My father was supposed to be discharged from hospital this past Monday 7th December 2015. But, his released was delayed as the medical team wanted to conduct an echocardiogram or something similar to make sure everything was OK. So, it meant my father spent another night in hospital and it was 4 weeks that Tuesday morning that he had been there.
But, now he is back in the Coronary Care Unit, where he started. That Tuesday was not a good day for him - he had encountered breathing difficulties and pain, which sent the medical staff into red alert and he had been tended to by lots of different people during the day. This was a major setback.
The encouraging thing is that he managed to speak on his mobile phone with me that day. But, he was obviously desperately sad and was panicking about having gone back to square one. His emotions got the better of him and he could hardly speak. Keeping my own composure was important too. I think I've got used to these situations and know that I need to keep a level head myself, especially in his presence. It's totally understandable of course - he was on the cusp of being released and wants to go home, but now faces another potentially long spell in hospital. Long days and sleepless nights. But, he is in a good place and being looked after by the right people. Needless to say though, he won't be coming out any time soon.
Today I spoke with the lady from social services who had been helping us. There are some positive news where mum's stay in the care home is concerned. What I do need to do is sort out the finances - but thankfully this will be covered by mum's savings anyway. I have in the past couple of weeks started to get my head around understanding 'self funded' and the costs involved. Mum's stay in the home will be extended into January, all being well. This will give dad enough time to get out of hospital and get sorted, and for additional care in the community arrangements to be made. I do however have to wait for the letter from the council confirming the plans - and that's if it's approved at all.
And in the background, Christmas creeps up on us. Our son will be 8 months old this weekend. He is a beautiful healthy boy. We are very lucky, it has to be said, but trying to cope with our baby boy, managing dad in hospital and mum in the care home, and to top it all off, us wanting to find a new home (and have already accepted an offer on the sale of our flat), it's been a bit much. I wonder if at some point I'll start to crack myself.
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