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And in The House of Dogs
Topic Started: Apr 4 2010, 12:03 AM (1,883 Views)
FuzzyO
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Are they at least allowing him to suck on a dampened (clean!) washcloth? Any doctor will tell you that moistening the mouth that way will not render him ineligible for surgery and will make him a bit more comfortable.
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goldengal
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Mistress, House of Dogs
Hi Darcie .... Yep, they have all my numbers on hand. It took almost a week before I got the first call. Wil call again in the mornng. No Fuzzyo, I do not think they have tried that. Will mention it.

Soon I will have to go to Ray's bank ... not that he has much at all. Does anyone have experience with how to proceed when there is no POA?

Take care,
Pat
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Liz
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Princess in Training
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goldengal
Apr 13 2010, 11:20 AM
...

Soon I will have to go to Ray's bank ... not that he has much at all. Does anyone have experience with how to proceed when there is no POA?

Take care,
Pat
Pat, if Ray is able to sign a POA, go to any branch of his bank and ask them for a blank POA that conforms to their standards and have Ray sign it before a witness in the hospital. It may have to be notarized but ask at the hospital's main desk if they have a Notary Public on staff and, if so, make arrangements to have the Notary notarize it after execution by Ray and a witness(es). The reason I suggest that you obtain a blank POA form from any branch the bank that Ray uses is because I understand that banks are very sticky about accepting any other POA's than their own form.
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goldengal
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Mistress, House of Dogs
One discovery I have made is that in a house with no dogs I do not have to clean my glasses often at all. Usually, they have smudges all over them. Either tomorrow or Friday they will be returning, and I cannot wait to see them - especially Montana.

Yesterday I did not go to the hospital, but left a message for a doctor to call me. Would you not know one called at 12:55 when I was in the midst of using my power steamer, and drats, I missed the call. I saw the light blinking on a secondary phone in the bedroom when working in there and called immediately (15 minutes after his call), but alas, he said he would be out for the day. I called the hospital anyway, but he had already left. Last night I called and was surprised to learn Ray had been transferred out of Acute Care Cardiac to the 9th floor which is where he was initially.

A cyber friend queried yesterday how I can manage to post with all that I am doing. Well, it is because I am up at 5 each morning when many are still 015 . I am beginning to run out of steam though, and am awake from about 2:30 on now most nights. I only belong to WWS now and have not glanced at any of my pet boards in weeks.

I must say I did a great job cleaning my silver grey carpet which is in the living room and bedroom which are both very large rooms. Because one has to walk through the living room to access the bedroom, kitchen and bathroom, it is a high traffic area and becomes soiled quickly. A friend told me years ago to mix half a cup of bleach with half a cup of laundry detergent in the holding tank of the power steamer with hot water, and I do that area first with it, and then the entire carpet with Bissell Shampoo. It looks the best it has ever been following cleaning so was well worth the effort, and it is how I have always worked out frustrations, sickness and grief.

This morning I am heading to the apartment to check for mail, and to Ray's bank, and I'll remember to leave my cell on in case a doctor calls. Oh forgot to say they were not successful in inserting the feeding tube. What that is all about I do not know, and is why I am so anxious to talk with a doctor - any doctor. Tonight Kim is going to drive me to the hospital as the 3 hour round trip is tiring, and how seniors manage the stairs in the subway stations when they wear bifocals is a real challenge.

Wishing everyone a good one.

Take care,
Pat
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FuzzyO
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Thanks for posting Pat. How frustrating that you missed the doctor's call! I hope all gets sorted out at the bank
and that you find your brother in better spirits. I'm so glad Montana will soon be home, that will be comforting.
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Bitsy
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Pat, there are so many questions, I hope you get some answers soon. You are remarkable, I would be a raving maniac.
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goldengal
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Mistress, House of Dogs
Well the past few days I have felt more like crying Bitsy. Have to be better days around the corner.

Take care,
Pat
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January
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GG

I don't know how you do it and on so little sleep.
If I had your schedule I would be a basket case for sure.

I think you have to have one of these :angelwand: looking after you.

Travel safely.

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Pat - today is Wednesday. Are you saying he has had no nourishment since Sunday? Is he hooked up to an IV and getting fluids and nourishment that way?
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goldengal
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Mistress, House of Dogs
Justicette .... For a couple of days they had removed the nourishment from the IV as it too (according to the nurses when he was in Acute Care) was going into his lungs. Because there is no fluid by mouth, his mouth is so dry, and his tongue seems to be very swollen. I was so surprised when I finally connected with a doctor yesterday to learn that he had pneumonia when he went in, and the doctor said with the condition of his lungs, sometimes the xrays are so blurry it is difficult to pick up on it. Likely that played a big part in his breathing problems earlier.

The prognosis is not good, and this doctor realistically does not believe he will ever return to independent living again. However, I had sent an email to Liz, and Liz tends to look at everythng positively, and has provided a new slant on each item I listed. I always look for the worst and am pleasantly surprised when things turn out better.

Because of the meds, he is not making sense some times, and I am wondering if that will present a problem when it comes to having him sign a bank power of attorney which the bank could not provide. The problem is for me to find a lawyer and be down there physically at the hospital myself due to the logistics of travel.

He does have liiver failure, and while the liver regenerates, it has been my experience from conversations with doctors, medical books, etc. that not when one has advanced cirrhosis. I must say last night his colour was so much better, and while he has been given the go ahead for surgery (has since last Saturday), there is still the ICU bed problem. I am sure those involved in accidents take precedence over this. As the doctor said, unlike the resident, that this type of fracture can wait and still not present a problem. He did say that for a healthy person it usually takes 6 weeks, and then after 3 months they would be up and well, but Ray's time frame would be nothing like that. They are going to insert a feeding tube from the nose to the stomach, but that had not yet been done.

Here I am up at 3 a.m. Seems 4 hours is about all I can sleep these nights. It is times like this I miss the dogs as they are the greatest stress relievers in times like this.

Take care,
Pat
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Darcie
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1mr I admire all you are doing, I hope the dogs come back soon because from the sound of it they are a big support to you.

I am glad that you got some updated information from a doctor, at least now you know what you are dealing with. I think that if his colour is improving that is a good sign.

You are hanging in there a whole lot better than anyone else I know including me, but remember to be good to yourself otherwise you won't be able to keep up these superwoman feats.
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Liz
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Pat, my thoughts are with you on this very sad day. I'm always available if you need me.
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goldengal
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Mistress, House of Dogs
Thank you Liz. You and Joyce (maggie07) have been my rocks the past few weeks.

I had a call from the hospital just after 3, and Ray has died. I am so glad I was there last night as he seemed more peaceful than he had been, and in my heart I knew he would never want to end up in a long term care place. While I am not overly religious, I do pray every night, and last night I said "Please let whatever is best for Ray happen", and it did. I woke up in the middle of the night and could not sleep.

He asked last night how his cat was, and I told him that Tyson (Golden) had kissed her so everything was ok. She was his only possession and buddy in this world so knowing all was ok likely sat well with him.

All my life I have been much like Louie, our Berner; the one to take care of everyone. I have often said I was born old, and believe it. I never went shopping that I didn't return and there would be a message from Ray saying "Were he "f" were you. Now I won't hear that any more, and it is hurting already.

At Loblaws this morning I went to the Courtesy Desk to purchase stamps so I could pay his ambulance invoice, and I thought I had butt in front of another woman and apologized. Turned out she was a sales person who sells to Loblaws. I said "I am not with it today", and she said "Yes, you are .... I got the memo and you are ok". lol

It is going to take me a while to get over this. I got hit by a car when I was 13 when I wouldn't let Ray cross Dufferin Street because it was raining. All my life I tried to help him, and perhaps I did just that when I let him know Mitzy/Misty had found a new home and he could leave.

Take care,
Pat

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FuzzyO
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Oh Pat. How good that you were able to see him last night and to let him know that all is well with Misty. I am so sorry to hear he is gone, though he would have had miserable times ahead I imagine. You're a good sister, Sister.
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goldengal
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Mistress, House of Dogs
Thank you FuzzyO ....It is folks like you who make me believe in the Internet and the wonderful friends we meet here.

Take care,
Pat
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