amberdreams: (Bum)
amberdreams ([personal profile] amberdreams) wrote2015-04-28 09:52 pm

Dad update

First off, I'm sorry I haven't responded individually to all your kind and supportive comments yesterday, I did read every one of them and am grateful for all of them. A couple of people have asked if I mind prayers amongst the good wishes and of course I don't mind. All forms of postive thoughts are very welcome. Thank you all very much.

I got a call this morning from Mum asking me to come up to Shrewsbury because the consultant has decided Dad's condition meant the operation was no longer an option. He's on nil by mouth, they are giving him pain meds if he appears distressed, relaxants to help with his breathing and moistening his lips - but no water.

I travelled up and arrived at the hospital about 5pm, not knowing if he'd still be alive or not, or even whether I wanted him to be. Does that sound callous? I don't know. I wanted him to be alive so I could tell him I loved him and he was the best Dad I could ever have wished for - but that was probably more for my benefit than for his, because we have no idea if he can hear us or not. But there you go, I have now told him, and we'd made sure his hearing aid had a new battery and was switched on before I said it!

But basically, he's pretty much gone already, he just happens to be still breathing, and I am hoping he doesn't take to long to die, because it is too sad to see him like this. Not because he looks terrible and ill, but because he kind of doesn't? He feels too solid to be gone. He's been moved to a side room but the nurses are lovely. They really seem to care about him and Mum. They've been sorting her out with food and drink, and keep asking how she's doing when they came in to see to turning Dad. They also talk to him nicely, like he's still a real person, which is a comfort to us if not to him.

We've come home to the house tonight so Mum can get some sleep as she didn't get any rest last night. The nurses said they will ring us if anything changes - by which I assume they mean if he dies in the night. If he does, I don't know if we'll rush over there, after all, he'll be gone so what would be the point? It is really wierd to be here knowing he'll never come back to the house. I put some of his shirts away even though I know we'll be having to think about disposing of his clothes soon - it feels disrespectful to put them into a charity bag now though.

Mum seems to be holding up well at the moment. We are dissuading family from coming as the aunties are likely to want to be helpful round the house and will drive Mum nuts. I have to say, it is better this way round - Mum is competent and self reliant, and capable - if she'd gone first and left Dad on his own, he would not have coped well.

I'm rambling a bit now - I'll sign off and potter about doing mindless things for a bit. Thank you all again - who'd have thought remote friendships would be so comforting? Hugs to you all.

[identity profile] de-nugis.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
I am so sorry, and sorry that I can't do anything but keep you and your family in my thoughts. Of course don't worry about answering comments, but do let us know if there's anything at all that remote friends can do to help in addition to just being there.

Your posts give such a vivid picture of your dad, his charms and his foibles, and of how much you love him. He's lucky to have you for a daughter, to have been so well loved and to be well remembered, and I'm sure he knows it.

Hugs to you.
ext_57687: (actress | maggie gyllenhaal)

[identity profile] big-heart-june.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh honey, I am so terribly sorry, I have just lit a candle for your beloved Dad. I firmly believe he heard you, I legit teared up reading that ♥ *HUGS*
Once again, thinking of you and sending out all my love to you and your Mum and Dad ♥

[identity profile] chomaisky.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 09:08 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so sorry. This all came too suddenly... Your family is awesome and your dad is lovely from what I know from FB. hugs tightly.

[identity profile] sw0rdy.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sure your dad is proud that he's raised such a strong daughter because it sounds like you (and your mum) are coping amazingly. You're in my thoughts.

x

[identity profile] dizzojay.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
I can't express how sorry I am. Although I never had the privilege of meeting him, I know he was a real character, and I loved reading your stories about him.

I'm sure he heard you when you told him you loved him, and it would have been a great comfort to him even though he knew that already.

Thinking of you and your Mum - stay strong, and take care x
*hugs*
ext_37245: (oak tree)

[identity profile] el1ie.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 09:24 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so very sorry. There's nothing I can say that can help, but I hope you know we're still thinking of you all and wishing you peace and strength in the coming days.

[identity profile] ar-richardson.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs you tightly*

[identity profile] milly-gal.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
It sounds as if the nurses are being extremely respectful to you and your mum and dad. End of life care is always hard, but never feel like you can't ask the staff questions! I am so sorry sweetheart, I'm sending my love, my light, my thoughts your way. Love You!! Xx

[identity profile] chiiyo86.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Checked my flist and just saw this - I know words aren't ever enough, but I'm sorry for what you're going through and will think of you and your family.

[identity profile] madebyme-x.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm truly saddened to hear your news, and even though I've never met your Dad, I always enjoyed reading your stories about him - what a character!

I hope you know that if there's anything we can do, all you have to do is ask, we're all here to help and support where we can.

My thoughts are with you *hugs back*

[identity profile] jimbobjoe.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
I have been where you are--hoping that he goes, hoping that he stays. Just remember feeling that way is not bad.

All my prayers and hugs for you!
ext_63196: (NoWords)

[identity profile] beelikej.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs tight*

[identity profile] septembers-coda.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 10:08 pm (UTC)(link)
:-( :-( Oh, honey. Man, I'm totally crying now, because this was me two months ago, all of it. All those little considerations, the worries and the sadness in unexpected places, and the small kindnesses of strangers and online friends... good and bad, it adds up to OVERWHELMING. Take good care of yourself, meantime. Your dad is all right now. It's his loved ones who are suffering most.

I too worried that it seemed callous to wish it OVER finally, but I believe you were among the people who assured me that it's perfectly normal and natural. You don't want your father to suffer more than he has to, and you need to be able to deal with it head-on; the waiting and the uncertainty are what's most painful.

You're also not alone in feeling reassured that it was your dad who went first, because your mum can handle things better. No way my dad would have been functional without my mom, so I was relieved it happened that way, too.

Breathe. Eat good food. Get hugs. You'll get through this. It's OK to feel all that you feel. I'm glad your online friends are helping you through it. Mine, including you, did that for me, and I appreciated it more than I can say.

We love you and are sad with you and for you, and are sending all our best wishes and healing thoughts. <3 <3

[identity profile] amberdreams.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 10:10 pm (UTC)(link)
We are exchanging mutual advice, huh? (((hugs))))

[identity profile] steeplechasers.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)
i'm so sorry, hon. i know how hard this whole process can be. i'm glad you got to tell him you loved him. praying for your family. <3

[identity profile] sasha-dragon.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 10:40 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so sorry to hear this about your dad, and I promise that it isn't callous to wish it was all over. Like any of us you want an end to any suffering, for both him and your mum. I wish there was more I could say to you, all I can is offer to help in any way I can.

*Hugs*

[identity profile] jj1564.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 10:40 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so sorry my dear, to have that a ray of hope of the operation taken away is so awful. I'm pleased you got the chance to tell your dad how much you love him and what a great dad he's been, I'm sure he knew you were there.

It sounds like the nursing staff are lovely, I think the fact that they still speak to your dad shows respect to him and I'm glad they are being kind to your mum.

I've lost both my parents, my mum just two and a half years ago, so I know what you're going through.I'm thinking of you all right now and sending you a big hug.


[identity profile] borgmama1of5.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 11:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Your posts about your folks have always been filled with affection...Sending thoughts of caring and understanding of where you are in this process. Hug...

[identity profile] becc-j.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm really sorry to hear this. I'm glad that the nurses are treating your dad well. I'll be thinking of you and your family and sending good wishes. *hugs*

[identity profile] dear-tiger.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so, so sorry to hear that this happened to your dad! And it's a relief to know that your mom is an awesome and self-reliant woman, but I wish this wasn't happening to you guys. I'm really sorry! I hope he goes soon and peacefully. It's lovely that you were able to tell him how much you love him and will miss him.

[identity profile] anactoria.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, no. :( I'm so sorry to hear this. You're being amazingly strong through all this -- sending you all the hugs and well-wishes. ♥

[identity profile] sweet-lyri.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 11:38 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so sorry, sweetheart. You're in my thoughts.

[identity profile] yohkobennington.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 11:44 pm (UTC)(link)
jesus, sweetie I'm so sorry D:

 photo BROHUGGIF_zps0b137c26.gif

[identity profile] deirdre-c.livejournal.com 2015-04-28 11:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Switching on the hearing aid! What a lovely detail to remember.

I am thinking of you during this time and hoping that you and your mom can keep focusing on all the positive things, like the lovely nursing staff, and take care of yourselves.

*much love*
kalliel: (Default)

[personal profile] kalliel 2015-04-29 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
Oh Amber, I'm so sorry to hear this; and I love you very much. I'm glad that if he has to go, his nurses are kind and you and your mother both are looking out for him and keeping him warm and peaceful with your thoughts. I've heard that even if someone isn't responsive, or really all there, the body still knows when it is loved. I've lit some candles to honor his life and the wonderful family that will keep his memory bright and present, even if he's gone. <3333333
sillie: Aidan curls drawing (Default)

[personal profile] sillie 2015-04-29 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
I'm so sorry to hear this. *big hug*

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