update on family stuff
Mar. 4th, 2011 04:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
edenfallingGot another email from Dad today, sent to me and Vicky:
Grandma Doris is breathing somewhat more weakly but is still sometimes awake and seems to know that she has family there. Over yesterday, last night, and this morning she has had no in-take beyond some half-teaspoons of broth, and no out-go either. Charles flies home this afternoon; Bill is coming back, and Cara is thinking about driving back tomorrow, depending on circumstances.
Dick is not at death's door but in anything but great shape. Kathy (neighbor) and Yvette (niece, in Texas) were trying to get hold of Charles to see if along with the will he might have a medical power document or power of attorney, etc. Dick could be discharged from the hospital now but the hospital people won't discharge him to go back to his house unless he has extensive assistance arranged, and in view of the split level nature of the house, maybe not even with assistance. He should have some procedure, Lessie thinks it may be angioplasty, which he is refusing. So it looks like he's going to have to have other living arrangements, and he is ornery.
Charles doesn't think he has any medical document but isn't sure so he has to search his papers. There seems to be no arrangement for who would be in charge if Dick were unconscious or otherwise incapacitated, which probably means that legally it would fall to his sister Jane, who is in Texas (next door to Yvette) and not in good shape herself. As Dickens put, "It's a muddle."
By the way, in case we haven't told you clearly, if we were unable to act for each other, you two will be the ones officially put on the spot for decisions and handling our affairs.
love,
Dad
Uncle Dick was married to Grandma Doris's younger sister Duke (childhood nickname, don't ask). Duke died several years ago, and since then Dick has essentially been waiting to die himself. He isn't actively seeking death, but he consistently refuses treatments that might fix his various health problems, preferring to simply endure them and let them run their courses. So I have no idea what will happen now, if he isn't able to live at home alone as he's used to doing, but won't move or accept a home aid either.
Anyway.
Today is also Vicky's birthday -- she is 26 now. What a horrible, horrible time for so many things to go so wrong.
Grandma Doris is breathing somewhat more weakly but is still sometimes awake and seems to know that she has family there. Over yesterday, last night, and this morning she has had no in-take beyond some half-teaspoons of broth, and no out-go either. Charles flies home this afternoon; Bill is coming back, and Cara is thinking about driving back tomorrow, depending on circumstances.
Dick is not at death's door but in anything but great shape. Kathy (neighbor) and Yvette (niece, in Texas) were trying to get hold of Charles to see if along with the will he might have a medical power document or power of attorney, etc. Dick could be discharged from the hospital now but the hospital people won't discharge him to go back to his house unless he has extensive assistance arranged, and in view of the split level nature of the house, maybe not even with assistance. He should have some procedure, Lessie thinks it may be angioplasty, which he is refusing. So it looks like he's going to have to have other living arrangements, and he is ornery.
Charles doesn't think he has any medical document but isn't sure so he has to search his papers. There seems to be no arrangement for who would be in charge if Dick were unconscious or otherwise incapacitated, which probably means that legally it would fall to his sister Jane, who is in Texas (next door to Yvette) and not in good shape herself. As Dickens put, "It's a muddle."
By the way, in case we haven't told you clearly, if we were unable to act for each other, you two will be the ones officially put on the spot for decisions and handling our affairs.
love,
Dad
Uncle Dick was married to Grandma Doris's younger sister Duke (childhood nickname, don't ask). Duke died several years ago, and since then Dick has essentially been waiting to die himself. He isn't actively seeking death, but he consistently refuses treatments that might fix his various health problems, preferring to simply endure them and let them run their courses. So I have no idea what will happen now, if he isn't able to live at home alone as he's used to doing, but won't move or accept a home aid either.
Anyway.
Today is also Vicky's birthday -- she is 26 now. What a horrible, horrible time for so many things to go so wrong.
