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News from Our Multi-Generational Home in Camas - Dad's Health

By
Industry Observer with Nature As Neighbors

 

My sister and I took dad to his doctor appointment a few weeks ago. We either take turns, or share in the multiple medical visits both of our parents have these days.  The dentist, foot doctor, eye doctor, heart specialist, geriatrician, internist, and such, times two aging parents, keeps the wheels on our cars turning. Generally, though, Cheri and I go together to the big appointments, ones in which we know the doctor is going to need our observations and involvement to make good decisions. We are advocates in our parents health care, especially of late, dad. He’ll be 89 years old this April, and has congestive heart failure, early stage kidney failure, diabetes, and dementia. Although as his doctors say, “given his condition, he’s in pretty good condition.”



Lately though, he’s had two episodes of extreme weakness, followed by sleepiness, and then a total lack of memory about the event. The episodes last between 8-12 hours – long enough to worry us. Dad gave us his medical wishes, in writing, long before the dementia diagnosis, and won’t go to the hospital unless there is no alternative. And according to dad, the best alternative at this point, is no medical intervention. He has a DNR (do not resuscitate), in our state it is part of the Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) . Therefore, since he was not hospitalized for the events, we were both anxious to hear his doctor’s take on the symptoms. It turns out, it’s a mystery to him too.


The events could be heart-related, or low blood pressure, or a combination of things. We are discontinuing one medication and possibly adding another We are also going to monitor his pulse and blood pressure daily, noting any irregularities. The bottom line, his doctor stressed, given dad’s age, health condition, and wishes, sometimes the best course of action is decreasing medications and doing what’s necessary to best maintain his comfort level and enjoyment of life for as long as possible. We are grateful to have a good medical support team for dad, and one that's respectful of his well-being and his personal wishes.  The next appointment is in a few weeks, we’ll see how things go. In the meantime, we take it a day at a time. And every day is a gift. 

Posted by


Debb Janes  Bernie Stea
Brokers/REALTORS®
Call or Text 360-608-4900

We help buyers and sellers in Camas, Washougal, Brush Prairie/Hockinson, Salmon Creek, Felida, and other Vancouver, Washington Areas. 


We bring our passion for nature and beautiful environments to Real Estate. Multigenerational and family estates, country land and homes, and small farmsteads are our speciality.


We agree with our clients, "The true luxury of rural living is having elbowroom for the soul.

 

Comments (14)

Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Debb,

What a post you shared with us.  And I think it is marvelous that your dad made sure to make his medical wishes known ahead of time. And I love your last sentence.

Every day is a gift, as is every moment.  We both keep focusing on those mindful moments and realize how precious enjoying now is.  A

Feb 07, 2018 02:08 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Ron and Alexandra Seigel Thanks so much. We have a beautiful sunny day here. :) 

Feb 07, 2018 02:14 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Debb,

We have a gorgeous day, we went out for lunch at Corrazon.  We were reminiscing about your visit here, and we noticed the car in front of us was a Discovery in white--not green. A

Feb 07, 2018 02:19 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Thanks for sharing your story and having had a health scare or two myself I agree it is all about living day by day and enjoying the moment as much as you can.

It sounds like you have a thoughtful doctor, who understands your father's wishes and wants him to enjoy each day as much as he can.

Feb 07, 2018 02:50 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Debb- as I've said before, I love that you and your sister, and your parents have the living situation where everyone can be there for each other and yet still have the freedom to live your life. We were just talking to a friend today about all of the medication that we take as we age. When Larry's dad was so weak he couldn't come downstairs, we took him to Houston to MD Anderson. The first thing his doctor did was take him off of his BP meds. Bill felt so much better. 

You are all so fortunate to have each other. 

Feb 07, 2018 05:33 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Oh, my! To have them so close is a HUGE gift, Debb and Bernie. They defy age, don't they? I am struggling with my mom having complications from her heart surgery and now pneumonia. Lots of phone calls, procedures, fluid build up, yadayada. All juggling from 3, 000 miles away as she is still in the hospital (a return visit of necessity while in rehab). She wants a "fix" and I totally get it, for you guys and for my almost 87 year old mom! 

(Now, where did I put that magic wand??)

Feb 07, 2018 07:04 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Oh, yeah, the meds. When I worked in long term care, we would have patients that needed to go on a "drug holiday". As we age, processing meds goes so much slower through the body and can certainly have odd side effects. UTIs were another common mishap that would present all kinds of weirdness (including hallucinations). Hope that taking away/changing, etc. creates some kind of solution. 

Feb 07, 2018 07:06 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I love that your family is so close and your sister actually shares in the responsibility with you.  I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Feb 08, 2018 06:05 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Debb, so nice that you and your sister take such good care of your aging parents, and will pray that your Father feels better soon.

Feb 08, 2018 07:24 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Debb... every day is a gift. And there's little we can do but live day by day in times like this, regardless of how stressful it is. I'm thinking of you and your family and you are all in my prayers.

Feb 08, 2018 09:05 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much for sharing your experience with your father. Your parents are very lucky to have your care and attention.

Feb 08, 2018 09:47 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

 Your dad is surrounded by so much love. He is lucky to have two daughters who care for him so well. You are angels from heaven and your dad, I am sure, can feel this love around him. 

Feb 09, 2018 07:58 AM
Emily Medvec
eXp Realty LLC - Santa Fe, NM
Broker | Realtor | Serving Santa Fe & Northern NM

What an extradordinary story and life you and your sister are living and giving. We all are aging and it is a time when we all need support. Your image is memorable and your gift priceless. Thank you Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD 

Feb 11, 2018 04:18 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Thank you all for your gracious comments and support. We all appreciate the support. D

Feb 11, 2018 07:25 AM