May20
So, it’s been quite a day today. Last night, my mother-in-law, Gaynell, called to say that my father-in-law, George, had been admitted to the hospital. Late the night before, his pain level was quite high, and they went to his doctor in the morning. The doctor told him to go to the emergency room.
After he was admitted, Mom said that they were going to do surgery the next morning, and that it was gall bladder and kidney related.
Doug and I went to the hospital today to visit Dad, thinking it was going to be some routine procedure and that Dad would be better soon.
When we got there, it turned out Dad’s blood pressure had been dropping since 1 AM. His systolic pressure had gotten as low as 62 (normal is about 115) and was currently at 83. They were pushing fluids and took him off morphine to get his blood pressure up and stabilized.
The surgery that Mom mentioned was actually a procedure called ERCP, which involves dad swallowing an endoscope which would give the doctors a view to see any blockages near the liver/gall bladder/pancreas. In all likelihood, his pain was being caused by gallstones, among other possibilities.
But they can’t do the procedure until his blood pressure is closer to normal and stabilized. They told us that he would likely be in the ICU that afternoon.
We also found out that Dad signed a DNR – and with his blood pressure so low, it was very possible that he could get into a resuscitation situation. I spoke with my sister-in-law, Georgiana, to see if there was any way we could talk him out of it. But he’s adamantly sticking to it.
This news was a blow to me. I could understand it if he was diagnosed as terminally ill, but right now, he isn’t.
Around 3 PM, we found out that his systolic pressure was slightly higher, now 87, and that they would schedule the ERCP for the morning.
Around 6 PM, we were told that he wouldn’t have to go to the ICU, but to critical care.
At 7:30 PM, we found out he was actually moved to the ICU. And that he weighed a shocking 88 lbs.
This day has been so emotionally draining for me, but I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like for my mother in law. They truly are like another set of parents to me.
My mom, who is an RN at Penrose, where my FIL is now, went on her day off to the hospital to support my in-laws. She rocks!
The boys know that grandpa is sick and in the hospital, but that is the extent of it. They usually spend Wed/Fri afternoons at grandma & grandpa’s house. Today I was able to distract them with a playdate at the park and a preview event at the zoo. But I did have to tell them that they would probably not go to their grandparents’ house on Friday.
“You mean we don’t get to go there at all this whole week?!” Zevan complained.
The boys made him get well cards, and Zander’s said “Get well soon grandpa because we want to come over.”
My heart is just aching. I’m not ready for this. I’m going to keep believing that he will stabilize and that the ERCP will help alleviate the pain and get us to a course of treatment to help him get better. I will work on preparing for other outcomes, but I want to stay hopeful that he will be back on his feet.
I’m so emotionally overwhelmed at this point. I just wasn’t expecting it.
Doug’s trying to comfort me because I keep randomly bursting into tears, and I’m feeling guilty about that because I’m supposed to be comforting him!
Please send positive thoughts/energies/prayers for his health. I think it really does help.
