What's everyone up to?

That's really awesome Kim! Glad you had an awesome time! :-D

I've been having a tough go at things. I just feel so helpless and so guilty and so ANGRY. My dad isn't doing too good. He has an infection of his heart valves and the damaged valves and lack of blood flow is causing all types of damages. My dad went a little crazy last night, they had to sedate him. He lost most of his vision, all he sees is blurr. So they had to strap him down to the bed. The docs say the infection and heart valve problem is causing everything and causes memory problems. My dad complained about head pains and they are scared he is going to have a stroke from the lack of blood flow. They are going to transfer my dad to a connecting hospital of the one my hubby was in for his brain surgery in long island. He is going to have a bypass surgery on his heart, hopefully monday.

My in laws called the airport to see about changing my flight. But it's ridiculous! It will cost almost 500 dollars to change my flight. My ticket cost 100 something. To change flights is a 100 something service charge plus the difference in the price of the flight. This week flights are up in the 500 bucks. I assume cause of the upcoming holiday ( memorial day). My flight back home isn't until the 31st. But i just dont have the money to change flights and neither do my in laws ( who purchased the original flight) and my mom doesn't have the money either. My mother is telling me to just wait it out and my brother is telling me to wait too. And the money i dont have is telling me to wait too. I just feel so scared and worried and panicked and angry. Sigh.

My mom tried to rouse my dad to speak to me to, but he can barely talk. He did manage to say " hey tash" and that was all he could manage and i nearly cried i was so happy to hear that and so heartbroken at the same time that he was so sick.

My poor daddy. We're hoping for a quick and steady recovery. He's been through so much already.

God Tasha, I'm so sorry this is happening to him and that the airlines won't change your ticket. I always thought there was some clause for family medical emergencies or something...you know, extreme situations where you can't necessarily stick to your schedule. If it makes you feel less helpless, keep approaching the airline. If they see how desperate you are to get back to your dad they might not charge you. obviously don't do anything outrageous because you don't want to make a scene or something. But it doesn't hurt to give them a few calls really expressing your problems.

I wish there was something we could do to help you through this. Virtual hugs don't do much, But I'm giving heaps of them to you right now. Try to stay calm, google some craft activity or something to try and keep your mind off everything. I keep suggesting Origami to frustrated friends because it takes a lot of time and concentration.

*HUGS*

UGH! SB lost my post -_-

Lets try this again....

I'm SO SORRY Tasha! I know I'm late replying cause I haven't been able to get on. Idk if your dad has had the surgery yet, but I hope he's doing better. Like Kim, I wish there were more we could do cause liek she said, the virtual hugs just don't do it but I'm sending them anyway. HUGS!!!!

After a 4 day absence, I'm back. My computer ha a stpid virus and I finally got it and the comp fixed.

btw Kim, the Cassandra Clare signing sounded like loads of fun! I hope she comes to FL for Clockwork Prince!

Thanks Kim. And Wilda. And Everyone. Virtual hugs are doing more than you think. it really helps to keep me from cracking. Besides my hubby, i dont have much of a support system. My only close friends are kind of "dudes" for lack of better description. They aren't real emotional and dont know how to be comforting. "Why you crying for?"...lol they tell me that all the the time. I know they care and i love em but it's just not their personality to be the shoulder to cry on.

My dad hasnt had surgery. THat can not operate. He had a stroke on friday. And he has damage in his head that has to repair itself. There isnt medicine or operation taht can fix it. His body has to fix it on its own. The told my mother its up to his body and is in god's hand what happens. So they said in two weeks, hopefully my dad is healed enough to go under and be operated on his heart. His heart is still in bad shape, the valved are damaged. He still has a bad infection. His vision is still gone. ANd his memory is borderline loony. They hope as the infection gets better and his head repairs from the stroke he will gain back some normalcy. BUt they have him strapped to a bed and he is rarely lucid. I'm still in Texas. Unable to afford to swap tickets. But its the 24th already and my tickets are for the 31st so hopefully my dad remains stable and improves a tad bid and I can hold out until. I'm real frustrated with the idiots in my family. They strapped down my father, sicne he cant see and isn't mentally there all tthe time. But they brought his food and left it there. He cant feed himself even if he is untied. My aunt sat there and didnt do anything. I was so angry, as was my mother. She called me early this morning and asked me what kind of idiots are working there and what kind of stupid runs in my dad's family. Lol. It's not funny but u know. I laughed. It's true. I'm so mad. I cant wait to go back to NY and take charge. I'm proud of my momma. She really is stepping up in my absence. Usually i will be there and doing everything but she is doing the best she can. In an ideal world she could take off and be with my dad everyday. But she has to work. She took off two days last week. ANd thursday and friday she is taking off. agian. But she doesnt have any more paid vacation days and she needs a full check to make the bills. it sucks to have to stress about money for rent and food in situations like this.

Wilda: I hope cassie comes to vist FL too. She's pretty cool.

Tasha: Well since virtual hugs and virtual shoulders to cry on are all we're good for, know that they're here whenever you need them...oh, and we're here too I guess It's odd, and this won't come out well any way I say it, but I always sort of considered myself a better online friend than I real friend, not like I'm crap in real life or anything, but I managed to stay in contact with people online more than in real life. Anyway, ALWAYS her for you Tasha (and the rest of you girlies )

I'm sorry your dad had a stroke. My grandmother has had 7 in recent years, and they're really hard to handle. I know you said your dad isn't lucid but when he is you should get him to sing songs. It's supposed to help with stroke memory repair because while the words might have trouble coming out, TUNES trigger memory recall. Even if its just nursury rhymes like Twinkle, twinkle Little Star over and over again before moving onto songs he likes etc. It's really supposed to help. By the time we found these studys it was a little late to test them on my Nan, but I hope it can help your dad.

*HUGS*

Oh, and an extra added something:

Ash: When/If you get online today. Are you ok, not being hit hard by the Tornados I hope?

Kim: All is well in my area. I think the tornadoes are in Oklahoma, about 500 miles from here. There isn't any bad weather in our forecast for the next week or so. It was nice and sunny out today, so I took my sister to the mall and managed to pick up Divergent as well as a couple other books and renew my Books A Million membership card.

Tasha: We're all here for you. *hugs* I'm sorry about your father and that you haven't been able to get home these past few days. I hope he's doing better and that the weather's cooperating in your area.

There were massive torandos going through Dallas and Fort-Worth all morning (well, my morning, I guess it's night over that way) So since it was in Texas I thought of you. Anyway, glad to know you're alright.

SecretMagic wrote:

There were massive torandos going through Dallas and Fort-Worth all morning (well, my morning, I guess it's night over that way) So since it was in Texas I thought of you. Anyway, glad to know you're alright.

Really? I hadn't heard about any of that!! Just the Oklahoma ones because my mom mentioned it a little while ago. Sad that so many people have died in these storms this year. But we're all fine here. However, hurricane season will be starting soon and I know my sister is going to be flipping out and telling us the weather every day. We call her Doppler because she's always current on the forecasts.

I only know because of Twitter. Rachel Caine is in the dallas/fort-worth area, and she spent the last like 4 hours tweeting about the tornados heading her way and how they were heading into shelters and such...and crap she just tweeted about more tornados about to hit dallas again, she can hear the sirens. Far out, that's scary. I don't know how I'd cope. I HATE storms.

SecretMagic wrote:

I only know because of Twitter. Rachel Caine is in the dallas/fort-worth area, and she spent the last like 4 hours tweeting about the tornados heading her way and how they were heading into shelters and such...and crap she just tweeted about more tornados about to hit dallas again, she can hear the sirens. Far out, that's scary. I don't know how I'd cope. I HATE storms.

Oh hell. I have nightmares about tornadoes. I'd be flipping out for sure. Other than zombies, tornadoes are the only things that really give me nightmares.

Well... there was also that godzilla one. Okay, make that zombies, tornadoes, and godzilla.

I had a nightmare about Snow last night...but I think it was more because my mum was being covered by snow, yeah that freaked me out. But I'm not scared of snow Your nightmares, however, are slightly more substantial.

I had a weird nightmare involving zombies and or vampires last night. The scary kind in I am legend. Weird thing was that they showed up a uni.
Probably metaphorical since I've been so damn busy with essays, tests. assignments etc. lately.

lol, Libby you got me imagining a row of zombies sitting in a lecture theatre all trying to learn things, like maths or something...

It's my first time down south in Tornado areas. So i freaked out a little bit. Usually i hear about it, safe and sound in NY and my heart goes out to the people for a second but it never really affects me cause we never get them in NY ( except last year we had a freak tornado storm VERY close to me but it just uprooted trees not much damage to cars or houses or people). But yeah, i feel so bad for the death toll piling up by these storms and my nerves are racked though we are like an 2-3 hours away from Dallas, we are way down in Texas apparently away from al the Tornadoes. I didnt know or think about this stuff ....i didnt take the time to look at map before i came here:-D ...lol.

Thank you everyone I appreciate u all so much. I'm soooo happy, i spoke to my daddy yesterday! He called me and we actually spoke for several minutes. He sounded worn out, but he was able to converse for a few and it wasnt crazy talk. It was normal .So normal. I almost cried with happiness. He's still very sick, with his heart, and infection and his vision isn;t back. But its great to know brain damage is minimal and he isn't crazy. My daddy was worried about me He said "are you okay?" I said " me?! I'm fine are YOU okay?!" And he was asking how 's Texas and I was like its good. Then he asked "yeah. what you see" So i told him we went house shopping and he got all excited. ( he wants to move down south, but my mother doesnt want too ) so he turned towards my mom and said the houses are nice! lol. He asked if i was having a good time, i told him I'm trying too but I'm real worried about him And he told me not to worry. Then he told me my sister angie went to see him and my mother thought he got confused and was like "i'm not Angie, i'm your wife" and my dad said " i'm not talking about you woman". Lol I was smiling ear to ear. It was so great to hear my mom and dad bicker. It was so normal. We spoke for a couple more minutes. And he was telling me about the operation they will do and i told him no worries it will be okay and i'll be home in several days. But hearing from my daddy made me sooo happy. It sky rocketed all our confidence that after treatments he will be okay.

So did anyone else check the latest fights i suggested on factpile.com, guys and ghouls?

Oh Tasha, I am SO glad that he seems to be doing better. I know it'll be a long healing process, but the fact the he was acting normal and all is a great sign!

Ahhh last part of math finals tomorrow!!!

Tasha: I'm so happy you got to talk to your Dad. I'm glad he wasn't talking crazy either. That's so good! *hugs*

Thank's ya'll :-D I spoke to my daddy today again. It took me all day to get through to him but I spoke to him for almost 20 mins. He's worn out and out of it but he's talking more and more not crazy.

He told me he hit a nurse. He told me yesterday but i was thought it was his crazy talk and i was like yeah thats nice dad. But today he told me a nurse man-handled him, grabbed him by the back of his gown and pulled him down to the bed so he swung at her and hit her. And she then threatened to call the police on him. and He told her to call them he'll be more than happy to have them arrest everyone there. He said they treat him bad.

So i called my mother like WTF is going on. She said she didn't know. She is skeptical if it all really happened, cause my dad was way in loony ville for a few days and he still is confused alot. But he keeps saying it happens and honestly i believe him. So i'm PISSED. I told my dad dont worry cause my mother will be there all day thursday-sunday. And my aunt ( his sister) should be there mon-tuesday and she is just as hot tempered as my father.

I come back tuesday but my plane doesnt land til 8pm. So wednesday I will be there and none of this nonsense flies with me. I never trusted hospitals before which is why i was always by my dad's side before and when my hubby was in the hospital i came home to shower, change and i would sleep at the hospital mostly.

Like yesterday, my sister said the brought my dad's lunch but just left it there. He's strapped down and he didnt have his vision. She said she got there a little after he already been served his tray so luckily she was able to fed him. Today, he said they got him out of bed for rehab and sat him a chair for a half hour or so and he feed himself a little but he wasn't hungry. It's just unbelievable how unprofessional and negligent hospitals can be. I told my mother everything my dad told me on the phone and she said she gunna get to the bottom of it today.


I just feel tons better knowing my mother took off of work the next couple of days and so will be there. And ill have easier access to check up on him :-D Cause in intensive care, there dont have phones like regular rooms. But they have one phone they will bring to patients. But they almost never answer it .. and if they do they put you on hold with the elevator music for an hour...literally. Which is why it took me all day to get through to my daddy.

Oh Tasha, I'm sorry they are treating your Dad so badly. It's horrible the way hospitals are. You'd think they would have the common sense to be there and hel the patient at all times. I mean I know they are busy and all but still. At least he has your mom. And you once you get back. Just hang in there hun, you'll be with him in 6 days right?

Yes Wilda. 6 days. It sounds so far away when you put a count to it. :-(

I called my mother this morning when i woke up and she was with my dad. So my dad got on the phone and he said " I'm miserable" and took a long pause then said " TV GUY IS HERE" and click hung up on me... lol. awe. So i called my mother back like WTH? lol

My dad has been moved to a room today. So my mom got him his tv and he is ecstatic about that. Today she is consulting with his heart doc about a treatment plan and options. My dad was finally stable enough for a MRI so they are going to access his brain and damage from the stroke today. But hes heart valves are still damaged and need operating and he still has a infection in his blood thats going to take a month of antibiotics thru iv to fix. One of my dad's doc said it may be possible to treat the infection and when the infection clears up his heart valves may not be damage or need surgery. But it's only a possibility. But they can't operate while the infection is bad, its too dangerous. But they cant keep him in a hospital for a month and they want to transfer him to a bigger hospital for surgery. So they just dont know what course of action to take. If to release him into a rehab place like last time, and let him receive treatment for the infection, or hold him for a week and then see if operation is possible. My mother is for the second one. Holding my dad for a week and then transferring him to a bigger hospital for surgery. Like me, i think putting off will make things worse. The weakened blood flow caused all types of damage, it caused the stroke. But we're not doctors. So the doctors are consulting tonight and hopefully tomorrow we have more options.

Glad they got your dad into a room Tasha. I hope they keep him and that they can do the surgery soon. The sooner the better. Keep us posted HUGS!

Hey ya'll. How is everyone doing?

I leave Texas tomorrow and head back home to NYC. My plane lands at night though so i wont get to see my daddy until Wednesday. I'm anxious to see him. He keeps randomly hanging up on me and he's been having bad days. He's not crazy any more and his vision is back. But he isn't aware of his surroundings and gets cranky and angry and upset because he is confused. He eventually calms downs when he sorts things out in his mind later in the day. But this morning my mother wasnt there and he called me half a dozen times like WTH, where I am, they doing surgery, and just upset and complaining. But he kept hanging up on me abruptly before i could calm him down. He was better last time i spoke to him but apparently my family doesn't believe in answering their phones anymore :eyeroll:

I'm glad your dad is getting better Tasha. Hopefully the confusing-ness will end soon. You'll be home in no time Any word on the surgery?