October 16, 2022 (Sunday)
Dad was taken to the ER around 3:40 am from the care facility because he was unresponsive. Thankfully he regained consciousness! However, he didn't get to move to a regular room until the afternoon of the next day. He was agitated. While my brother and sis-in-law accompanied him and tried to calm him, they invited him to receive Jesus and he responded by squeezing my brother's hand. We are thankful for God is gracious and slow to anger, and he will accept my dad's gesture, even if it is a momentary offering of a repentant heart. My sister shared this verse about God's mercy:
"The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God." Psalm 51:17
October 18, 2022 (Tuesday)
Thank God that my red-eye flight and the connection in Vancouver were uneventful. I saw my dad in the hospital around 2:00 pm. He was awake but confused and incoherent. His speech was not understandable and he was very restless, constantly moving and wanting to go home. Mom's a little tired but still holding up. She and the rest of us are trying to figure out what happened. So far, none of the tests turn out positive. Mom and I held hands with dad to pray before we left. He was a little calmer when we left, maybe the little bit of food helped.
My prayer is to meet his caregiving team tomorrow to get a better understanding of what is going on.
October 19, 2022 (Wednesday)God answered my prayer. I met his OT and PT this morning and a 3rd-year med student who is caring for dad. They are still giving my dad a work-up to figure out the underlying cause of his delirium. Yesterday's stomach ultrasound and additional blood test all turned out negative. Dad slept through the night without moaning and groaning, according to his roommate. Today, he is no better or worse, still very restless when he is awake. He was fed breakfast and we gave him some lunch. His swallowing ability seems to have declined. The hospital team is continuing to investigate dad's condition so that they can treat it.
My prayer is to ask God for stillness in glad anticipation of what is to come. Pray that mom feels secure and my siblings are spirit-led.
Oct 20, 2022 (Thursday)
There is suspicion of a blood infection and possible pneumonia according to blood culture and chest x-ray. His SpO2 went below 90%! Today I met more members of his care team, including dad's doctor, an infectious disease specialist, and a chaplain! Dad is a lot calmer than yesterday. With the help of his OT and PT, he is able to sit up on the edge of the bed briefly, but he is still very weak, very gurgly, and he hardly opened his eyes! More investigation is needed.
Today's prayer is to confirm whether he has blood infection and pneumonia, and for the speech therapist to conduct a swallow test as soon as possible.
Oct 21, 2022 (Friday)
Dad is still exhibiting delirium symptoms. Today it is primarily sleepiness and unresponsiveness. He is on oxygen therapy. The senior resident explained that dad has lung inflammation from swallowing something yesterday, which probably led to his low SpO2. Since there is a high likelihood of developing pneumonia, he was given piperacillin-tarzobactum. His blood infection is not yet confirmed. No food or drink can be given. Despite not having a fever or elevated WBC, dad is very ill.
I pray that the antibiotics will help his oxygen level increase and that he will be responsive, able to speak, and able to move his limbs freely.
Oct 22, 2022 (Saturday)
Today's praise report is that mom passed her driving test to the hospital! She also parked in the parkade near the pedestrian bridge connected to the hospital, paid for her parking using the credit card machine, and found her way to dad's hospital room! There will be days when mom needs to get to the hospital by herself after I leave. Dad's condition has not stabilized. He is on a higher concentration of O2 and is in altering states of consciousness. We are thankful for Pastor Chiu, one of dad's buddies, stopping by today.
Today's prayer is to ask the Lord to grant wisdom for my family to navigate difficult decisions while trusting in God's perfect plan.
Oct 23, 2022 (Sunday)
Today is worship Sunday. Dad was awake for more than 3 hours when mom and I were visiting. We could not understand his speech when he tried to talk, but he was able to move his hands with the rhythm of the worship songs. He gave mom's driving a thumbs up and we were not sure why he gave himself two thumbs up! They determined that his blood infection is a false positive (relief). He must be responding well to the antibiotics for his lungs since his SpO2 and his level of consciousness have both improved.
Today's prayer is for my dad's positive trend to continue and for mom to be okay at night until my sister arrives on Friday.
October 24, 2022 (Monday)
I am heading home this afternoon. Home is a safe and secure place. We are at home when we accept God as our God. May God welcome my dad home; even in his hospital bed, may he find himself at home.
“Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!” Psalms 90:1 NLT
Comments
Post a Comment