Most of Christmas was lovely. All kids and grandkids and Pat and Rick came to the Hospice In-Patient Unit to visit us. Since they have a very homey family room with Christmas tree, a piano, and a toy box full of toys it was a nice atmosphere for everyone. Toddler and babies came by in am with parents--unfortunately Jim slept thru their visit, but Barb enjoyed it immensely. It was great to have 3 year old Willie come up to me and whisper, "Nan, can I go in and kiss Pop?" So he and I went in to check on Jim and he was still sleeping peacefully in his room, but I was able to get a couple of pictures of Willie kissing Jim--first on his leg and then venturing up to kiss his arm and Pop just slept thru it all. But when I showed Jim the pictures later in the day, he was so pleased. The afternoon brought the older kids and my sister, Pat, and husband, Rick and Jim was awake (and himself) to enjoy them. He was his old teasing self when 14 year old Jimmy (who has never liked being kissed) bent down to give Pop a hug, Jim grabbed hold of his sweat shirt and wouldn't let go until everyone in the room gave Jimmy a kiss! And then he still wouldn't let go until Jimmy gave him a kiss.
Then in the evening Jim ran a fever and was taken to Arlington Hospital, diagnosed with a right lower lobe pneumonia, and admitted and treated with IV antibiotics. I spent the night with him again and he did not sleep a wink! He was extremely agitated and confused trying to pull out all his tubes (Oxygen, urinary catheter, and IV's). Nothing they gave him calmed him down. His temperature is better today, but he remained agitated and confused. A new medication was added and did give him 2 hours of calmness and lucidity, but still no sleep! Our adult children were all there with him today and are spelling each other throughout the night as they are insisting I come home to sleep tonight since I literally was awake all night with him. He will probably remain in the hospital til Monday at which time he will be discharged into Hospice care again, but this time maybe to home. We will meet with the Hospice liason person tomorrow morning for the discharge plan. We think we will need 24 hr. care by nurses' aides if he does come home as he is now too weak to even stand with help. My poor, poor Jim. Love, Barbara
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Dear Barbara and Jim,
ReplyDeleteJim, we are so sorry about the pneumonia and the hospitalization. Hopefully Monday will see you going home! Barbara, we are glad that you are taking the kids advice about going home to sleep. You don't need to be sick yourself. Glad that you both were able to have some quality family time on Christmas day! You have been in our thoughts and prayers always! I'll be at work the next two days but will call you on Tuesday. We wish both of you some peaceful days and sleep filled nights! God bless both of you, dear friends!
Love, prayers, hugs and kisses,
Jeanne, Frank and Alyssa