Big Decision

Dad did get to have the CAT scan yesterday. He should have the test results sometime next week. I talked to him this morning and this has been a hard week health wise for him. He says he just "feels" his health is declining and wants to start to get some things in order so that mom doesn't have to deal with them.


He also told me he has made a very hard decision; he is going to give up his plumbing business. This was very difficult for many reasons but mostly not interacting and meeting new people along with the loss of income. He must now try to figure out what he can do to replace that income. He really enjoyed meeting new people and sharing his faith with them. He has had some very loyal customers over the years and hopes to continue those relationships outside of plumbing.

They did get the lift on Thursday and dad installed it. It has been very helpful for loading the electric chair in and out of the van. Mom said it is dragging a bit and so they need to make some adjustments but they are very glad to have it. Mom loves the electric chair and is using it almost all the time now instead of the wheelchair, even at home. It took her sometime to learn how to drive it. Dad said you can see where she has been in the apartment by the dents in the dishwasher and walls.

This week dad will be having chemo again. Hopefully, he will have his test results before so if there needs to be changes to his treatment it could happen this week. Just a reminder about the fund. Even though they now have the lift, there is still great financial need. Even more so now that dad is giving up his business. He told me that each chemo treatment is about $30,000.00 of which he has to pay 20%. That means that he has to pay $12,000.00 a month just for chemo not including all the other doctor appts and testing they are doing.

Calls, visits, emails, prayers and blog comments are all welcome by mom and dad. They really appreciate every one of you and your support.

Bummed

Well, today was supposed to be an exciting day for dad - CAT scan day. Yes, I said supposed to be. His insurance denied it; darn it. He was really looking forward to it. Not so much the actual procedure but the end result of actually knowing if all that he is going through is making a difference or not. They did reschedule it for Friday, May 1st, because the doctor's office was going to appeal it.

He has been trying to do a few little plumbing jobs just to generate some income and so that he wouldn't be so bored at home. When I talked to him last night he felt like his health was declining again. He hasn't been using the oxygen very much but yesterday he came home from working and put it on and decided to sleep with it on as well. He said he just isn't feeling as well as he has the last couple of weeks.

The lift for the van is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. That will be very helpful for dad. Mom has let Aunt Charlene use her scooter and so mom is using a much heavier electric chair. This has limited their ability to be as mobile because the chair is just too heavy for dad to lift in and out of the van. (Aunt Charlene, whom has been a tremendous help for mom and dad has to have knee replacement surgery on May 5th or 9th - I can't remember for sure. Keep her in your prayers as she has been a great support for mom and dad despite dealing with her own health issues.)

As for dad's other issues, I don't know if the doctors have resolved any of them. Some things a daughter just doesn't want to know!!!! :0)