Challenging End of the Year

Anita's Dad has not been right since his two admissions in IJN in as many months. Both were related to heart ailments, and although on discharge, he looked better, it did not last long. Soon enough, he started to become breathless again.

This time around, he complained of fever, and when I watched him on Xmas Day, he was clearly struggling. His daily temperature was back, and this time around, he was clearly in heart failure with a very fast heart rate.

His next IJN appointment is not for another week. I didn't think he would last that long. We packed his clothing, and off we went to SJMC.

The lonely waiting area

It was apparent that he was in trouble. Since then, he has been in ICU. His kidney failed as well as his heart. He was on a respirator and then dialysis. Then came the news that he grew a bug in his blood, and with him having an artificial metallic valve, any bloodstream infection is a significant concern.

He has been drifting in and out consciousness in the last couple of days. We called up all his relatives and prepared for the worse. He is a fighter still, and he does not see to have given up yet.

I have cancelled my clinic for the rest of the week and been camping out in the hospital. He remains unstable, one minute he was responding to us, while in a deep sleep at other times. All I want is for him to be peaceful and comfortable. And being a Doctor, my perspective can often be tinted. I will keep my counsel and play a son-in-law. And hoping for the best.