An Update
Sorry to have left you hanging about my father-in-law. It's been a slow week or so it seems. My father-in-law was admitted to the hospital after going in to the ER with the high fever and rectal abscess. It wasn't pretty....they lanced the abscess (which was the size of a grapefruit---sorry to be graphic--it's part of my nature) and then the infection spread. I heard the surgeon say, "forneaze gangrene"---or atleast that's how I sounded it out as I was taking notes. Upon further research (thank goodness for web md) it was really Fournier Gangrene (named after the discoverer of the condition) and I was horrified to read about it and look at the pictures after the debridement of the dead tissue. It didn't look promising for my father-in-law. However, prayer is powerful and at the skill of the surgeon's hand they cleaned out the dead tissue (now my FIL has a hole in his buttocks area that I can put my fist in which has to be packed with gauze---miles of gauze, it seems--twice a day) and eased the distention in his intestines. My FIL was so filled with gas because of the infection that he looked 9 months pregnant and they were fearful his bowel might rupture which would have killed him.
I saw my mother-in-law stand over her husband of 48 years and it, all too quickly, brought back visions of my mother just a few months ago. I didn't like reliving it and yet I was thankful that I was at my MIL's side as the surgeon was explaining options. The dementia, it seems, is a blessing because my FIL's cognitive ability doesn't recognize pain. He should have been in INTENSE pain and yet he was so peaceful....that is a blessing. He has been on massive amounts of antibiotics for that past several days and is responding....it's amazing. It looks like they'll move him back to his assisted living home with the help of hospice nurses. They think he'll be bedridden for quite some time. So he has an airflow mattress to prevent bedsores and constant care. He is eating pureed foods but his ability to swallow is declining due to the dementia.
My son, Jake said a few weeks ago..."You know, Mom...I figured it out...when you're born you need to people to change your diapers and care for you and when you die you need the same." What wisdom from an almost 12 year old.
So if you could....keep my FIL in your prayers....thanks a MILLION!!
I saw my mother-in-law stand over her husband of 48 years and it, all too quickly, brought back visions of my mother just a few months ago. I didn't like reliving it and yet I was thankful that I was at my MIL's side as the surgeon was explaining options. The dementia, it seems, is a blessing because my FIL's cognitive ability doesn't recognize pain. He should have been in INTENSE pain and yet he was so peaceful....that is a blessing. He has been on massive amounts of antibiotics for that past several days and is responding....it's amazing. It looks like they'll move him back to his assisted living home with the help of hospice nurses. They think he'll be bedridden for quite some time. So he has an airflow mattress to prevent bedsores and constant care. He is eating pureed foods but his ability to swallow is declining due to the dementia.
My son, Jake said a few weeks ago..."You know, Mom...I figured it out...when you're born you need to people to change your diapers and care for you and when you die you need the same." What wisdom from an almost 12 year old.
So if you could....keep my FIL in your prayers....thanks a MILLION!!
posted by Million Dollar Mary at 6:13 AM
2 Comments:
To you and Scott -
I hope that your FIL (Gene) heals quickly from this obvious huge problem.
Visions, truly, of Dad only a few short months ago. I am so sorry that your family has to endure this, but your FIL has failed from the time I saw him at Thanksgiving until Christmas (as evidenced in the photos) and now this set-back.
As we learned with Dad, the dementia does mask the pain. Truly a blessing in disguise.
I noticed that your in-laws haven't reached that 50th anniversary milestone yet. I do believe that Dad sought to hang on that long.....I hope that Mrs. G (MIL) can cope, but as Mom told me she was basically alone for 6-7 years since Dad had his stroke. She had lots of time to think about what she needed to do when the time comes.
I suspect that Mrs. G. feels much the same way.
May God heal the suffering and keep your family strong through this.
This type of an illness seems so cruel to loving couples. My hope is that research can eliminate that. To not be able to communicate, when communication is so vital it is so sad. However, with Mom and Dad, they did as do your MIL and FIL....subtle ways...that speak volumes of love.
Love,
Peggy :-)
And....I hear that Stef is driving!!!
YIKES....you need a post about that one.
:-)
Look out everyone!! At least she doesn't have to drive the 1966 Plymouth that we all did.
Have fun!!
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