Most of you know that my dad is very sick. He's got hepatitis C and stage 4 liver cancer. My mom contacted me the other day to let me know that he'd fallen in the bathroom and couldn't get up. Since he didn't seem injured, she needed to take his blood sugar, since he's also badly diabetic, but it took her an hour to do it since he was so out of it and uncooperative. My mom's not in great physical shape herself so I worry about her trying to pick him up and stuff. They have an assigned nurse practitioner so my mom called them once she realized his blood sugar was fine. Then it was off to the ER, where they found his blood ammonia levels were off the charts. He's still in the hospital 2 days later. They're trying various things to get his blood ammonia down, and might drain some fluid from his abdomen while he's in there. Meanwhile, it's just sit and wait and find out what this all might mean. Whee. So yeah, I could use a hug. Or three.

Oh dear...you are dealing with so much! Just remember that we are here for you when you need us...

You got it, Chris

I think that's one reason I'm taking the time to post all those images, it's something nice and mindless and I can enjoy them and not think about other stuff.

IKWYM...it does take your mind off things...and we all reap the benefits, too! I really enjoy scrolling through your Tumblr page (as you can probably tell- heehee). Hope things improve for you soon, though!

I hope things get better soon!

Yes, I figure it's part selfish fun and part public service. There's a lot of funny stuff in there too, which is nice. Hopefully I'll know more tomorrow. Not sure I'll get more info on my dad's health tonight.

Hugs hugs hugs

Thanks ladies. I kept doing my "Bury it and pretend it doesn't exist" and decided that wasn't particularly healthy. A hug-fest is much better!

I can empathize with you. I went through something very similar with my grandmother and now I'm going through it with my grandfather.

I'm so sorry, Kritter. *hugs* to you too.

Its really tough watching the people you love get old and sick knowing there's not a lot you can do to help them. Other than be there for them and tell them how much you love them.

Alas we're all (or almost all) of an age to have personal experience with it. *sigh*

Yes, they spend all of our early years worrying about us and now we worry about them. It's tough sometimes to keep the worrying under control and just enjoy the time we have. Sometimes you just need a good escape/laugh and a hug...

hugs, prayers and lots of love being sent your way, your families way and those around you! xox

Sorry to hear about this, CW! Sending good thoughts and big to you..

Oh Chris. We're all pulling for you.

I'm sorry to hear that, Chris. Lots of

Today's report is that he's still in the hospital (I called him and he said "I've gotta get out of here!"), suffered an endoscopy and a colonoscopy, got polyps removed from his stomach, has a new growth on his duodenum to replace one he had removed a couple of years ago. Last time it was endoscopic so if they remove it, hopefully they can do it that way again. His ammonia levels are down now, which is good. He sounded coherent.

sounding positive though Chris, stay hopeful for him.

It sounds like he's taken a couple of steps in the right direction. I'll keep my fingers crossed that he'll keep heading in the right direction!

Originally posted by ChrisW (I called him and he said "I've gotta get out of here!"), .

Well, that sounds more like your dad, no? Baby steps, CW, baby steps.

I keep imagining him tying sheets together to make his escape ...

....or trying the old "pillows piled under the blankets to look like a body" trick....

Me and my kiddos are sending you hugs. I hope he improves quickly.

Chris, Did he get better? I hope doctors would allow him to go back to his home soon before he help himself with hospital blankets. (Sorry, I laughed a little at your imagination above) Hugs to you.

I didn't hear from my mother yesterday so I don't know if that meant that they decided to go ahead and remove the growth, or if they let him go home. If I don't hear from her today I'll be calling her tomorrow. I don't want to be driving her crazy when she has so much on her plate. You were meant to laugh, so that's fine. I have a dark sense of humour and sometimes it's just better to laugh than cry.

Dear Chris, I'm so sorry. I took your joke as your father became alright without any ground. Hope good news would be posted.

Really, rachel, it's okay. I talked to my mom today. He's home now. They sent him with lactulose to keep his blood ammonia down, hopefully the incident scared him enough that he'll drink it like he should. They're going to remove the ampullary tumor that regrew endoscopically later.

That's good news.

I don't know how my mother remembers all these medical terms so easily. It might be because originally she wanted to be a nurse. I keep having to go back to check the spelling!

Glad to hear he is doing better!

Hugs, hugs & more hugs

The hugs may be late but I'm hoping he continues to get better.

He's feeling better enough to start nagging so he must be okay.

That's good news, CW, that he ha the strength to complain.

Just it caught up in this thread. Glad things are improving, Chris. Hopefully it stays that way.

Crossing fingers that he stays better for as long as possible.