(no subject)
My father is still in the rehab hospital. He's stronger in general, but he still has abrupt, unpredictable episodes of his blood pressure dropping. Thanksgiving morning, while simply sitting in a chair, he passed out and his BP was measured at 53/38; naturally, we didn't bring him home for dinner with us. He's taking medicine at much higher doses than average to control his condition, and even getting IV fluids and salt tablets, and yet this is still happening. It may take some time for him to be well enough to leave the hospital.
An important step towards that would be for him to accept that he is seriously ill, and that the ground rules of his life have to change. I see moments of recognition when I talk with him, but for now he lacks insight and is still liable to get restless and try and get up on his own, which will be disastrous when he blacks out. Part of the problem is that when he isn't blacking out he basically feels OK, and can get up and walk around just as he has for the past 82 years.
Personally, I seem to be in a bit of a low spot. I always like to say that I'm fine, but I'm really not. I'm OK-not sick, not hurt, not in peril-but last night I was extremely tired, yet I couldn't actually settle down and sleep, because I just didn't want to lie there in the silent dark, so I stayed up all night watching TV to distract myself. Now I'm so exhausted my ears are ringing. I guess I need to accept myself more.
An important step towards that would be for him to accept that he is seriously ill, and that the ground rules of his life have to change. I see moments of recognition when I talk with him, but for now he lacks insight and is still liable to get restless and try and get up on his own, which will be disastrous when he blacks out. Part of the problem is that when he isn't blacking out he basically feels OK, and can get up and walk around just as he has for the past 82 years.
Personally, I seem to be in a bit of a low spot. I always like to say that I'm fine, but I'm really not. I'm OK-not sick, not hurt, not in peril-but last night I was extremely tired, yet I couldn't actually settle down and sleep, because I just didn't want to lie there in the silent dark, so I stayed up all night watching TV to distract myself. Now I'm so exhausted my ears are ringing. I guess I need to accept myself more.