Old Men and Hospitals

M

munk

Joined
Mar 22, 2002
Messages
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Old men don't like hospitals. Very little good comes out of them.
My old Man has been in the hospital for a month now, much of that in ICU.
I haven't brought updates because I really didn't know what to say. He got worse. They operated all over. Then as he recovered from that he got infected with one of those super resilient germs (from the hospital)that can only be treated with a single antibiotic and is very resistant. I don't know any more than that because my parents don't know. I think as long as the Greyhound bus they're riding has air conditioning that works they don't much care about the details- bad germ. Bad. They don't even know what's written on the IV bottles hanging over Dad's shoulder.

HE was supposed to go home today but pus starting leaking from one of his drain holes. They did a CT scan on him and I don't know the results. Hopefully, he'll still go home and get home visit nursing. I think he can heal in his own bed, not at the hospital.

I wonder under what conditions he will ever be willing to return to the hospital. He is wondering too. Defibbrilation? My sister reports the last time she spoke to him he was hostile and mildly paranoid. Too many opiates for too many days, and too much hospital.

Dad has lived a long and interactive life. If his time comes it comes. That doesn't mean I'm not upset- but at least he got some life. We have other prayer candidates- like Gravertom's baby and Jessica- that are heart wrenching because of the young age and great spirit of the parents and children. I like praying for kids and young people. But we all need peace.

So I don't know nothing. Life is not fair. During this time I got sick- a nice respiratory infection that left me sleepless. I was so spaced out I forgot my neighbor's last name, and my brain wouldn't clear every day until about 6 PM. I don't know- I think it's just because I'm getting older, these things hit harder. It was like looking through a long glass and not being able to see anything. But at night I'd write- I finished my book while Dad was facing Life or Death. 20 pages a day for three days and no sleep. Why do I finish a book that no one will ever read and will most likely end up in my closet with all those gun holsters I don't use? Well, we all need a stone to roll- a dream that takes our time and is worth every step. I hope.

My kids had birthdays- as Dad was facing his time. Little guy turned 3 and big guy turned 9. I would think strange things like; "Dad may never see Keith again."

My wife's father never got to see Trav- and that little hellion is a lot like Ed was. Looks like him too.

We don't get to see everything, do we?

So, here's wishing Dad the best, and all of you the best, and our children and all the youngest ones near to us the very very best.

The fallen pine nearby has lost several more lengths to my Khuks. It may become the first big tree ever completely cut into firewood by khuk only. ( I usually use khuk and chainsaw)

I do think Dad will go home. But as Bill said over and over, 'It's hell to get old and sick."

munk
 
That's too bad Munk. I feel sorrry for your dad having to deal with all that BS. Ms HD got one of those wicked bugs when she was in for surgery several years ago and the antibiotics she took to clear it left her permanently lactose intolerant for some odd reason. She has to go back for more surgery next month and is hoping they can do it quickly so she won't have to stay in the hosp any longer than needed. You are a sitting target for germs in there.
 
I hope it goes well for the Mrs. Hollowdwellerl Sounds to me like the antibiotics they gave her altered the digestive environment permanently. We take chances with any medical intervention. I know I won't have back surgery until I can't walk. Why take a chance until then?

I don't really understand the germ situation in Hospitals. I practised clean procedure when I was a nurse. I guess it's the kind of germs in a hospital- those devoted to hurting people, that makes the difference over the broader spectrum in your home.



munk
 
Seems like when we are young, we're so busy living and enjoying life and exploring it that we don't think much of other's troubles unless its one of our own family. Then as we get to middle age or older we slowly become aware of all the pain out there that belongs to other people. We see the fear and hurt that other people experience and it hurts us too. I'm an old f@rt now and it sure hurts me. I regret the times when I was so callous and cavalier when younger. Prayers for you and your dad Munk, and for Mrs HD too.

Ice
 
Glad you finished the book. Nice work.

No, we don't get to see everything. But, that's all right.



Be well and safe.
 
Smoke and song for your Dad, the family, and for you my friend...

.
 
Munk, reading your post, I am empathetic with your plight, but not at all worried for you or your Dad. Your head is clearly screwed on straight, and your Dad has obviously had a good run. I watched my Dad sucumb slowly, but with dignity, from diabetes and heart disease over a ten year period. He even drove out to say goodby two weeks before walking west. Talk about a class act, no whimpering, just "The doc says to settle my affairs". Your Dad may be weak right this minute, but may perk up and give you a few more years, God willing. I can hardly wait to get back to the classroom, even after 5 bypasses and cancer they didn't catch quick (which we still beat). Every day's a struggle, but beautiful none the less. This afternoon, one of my former students put her two week old baby in my arms, and had trouble getting him back. God, babies smell good!
 
Why is that, Jurrasic, that a clean baby smells faintly of peaches or some honey not sold on this plane of existence, but old men smell, well, like they don't want to let go of babies!!????



munk
 
The cantina's a great place.
People make a place great.
What Green Ice, Kismet, Nasty, Jurrassicnarc, & all the others said.
Prayers for all.
 
Witnessing the turning of the wheel of life... Just yesterday we were children. One can see old age & infirmity in the not too distant future. And that's if you're lucky; the drowning thread the other day is a reminder of that.

You have a front seat to that munk, your children growing, dad slipping away. But that is the way it's supposed to happen. Spring turns to summer, fall to the end of the year. And then it all starts over again.

Part of being middle aged is watching the elders slip away. At least you're blessed with the good part too- watching the kids grow up and experience all the wonders of living. There's nothing tragic or sad in what's unfolding, especially if you are at peace with your dad, and I think you are.

I've been watching the sun set every day when I can- every day, a little farther south each day since June 21. Winter's far off but I can see it coming.

So too with all our days.

Sunday, I was at the beach for the first time in a year. Kids were catching fish in a bucket, moms surfed, teens played volleyball. A sandpiper caught a marine bit. Warm sand under foot, emerald waves broke at our feet. Ahh, I thought, to be reborn. To come back as a bird, a dolphin. Wouldn't that be nice...

And in the event it doesn't happen, I'm still ahead of the game: I got to live once. Age I will face one day at a time.

And I hope when I am in my eighties, I am still putting firecrackers in people's mailboxes.



Ad Astra
 
Warm sand under foot, emerald waves broke at our feet. Ahh, I thought, to be reborn. To come back as a bird, a dolphin. Wouldn't that be nice...>>>

Ad Astra


There's a great song by Mickey Newbury about all he ever wanted to be was a grain of sand falling through a baby's hand...



munk
 
munk

Prayers for you and your Dad. May you both find peace.

Children bury their parents. That is as it should be.
However long or short the time may be, let us give thanks when it is so.
Rather than the other way around.
 
Since I can no longer give chiclets, cacti or rep points....... :( :mad:

Kudos to you Ad Astra!!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :)

Very Well Spoken!!!!!!
 
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