mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749 
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Post by mistersmom on Jan 3, 2014 21:09:32 GMT
I really didn't want to post this all over facebook and honestly, I am a bit fed up with HT and some of its members but needed someone to "talk" to.
My grandfather turned 90 on 12/27. His health and mental acuity have been declining over the last year or so but today he seems to have taken a bigger turn for the worse. He can't hear anything (he is hard of hearing but usually if you get on his "good side" and speak loudly he can hear you). He can't really describe what is wrong/hurting. All he wants to do is sleep, my mom had a heck of a time getting him up to eat lunch. I'm not sure if this is really the beginning of the end or if, for some reason, he's just having a "bad day". My mom doesn't think he is having a stroke but possibly a TIA. Depending on the next few days, I may move into their house with them to keep a closer eye on him and do what needs to be done around the farm.
We could use some prayers/good vibes please. If it is the end for him, I pray that he will go quickly and not suffer any longer. I'm not sure how any of us could handle him having a stroke but living through it. His brother had a stroke and lived another year or so not being able to see and then later speak or hear. It was just torture on him, as well as on my grandfather watching what was happening to his brother.
Thanks.
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Post by horselover4life on Jan 3, 2014 21:35:39 GMT
 ...first . Second, call his doctor immediately! He may be old but he could have something that is treatable or help to make his declining days let troublesome for him and for all of you watching him struggle. He may have something in his ear, a wax buildup that has suddenly hardened, a part of a hearing aid or something actually stuck. He could be having a TIA...there is medication that can help but it needs to be given quickly to stop or reverse damages happening. Time is of the utmost for all of you. If this is the end, think about hospice... they can be a Godsend to patient and family members rendering compassionate care and support for all, especially him. I lived with watching, taking care of and living the nightmare of heart attacks, heart disease, heart surgeries, then strokes with my own dad so truly understand where you are at... I have also watched cancer destroy my FIL and his family suffer through that helplessly... I offer you my support in anything I can do for you. ....strong of support. |
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Post by horselady on Jan 4, 2014 12:25:11 GMT
I just saw this as do as hl4l has said and get him some medical attention so he is comfortable. seems when they decide time is up they get like that. my prayers and many to you and your family he lived a great life and you are filled with so many memories to treasure |
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Valhallanite
Junior Member
Dutchess County, New York
Posts: 826
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Post by Valhallanite on Jan 4, 2014 14:20:06 GMT
Oh, I am so sorry to hear your family is going through this. I didn't see this post yesterday. Of course you have my prayers and best wishes. I have been in your shoes where you just say "What should I do?!!!" I absolutely agree with hl4l. I have dealt with elderly family members as well, it is better to have the doctors check them out so you know what is going on. How else can you decide what needs to be done? Sometimes it is something unexpected that is treatable, sometimes not treatable, but at least you will have peace of mind. If it is his last days, he can be made more comfortable. I am really hoping things have improved for him today.  |
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Jan 4, 2014 15:21:38 GMT
Thanks all. It seems like yesterday evening he was feeling a little better. I know he needed some medical attention but he absolutely refused to go anywhere and well, what are you going to do? If he really showed more signs of a stroke we would have forced him to go.
We are having a party today for his birthday and my grandparents 65th wedding anniversary. So far this morning, he seems like he will be able to make it to the party.
I'm hoping whatever happened yesterday was a fluke. I appreciate the prayers and support. You guys are the best.
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Jan 4, 2014 15:31:55 GMT
I just saw this. I'm so sorry for what you and your family are going through right now. I lost both of my grandparents within 2 months of each other in 2013. My grandmother was 90 and my grandfather was 89. Once they started going down hill it seemed to get worse quickly, and it is so difficult for the family members watching it happen and trying to care for and keep them comfortable. Both of my grandparents ended up needing hospice care and it was really a blessing to have that help for them. My grandmother ended up having to be in a nursing home for her final month, but my grandfather was able to remain in his home until his final few days. Big to you during this difficult time.
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Post by lorddaxter on Jan 4, 2014 16:40:56 GMT
Hope he makes it to the party and when the time comes all goes smoothly and as stress free as possible, I so want to just go in my sleep, |
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Jan 5, 2014 17:37:23 GMT
I'm sorry, I just saw this for the first time. I hope he continues to feel better and is comfortable. I'm sorry, but what's a TIA?
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Jan 5, 2014 21:00:28 GMT
Just saw this also. Both of my parents had strokes. My dad was worst than my mom. Either way it wasn't pretty watching them go down hill. If you think that he is having a stroke don't wait for him to go to the dr. Take him before he has another. the sleeping part may be depression also. If he is feeling bad he probably like most older folks wants to be left alone. Just keep an eye on him. If he is at his end he knows. Just be strong and keep him comfy. Sorry your going through this.. Big for you!!! |
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Jan 5, 2014 21:11:01 GMT
Thanks for all the support.
NHG - a TIA is kinda of like a mini stroke.
He was able to make it to the party yesterday but didn't even realize where he was or why he was there. After the party I drove him to the ER. They kept him overnight last night but let him go home today. Long story, short: it was not a stroke, TIA or cardiac event (CAT scan and chest x-rays were all normal for a 90 year old). His blood work was also ok as well as a urinalysis. The doctors finally decided that some antibiotics he was on for a root canal caused his blood pressure to go up (he normally has really, really low BP but it was 204/145 when we got to the ER). His bottom number started to return more to normal while in the ER (we were there for 5+ hours before they moved him to his own room for the night). The increased BP was resulting in less blood getting to the brain, thus the confusion and lethargy.
It's funny though, he will be better and more like himself for a while (I assume his BP is more normal during these episodes) but a while later he is once again confused and unable to do anything for himself (BP must be up again). He has an appointment with his cardiologist on Tuesday. My uncles are taking turns staying with my grandfather the next few nights to help in case he falls and to help him in and out of bed.
Again, thanks for the support. It's is nice to be able to talk about it some but not to the whole world!
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Post by horsesupnorth2 on Jan 5, 2014 23:35:57 GMT
So sorry to hear your news! Good that he was checked at the hospital; at least it ruled out some things and caught the antibiotic reaction. It's good that you have family members there to help out too. Thinking of you and your family- prayers and ((( ))) going out to you. |
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Post by horselover4life on Jan 6, 2014 0:54:00 GMT
Mister... you said he would not got to the doctor....
Doctors still make house calls...
Call his physician and ask...the worst they can say is no...and then I would say, "Really, this is how you treat your elderly sick patients?"....
Fluctuating BP by those amounts....something is wrong.
He may have a infection and not of been detected by the ER but now in evidence to his doctor who knows him best...
Hope he continues to be "him", but do alert his doctor of what is happening...peace of mind for you about grandad is priceless when the burden is shared.
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Jan 6, 2014 13:56:23 GMT
Thanks. HL4L he is going to see his doctor tomorrow. In the meantime, my grandmother is taking his blood pressure and will immediate call the doctor if it gets too high again.
I agree that his BP should not be fluctuating but I am only assuming that is what is happening as it is the only thing that makes sense. We are fairly certain it is not an infection as his blood work (white cells) was within normal range. Of course I know there are some infections that don't show up that way but the doctors are fairly confident it is not an infection.
I will let you all know more if anything happens. Again, I appreciate the support and suggestions.
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Jan 9, 2014 16:32:25 GMT
Just wanted to give a quick update. My grandfather's doctor strongly believes that his extreme confusion was a side effect of the (too) strong antibiotics he was on for 10 days for his root canal. As for the lethary, he thinks it is due to dysautonomia which is a very vague diagnosis. Basically your autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for things like heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, etc, is not functioning normally. There are many, many things that can cause this but the doctor thinks it is just due to old age in my grandfather.
So now that the antibiotics have pretty much cleared out of his system, he is much more "with it". As for his BP, the doctor said that in all eldery people, their BP flucuates quite a lot. We only are more aware of it as we were taking his BP several times a day. Doc said to stop monitoring it unless he felt weak or dizzy (probably due to low BP).
Oh, and doctor told him absolutely NO driving any more (thank God!). He took the news fairly well, especially since the doctor said he could still have his evening martini!
So all in all, thanks for all the prayers and support. They seem to have worked and I appreciate it very much.
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Post by horselover4life on Jan 9, 2014 18:59:07 GMT
Glad to hear the news was on the better side for most things. And I bet grandpa was happy he is "allowed" his martini...  Sucks getting older as we all must do...the option is NOT an option many of us want to consider or think about. ...think you still need a few.
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Post by lorddaxter on Jan 9, 2014 22:50:13 GMT
Glad to hear the news was on the better side for most things. And I bet grandpa was happy he is "allowed" his martini... Sucks getting older as we all must do...the option is NOT an option many of us want to consider or think about. ...think you still need a few.
Agree with everything, I can just see him sipping his martini on friday night! |
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Jan 12, 2014 19:42:40 GMT
I'm so glad to hear that he's feeling better! Yay for your grandpa! toastI know they're wine glasses but we don't have martini glasses as an option.
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