ER Visit #???

I have now lost count of the number of times I have been to the ER since June 2016. For a while there during the first 6 weeks on average I was going to the ER every week. Then it slowed down and I was going perhaps every month or so. After Mom passed I have only been to the ER twice; tonight is the 3rd visit. But I was here with Dad just 5 days ago. This afternoon Ric the visiting nurse did a blood draw; Dr. Nakano reviewed the results & called me just before dinner. She had consulted with an infectious disease specialist and wanted Dad to go to the ER, she left instructions for the ER to do a blood culture. Dr. Koopman checked Dad in to the hospital for overnight observation.

If the blood culture is positive they will know tomorrow. If nothing shows up they will culture it for at least 3 days to see if anything else shows up; if the doctor requests it, they will do it for 7 days. Depending on what shows up, it will help them with prescribing antibiotics for Dad.

Samples for blood culture.

They also give him a low dose of fentanyl intravenously for the pain. He was asleep about 10 minutes after Nurse Kiyomi gave him the fentanyl and snoring loudly. Monday night was the last time I heard him snoring instead of moaning at night.

Since Dr. Nakano called just before dinner, I didn't have any at home. Curtis was on his way over to clean Dad up when Dr. Nakano called, he met us at the ER instead. And brought dinner but the only thing close to his route was McDonald's so I had a Cheeseburger and a Bacon McDouble; Curtis had a Sausage Burrito.

Cheeseburger.

Bacon McDouble.

Dad was moved to a hospital room around 10:30 pm. Unfortunately his roommate Bruce talked almost non-stop and kept yelling for the nurse instead of using the call button. The Dad's nurse LeeAnn was very apologetic; she stayed on well past shift change in order to get Dad in to another room. Just before midnight he was moved to a private room and promptly fell asleep!

At the other end of the age spectrum, Kaia is having fun indoors! She does not care what the weather is doing outside on the East coast!

(Photo by Sarah)

(Photo by Sarah)

Happy Birthday to Dave, Alejandro, & Anastasia!