Thansk for the update f/c. It's hard stuff to go thru right now, but I know you can get thru it with each others' help. "hugs"

I'll be thinking about you, Firecracker. I'm so sorry about your dad.

Thanks ladies.

I don't want to give the wrong impression that I don't respect most priests and the good that they can do. I just had a problem with this one. He was so jolly and happy and "Oh praise the lord" isn't everything wonderful with this big smile on his face. It just didn't go with JUST having been told what we are facing. An arm around the shoulder and we'll pray sort of thing would have worked better.

Luca, can you believe that my mom just talked to my dad's primary doctor and he thinks we should bring dad home instead of the nursing facility?! He doesn't like them. He makes me so upset sometimes. Get this, he said to my mom "Don't think that far ahead. He might not make it off the table." What an ass!!!! Yes we know this, but talk about no "bedside manner". I think I will be finding a new family doctor. Yes, he was tired and was going back on rounds after only two hours sleep, but geez! He has a reputation as an excellent doctor. He is hugely popular out here where we live, but this is not the first time I have not liked the way he says things. I don't know what to make of that sort of thing.

Well, that's just an awful thing to say. He's just so matter-of-fact. Just because he deals with this kind of thing maybe daily, doesn't mean you do.

When we got to the ER after my dad had his heart attack/stroke (we don't know which), we were in the waiting room for a couple of minutes when a male nurse came up to his and told us that he had died. No prep at all.

Oh Austin, I am so sorry. Both for the loss of your dad and the way you were told. I can't believe you were told by a nurse instead of a doc. I always thought the doctor in charge of the case told the family.

fc, I'm so sorry that you and your family are having to deal with doctors and priests who don't relate well to those who they are supposed to provide counsel. They, of all people, should understand the need for compassion.

My grandmother was also diabetic and eventually it resulted in poor circulation to her legs. What you describe about your father's foot is exactly how it progressed with her. The doctors advised my mother and aunts that there was a strong possiblity that the amputation could be anywhere above the knee for the same reason as your father's surgeon gave you. The surgery was successful and my grandmother, who was about 75 at the time of the surgery, lived for another 14 years. Age and other health issues took her life.

I hope your father is able to stay in a recovery facility as long as he needs to for the occupational and physical therapy as well as the medical attention. Having the assistance available for mobility and with personal hygiene matters are major issues.

I will be thinking about you and your father. And don't forget to take care of yourself!!

There's a freakin' difference between "preparing someone for the worst" and being a total jack-ass with absolutely no feelings for anyone! I think you should take out a billboard next to his office with that sentence and give him full credit!

ASS!

Well, I just got home about an hour ago. I had dinner with my guys. I told my mom I am very upset about what this doctor said today. She started to defend him and told her "don't even go there". My dad likes him very much. They are both southside Chicago. They have a very "tell it like it is" attitude. I don't very much care for it though. I think it could have been stated different. A simple "let's take things one step at a time" would suffice.

When we got to the hospital today we walked into the room and there were four nurses in the room helping my dad. He has not been eating properly because he has no appetite. He got up to go to the bathroom and his blood sugar was so low he just went out. They had just got him off the floor and were putting glucose straight into his vein. He was lucid again in about a minute. He didn't touch one bite of his lunch. He said he was saving the food for my mom. The nurse said he wouldn't eat breakfast so they literally put graham crackers in his mouth and forced him to eat them so they could give him his insulin. Needless to say I had a long talk with him about eating. My mom feed him his lunch. I took him all his bills and we went over everything. I wrote all the checks and got everything in the mail. This gives him peace of mind about that before the surgery. Luckily my name is on the checks also because he couldn't write his name. Poor guy. I feel so bad for him. He said he is so nervous. Way more than he was about his two heart surgeries. I have to admit I am too.

Janice, thanks for telling me about your grandmother. I love the encouraging stories!

FCThat dr. sounds like a wanker. I lterally got into knock down drag outs over my Dad with his Dr. it made me furious. I would let him have it if I were you.
My dad lived several years after his first stroke. The Dr. told us he would never walk again. But he did. They are not god. Just remember that. I am thinking of you and your Dad during this rough time.

F/C......your father will have my prayers and you as well. What a difficult time for you whole family.

Thanks Sky!

I have some good news! We met again today with the ortho surgeon and he says they will for sure amputate BELOW the knee! This is the best we could hope for. The surgery will be late tomorrow afternoon. The surgery should only take about 90 mins. If he pulls through it all OK, he will stay at the hospital about 5 days and then go straight to Marion Joy - the best and most sought after rehab center around here. His surgeon said "there is no other choice". He will begin intensive physical therapy as soon as he gets there. He will be in a hard cast up to his groin for about 3 weeks. Then he will have a soft cast and a temp prosthesis will be given to him for a few weeks until the swelling in his upper legs goes down. Then he will be fitted for the permanant prosthesis. He will be at Marion Joy for 3 to 5 weeks depending on how he is doing. If by chance he is only at the rehap center for 3 weeks he would be out for Eric's graduation. I am not getting my hopes up, but it sure would be nice!

Glad for the better news F/C!

Thanks Austin!

We had already been told if it was above the knee there would be no prosthesis and he would never walk again. You know, age, health issues etc. So now we at least have hope that he will walk again someday. Though we were told he would not be able to drive for a very long time. Looks like I will be taking my mom shopping, to her doc appoints., hairdresser, etc. for quite some time. My huge custom conversion van only gets 9 miles to the gallon. The rehab center he is going to is about 45 mins away. This is going to get expensive! I know she will offer me some money for gas sometimes, but I am also worried about their hospital bills. I have no idea what their portion of all of this is going to be. I fear it will be pretty hefty. They do not have much money now as it is because they both have had so many health issues and hospital stays. So much for the Golden Years!

F/C, where this is good news, I still will be sending prayers your way. This has got to be very difficult for you and your father....the whole family. I hope I don't ever have to face this with my sister.