Helping Those Who Care for Parkinson's Patients
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Yesterday was a very sad day. Dad's dog Molly went into acute respiratory distress and I had to have her put to sleep. I stayed with her and comforted her until the end. She had so much fluid in her lungs though she couldn't breathe and there was nothing more that could be done. None of the heart medicine was doing the trick and she was in heart failure and suffering. She was such a sweet and faithful companion for Dad and it was the right thing to do--but I will confess I still can't seem to stop blubbering. I keep thinking about how much mom loved to give her tummy rubs before mom died and how much she loved dad and how he loved her. Dad also has gone down. Yesterday he couldn't sit up in the bed at all. Last week he was sitting up in the wheel chair. Hospice says his vitals are okay but he is withering way in front of my eyes. He's nothing but bones even though he's eating. His body is just shutting down. Sometimes he doesn't know me anymore and can't talk. It just breaks my heart. Please keep him in your prayers. |
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My heart goes out to you, I have had to do that and it is horrible. The only thing that helps is knowing that you are doing the humane and kindest thing. But it is still the pits. I bought my daugher a beautiful book called "Dog Heaven" when we had to put our dog down to bone cancer and it really helped, whether you are 4 or 64. Still makes me cry every time I read it, though. It sounds as if your dad is on his way to meet Molly on the other side of the rainbow bridge. What a double whammy for you in such a short period of time. Just remember you are doing the best you can and he is fortunate to have you. Hugs and prayers. |
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| My heart goes out to you. I know this must be a terribly trying & difficult time for you. I will keep you in my prayers as well as your dad. |
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| That's really sad. Last year the day my mom got out of the hospital, I had to put her cat to sleep (cancer and heart disease). I thought my heart would snap in two. I loved that cat. My mom is also in the final stages, man it's tough. I'll keep you in my prayers as well. |
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Thank you for your prayers and words of comfort. We need them so right now. Tuesday dad was almost completely comatose all day. The prevailing thought was that he was having a series of strokes or that it could be the Parkinson's. Either way they thought it could be the end. His blood pressure was low, his breathing was shallow, his hands were turning blue. Nothing was moving except his head a little bit and he was making motions with his mouth. He roused a couple of times and ate a little apple sauce and got water out of a dropper, once but that was pretty much it. Yesterday he was more alert. He was able to sit up, and although he didn't eat much, he did eat some pureed food, drank some Coke, ate an oatmeal cookie and a couple of scoops of his favorite ice cream (Bluebell's Banana Split). This morning he was in a stupor again, but he has been drinking some Gatorade today and sitting up. He is so emaciated you can see his ribs and all you feel when you touch him is bones. He is malnourished and dehydrated because he won't eat or drink anything on a regular basis. They said it would probably be 6 maybe 7 days based on Tuesday, but with him "rallying" yesterday I don't know. He's not taking in enough nourishment or liquids to survive. The doctor said his sodium is probably high, but we agreed there would be no blood draws and that we would just keep him comfortable. I'm not putting him back in the hospital to strap him down again like at Thanksgiving and force feed him. On the other hand, he's going to be offered food and drink and if he wants it he can have it. At this point everybody's got an opinion. My neighbor said it was cruel to give him a food and that I was just prolonging his suffering. These decisions are just so hard and he is suffering so much. We're going to need all the prayers we can get over the coming days and weeks. I've decided if Dad hangs in long enough for me to get Molly's ashes back that I am going to keep them and put them in with him when the times comes. That way what's left of them on earth will be together while their spirits are together in Heaven. I talked to Dad and "gave him permission" to go. I told him I was okay and had someone who loved me and friends and that mama and Molly were waiting for him. I've done all I know to do. I hope they're the right things. I've done my best. I'll have to confess that this up and down roller coaster has left me a nervous wreck. I feel like I am going to jump out of my skin. I'm just trying to take it one day at a time. Please do keep us in your prayers. |
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| Witsend: Whisper a message from me to your dad---Molly will be waiting for him together with my "Bandit". who left me several months ago. In time I will be joining all of them on the other side. Your dad probbably does not need the prayers but we will offer a few for both of you. In thr meantime as Lohengrin would add "Hang In There". Bob C |
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| I love your idea of burying Molly's ashes with your father. I pray for an easy passage for him and peace for you. |
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Me too, I love the ashes idea. We plant a tree whenever one of our beloved pets dies, and the last one, I put the ashes in the bottom of the tree hole, and planted the tree on top of them, and right by the driveway where our dog would sit, guarding the house. Every time we come home, we feel that Wally is there, guarding our house and family. You are dealing with so much right now and I pray for strength for you to get through all of it. I don't know what more anyone could do, and you are already doing so much just being there for him. Stay strong, you will make it through. |