barb & I had a long day....

[El Gordo]

It has been a bad year parent wise for barb. Last April we were in Victoria with ferry reservations for the motorcycles to Port Angeles when my cell rang and we found out that her mom had died in her sleep. Needless to say we never got on the ferry.

Her dad hasn't done well as a widower which has changed our lives...a lot. This morning he fell in his home. Being stubborn and old (88) he first refused to go to the hospital for barb. So I had to go over and 'tell' him that he was going to get checked out. With a lot of help, I got him into the car and drove him down. He was not relating well and was going through shivering spells.....shockey or trying to hide a lot of pain?

After the long hospital dance, we finally got him x-rayed and checked over. His right hip was fractured, the ER doc told us that the hip would likely need to be replaced. We knew that with heart issues etc. that major surgery was a significant risk. Then we waited another 1 1/2 hours for the specialist to get in.

The specialist finally got there and reviewed it all. He decided that the hip could be saved by screwing it back together and could be done under a epidural spinal block instead of a higher risk general anaesthesia. He got out of surgery about 10:00 tonight and so far seems to be doing well.

...it was a long day.

 

[2WheelTiger]

I wish all of you well. Caregivers suffer a larger burden than the patients on occasion. Hang in there and do your best to provide him with a good quality of life.

 

[vabrzn]

Glad the operation went well !

 

[madmike2]

I understand. Peace to you and your household during this difficult time. Here's hoping for a quick recovery for Dad.

 

[kaitsdad]

El Gordo, he's lucky he's got you for a SIL. You did the right thing hauling his but to the hospital.

Dad's got all the attention he needs in the horse pistol - make sure Barb get's the attention she needs. This is even more difficult for her.

Prayer's heading out for all of you.

 

[MrTwisty]

Sorry to hear about your Father-in-Law. I know what you are going through. My Grandfather broke his hip a couple of years ago. Sounds like a very similar story, except Grandpa was 95 and not strong enough to recover.

Best wishes for a speedy recover.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Love, patience, and understanding.

Sounds like a line, but this is what it's all about.

Besides that - Who's going to be changing your diapers in a few years?

 

[cota95]

Do you best to get him back on his feet as soon as possible. My mom broke her hip on December 27th and she's still not up because of a bedsore on her butt and the resulting infection. It's so important to keep the older folks motivated or it's a nursing home for the rest of their time.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

Sorry to bear bad news, :dribble: But the pinning of the broken hip probly won't work. There a very good chance the circulation will be greatly deminished and bone deteroration will occur causing unbearable pain and the hip WILL have to be replaced. Trust me I know, it happened to my Mom and we found out it happens to most injuries like the one suffered here. Remember Bo Jackson, it happened to him, same injury. And the rehab... well thats another horror story :dribble: Do as much riding as you can now, It will be harder to get away once the rehab starts. I hope he isn't diabetic, that will slow things done considerably. I didn't tell you this to be an A--hole. I thought you should know so you can ask all the right questions, to make the best desicions. Good Luck!

 

[Scab]

You can tell a lot about people by the way the treat the elderly. Ya'll take care and I wish a speedy recovery to Barb's dad.

 

[Toecutter]

Bad news....Hoping you find serenity in dealing with these issues moving forward. Most of us will find ourselves on both ends of this situation. Golden Rule definitely applies....Try to be strong and understanding.

 

[Warchild]

Thoughts going out for you and your family, El Gordo.... tough business, he is lucky to have you.

Gunny on taking care of Barb.... this can't be a good time for her, no question there.

 

[Pjturbo]

Gordo & Barb. Been there, done that. You have my sympathy.

Phil

 

[Taff]

It has been a bad year parent wise for barb. Last April we were in Victoria with ferry reservations for the motorcycles to Port Angeles when my cell rang and we found out that her mom had died in her sleep. Needless to say we never got on the ferry.
Her dad hasn't done well as a widower which has changed our lives...a lot. This morning he fell in his home. Being stubborn and old (88) he first refused to go to the hospital for barb. So I had to go over and 'tell' him that he was going to get checked out. With a lot of help, I got him into the car and drove him down. He was not relating well and was going through shivering spells.....shockey or trying to hide a lot of pain?

After the long hospital dance, we finally got him x-rayed and checked over. His right hip was fractured, the ER doc told us that the hip would likely need to be replaced. We knew that with heart issues etc. that major surgery was a significant risk. Then we waited another 1 1/2 hours for the specialist to get in.

The specialist finally got there and reviewed it all. He decided that the hip could be saved by screwing it back together and could be done under a epidural spinal block instead of a higher risk general anaesthesia. He got out of surgery about 10:00 tonight and so far seems to be doing well.

...it was a long day.

Sorry to hear about the difficult year you have had, seems 2007 was a strange year for many of us!

I will be thinking about you all and sending you my prayers.

 

[El Gordo]

Thank you everyone for all your thoughts and comments...it really does make a difference, thank you.

Sorry to bear bad news, :dribble: But the pinning of the broken hip probly won't work. There a very good chance the circulation will be greatly deminished and bone deteroration will occur causing unbearable pain and the hip WILL have to be replaced. Trust me I know, it happened to my Mom and we found out it happens to most injuries like the one suffered here. Remember Bo Jackson, it happened to him, same injury. And the rehab... well thats another horror story :dribble: Do as much riding as you can now, It will be harder to get away once the rehab starts. I hope he isn't diabetic, that will slow things done considerably. I didn't tell you this to be an A--hole. I thought you should know so you can ask all the right questions, to make the best desicions. Good Luck!

The specialist advised of this possibility which is estimated at about 25% in his case. It was fractured but not separated, so we are hopeful that it is successful. If it gets really sore in 3-4 months, hip replacement is necessary. With his age and condition, success of the major surgery is almost secondary to him not surviving the surgery or possible complications.

Right now it's a waiting game?

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Sorry to hear the news, but make sure to take time over the coming months/years for yourself and Barb. I have a buddy who is like a brother who finally took his wife on a cruise for their first major vacation in 20 years. We cobbled together a group of neighbors, friends, in-laws and coworkers to check on his elderly (but relatively healthy) father every day, a couple times a day; doing errands, shoveling snow, bringing/taking him for meals and just visiting.

My point is I hope your father-in-law heals, and use the people that love you for support and breaks.

 

[rogdeb]

Gordo & Barb, you guys are the greatest.

Our thoughts go out to you both - and Dad

Rog n Debs

 

[El Gordo]

Just got back from the hospital, he is doing okay. The physiotherapists had him on his feet twice and up sitting for awhile today.

So far no complications. :yahoo:

 

[Mooseonagoose]

You have my sympathy, hope your father-in-law recoups speedily & fully. You also have my empathy, my folks are 87 and nearly 90 respectively, my brother [& his wife also] and I spend a fair amount of energy in similar endeavor. I got a little chuckle about your 'stubborn' comments, ...my Grand-dad [Mom's Pop] used to tell her she was so stubborn that "if she drowned he'd look for her upstream", boy did he have her pegged! It's 87 years hence, & if she gets her heels dug-in yer still pretty much bangin' yer head against the wall! GOOD ON YOU!! Take a deep breath & keep on keepin' on!