Blessings

Daddy's in the Hospital

While I was maxing and relaxing at the pool this afternoon, I got no fewer than 7 phone calls to tell me Daddy had been admitted to the hospital for pneumonia. I flew home, took a quick shower, and ran out the door ... wet hair and no makeup. But an open sunroof and windows dried my hair and I have to say, it didn't look half bad. Anyway, after x-rays and bloodwork and God knows what else, Daddy does NOT have pneumonia. Instead, he has asthmatic bronchitis. He also has what the doctor referred to as "dirty lungs," brought about by 60 years of smoking. Also COPD, which is a chronic lung disease. For more info on that, see  http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html

Currently his lungs are hyperinflated, which means he can take in plenty of air but he can't get rid of it. The airways are narrowed. The steroids should help open the airways and ease his breathing. He's also getting breathing treatments and a strong antibiotic through his IV.

His blood sugar was elevated, which could be attributed to the steroids (or not), so they're giving him insulin too. He is not to get out of bed for any reason, not even to go to the bathroom.

Daddy said something about having an echo-cardiogram while he was down in x-ray. I THINK he said something about an enlarged heart, but I'm not sure. I did not hear that from the doctor. I was hoping to talk to the cardiologist, but he never came by.

Just keep him in your prayers.

Still gotta finish up cooking for tomorrow's family reunion that he now will not get to attend. What a week!