My Dad in at the Emergency Room as I type, Swine Flu Scare

[parallel]

My side of the family all live in Northwest Pennsylvania and I live in the New Orleans Louisiana area. I got a call from my sister tonight who said that she hadn't heard from our Dad in a couple of days and had finally gotten him on the phone. She said that he sounded terrible and that he was said that he was going to see his doctor in the morning. I called him just to see how he was doing and I was shocked at how bad he did sound. After talking with him and telling him that I thought that he needed to go to the emergency room tonight I called my sister back. We decided that she needed to go to his house to have a look at him and use her best judgment as to whether we should push him to go seek medical help tonight. It is a very good thing that she did!

When she got there he could barely move and he could barely breathe. His throat was swollen and he said that he had been unable to eat or drink for three days. She informed him that he was going to the Emergency Room if she had to carry him there herself. My sister initially thought that he had the Swine Flu (the doctors have sent a sample to the lab just in case).

When they got to the ER and they did some test and xrays they found that he has an abscess in his throat. The doctor says that there is no doubt in his mind that if my Sister hadn't went to see him he would have died either from his airway being closed off or from the abscess bursting. He has been admitted to the ICU and is undergoing treatment in the form of antibiotics and steroids while they wait for a specialist to come in. This just sucks... he is literally two weeks from early retirement (62 1/2) and now this.

 

[Jeepnut]

Well, a sad state of affairs for you...so I'll be sending many thoughts your way.
All the best wishes, and prayers for you and yours.
By and by...we ALL worry about how things happen. In the end, we have no control...BUT, only the truest folks have the fortitude to speak of their intimate issues in such a public place.
I sincerely hope all goes well for your Dad, and for you.

 

[NMPinNYC]

Sir, he's being treated, and that's exactly what he needed... Good luck and may God bless.

 

[Gary]

My Dad would have been the same way. I wonder what it is about some older people not wanting to go to the Dr?

 

[gunsmith11]

Gary
Its because we are stubborn, and I for one get tired of the Dr. making an educated guess, and saying if it doesnt help come back, I need one more office visit, to help pay the golf course

 

[ingmansinc]

I wish him and your family the best. As far as why us old folks don't want to go to the Dr., well let me explain from my point of view. I am sixty-three and retired. I grew up taking care of my self rather than going to the Dr. Many folks didn't have benefits in those years like they do now. I have insurance, but still don't run to the Dr. all the time. I had a heart attack a couple of years ago while working on a job, self employed, and I went home and relaxed for a day before going to the Dr. When I did go I found out that my left ventricle had stopped working and it took the Dr. three months to get it going. Well what can I say, back in the day as you say, the Dr. would say you need to take it easy and that is what I did.

 

[truckemup97]

I'm glad your sister got your Dad to the hospital. We've had two similar scares with my Grandfather. Stubborn old cuss.

 

[diamonback68]

Gary, it's because we get tired of the doctors playing the "Medicare Card Game" and we are the "pot".

 

[oldfella]

Originally posted by gunsmith11:
Gary
Its because we are stubborn, and I for one get tired of the Dr. making an educated guess, and saying if it doesn't help come back, I need one more office visit, to help pay the golf course

You've got that right! On my last visit to the bone doctor (top of the line), he told me: "I see nothing is wrong with your hip or knee joints - I think its bursitis, yes lets call it bursitis... nurse, give him a shot, that should do it" Uh, a shot with that giant needle? no way, not based on "I think" - "OK if you don't feel better, come back and we'll run you through the MRI machine"... that was last year, haven't been back since, still hurting.

Pete

 

[parallel]

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers y'all. The latest update is about the same, the ENT scoped his throat and is keeping him in ICU. Just as a precaution they are testing for multiple types of cancer. I'll update again when I have different news.

Some of you old coots sound EXACTLY like my Dad. I tend to agree with some of the sentiments, but there is a huge difference between running to the doc when you get the sniffles and not going when you have been diagnosed with COPD, you haven't been able to eat or drink for THREE DAYS and you can barely breathe. When my Dad complains about the cost I tell him the same thing every time... what good is your money going to do for you when you die?

 

[Wheelgunner840]

Glad you got him there on time parallel. I am sure that they will have him all fixed up in no time. Prayers up to help him along. Keep us posted.

WG840

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I will keep my finger's crossed for your Dad! I used to never go to the doctor and my Dad would tell me, when it hurt's enough you will go. He was right, had a heart attack seven month's ago and was just diagnosed with diabete's yesterday. So I suppose prevenative doctoring is ok but I will forego the sniffel visit's! Take good care of your Dad Parallel!

 

[Beauetienne]

Best wishes and hopes for a speedy recovery!!

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

 

[Indiana George]

Positive thoughts for your father, Parallel.

 

[parallel]

I just got off the phone with my Dad and after he eats his lunch they are going to take him out of ICU and put him in a regular room. The doc scoped his throat and says that it is looking MUCH better, but that it isn't completely healed. They are going to shoot for discharging him on Monday. Results for all test are not back yet but should be by Monday.

Thanks so much for the concern and well wishes.

 

[ingmansinc]

I am glad to here he is improving and you are welcome for the well wishes even if you did call us old coots.

 

[parallel]

Old coots is a term of endearment where I'm from.

 

[BarbC]

A scary incident, indeed! Good thing he went and now I'll bet he's glad too!

 

[parallel]

Great news! I just got off the phone with my Dad and they are discharging him from the hospital. I was unable to talk with the doctors and my Dad didn't seem to know, so I'm not certain if the test results came back negative or if they are still waiting on results. My guess is that they came back negative because they said that he could go back to work next week. So, it looks like he's going to return to work on Monday... and then retire on Friday.

Thank you all so much for your support.