Blood Sweat Tears

It's been three + tough weeks. Dad went to hospital and was admitted June 10 due to non-stop cough and severe shortness of breath. They put him on O2 tank to assist breathing + IV's to hydrate.

Took awhile and a serious scare before hospital team realized he had been being treated with antibiotics for the wrong strain of pneumonia. Not only was it NOT treating his infection, it (as well as other long-term meds for multiple conditions) have likely been harming other body systems over time, as well. Still, you do what you have to do, right? Heavy sigh.

After an icky "episode" two weeks ago in which Mom was quite terrified that we might lose him, hospital team identified the current nasty bacterial infection and got him on appropriate meds. Meanwhile, while IVs did hydrate, they also exacerbated edema (major swelling of extremities). THAT, in turn, required treatment with Lasiks - yet another challenge when it comes to side effects. Never-ending merry-go-round of NO FUN.

He rallied a bit and, after a week in hospital, was discharged to a rehab facility. He had round clock nurse care plus three hours of  PT and OT daily, with goal to get him back home.  Expected stay was 10 days (original anticipated day to come home was today, Monday June 29).

Three days ago, however, on Friday - blood work revealed that all his counts were unacceptably low and Dr's ordered a blood transfusion. He was sent to neighboring hospital facility for what we originally thought was a short procedure. Friday night, he was admitted into the hospital and is still there - received his third transfusion today. Not sure why blood counts are not improving with new cells.

Who knows what tomorrow brings? Earlier today, the doctor ordered a bone marrow biopsy, scheduled for tomorrow morning. As we left the hospital at 6pm this evening, there was much uncertainty regarding if and when the procedure would transpire and zero explanation as to the how and why.

So, 'tis a scary season of decisions and transitions and we are very thankful to so many family and friends for phone calls, cards, thoughts, prayers, love and beautiful offers of help and support. It means so very much, truly.

I will do my best to keep you apprised as we learn more. Please keep the love and good energy flowing -- bless you!

Breath by breath....