Chris Greisman - 2013-11-21 11:21:51-0500 - Updated: 2013-11-21 13:14:31-0500

 

Got a complicated call from the hospital where Dad is being treated for pneumonia. They are basically saying they are having trouble treating him due to his cardiac condition, which is very poor. They were asking more or less how aggressive they should be in treating it, and impressing upon me how futile that might be, and would I consider palliative care instead?
I finally got thru to the Dr. that they should (1) Call his cardiologist (2) Don't do anything invasive (one of the options was strong blood pressure meds given thru a central line) (3)Otherwise palliative care, don't upgrade him to the cardiac unit.
This all bodes ominously, but if I know Dad, this is probably not the end, quite yet....

Chris Greisman - 2013-11-21 13:59:33-0500

Dr. called back. After consulting Dad's cardiologist, they're now firmly recommending hospice care. His cardiac condition is so delicate they think trying anything at all would cause unnecessary discomfort when there's no hope he's going to fully recover --from the pneumonia, the heart failure, anything, really...
He'll probably get hospice care back at his usual nursing home.