Prayers for my Dad

[paula1961]

He went to his kidney doctor today and they are sending him to a surgeon to discuss surgery for a shank to start dialysis. This news has me very worried. My dad has long suffered from congestive heart failure. He has been in and out of the hospital many many times over the past several years to get fluid off of him. He has to watch his fluid intake very carefully. No more than 5% sodium. My Dad is the rock of our family! He is such a kind and caring person! He has been a minister since I was 7 years old. And has more faith than anyone that I have ever met. I know that I am rambling now. I am very stressed! I will let you know the turn out of this appt. For now just please say a prayer for my Dad. Thank you girls. you are the absolute best friends in the world!

[gja1000]

Paula, I am so sorry this is happening to your dad. It is very common though, in long standing heart failure. In fact, my Gary who also has heart failure, may be facing the same thing in the not too distant future. The kidneys are sacrificed when keeping the fluid so low in heart failure, but there is just nothing else that can be done. The fluid level must be low in heart failure, but low fluid levels stress the kidneys - so it is a Catch 22.

Dialysis is OK, it's really not that bad at all. I'm not trying to minimize it, but just to say that if it happens your dad has to go on dialysis, it will be OK. It is hard though when our parents health is failing, I know how hard it is.

Keep us posted and I will certainly keep him (and you!) in my thoughts!

[Blueyes]

I'm so sorry about your dad. I will keep you both in my prayers. It's hard to see a strong man go downhill, especially when it's your dad. Love you!

[judy]

I will keep you all in my prayers Paula. It is hard to watch someone you love go through these things. Janet's mom is on dialysis, and she does it overnight, at home.

Hopefully, he won't need it at all.

[paula1961]

Thank you girls so much. Yes Gayle I have read on some of your replies about Gary's problems and also Betsi's hubbies as well. I do believe that everything will be ok, it's just so sad as you all know to see your dad who has always been this big strong man turn into to a weak feeble guy. It is heart breaking.

My mom is taking it really hard too. She thinks that because he might be on dialysis that they wouldn't be able to go anywhere. She likes to stay on the go and my dad just doesn't have the energy anymore to do that. I try to tell her that their life isn't going to stop.

I knew that Janet's mom was on dialysis. I even told my mom about her and how she was planning on going to Florida this winter, I was trying to give her something positive to think about. By the way how is Janet's mom doing? Is she out of the hospital?

I will keep you all posted. Love you all

[DianaB]

Paula, I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad's problems. I'll keep him in my prayers. Hugs!!

[gja1000]

Originally Posted by paula1961

I do believe that everything will be ok, it's just so sad as you all know to see your dad who has always been this big strong man turn into to a weak feeble guy. It is heart breaking.

My mom is taking it really hard too. She thinks that because he might be on dialysis that they wouldn't be able to go anywhere.

Oh Paula, I know exactly what you mean. It is so terribly heartbreaking to watch your parents' health fail. I feel the same way about Gary. He used to build houses, amazing houses from the ground up, and now he can't even swing a hammer for more than a few seconds before getting winded. It is so very hard.

About the going places (your mom's concern), I saved a story about a man who had to go on dialysis and he and his wife traveled a lot (even over seas). The story was about how he just made arrangements to have dialysis wherever he traveled. When you have medicare, I think you can have dialysis anywhere - you just make arrangements for a treatment before you travel.

I saved the story because Gary likes to travel also, and I wanted him to see that if he has to go on dialysis, it might cause a few more hassles, but it doesn't make travel impossible. I know what you mean though about your dad not really having the energy to travel much anyway. Gary is the same way - he gets sooo tired sooo quickly on trips. But he still wants to go so we try to do as much as possible.

Watching our parents age is not easy. One day it will be us, so I just try to store away all the lessons and ideas for when I need them