Wednesday night, December 17th. I get a call from my mom that my dad was admitted thru the ER, because he was coughing up blood. He was in the hospital that morning. I heard about it shortly after i got off work. About 30 minutes after I got the news, I bought a plane ticket to go see him. I was there the next day by noon. I am still amazed how fast you can buy a ticket to somewhere and - poof - be gone.

My mom picked me up from the airport and the we arrive at the hospital 5 minutes later. I walked into the room and my dads face lit up. He was so hapy to see me, and I him. He looked drained, and worn down. I fought back tears and hugged him. He have needles sticks and IV marks all over him. His arms were so bruised up, everywhere. He seemed content at time, watching his favorite program, Nancy Grace. Other times he was completely aloof. He didn’t know how long I had been there - etc. He was falling asleep while talking to you - he could only keep his eyes open for about 20 seconds at a time. When he did sleep, the time was filled with such violent jerks, it made me wonder if the sleep was even peaceful or restful. I felt bad for him - and felt helpless.

We spent the next 3 days and nights in the hospital with him. Leaving there with an adjustment to his medication and getting his INR levels back to normal. He was taken off kumaden and has an upcoming broncostimy where they will look into his lungs for futher clues as to why he may have been coughing up blood. So far we’ve heard that the blood got so thin it induced the coughing up of blood. He has not had any episodes since he left the hospital. I am hoping the amount of medicine he is taking is under control. The other medication that needed to be regulated was the oxycontin. The amount he was on was too much and led to the falling asleep all the time. Since that has been regulated - I have seen a huge change in his behavior.

Back at the house, their house, he was feeling much better. Took him about a day to get back into his routine, but he returned. Stronger than ever. A home health care nurse is now coming to the house every 2 or 3 days as needed to help check his INR blood level, and his blood pressure and sugar. They are extremely helpful to both my mom and my dad - since they can ask as many questions as they want and get answers immediately. I too have a sense of peace knowing that they are recieving help from a nurse.

When I returned home, my dads leg pain had completely subsided, his blood sugar was doing better and the level of awareness from NOT being over medicated was clear. He felt better, period. I was so relieved. He looked so bad when I got there. He was doing great when I left. He was keeping his feet warm by the new fireplace heater my mom got him and happy as a clam testing batteries and fixing stuff. It was just amazing to see the recovery. Hang in there dad.