So the news on my dad is not at all good. The infection that started around his feeding tube has spread to his kidneys, and he is pretty much hospital bound. He is retaining fluid and can't sleep on his back due to the tenderness in his kidneys. Add to this the cancer and the complications arising from managing his diabetes in this state. Obviously he isn't doing well.
Above and beyond all that, though, what bothers me the most is my dad's mental attitude. I was able to speak to him today, and he started off by telling me he had renal failure and was going to hospice. After the initial shock, I asked him who he had talked to (and wondering why the hell they would tell him there was nothing to be done). He avoided the subject then turned the phone over to my mother - who told me that his kidneys had not in fact failed (it is a very real possibility, mind you, just not yet), and that they are going to perform a procedure tomorrow to remove a blockage near the kidneys. Okay, so there is something that can be done, and it is being done.
He doesn't want to go on dialysis, I can understand that. But his mind already seems to be made up that this is all for naught. It is dire, I understand that. I know his chances are small. But as I've said before, you gotta roll the dice to know the result.
Above and beyond all that, though, what bothers me the most is my dad's mental attitude. I was able to speak to him today, and he started off by telling me he had renal failure and was going to hospice. After the initial shock, I asked him who he had talked to (and wondering why the hell they would tell him there was nothing to be done). He avoided the subject then turned the phone over to my mother - who told me that his kidneys had not in fact failed (it is a very real possibility, mind you, just not yet), and that they are going to perform a procedure tomorrow to remove a blockage near the kidneys. Okay, so there is something that can be done, and it is being done.
He doesn't want to go on dialysis, I can understand that. But his mind already seems to be made up that this is all for naught. It is dire, I understand that. I know his chances are small. But as I've said before, you gotta roll the dice to know the result.
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joker_:
I'm sorry. I'm not entirely sure what to say. Hopefully, it is just a symptom of all the stress and in time he'll realize there is always a reason to keep hoping.
ribbonsundone:
My heart is with you and your family. Watching someone suffer and lose hope must be so difficult. Perhaps this is his way of grieving and he will regain some sense of possibility. No matter what I hope the situation eases for all involved in whatever is best.