Update...2nd post today

3 doctors came in today to see dad...not bad after being there for 48 hours! The "hospitalist"...whom we don't care much for and have determined the reason for dad's kidney's to shut down! The cardiologist and a kidney specialist...who we really like. The cardiologist explained mainly what we already knew of dad's heart working at only 25%. The hospitalist (which is the doctors who see patients in the hospital only...unfortunately most doctors are moving to this and not seeing their own patients in the hospitals anymore)...but he said yesterday (Wed.) that he didn't think dad's kidney levels were that high and he didn't feel he even needed to be in the hospital! WELL...dad's medical doctor felt otherwise and so did the kidney specialists! In fact, the kidney doc said his levels got even a bit worse since being in the hospital! The kidney doctor did an ultrasound of dad's kidneys to rule out any stones or blockages...the ultrasound showed his kidneys are dehydrated!!! The hospitalist from the previous hospital stay (same one as now) overdosed him on lasix! Gave him way too much!!! Do you feel as we do...his lack of concern was covering himself! The good news is this can be reversed...so we think.

Dad will be in the hospital a couple more days at least to keep watch on his kidney levels. They have removed the fluid restriction so he can drink as much as he wants. And they have him on IV fluids. They will have to work at finding the right balance in all his meds...he will still need some lasix because of the congestive heart failure...and they will work to find the right combination. The kidney doctor was also concerned with 2 other meds dad is on that also cause kidney damage. Good grief! We trust what doctors give us...we should research and ask questions more and more these days.

But dad is doing better and looking forward to going home...he misses Max his dog! :-) I have included a picture of him I took today of his "treat" I took him! His kidneys may not be working as they're supposed to...but it hasn't affected his appetite! The nurses came in as he was eating this and just laughed! I told them he thinks he's at the fair and needed a turkey leg! (this has been one heck of a roller coaster ride!)

You know you just gotta laugh! It's true...laughter IS the best medicine! :-)

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. Proverbs 17:22 (NLT)

"Life may shake your world, but the foundation (God) does not move"!

"God never promised us a calm passage, but He does promise us a safe landing"!

He pretty much had it cleaned before I decided this was a "kodak moment"! :-)

Thank you again for your prayers!

Love and Blessings to you and yours!

Julie

p.s. another addition to the "one thing after another" :-) Wednesday night when Mom and I left the hospital I said...don't go so early in the morning and rest some...fell on "deaf" ears I guess...yes mom that's a JOKE...she has hearing aides in both ears...HEHEHE!!! But as she went to leave at 9am the van wouldn't start...the battery was dead...then she misplaced her keys! :-) I said...see you were not meant to go early but stay home and rest a while! :-) I got there about 10:45 so that gave her an additional 1 1/2 hours of "rest".