Well...this week Dad ended up back at the hospital! He was acting weird again, and couldn't remember who he was or where he was. So, less than two weeks after he was admitted to the hospital a first time, he was back in for a second time. He's at the VA instead, and they aren't letting him out until he is stabilized. Pretty much his symptoms are like Alzheimer's or some other sort of dementia. If I didn't know better, I would guess Alzheimer's; but since Alzheimer's is very slow to develop that cannot be what is going on.
The good part about this second hospital stay is that the doctor doesn't think he has a seizure disorder, so they are tapering him off the anti-seizure medication. :) That is good news, since the medication could have been causing some of the weird symptoms. He's been improving steadily since they started reducing the dosage...coincidence?
My dad's friend (was pre-med, then decided medicine wasn't for him) thinks it is some sort of chemical imbalance (anti-seizure meds, anyone?). Apparently, whatever is causing the problem is neither physical/emotional. The neurologist originally thought that he was suffering from some sort of deep depression, but after the psychiatrist visited they're back to "we aren't sure..." Seriously, we need Dr. House to step in here! (or anyone that can make a good diagnosis in this case)
So far, he is doing much better and still improving every day. Mom is a trooper and spends her days in the hospital, then returns home at night to do the same thing over again. She's definitely one to be a great caregiver and step up when she is needed! There's a special spot in heaven waiting for her... :)
2 comments:
Poor Dad! Poor Mom, too! I hope the doctors figure it out soon.
It's all a bit spooky, though, how many people are in the hospital right now. My dad is also in the hospital after his appendix burst last week (but he didn't go to the hospital until Sunday, and was operated on that night) and my aunt is hospitalized in Arkansas with pneumonia. My friend Robyn's mom has been in the hospital for a month following a heart attack. Are all of my friends' parents going to be hospitalized by the end of the week? Is this some kind of epidemic?
What is it with Dads right now? The same week I was in OK, the other leader for AD went home since her dad was in the hospital for open heart surgery. Now, your dad in the hospital? Sheesh! I guess 2008 is the year of the parent in the hospital - not the year of the rat! :)
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