[Larry_Hoover]

My dad is a grumpy old man, but perhaps worse yet, a grumpy old drunk man who is losing his faculties. My sister and I arranged for nursing and support staff to watch over him. We're not medically trained, and he needed supports that we live too far away to offer him. So, we got the weekly nurse (daily, for a while). We got the personal support worker. And we were told we'd be informed of any concerns that might arise.

Sunday, I went for a long drive with my two sons. Alex is graduating today, and it had been a while since my dad saw them. Just going up for a drive in the country, and a little visit, before we went over to the lake for a swim.

I wasn't there eight seconds, and I was asking my dad if he thought it was all right if I called 911 for him. He has diabetes, but he thinks he doesn't have it any more. He wasn't taking his insulin. And he thinks he doesn't need to take his Coumadin, to thin his blood, so he won't stroke out from the valve he had put in his heart. But there he was, just four days after his nurse was supposed to be in there, dripping fluid from a gaping sore on his leg. The gangrene and sepsis were plain to see. I don't know how this could happen, but I knew what I needed to do.

And my sons got a lesson we hadn't planned on having.

The ambulance was dispatched immediately, and he was transported with full sirens, more than an hour to the hospital. And I watched as they cut away bandaids (Bandaids!!!) that had been on his flesh so long that the tissue had rotted away beneath them.

He may yet lose his legs. But, it's looking better, for now. He would not have lasted, past that day, alone.

He's lost 70 lbs. in six months. And wasn't nobody thought to check that out? And his last prescription for Coumadin had a March date on it. And the nurse was there, just four days before I was. It takes more than four days for the gangrene to get into his bone, like I saw that it was.

I pray for the strength to do the right thing. Please pray with me. Forgiveness will be hard, this time.

Lar

[Sabrina]

I am amazed though that his nurse didn't do something sooner, that she didn't even remove the bandaids and treat the area. It seems she did not do much for him.

I am sorry you had to go through this.

larry........i am so sorry to see you going through this.....i will pray for you and your family.......

[bebop]

my gosh hon that is terrible! I hope you have called the nursing agency and let them know what their nurse has not been doing! I hope your dad gets better soon.

[gardenergirl]

You and your family are in my prayers, Larry. Congrats on your son's graduation, a happy event. And blessings to you for doing the right thing in the face of what must be a very difficult situation.

gg

[darkeyes]

Sending prayers for strength for you and your family.

(((((((((( Larry ))))))))))))

[lenjan]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Lar}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} I'm so sorry. You and your family will definitely be in my prayers.

Candy

[MOMW]

Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way. My daughter just graduated this year also. It's nice that you have something positive happening also.

[(JD)]

Unfortunately these stories are nothing new I'm sorry your dad fell prey to the incompetent. ((((larry))) Remember, there might not be any GOOD solutions, only a better one.

I am sorry! This nurse surely didn't do her job right.

(((((((((((Larry)))))))))))

[Larry_Hoover]

Thank you, everyone.

He seems to be doing okay, now. His recovery seems to be miraculous. Your prayers did help with that.

I need some sleep. I think I can, now. Thanks.

Lar

wishing you a peaceful rest...