The Braseltons

As not to spam Twitter and FaceBook repeatedly, I will update this blog post frequently. Check back for current status.

He was admitted about 11:00 am today as his oxygen level was low and he vomited once. They took him via ambulance to the emergency room. He is currently in the Cast room and he I being treated. They gave him steroids and Tylenol for his fever (101 deg) and an IV. His oxygen level is back up to target numbers. They just swabbed his nose for a flu test His breathing is labored but he is resting.

They are returning shortly to do a chest x-Ray. I will update more later.

UPDATE 12:28
Dr. Kohli came in and checked him with a stethascope. He asked questions about his current condition and asked about his history. He said that he will check his records as dad has already been here within the year. Dr. Kohli said that the x-Ray machine was down and it will take about an hour to repair. They are currently treating him for pneumonia, just in case, since his white count is down, has fever and breathing problems. Dr. Kohli will be his doctor for this visit.

UPDATE 12:48
Nurse just came in to check. She mentioned that the x-Ray machine is fixed and they will be coming shortly. She confirmed that he will be admitted and moved to the second floor.

UPDATE 13:02
Dad has been wheeled off to get chest x-rays. They estimate 45 minutes to an hour. They will return him to this room when complete. Mom is going home to see if she can help Tammy as she is working and taking care of the baby. Mom is returning shortly and of course bringing my phone charger as my battery is down to 44% and will continue to decline rapidly with these updates.

UPDATE 13:42
He is back from x-Ray. No real update other than he is back. A gentleman is hooking him back up to the monitoring equipment.

UPDATE 13:52
A doctor came in and reported that his chest x-ray showed a small amount of infiltrate on the right side. He said that he is doing the paperwork for admitting him now because of his 102 degree temperature and breathing problems.

UPDATE 15:45
Dr. Kohli said that he does NOT have pneumonia and that this was mostly just because of his COPD. Dad is now moved up to his room on the second floor and getting situated. He has a roommate. I’m sure that he is thrilled about that. They mentioned keeping him two-three days.

UPDATE 12-27-09 18:16
I am in Corpus. My sister called an said that mom has told her that dad is not doing well. I’m bummed because I want to go and see him and help my mother. Gena mentioned that if he survives the night that he will go back to the nursing home under hospice care. This is very sad. Very bummed.

UPDATE 12-28-09 16:00
Dad is back in the nursing home under hospice care. It has been explained that he will recieve morphine and xanex. That’s about it. He is in really bad shape. He is not expected to make it much longer. It is really getting to me now. It is tough to be in this situation when you can’t really help. I don’t want to imagine his position.

UPDATE 12-28-09 17:06
Damn hospital didn’t send any medication over with him. He is begging for some kind of medicine. The extra medication won’t be here for a couple of hours. They are calling again to see if they can expidite the medications. He keeps asking the nurse if he is going to make it that long.

UPDATE 12-28-09 19:20
Medicine (oral morphine drops) FINALLY here. The nurse, Janet, was kind enough to stay until it arrived to ensure he got it promptly. It came from Tyler, TX! 73 miles!

UPDATE 12-29-09 11:22
Dad is still pretty rough. It is really painful to see. Pete called Aunt Claire and Uncle Reza last night. They arrived this morning and had a nice visit. Dad was able to look up at her.

He just struggles for every breath. They are trying to give him a breathing treatment and he is wrestling around trying to get the mask off as he says that it prevents him from breathing. They replaced the mask with a device that he can just stick in his mouth. That seems to be working currently.

UPDATE 12-29-09 12:07
Dad got some more medicine. It still seems he struggles to breathe at all times. He is just never relaxed. With each breath, he moans upon exhale. I believe it is comforting to him but as a third party it is painful. It is not an intermittent thing. It is now constant even when he tries to sleep. The expression on his face is one of pain and anguish. He fidgets constantly with his clothing and oxygen tubes. The clothes and blanket fidgeting is usually because he is hot. The room can be -10 degrees but he is always hot.

UPDATE 12-29-09 12:19
I glanced at Dad’s foli bag (I guess that is what you call it) and noticed blood. Pete and I went to the nurses station to let them know. The nurse said that it was ok and they knew. Wow, that is tough to take.

UPDATE 12-29-09 14:01
Dad just got medicine. I never know which it is, anxiety or pain medication. Nothing else really new. Just sucks for him.

UPDATE 12-30-09 08:58
Dad is actually sleeping pretty peacfully this morning. Through discussions with the staff here and putting little pieces together, it seems that he will pass from the fluid in his lungs and not from starvation or other illness.

A note on the staff: EVERYONE here at Heritage Oaks Nursing Home is very caring and helpful. I would love to list each person but is would be a huge list and I’m sure that I would forget someone. I can compare this place to two others in Corsicana and this place is top notch.

UPDATE 12-30-09 13:13
Dad had his last treatment at about 10:25. He has been sleeping so restful that noone wants to disturb him. I just noticed that he is so thin that he no longer has a belly button. It is just flat. I recall it being an “inny”. His chest congestion is getting worse and he is gettin too weak to even cough. It just pops and gurgles like when a coffee pot is at the end of the water supply and gurgles for a second. This really sucks.

UPDATE 12-31-09 10:04
Dad is hanging on with everything he has. His condition is deteriorating slowly but surely. Each minute, I think that it cannot get worse. Well, it does and it rips my whole family’s hearts out. The gurgling continues constantly now. He occasionally attempts to cough but is usually a failed attempt.

We usually wait to give him his medication until he becomes restless. It doesn’t make sense to wake him to give him a treatment that he fears. When the morphine nebulizer (mask) is put over his nose and mouth, he panics as he feels that he cannot breathe. He is currently sleeping.

UPDATE 12-31-09 11:17
I was just on hold with the Veterans Administration. The hold time was estimated at 8 minutes. At the 8 minute mark, the hold music changed to “Danny Boy”. My dad always sang that song to me with the words “Tommy Boy”. I was on hold until the song completed. How can I speak after that? I had to ask the gentleman to hold on as I tried to gather my composure. I am having trouble right now typing this damn update. He is sending a package to Mom about all of the VA benefit stuff. He then directed me to contact The Defense Finance & Accounting Department at 1-800-321-1080 for any information reguarding retirement pay questions and Medicare.

UPDATE 12-31-09 11:54
I called DFAD at 800-321-1080 with phone menu options 520. They required the SSN to be entered. I got the number from mom but they could not find anything. I have to swing by the house and verify the number. Bruce, the gentleman on the other end, said that as long as he is alive that specifics about any of the information can not be given. They can answer general questions. Bruce said that since he has survived to the end of the month that the retirement check that comes in January does not need to be returned. I will call back once I have the correct numbers.

UPDATE 12-31-09 12:34
Gena was waiting at the house for Mr. Stewart’s daughter. I passed Gena on the way here and I have found that she has already been here. Mrs. Stewart kindly brought some taco soup, desert and bread by for us. It was very kind. Since it is still warm and I don’t have to fight my mom or siblings for it, I’ll give it a try for lunch. I’m getting the correct SSN and make a call back to the DFAD for information. I will then return to the nursing home. Aunt Claire has been here every day too. It has to be tough for her too with such a busy schedule.

Dad is about the same. They recently wrestled another dose of medication in him.

UPDATE 12-31-09 13:44
Damn Apple iTunes Store! The had two friggin’ versions of the song Danny Boy. I am still at the house. I have the correct SSN but have not called because I have the stupid song on repeat. I decided to throw a load of laundry in the washing machine. I will give the DFAD a call in a minute then return to the nursing home.

UPDATE 12-31-09 14:57
I spoke with Pam at DFAD and she said that she cannot verify anything unless my dad calls or there is proof of his passing. So, we need to call the above number again to finalize everything.

UPDATE 12-31-09 16:17
Catherine, Christian and Gia came down to see dad.

Dad is in pretty shoddy condition. His gurgling is worse by the second. I never could imagine it to be this way. I am sitting and watching this hell and with every breath I sadly wish the next would not appear. He chuggs along and I watch in amazement as it continues.

UPDATE 12-31-09 23:13
My entire family is upset. They are crying for Dad’s suffering. It is completly understandable because this is a messed up situation. I hear my sister crying and hurting so bad about the suffering that dad is going through. I hear it and feel the MOST upset because this was the elected path that I chose. I was the major contributor to the route that he is on. As a matter of fact, my mother relied on me to make the correct descision of three. There was no right answer but I have to watch the pain of all of my relatives about the choice that I made. I feel very bad for them but I am confident in the choice that I made. Prolinginging his death was not the option in my opinion. I am very sorry, I will take the blame but I feel that this is the best route but there is still pain and doubts. The entire situation sucks! Damn it all! Please forgive me. I am not happy either. This all sucks.

UPDATE 01-01-10 00:01:00
I guess happy new year. I called Tammy to wish her a happy new year but I am certain that they are asleep.

I am still having trouble with the descision that I made even though my family agrees with me. I am very sorry. I did not want pain or suffering for dad or my family. I cannot change the descision in any way. Please just forgive my choice. I am sorry. I just wanted the best.

UPDATE 01-01-10 12:40
Dad is not gurgling today. He is just sleeping.

Pete had to get home because Gia is very sick. She went to the hospital last night and has to visit the doctor Monday. Bronchitis is part of the problem. They also said borderline pneumonia. Poor little girl.

UPDATE 01-01-10 13:04
Dad has not had any medication today. I don’t think that he had any last night either. He has been resting peacefully and has not been anxious. He is sleeping.

UPDATE 01-01-10 13:04
Dad is in the same condition.

Gena bought some sandwich rolls, meats and cheese for lunch. Mom, Nicole and I came home to grab a bite.

Tammy sent a video and some nice pictures of Zoe. It brought a smile to our faces.

UPDATE 01-01-10 17:33
Dad’s breathing hardly exists. I had to really stare to see if he was breathing. He must be extremely weak. What a difference from just days ago when he was really working to get air. It is so quiet in hear. The family just watches and cries. I hear the fan, the oxygen machine’s thump and occasionally a sniffle. The halls are even quiet. I don’t hear him at all…

UPDATE 01-01-10 19:23
Dad has been pronounced dead at 19:25.

UPDATE 01-02-10 oo:15
Dad has passed. I have had family questions. I have answered everything. Out of everything, Christian and Nicole are the best!