Update on Dad and Scalamobil

[KeeKer]

Beautiful choices! Very soothing colors.When do you go visit next?

 

[thelma313]

My dad is in the hospital again.

Sadly my dad was rushed into emergency again. I spent close to 8 hours there with him and my mom, who is still there by his side. He was clearly uncomfortable and in pain for the better part of the last 24 hours. Last night he could not rid himself of the excessive secretions in his throat and lungs. My mom tried the cough assist on him to no avail. Finally he was in such extreme discomfort and pain my mom called for an ambulance. He's been in the emergency ward since 11pm on Friday night and has had several tests including an EKG, x-rays, blood tests, and urine analysis. All have come back negative. Nothing wrong with his heart, no blood clot, his lungs are free so no pneumonia. We are really relieved and yet I just feel so sad for my sweet dad who suffered through many consecutive hours since late last night. When I got there this morning he got very emotional and he looked scared. It is just heartbreaking to see him this way. I am going back first thing in the morning. He has terrible pain in his legs. They actually hurt if someone touches them. Does anyone know anything about this?

Whoever said ALS is painless is a jackass. Sorry, I'm just pissed that my dad is going through this!

 

[Blackpool]

I agree with you about the jackasses I have had such terrible pains in my legs and chest and they hurt to touch. I had a scary experience last night, I was sleeping with my Bipap and woke up unable to breath ,I managed to rip of the mask and roll out of bed all the time unable to take a breath, I was wondering if it was the secrection (sticky phlegm) that got stuck, I have been clearing my throat and coughing for the last two weeks ,lots of junk but no infection. I was so scared I sat up all night. I hope I get over it tonight as I need the bipap. Hope your dad gets home soon, I know what he feels like just being there for him makes a huge difference.

 

[thelma313]

Yes, my dad's legs and chest hurt to touch also! I'm so sorry that you had that experience last night, Blackpool. That damn sticky phlegm! I hope it clears up for you. I wish there was more I could do. I feel so helpless. I hate that any of your have this discomfort and pain. My heart goes out to you.

 

[GlenBrittle]

Well call me a jackass and ride me nekkid. (ladies only) I guess I have not hit the pain stages yet.

Blackpool , damn scary . Was it just phlegm ?

Rosella, our hearts go out to your dad Angelo, please let him know we are pulling for him to feel better.

Glen

 

[BarryG]

Rosella, please tell your dad and mom that I am thinking of them and I hope that your dad gets home soon. It's really good that there is no pneumonia! And I'm thinking of you too, take care of yourself.

That damn phlem sure is a problem! I thinks that that is the biggest problem that I have when I try to eat. I am OK most of the time, even though I have to have a cloth with me or my shirt gets wet, but during and after I try to eat something the thick, gooey stuff just makes me want to gag. I end up with my mouth under the tap for about ten minutes washing my mouth and throat out and horking up big gobs of goo (sorry for the visuals). It is very hard to get interested in eating when you know that it means that you have to go through not only the difficulty and tiring job of eating but you also have to work hard at cleaning up after so you can breath again.

Blackpool, do you sleep on your back or your side? I have never been able to sleep well on my back and now especially. I don't have a bipap so I dont know how they work but if I do get one I will have to be able to use it sleeping on my side. This position helps me keep my throat clear of saliva and phlem at least until I get up in the morning. I hope that you can get some rest and that you can make the bipap work.

Barry

 

[thelma313]

Thanks Barry and Glen! I do hope that he is released today. They transferred him to a room last night so at least he is more comfortable. That emergency room bed has a paper thin mattress and he was having trouble getting comfortable.

 

[DgtofTNfan]

Rosella I am so sorry your Dad is in pain. Hopefully moving to a regular room will allow for more comfortable positions. Thinking of you and your family.
Dana

 

[mare]

Rosella & Alida-

I'm so sorry Angelo is going through this! Hope you are all home soon.

Do your parents have a suction machine at home? Are his secetions too thick or just too much? Meds for this?

Are they giving him something for pain?
Does the ER doc consult with his ALS doc?

I'm sure you/ Mom will be on the phone first thing tomorrow with the clinic to get a "game plan" for these issues. I would think they should be able to give him some relief.

I'm thinking & praying for you all! (or y'all, as CJ would say!)

 

[John1]

Rosella,

I'm sorry your dad is going through this. I was away from the board for a couple of days and missed your post. I hope your dad is home soon and this phlegm problem can be worked out for the future. Troublesome about the pain too. I'm thinking of you all.

John

 

[KeeKer]

Rosella, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad! Hope he is doing better now that he is in a bed. Do they have anything to give him for the pain or are they just trying to figure out what is causing it? Hope that you and your mom can get some rest and that they send him home soon.
Colleen

 

[thelma313]

Dana, Mare, Colleen and John thank you so much for your well wishes. Your support is so appreciated!

I just got back from spending the day at the hospital with my dad. He definitely seems better today. This morning he had an ultrasound on his legs to make sure there is nothing in them like a blood clot causing the pain. The ultrasound revealed nothing abnormal which is good however it did hurt him as the doctor pressed that camera thingy over his leg muscles.

Later, he had a problem breathing due to the secretions in his throat and lungs again and the nurses used a suction machine to aspirate. The doctor determined he may have a cold. We have had to wear gowns, gloves and masks to see him as he is in isolation in case he has the H1N1 (aka the Swine Flu.) The results for that test should be coming soon. He is going to stay in the hospital for a few more days at least until a plan of action is in place.

I am wondering if he shouldn't have a suction machine at home?

 

[brooksea]

Gosh! I hadn't checked in on this thread in a while and see this has happened!

Very sorry about your dad Rosella!

A suction machine was prescribed for my husband and it would be helpful for your dad if he had one at home.

I hope they are able to find out what is causing your dad such distress and that they can fix it fast!

Hugs to you and your family.

 

[thelma313]

Thanks CJ! What are the suction machines like? My mom was worried that she wouldn't be able to operate a suction machine because she was concerned about how much medical skill it would require. Also do you know the brand name of the suction machine? Is there a certain type we should look into?

 

[mare]

Rosella-
I would think your clinic can help you with the suction machine if it is necessary.
Please tell your Mom not to worry; it is not that difficult to operate. She will be given instructions. If she can handle that Scalamobile, a little suction machine will be a piece of cake!

Hugs,
Mare