(no subject)

[felicula]

My dad's numbers (I'm not sure which ones) are up, which he says is a bad thing. His blood is still too thin. Tomorrow they're going to give him something called fast freeze plasma, with all the nutrients and stuff in it to bump up his blood long enough to drain my dad's abdomen. That stuff lasts 4-6 hours, so he'll be drained shortly after they give that to him. And once he's drained, the fluid will re-accumulate over time. It might take weeks or months, but it will come back.

The doc said it was difficult to read the sonogram through all the fluid, but that they think he does have cirrhosis. He may also have alcoholic hepatitis. He's being treated for both. He's also got kidney problems, extreme malnutrition, and an abdominal infection of some sort. His hoarse voice is just from vomiting bile.

Like the doc said, my dad is a very sick man. (And not in the way that I am a very sick woman... ;) )

Some of my dad's friends from AA came in to visit him today. One is also my parents' lawyer. He said my mom ought to bring in his health care proxy and have the hospital staff make a copy for my dad's file. They plan on bringing in more of the AA folks in, I think tomorrow, and have an AA meeting right in my dad's hospital room. My dad is an excellent incentive for none of his friends to drink and for all of them to get to the hospital sooner if something does come up.

The doctor did not give a prognosis. My dad asked if he could get out of the hospital on Wednesday if they drain him Tuesday. The doctor laughed. We don't know if he'll pull through even long enough to get out of the hospital at all.

I need to stay strong for Aidan. This watching and waiting is tough.

Comments

[dawnstar.livejournal.com]

Strong for Aidan to a point, yes... but possibly not as much so as you may think. He knows something's going on, he knows you're scared and have been sad. It's hard for a kiddo to learn that his parents are human, but he's a brilliant and sensitive boy, and will figure this out anyway. Be strong for him, but let yourself be human too. You know Aidan better than anyone, and what he can or can't handle. My opinion is that it's best not to lie or keep things from him, but try to explain things in terms he'll understand.

If there's anything you need through all of this (a babysitter, homecooked meals you don't have to cook yourself, or whatever else) - if it's in my power to give, it's yours.

*hugs, loves, and prays*

[blackfelicula.livejournal.com]

Aidan and I have already had the serious talk about how Grandpa might die. But, since we do not know for sure what's going to happen and when, I have been emphasizing the "we don't know" part of things. Myself, I get more pessimistic with every update. I'm a pessimist. I do that. I just would like to prevent myself from projecting that pessimism onto Aidan. If I need to cry, I cry. And when I do so, I tell Aidan that I'm worried about Grandpa. I get hugs. I let him talk about it when he needs to. For the most part, though, I'd like to let him have his innocence in this situation for as long as is practical.

We'll be back to Buffalo in two weeks regardless of the stuff with my dad.

When Aidan sees me worried, though, he knows I'm worried primarily about Grandpa. The strength is more to keep my pessimism here in LJ and around my adult friends. The worry is there regardless, and would be regardless of prognosis. Aidan doesn't need to know that I sometimes try and imagine what my dad would look like laid out for his wake. However, I answer any questions he asks frankly. He just asked me if Grandpa might die. I said, "Yes, but we don't know for sure." I also told him if he has any questions about Grandpa, we can talk about them honestly.

I'm sorry if I came across as keeping more from Aidan than I am. I just feel a tendency to expound on the gorey details when I am talking about it to adult friends.

I really appreciate your support. I could use some visity time one of these days, if just to share some hugs in person. ***hugs, loves, and prays too***

[dawnstar.livejournal.com]

Visity time can be arranged - I'd made the suggestion of getting together for brunch some morning, or gathering on the weekend, but I'm not sure if you caught it amid the other stuffs.

I wasn't necessarily thinking you were keeping things from Aidan, but perhaps I made assumptions that were untrue. Still, it sounds as though you are handling things the best way possible.

*sends more hugs*

[blackfelicula.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't mind a morning visit of some form, whether or not brunch is involved. Aidan will be visiting the Davidsons this weekend unless something else comes up, so I would love social time on the weekend too, if possible. I dunno. I like the idea of hanging out and getting silly with friends. If we could get Beth in on it too, that would be nifty. I'm rather in a "more is merrier" kind of mindset. Tomorrow I have an appointment with Corinna, but I am otherwise free. Aidan's supposed to be picked up by the Davidsons after he gets off the bus on Friday.

***hugs and loves***

[dawnstar.livejournal.com]

Tomorrow, I have to take Oliver to the DMV to renew his permit and Friday is generally grocery day. Weather-permitting, Wednesday or Thursday morning would be good. Some form of breakfast would be good (though if necessary, I can grab a bagel and take it with me to your place), since it'd be easiest for me to go to your place straight from dropping Oliver off, but that's not absolutely imperative.

The weekend is clear as far as I can tell.

[blackfelicula.livejournal.com]

Do you like hard boiled eggs? I could make those, whole wheat toast, and have some fruit on hand. We have an abundance of tortilla stuff as well. That might make an interesting variation on huevos rancheros... egg and tortilla stuff. OK, I just had dinner and I'm getting hungry already. :)

Why don't we get together on Wednesday, then. You or I could call Beth and see if she's available and interested. Let me know what you think. ***hugs and loves.

[dawnstar.livejournal.com]

I do like them (usually cold, but I don't want to be picky when someone else is feeding me), though I don't eat them often because they are a big calorie/cholesterol dump. But with the other things you have there, it could be a yummy breakfast. :) I'd be there probably around 8:45 or 9 - is that okay? Then I could hang out until around 11 and come home to get ready for work. I can /try/ to grab things for lunch and be showered and dressed and stuff before leaving for O's work, which would then allow me more hang-out time... but I can't promise that will be feasible.

If you don't mind giving Beth a call, that'd be good.

And planning it for Wednesday still leaves us Thursday as a backup plan if the weather craps out on us. *hughughug*

[blackfelicula.livejournal.com]

Knowing you like 'em cold helps. I can make them early, one for each of us since there'll be other things to have with them. I'll see about calling Beth a little later.

[thedoorsgirl.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry to hear all this. You and your entire family are in my thoughts.

[blackfelicula.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much for your support.

[sheltered-dream.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I am so sorry hun. At times like this I honestly don't know what to say, other than I am here for you and to share a bit of personal experience from someone who also lost someone close to them. Yes, stay strong for others but don't forget to pay attention to your own feelings too. Your family and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

[blackfelicula.livejournal.com]

***hugs back*** I appreciate the support. My primary feelings at the moment are worry and impatience. I think trying to work through things as normally as I can while writing things here when I need to is helping so far. It's also helping to read supportive comments. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. ***hugs more***

[marared.livejournal.com]

*hug*

For what it's worth, this is (IMO) the *hardest* part of the whole mess - acclimating yourself to the immediately impending mortality of a loved one, not to mention having to hold it together for the sake of an impressionable kid - and you're handling it admirably well.

[blackfelicula.livejournal.com]

***hugs***

Thank you very much. (BTW, your icon made me smile. I love cats.)

[bizarrogirl.livejournal.com]

You're doing awesome. Thinking of you guys often. ((hugs))

[blackfelicula.livejournal.com]

Thank you lots! When icky thoughts invade, it's hard to remember that I'm holding up pretty well so far. The reminders help. ***hugs back***

[bizarrogirl.livejournal.com]

You're doing awesome. Thinking of you guys often. ((hugs))