What a crazy four days or so it has been. Friday, I was told that my dad was not doing too well. Come to find out he was having a ton of digestive issues, extreme fatigue, blood pressure was high in one arm, low in the other...tons of stuff. It got to the point where he could walk to the kitchen without getting winded. Then I found out that my mom was getting a wheel chair for him (you may have seen the post requesting a wheel chair in classifieds. Thank you everyone for your support.)
He continues to get worse. Today, I was told he was doing "terrible," so I took off work to make sure I could advocate for my dad. He couldn't stand up to brush his teeth. I wanted him to go to the ER but my mom instead he gets his blood work done first, so that was the compromise. We did that and took the opportunity to get the PCPs opinion. He said he should go to the ER. Mom agreed but wanted to see cardiologist first since they already had an appt at 3 today and it was only 2 hours from when we would be leaving. So we did that also... And again, another DR said go to the ER. Cardiologist was able to read the blood work and said Dad was in kidney failure. Everything from a heart standpoint was ok. So we are here, dad just got admitted. Potassium is high, and his cardiologist literally describes his kidneys as "FUBAR'd".
What my main prayer request though is that at 75, knowing his life decisions, the end is probably closer than I want to admit. I think this is a bump in the road and I think we will make it through this now that we are at the hospital, but Saturday I built up the courage to talk to him about Jesus. I was told i could talk to him about anything and then three seconds after bringing up the subject, I was dismissed. I told him I wasn't trying to change him, I wasn't trying to change his political views, his morals, beliefs, etc. I just wanted to talk to him about it, and if he didn't want to talk now, he had an open invitation to talk to me about it whenever. I also reminded him his brother is a Christian and he could talk to him too. He is a stubborn old man in the moment but always seems to change is mind. I at least put the bug in his ear. Hoping and praying that Jesus does his thing and my dad opens up to it.
At the end of the conversation I told him it ultimately is his choice to make. I would be here if he needed me. I told him I would regret not bringing it up the rest of my life if I didn't talk to him about it.
He continues to get worse. Today, I was told he was doing "terrible," so I took off work to make sure I could advocate for my dad. He couldn't stand up to brush his teeth. I wanted him to go to the ER but my mom instead he gets his blood work done first, so that was the compromise. We did that and took the opportunity to get the PCPs opinion. He said he should go to the ER. Mom agreed but wanted to see cardiologist first since they already had an appt at 3 today and it was only 2 hours from when we would be leaving. So we did that also... And again, another DR said go to the ER. Cardiologist was able to read the blood work and said Dad was in kidney failure. Everything from a heart standpoint was ok. So we are here, dad just got admitted. Potassium is high, and his cardiologist literally describes his kidneys as "FUBAR'd".
What my main prayer request though is that at 75, knowing his life decisions, the end is probably closer than I want to admit. I think this is a bump in the road and I think we will make it through this now that we are at the hospital, but Saturday I built up the courage to talk to him about Jesus. I was told i could talk to him about anything and then three seconds after bringing up the subject, I was dismissed. I told him I wasn't trying to change him, I wasn't trying to change his political views, his morals, beliefs, etc. I just wanted to talk to him about it, and if he didn't want to talk now, he had an open invitation to talk to me about it whenever. I also reminded him his brother is a Christian and he could talk to him too. He is a stubborn old man in the moment but always seems to change is mind. I at least put the bug in his ear. Hoping and praying that Jesus does his thing and my dad opens up to it.
At the end of the conversation I told him it ultimately is his choice to make. I would be here if he needed me. I told him I would regret not bringing it up the rest of my life if I didn't talk to him about it.
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