From Monday to Today...
When I spoke w/Dad on Monday he was in Gonzales and had called the EMS to transport him to the hospital because he could not get up off the couch. He said he just didn't have the capacity to rise or move but he didn't know why. He was very disjointed in his conversation and seemed unable to continue a thought on the phone.
He was released later that afternoon from the Gonzales Hospital and somehow made it home w/a prescription. I did talk to him and while he sounded better. He said he was diagnosed w/a Urinary Tract Infection and had been give a major dose of antibiotics, and a prescription to be continued at home.
On Tuesday, I went to get him to bring him to my house in Austin to make sure he was healing and eating properly. When I arrived, it as obvious he could not have been taking care of himself. I got his things together and in getting his shoes on, noticed a large spot on the bottom of his boot that appeared to be infected. I also saw that his leg was red and swollen almost to his knee. Worried me but didn't want him to stay in Gonzo! We got to Austin in the late evening and I got dad as settled as I could to rest. Clearly he cannot maintain himself right now. He is not at all stable to even walk.
Wednesday morning I took him to Round Rock St. Davids Hospital emergency room. They saw him immediately and quickly determined the infection was pretty bad and had been festering a while. They were very confused as to why the Gonzales Hospital let him go. I'm just glad he's where he is right now. They are very thorough.
They drained the spot on his foot and are continuing to drain it. The redness is receding and the swelling went down immediately. He is on a strong antibiotic and is being well cared for. I will meet with the doctor today to learn what is determined for the near future. I know they said they were keeping him for at least 3 days but they may need to keep him longer. I'll know more Friday.
The Plan
I am learning how Medicare works slowly and it's overwhelming. I have a few informed friends in my circle who have worked in the administrative roles for Assisted Care and nursing home facilites. I should be talking w/an appointed Case Worker soon too to help guide me in the options for dads care. I believe Medicare covers his stay in the hospital. Since he will be in there for 3+ nights, I also understand his transport to a care facility of our choosing, and the first 20 days will also be covered. Whew! That helps for now because I cannot maneuver him at all, and he cannot be on his own!
I have to check into many facets of this issue today so there may be big revisions in my plan. Who knows?! One of the good things is that our neighborhood has a really nice care facility w/all levels of care... he would be right down the street. He would also have very attentive nurses and caregivers, as well as me doing what he needs. Plus, Rosie would be happy there too.
Wrap up for today
Dad is a bit miserable because the doctors have taken him off certain meds and I think he might be detoxing alittle. He isn't getting everything he WANTS but everything he NEEDS right now. If you call him, you have to give him a moment to get everything in order to be able to talk... it seems he is moving at a glacial pace, but he is making good effort to move himself around as needed. I will be in to see him Friday morning and hopefully get more details.
He is at St. Davids in Round Rock in room 210.
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