Continued prayers for you and all of your family. I know it feels like when it rains, it pours. Look for the rainbow.

My 79 year old mother had a complete hysterectomy and also repair of a hernia about one month ago - did really well. I know it is scary though.

Please keep us informed of how things are going.

Dang, Tanya...really sorry about your mom, very glad about your dad. This is so tough.

So sorry to hear this, Tanya. My mom was at the Jewish Nursing Home with dementia, too, and they were wonderful to her.

My 88-year-old aunt just underwent surgery after a fall to replace her hip, and they had to run a rod all the way down her leg. Six weeks later, she has completed rehab and gone home on a walker.

It's amazing what they can do these days. Prayers continue for you and your family. I am glad your parents are in the same place now.

Prayers sent, Tanya!

Sorry... just now reading this thread.

First, I am so, so sorry that your parents are having to go through these things, and I'm sorry for you and your sister, too. I'll add all of you to my prayers.

I've been through this, too, but at different times. I can't imagine going through this with BOTH parents at the same time. I do understand how freakin' hard it is to be a caregiver. It basically puts your life on hold while you serve others. Hopefully, you have a situation where you're able to do this without having to worry about your job or whatever your personal situation is at the moment.

One thing to remember, regardless of how emotionally painful or mentally draining it is (and I know that it is DEFINITELY both of those things), there are few things that are more selfless than serving and being their for our family when THEY need it.

This life is but a vapor. Each one of us is here today and gone tomorrow. It is what we do with our time that can add jewels to our crowns.

Right now, you're there for them. Love them and cherish them while you have time with them. I know it makes it harder when they don't understand, but you're being a loving and honoring daughter.

Which, by the way, tells me a LOT about your parents... they raised two girls that care enough about others to put themselves last and others first.

If you get a chance, tell your parents, "Job well done," for me.

Please keep us posted if you want to and if you can find the time. But don't worry, we understand if you can't. We'll still be here and will still be praying for your family.

Tanya, I’m sorry you are going through this. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Thanks again guys. You are absolutely correct umbluegray, time is hard to come by these days. I went ahead and made my donation to renew my BB tickets, maybe I'll make a game or 2. Last season we made 2.

Still not sure if mom is going to have surgery or not. I have a trip planned to Orange Beach on the 20th with the girls. Those plans were made months ago, before dads hospital stay. My sister insists that I go, she has been 5 or 6 times since all this started in September. They have a condo in Orange beach and they go once a month during the off season. Every time it's my time to go, something happens and I end up cancelling. So here we are again, this time next week I am supposed be on the beach recharging my batteries and daddy gets sick and mom breaks her arm. How can I possibly leave? If she has to have surgery I am absolutely not going, but if she doesn't, my sister insist that I go....she says she can handle whatever comes up. Ugh....I sooooo need a break. And now that both mom & dad are at the same place, she would not have to run around like I did. The only thing is that I go every morning and every night, and she will only be able to do nights. I am stressed even thinking about leaving.

I want to ask you all something. Medical opinions are greatly appreciated and are always welcome. We have spoken to many doctors about this. Now I really would like to hear from some that are not in the medical field and have had personal experiences with this. When dad went into the hospital, he had so much fluid buildup everywhere. If course with Lasix IV they were able to drain it all. That was one of the reasons doctors thought he was in congestive heart failure. But he wasn't, they ran tests again and again just to make sure. He is now in rehab and his legs are enormous. They are huge. He is on 40 mg of lasix, but it's doing nothing. If it's not his heart, then what is it? His kidneys are working fine. Has anyone seen this before and may have suggestions? Doctors are at a loss. IV lasix works, oral doesn't. His skin is so stretched, it's painful. Please if you can think of anything or have seen it / experienced it, let me know.

I have no idea, Tanya, and you know I have an opinion about everything! I would see if your doctors can refer your dad for yet another opinion. Do not be shy about asking. They should not be threatened by it. Ask for a specialist, and ask for the very BEST specialist in Memphis for this condition. Sometimes that means getting a teaching hospital doctor, which here, would be UT.

I have seen a young woman at a restaurant I go to more than once, and one of her legs is just elephantine, but she seems to be okay and is out and about. It makes my skin crawl every time I see her. So, I guess these conditions can exist and not be life-threatening.

Just saw this. Prayer sent for patients and caregivers. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Prayer sent during morning coffee time.

I just said a prayer for you and will continue to do so. Your parents are blessed to have daughters like you and your sister.

Matthew 11:28

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Praying for you and your family, God Bless!!!

tanya, if you find a solution for your dad, please post

my mother is in a similar situation, had blood clots in both legs, had surgery to remove the clots, then swelling in the thighs

they gave her iv lasix in the hospital but had to stop because of stressing the kidneys, left hospital after 1 month,
now in rehab for 45 days, but thighs are still swollen, they are giving her oral lasix now, but she still has not been able to walk
because of how heavy her thighs are

(06-15-2015 08:25 AM)michaelf Wrote:  Matthew 11:28

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Praying for you and your family, God Bless!!!

:)

Good word.

Tanya, this may sound sooo opposite of what you're thinking...

I understand taking some time off seems counter-intuitive and completely impossible and out of the question.

But you might want to consider taking 3 or so days off -- the beach would be great.

The reason I suggest this is you REALLY need to be recharged. As much as you want to be there for them and as much as it feels like there's no way you "take a vacation", you'll quickly cease being effective if you keep pushing yourself.

If there's a small window where nothing major (surgery, etc) is going on and if your sister assures you she can handle it, you would actually be doing everyone a favor -- yourself included -- if you take a break.

If you push yourself to the limit it's possible that you could have a breakdown. Then you wouldn't be able to help out.

Just a different perspective to consider.