I have to do :)
Thanks for all the prayers.
Tammy
He's in good spirits, although he has been complaining about the bed and how is back hurts because of it. haha that's how you know he's feeling better when he starts complaining. He's finally on liquids and he was loving that this morning when we were there. He drank everything in site :) Tomorrow he'll hopefully start on mush food, as I like to call it.
So, things are finally starting to look up. I've been staying with Mom since the whole thing started and as much as I love her, I'm really getting home sick. But I do what I have to do :)
Thanks for all the prayers.
Tammy
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Doing Well
We spent some time with Dad today and he's doing well. He's in good spirits and the drugs are doing well for his pain. Still only on ice chips. Tomorrow he should be able to do liquids and if that goes well, then the next day he will try soft foods.
He's such a trooper
He's such a trooper
Road to Recovery
glad to hear my dads voice this morning. He called the house at around 7 am. hes in great spirits and is doing well . cant wait to see him hopefully the doc will come while we are there so we can get the scoop on how everything is going
Friday, July 22, 2011
The Latest
Just got word that Dad is off the ventillar and will be going back to his room shortly. Doc said everything was good, however the tumor is very large and lower than the had originally thought. The doc was going to try and remove some of the tumor, but since it was so low, he was not able to. But, we weren't expecting him to be able to anyway.
We weren't able to see Dad after the surgery since he was going to be in recovery so long and they weren't sure whether he would be going back to his normal room or ICU. The doc was going to allow me to see him in the recovery room, but he said he wouldn't know I was there so I opted out since seeing him like that I was not ready for.
So, I am home with Mom now and we are going to try and get some sleep and will be back at the hospital as soon as we are allowed. Hope Dad sleeps well tonight
Thanks for all the great comments, messages, and texts. It really means alot to have so many friends and family that care.
Love to all,
Tammy
We weren't able to see Dad after the surgery since he was going to be in recovery so long and they weren't sure whether he would be going back to his normal room or ICU. The doc was going to allow me to see him in the recovery room, but he said he wouldn't know I was there so I opted out since seeing him like that I was not ready for.
So, I am home with Mom now and we are going to try and get some sleep and will be back at the hospital as soon as we are allowed. Hope Dad sleeps well tonight
Thanks for all the great comments, messages, and texts. It really means alot to have so many friends and family that care.
Love to all,
Tammy
in recovery
everything went well, he is in recovery now, still on the ventillator. they will try to get him off within the hour and go back to his regular room. if not hell be in the icu for a while. we will update more when we have info
In the OR
sorry for the lack of posts but there really wasnt much going on. sean, mom, tim, and i were with dad for awhile and finally at 5 oclock they came to get dad for his trip to the or. he was on standby so we just had to wait until they had a spot for him. im sitting in my car charging my phone and writing this update while the boys took mom home. should be about an hour procedure and then another hour in recovery so its a long wait. im the emergency contact so i had to stay here in case the doc needed me god forbid something were to go wrong.
dad was in good spirits and we were even joking around and took some funny pics.
please say a prayer that everything goes well.
tammy
dad was in good spirits and we were even joking around and took some funny pics.
please say a prayer that everything goes well.
tammy
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Finally answers
It's late, i'm tired, but the short version of the story is he has a total blockage of his colon and will be having a colostomy tomorrow afternoon.
I will update more later, but right now I need to eat something, talk to my mom about everything that has happened, and then go to bed.
Prayers are appreciated.
I will update more later, but right now I need to eat something, talk to my mom about everything that has happened, and then go to bed.
Prayers are appreciated.
waiting on cat scan
so all we know right now is that the xray is showing a blockage of the intestine dad is scheduled for a cat scan at around 7 pm they have him on meds for the pain so hes happy surgeon im sure will be coming in at some point and we will know more after the cat scan
blockage
results from xray show a blockage so we are waiting on dads surgeon to see what he wants to do now
waiting
dad is back from xray so we r now waiting on the results of that and the bloodwork. they finally gave dad pain meds so he is in lala land right now which is good. i hate seeing him in pain. his blood pressure has dropped a little which is good for some reason i cant use numbers on this darn thing so his pressure was one eighty seven over ninety seven. now the top number has dropped to one sixty eight so thats a bit better
gone for xray
sitting in his room all by myself while they just wheeled dad away to have his xray done they doc says the xray will show if there is a blockage or not. we r also waiting on the blood work to come back dads blood pressure is pretty high so im sure thats a concern as well ok so this phone typing is extremely annoying. but i will continue in order to keep you all inform
ed digh like
ed digh like
hospital visit
I am currently sitting in the hospital room with dad. he still hasnt passed any bowels and has been vomitting alot and the last one contained blood, so his doc told him to go to the hospital to get checked out.
please forgive the spelling and punctuation errors as im typing this on my cell phone dad is doing ok, just has bouts of severe belly pain. the doc was just here and we are waiting to get an xray of his belly to see whats going on
i will post as i get more info
please forgive the spelling and punctuation errors as im typing this on my cell phone dad is doing ok, just has bouts of severe belly pain. the doc was just here and we are waiting to get an xray of his belly to see whats going on
i will post as i get more info
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
No change
There is no change in Dad's status today. Still no bowel movement. He called the doc office and they told him to continue with the milk of magnesium and try prune juice. hehe Dad wasn't happy with that. I stopped at the store on my way home from my doc appt and got him some and he's taken a couple glasses already. Tonight, he was awake and you can see/hear that he's in pain. I told him to call his doc right now. He argued with me that since it was 8 o'clock at night that they won't be in. I constantly explain to him that they have answering services. So, he finally called and the doc called back within 4 minutes and told him to continue what he was doing and that he doesn't feel there is a urgent need for him to go to hospital yet. He told him to take more MOM and see what happens in the morning and to call the office if there's been no change.
That made me feel better that he finally called and I was there when he did so I could hear what the doc was telling him.
On a side note....Mom had a bad fall today. She's an avid treadmill walker and today she must have pushed a wrong button and the treadmill took off really fast and threw her. She's bruised up pretty good and has a nice fox burn type cut on her knee. Of course, she wasn't using the safety clip that I have been lecturing her to use for months now. She's ok, just really sore and bruised up.
I'll be checking in on them in the morning and i'll update tomorrow.
Stay cool!
That made me feel better that he finally called and I was there when he did so I could hear what the doc was telling him.
On a side note....Mom had a bad fall today. She's an avid treadmill walker and today she must have pushed a wrong button and the treadmill took off really fast and threw her. She's bruised up pretty good and has a nice fox burn type cut on her knee. Of course, she wasn't using the safety clip that I have been lecturing her to use for months now. She's ok, just really sore and bruised up.
I'll be checking in on them in the morning and i'll update tomorrow.
Stay cool!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Setback
Got a phone call tonight around 7:00ish from Dad asking me what we were having for dinner and if we could bring Mom something. He then tells me that he has been in bed all day and is not feeling well (another blockage and haven't had a bowel movement in 3 days). Of course, I rushed over and sat with mom and had dinner with her. He was in bed the whole time I was there. He agreed that if he doesn't have a bowel movement by tomorrow that he will have to go to the doctor.
What this may mean is, if he has to go to the doctors tomorrow, the doctor will automatically arrange to have a colostomy bag put in. He had already told us this the last time Dad had a problem when he was in all that pain months back. Please say a prayer that the stool softeners and all that Dad took today and yesterday will finally take effect and all will be well.
Will keep you updated tomorrow. I have a ortho appointment tomorrow morning for my knee, and then will be headed over to see what the plan is for dad.
Until tomorrow
Tammy
What this may mean is, if he has to go to the doctors tomorrow, the doctor will automatically arrange to have a colostomy bag put in. He had already told us this the last time Dad had a problem when he was in all that pain months back. Please say a prayer that the stool softeners and all that Dad took today and yesterday will finally take effect and all will be well.
Will keep you updated tomorrow. I have a ortho appointment tomorrow morning for my knee, and then will be headed over to see what the plan is for dad.
Until tomorrow
Tammy
Monday, July 18, 2011
Balance issues and CAT scan
The last couple of weeks Dad has been having more and more balance issues. I think some of it is that he is wearing himself out, but one can never be too sure. Two weeks ago my son was over helping Dad weed his gardens and he called me saying "Papa fell and can't get up" my husband dropped everything and ran down to help him. (I'm still nursing my busted knee so me rushing is a joke) While this was going on, I called the house to tell them that Clark was on his way and Mom had no idea what was going on. So, she went to the door to see if Dad was ok, and she falls. Poor Clark had to rescue both of them. Luckily, both of them were fine.
Dad had a doctor appointment Last Monday and he told the doc about his falls and the doctor wanted to do a CAT scan to make sure that there isn't anything major going on. Dad had the CAT scan today so we should have the results next week when he sees the doctor again. I will be sure to go to this appointment and will keep you all informed after we find out the results.
Other than this excitement, there really isn't a whole lot going on. Dad seems a lot more tired than he usually is, so it looks like this week I will be sending meals down to them so he won't have to worry about cooking. We cooked breakfast and lunch at their house yesterday and today we sent down roast beef.
Please say a prayer for a dear, close friend of ours whose mother is in the hospital at this moment. xoxoxo
Until next time,
Tammy
Dad had a doctor appointment Last Monday and he told the doc about his falls and the doctor wanted to do a CAT scan to make sure that there isn't anything major going on. Dad had the CAT scan today so we should have the results next week when he sees the doctor again. I will be sure to go to this appointment and will keep you all informed after we find out the results.
Other than this excitement, there really isn't a whole lot going on. Dad seems a lot more tired than he usually is, so it looks like this week I will be sending meals down to them so he won't have to worry about cooking. We cooked breakfast and lunch at their house yesterday and today we sent down roast beef.
Please say a prayer for a dear, close friend of ours whose mother is in the hospital at this moment. xoxoxo
Until next time,
Tammy
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