So sorry, but I had some details wrong... the Visitation is Wednesday at Risher Mortuary from 5-9 p.m. with the Rosary starting at 7 p.m. Thursday is the same, the Burial Mass being at St.Benedict's Church at 9 a.m. with the procession to Rose Hills Cemetary and a Reception to follow at our house afterwards.

Dad will have a Rosary this Wednesday at 7 p.m. at St. Benedict's Catholic Church. The Mass will be Thursday at 9 a.m. at St. Benedict's Church and the burial to follow at Rose Hills Cemetary in Whittier and a Reception to follow at our house. Arrangements are thru Risher Mortuary in Montebello.

I'm having trouble posting, so I'm hoping this works with the details. More info to follow later. But we're doing OK, we have Gary home now, we told him this afternoon and he was quite shocked but he's doing well. We're hanging in there and it's in large part to great friends and family like ya'll.

We're having family come out from Minnesota, Mom's 2 sisters, maybe a cousin and maybe another Auntie and a dear family friend if possible. We never expected that so it's so wonderful to us that they want to be here. We are blessed.

It is with a sad and heavy heart that I have to tell you that Dad passed away this morning at 7:10. We were not able to get up there in time, but when we got there he looked very peaceful and it looks like he just slipped away in his sleep. He had asked for a breathing treatment this morning and was alert and communicating and then they came to check on him and he was gone. Mom and I are busy making arrangements and we'll let you know the details later. A big hug and thank you to all of you for your thoughts and prayers and kindness. It's really helped us during this time.

Dad is not doing well. He hasn't been feeling good since Sat. morning. They called us at 6:30 this a.m. and said he is declining. Mom is on her way home from work and we're heading up there.

Happy 42nd Anniversary!
Here is Mom and Dad and their wedding party on their wedding day, May 9, 1964
Ain't she a beauty?!!!

And here's the happy couple 42 years later. So cute.....


Mom brought Dad some food for dinner but he had already eaten. She brought him some beautiful roses and a card. Dad was doing pretty good. He looked good too. I brought them a dessert to share and he scoped that out and wanted to eat that, and that he did! Mom got a little bit too!

Mom went to visit him today and she said he was OK but his coloring wasn't great. She said he looked kind of grey. And I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but Mom evidently misunderstood what someone told her and Dad is still on Hospice care, but he's not on acute care because his respiratory has improved. It's all a bit confusing, I'm not sure I understand it all. He does have the oxygen on now. He's still doing better, but he's not out of the woods, by any means.

Saw Dad after work today, Mom was already there. He was doing well. Mrs. K., my best friend's Mother made us a real treat of Russian Lapsha and Mom took some for him tonight and she said I should have seen him enjoy it. He absolutely loved it, ate it right down! Thank you Mrs. K., Mom and I are enjoying it too along with the lavash and tomato and cucumber.

Mom had a call from Dad's regular Dr. and he wasn't aware that Dad was taken off of Hospice, or the oxygen and he was really upset and said he is still very sick, he's not confident he'll recover and he was mad. He was calling the Hospice people and was suppose to call Mom back but she didn't hear back. But when Mom got over to Dad's they had put back on the oxygen and he said they didn't say much, they just put it back on him. So we're a little up in the air, not sure what's going on. And we're not sure what to tell Dad, so hopefully she'll talk to the Dr. tomorrow so we're all on the same page.

Tomorrow is my parents 42nd Wedding Anniversary! Do you know how hard it is to pick out a card for your Father to give your Mother? Well, I hope she likes it. I got them a dessert that she's going to take to him so they can enjoy it together tomorrow.

Good news! Dad is doing much better. They have taken him off of Hospice care! The power of prayer is phenomenal and I thank all of you. He is not on oxygen, his breathing is normal, he's speaking more and not disoriented, it's just amazing. He hasn't been up yet, he's still weak, but I'm sure they'll work on that now. He'll be at Fairview for at least the next month and we're not sure yet that he'll be able to come home if he continues to do well, but you just never know.

We're taking Gary over to visit today and we're taking him some chicken and Mom made homemade scones, we'll take him one of those. And he's asking for some M&M's with peanuts. He's not on insulin anymore so he can have that.

He has a roommate now and that seems to be going well. They were going to switch beds because this gentleman broke his hip and needs to be closer to the restroom, Dad was fine with that.

Our neighbor, Michael brought us some chicken and rice and yummy danishes yesterday. Thank you Michael, it's much appreciated and we're taking Dad some of your chicken and we'll enjoy it tonight.

Dad even felt well enough to say hello to his brother Rol, Mom called him on her cell, he's in Georgia. He said hello, didn't talk a long time, but Uncle Rol seemed happy he was well enough to call.


So keep praying! Hugs to all of you!

Last night I had an appointment so I went to see Dad after that around 7:15 and he was sound asleep, his breathing was good, he didn't have oxygen on. He looked really peaceful. I went to talk to the nurse and she said he had a good day, he's very quiet, he doesn't complain, he ate 100% yesterday, and ate by himself. I went and checked on him again and he was asleep so I left. When I got home Mom said that she left right before I got there and he was doing better. He was more talkative, more responsive and she thought he was doing good. Dad told her our neighbors Mr. & Mrs. C came to visit him yesterday, so he remembered that.

Mom called from work to check on Dad today and they said he wanted the oxygen off and his breathing was well enough that they did take it off. We got there about 6 pm to visit and he was a little disoriented. He fell asleep a lot while we were there. He at one point after talking to us and falling asleep, woke up and said to mom, "where am I"? So she explained. His talking is getting lighter and lighter. I found out that Uncle Butch and Dad's niece Sally, Uncle Butch's daughter came to visit him yesterday. He forgot to tell us yesterday but when we asked he said, oh, ya, they were here yesterday. If anyone else came to visit, maybe you can let us know how it went. We didn't stay too long, he wanted to sleep. We made sure he had some dinner, he did eat OK tonight and his hand was not so swollen today. They did get him an air mattress, he said it was lumpy, so not sure he liked it.

Cindy, Dad got your card today, Mom read it to him. So sweet of you. He enjoyed it.

Hugs to you all for your emails and calls and prayers and visits.

Mom and I took Dad my TV last night, we got it set-up but he needed an indoor antennae so I ran to the store to get one, it helped a lot. We also brought him a cassette player and a new CD player, both with headphones. He was not very talkative, he's talking quietly. He says he feels ok and he says everyone there at Fernview is very nice to him. He wanted Mom to check his catheter, something was bothering him, she called the nurse and she came and they did have to insert a new one for some reason. The nurse stressed to him that if he was in any discomfort, he HAS to tell them. His left hand is swollen and bruised from all the needles, we asked for some ice for that. He was very sleepy, I was trying to program some radio stations for him, he was trying to change the TV and figure out the new remote, but he would fall asleep in between. He ate his dinner earlier we heard, but he didn't want his snack when they brought it. The Dr. was there when I went to go get the antennae and Mom said that he took her outside and said he is doing well. It made her feel a little better. Dad told me he had a couple visitors yesterday, he had a social worker come in and a pastor came and talked to him. Mom's friend Esther who is a Eucharistic minister is suppose to bring him communion today and twice a week now. We so appreciate that.

We went to see Dad today and I asked him how he was feeling, and he said "not so good". That was the first time he told me that. He looked pale and his eyes looked a little far away. He's weak and his speach is quiet, he's changed a lot in the last couple days. We visited for awhile, they brought him lunch, he ate some, but not a lot. Then his niece Cindy and her hubby Randy and their daughter Nikki came to visit. He was happy to see them. He thinks so much of that Nikki. The first thing he asked her is if she was reading. He thinks it's important for young ones to read. He's always commented on what a beautiful girl she is and also, so sweet. It was good to see them all.

Dad needed to be cleaned up, and they were suppose to transport him soon, so we took Gary to the mall, to a late lunch and we did a little shopping. Then we took him to get some dinner and took him back to his care facility. Then we went to see Dad at Fernview, we called the hospital and we knew they transported him around 5 pm. We talked to the Hospice nurse when we got to Fernview, who was a real doll and very sweet and helpful, we had to fill out some paperwork and then we saw Dad. He was totally zonked out, snoring, we didn't want to wake him but he heard us and woke up. He seemed peaceful, he said they were really good to him already. The hospice is getting an air matteress delivered for him tonight and he had a manual bed, but they are ordering a motorized one for him. He also does not have a TV, so we're bringing him my TV tomorrow night and we're going to get him some books on tape too and a CD Walkman or cassette player. He seemed to be fine in his room, he's alone right now, he has oxygen on all the time. They said he can have medication anytime he wants pretty much, but we knew he wouldn't ask for it, so we asked that they give it to him for the next couple days so it'll help his breathing and he can sleep. People are welcome to visit. Cindy, I couldn't find the website for the place, can you post it if you still have it please? But he's at 126 N. San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel, 91775. Phone is 626-285-3131

Don Keenan, could you please call us, I know you called once before but I assumed Mom had your phone number, and also if anyone knows Tom Maloney's phone number and/or email, will you email me at mitchypoo777@yahoo.com . Thank you.

Things are not looking great for Dad. They have moved him to another room but they are looking at moving him to Hospice. They had a talk with Mom today and there is really not a whole lot that they can do for Dad. His lungs and heart are working hard. He could have a surgery for his prostrate and heart, but he's too weak to survive it. It's not good news at all. They've tried to get him up to walk, but he's so weak. We've had to deal with the Dr. and nurse not wanting us to discuss any of this with him to them calling us today asking, so where are we moving him too? Huh? I mean geez, figure out what we're doing so we can deal with it. Got a really nice case manager that I spoke to today and she's trying to do the leg work for Mom. He may be moved to a Hospice in San Gabriel, it's suppose to be a nice place. But we're all I think having a hard time dealing with this news. It just keeps getting worse.

I think I will see if I can reschedule my exam, I just can't concentrate on it.

And if you get this blog notice twice, I apologize, I'm working out the kinks on the blog email group.

Continue praying please.

Mom and I went to dinner tonight, it was nice. We needed to sit and talk. Mom had a call from the hospital about Dad and his care. The prognosis is not great. He could need a surgery for his prostrate and his heart, but he can't take a surgery. There's something going on with his heart and lungs and it's probably not going to improve. They are talking about Hospice care, which upsets my mother because we are having to look at the reality of losing him. I can't talk about it anymore. Saw him tonight and he seemed a little better, they moved him to another room but we're not sure why. His Dr. and nurse do not want Hospice to speak to him yet, but again we're not sure why. It's day by day, it's scary. He was able to eat tonight, he seems a little disoriented, he told mom he woke up this morning and had no idea where he was. He wanted mom and I to go to dinner to night on him. He's very concerned about Mom and how it's affecting her, it's very sweet.

We'll go pick up Gary tomorrow and take him to visit Dad soemtime but I'm having to really buckle down and study, Dad understands.

Pray for miracles...

Oh, I set up this distribution group and I would apreciate it if you would email me at mitchypoo777@yahoo.com and let me know if you got this post, I need to make sure it works.

Thanks, hugs, and have a great Weekend!!

Dad is still in the DOU, which I have no idea what that means, but it's one step down from ICU. He was doing better yesterday Mom said, he only had to have the oxygen mask or nose thing on, not the Bi-pap machine. I was there the night before and he was not able to eat without the machine, so that's an improvement I guess. Again tonight Mom said he was doing well but his nurse wanted him to get up to go to the bathroom and that really tired him out and he had to have a breathing treatment, so that isn't good. But I think it's good that they try to get him up. I went to go see Gary tonight and bring him some dinner, he's been feeling a little neglected I think, but he's OK.

Mom is handling things well, she's tired and stressed but feeling OK.

Dad was moved today to another room which is one step down from ICU but he still has to be monitored. He is on the Bi-Pap machine and still does not like it. Mom went right after work to visit and when I got there, she was getting his dinner. She needed to leave so I stayed to feed him. He had oxygen on with a face mask. He took it off to eat and quickly had to put the mask back on, like within 5 minutes. I think he started to not feel well again so he called the nurse and told her he couldn't breathe. She came in and checked him and she then paged the respiratory therapist who came quickly and I explained that he was trying to eat without the mask and that's when it got bad again. She said he could put the oxygen nose thing on, but he doesn't like that. I encouraged him to do that because he needed to eat. She checked him and said he had some wheezing again, so she could put the Bi-Pap on again and add a breathing treatment to the machine. He said OK, so I think he wasn't feeling well because he hates that machine. It closes off his nose and mouth and he has to breath with it and I can see how it'd be claustrophobic or uncomfortable. He told me not to stay because he couldn't talk well with that thing on. I asked him to promise me to try and eat after his breathing was better and he said he would.

Dad is still in ICU, we went to see him yesterday around lunchtime and he had lunch there but was not eating. He had a coughing spell, which tires him out, so they were hoping he'd calm down and rest a little. He looked a little flushed when I got there. We sat and watched the Laker game for awhile while he tried to relax. He didn't have his glasses so I had to keep telling him the score. Then the came in to do an electrocardiogram (sp?), so that took a while and then he was calmed down enough to eat. He ate about half his food. They said they were moving him to another room but he's still in ICU this morning. Mom came then and stayed the afternoon, his breathing was labored the whole time that we were there. They said he has some pneumonia from when he vomited with the respirator tube in and that's why he's having such a hard time.

Our neighbor Michael was down at the hospital last night to see someone else and also went to see Dad. He came up to tell us about his visit and said he was still breathing like that. It was nice of him to go visit. Also, my best bud Julie brought us some homemade chicken soup last night and we visited for a bit. She brought us some chocolate covered cherries and some Harry and David Truffles too, yum! Chocolate makes everything better.

I called this morning and Dad had an "episode" with his breathing again but the nurse said he's doing better now. We'll go see him tonight.

Thank you all for your kindness and prayers, it means so much!!

**updated at 6:43 pm. Mom was at the hospital right after work and Dad was on a breathing machine, a different one that he doesn't like. The episode this morning was similar to what happened at home and it really scared Dad, he told Mom he thought he was a goner. The nurse said he was as bad as he was yesterday when the paramedics first brought him in. He asked the nurse to call Mom and have her come down. They called and left a message at the house? Duh. She told them again to call her at work and/or her cell. He calmed down and was better the rest of the day but now has to do this other machine which he hates, and he told the Dr. The Dr. said fine, if you don't want the machine I'll sedate you, knock you out and put a tube down your throat. Which would you prefer? He preferred the machine. They have not moved him, he's still in ICU. I went down to see him but Mom caught me on my cell in the parking lot and said that he was starting the machine and he can't really visit and he was tired, so i went home. He is suppose to be on this machine all night tonight. I have studying to do anyway. I failed that test last week. So, it's still not good news. Cindy if you know the machine i'm talking about would you make a comment.

Oh Geez....where to begin. OK. Mom took off Thursday so that she could go get Dad, which she did. She remarked on the way home, Gee, Denis, you seem like your old self....and he agreed, he said he was feeling well. He came home, had some lunch, had some problems getting to the potty, mom had a kind of bad afternoon with him , then he asked for a breathing treatment, but he hasn't had a treatment since he was in the conv. hospital, but his breathing was labored so she gave it to him, it didn't improve. She got him in the car and took him back to the Emergency and they kept him.....

So he was coming home today. Mom and I got up there around 9 when the Dr. was suppose to be there, she didn't get there til 11, Dad had had some tingling and tightness in his chest and arms and told us about it, they weren't concerned, I think they maybe ran a test, but they released him. And the Dr. talked to all of us about maybe part of the problem is anxiety, so she was giving him something for that, and the cat and dog were discussed too although Dad doesn't think it's the cat and he didn't react to them at all earlier. But we were going to get him some Claritin and she prescribed something else for him for allergies too.

We get him home, he's tired from the walk from the Van to his Chair. We give him his puffers, an Ativan and some water and he's trying to get his breath from the walk. Then he had to potty, mom brought the comode near the bed, he didn't have to go far. Then he was having trouble breathing and asked for his nebulizer again. Then she called me and said to stay with him because she was calling his Dr. and while I'm with him, he's really having trouble, and then he's saying 1 word sentences, and then he's telling me 'hot' and he was cold and clammy and then he wasn't talking at all and then his eyes were half open and he was unconscious and I wasn't sure he was even breathing. Mom had called 911, she called back and told them to hurry. It was just so awful. The paramedics came in and he was unconscious and they got him on the floor and he had a pulse, but a low blood pressure and they rushed him down again. Mom went down, I called my brother to explain. Our Neighbor Maryellen saw mom on the street and went down with her, and then I came down and they made us wait there and wouldn't let mom be with him which we thought was a bad sign. Then Maryellen's son Michael came down and brought us all a soda. That was so nice. Then I went to check on him and they let Mom and I in the room and Dad was on a respirator with a tube down his throat. It was kind of shocking, he was really out of it but not unconscious but he had the tube down his throat and was not happy about that. And he was coughing so it was uncomfortable. They said they were going to sedate him and we should go have some dinner and then he'd maybe be in ICU when we got back. We did go eat, came back and he was still in Emergency, but he was not on the respirator! He vomited a little and they took it out and he was able to have it off. He was a little agitated and confused. He didn't understand why he was there again. He seemed to remember being home but then he didn't remember the paramedics, he was asking odd questions. Mom just got home a bit ago, they hadn't got him to ICU yet but he had a good nurse and she assured Mom she'd be with him and she'd make sure he was able to sleep tonight. The Dr. came in earlier too and Mom just kind of looked at her, she was not happy that he was released, but I'm hoping they'll be more careful now. She mentioned that Dad may never be able to come home at this point. We didn't really want to hear that, but we have to consider it.

It's been a day, especially for Dad.

Dad is coming home tomorrow! Mom is taking the day off and bringing him home. They are retraining his bladder and the catheter should be out by when he comes home. Yeah! Don't know what we're going to do about care on Friday, and not really sure how much care he'll need at this point. We shall see what happens.

I guess I've updated a few times and forgotten to email everyone to let them know. Sorry. I have school this week and it was pretty intense. I tried to update but forgot that little item.

Happy Easter to all! We had a brunch at the house, got ready, and we all went to go see Dad. We took him some goodies and the basket of Easter eggs to have egg fights! You know where you all have an egg and then you count to 3 and hit eachother's egg and whoever breaks, loses, then you do the other side and if your egg cracks both ends, you lose and get to eat your egg. Dad had the Champion Egg this year. He was doing well. He's going to a urologist tomorrow and very hopeful that he'll get that catheter out and be on his way home soon. Let's hope.

He said that Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Butch came by today to visit (or maybe it was yesterday) and then my cousin Chris and his daughter Sarah also came by. He enjoyed your visits.

I found a computer at the hotel where i'm taking my prep class so I can give you a quick update on Dad. He seems to be doing well. He's doing physical therapy and getting stronger. They took out the catheter but then found that he has a bladder infection and so they had to reinsert the catheter. And they are giving him antibiotics for 7 days by IV. He's not thrilled about it but like he told me, at least now they have a plan. We're hoping he'll be able to come home after the antibiotics but we shall see. No Easter celebration with Dad, bummer.

Mom has been going to see him and my brother this week since i have this class and have to study 4 hours a night (or am suppose to) to prepare for my State test next week. I got to talk to Dad last night on the phone but won't see him until Sunday afternoon I guess.

Dad is still in the rehab/convalescent hospital and we have not heard when he'll be able to come home yet. We took Gary to see him today and we stayed for a couple hours. He was doing well. He's gaining strength in the right arm and leg and also doing some work on the left side as well. He's eating well, but not thrilled about the food there. Mom brought him some peanut M&M's and he was hiding them under his covers to enjoy later. It's OK, he's not having sugar issues anymore. I went out and got us all dinner and we ate together in his room. He was moved to another room and has a roommate who keeps falling out of bed. That bothers him. I won't be able to see him during lunch this week because i'm doing some schooling, but Mom will go a couple times after work and i will too if i'm able.

Ken B, Dad's friend from highschool called tonight, it was nice to talk to him. Thank you all for the continued prayers.

Went to see Dad on my lunch break today, he's not too far from my work. He was in bed and not very happy. The bed was manual and they hadn't moved him to a comfortable position and he hadn't slept well. He said he ate the food but it'd be better to give it to his dog Rufus. I asked if it was better than the other place, and he said yes it was. He also did not have a TV set up but it was in the room, so I set it up, but there was no remote, another thing he wasn't happy about. I told him to pick a channel, he did so he could watch Oprah later today. They were switching out his bed when I had to leave, to a newer mechanical one and they had found another TV stand that would work better for him and they were getting another pillow for him. A physical therapist came in and talked to him and he said he'll have to get up and sit in a chair and then try to start walking. I felt awful having to leave but I was late already. I told him to try and stay positive. Find some good in it. Easy for me to say....

Mom says his Dr. is ordering 80 hrs. a week home care for 1 year. And they are hoping he'll only have to be in the conv. hospital for about 1 week or 10 days. We feel better about the home health care situation, looks like he'll be ok.

I just heard that Dad is being transferred to a convalescent hospital this afternoon. Mom and I were both there last night to see him. He was the same. He's very weak. He is talking, but not the same. He's having a hard time finding the words sometimes. He's upset, you can tell. I asked him if he ate lunch, he said, ya, but i couldn't feed myself. He hates that. He told me that a physical therapist came in and worked with him. He stood, but he did not walk. The nurse bathed him shortly after i got there, i went to the chapel to pray. Then Mom fed him his dinner. He was pretty hungry.

He mentioned that Mr. & Mrs. C came to visit him yesterday, he liked that. We're going to have Ricardo the Eucharistic minister give him communion Sunday, but now that he's being moved, i'm not sure they will go that far.

Dad was the same last night, he was talking different, slower, and very weak. They had run some tests but weren't sure of anything yet. It looks like he had another stroke.

Well, Dad didn't get the catheter out last week as he hoped. They tried but he couldn't go and it's too dangerous to leave him like that, so it went back in. He was bummed about that but then he came home and really perked up, he was doing well.

But....he's back in the hospital. They took him about 20 minutes ago. He woke up this a.m. and he was different, he could hardly speak, he seemed really weak, he told Mom he could barely life the remote with his better right hand and if he can hardly move the remote you know something is wrong. Mom tried calling his insurance to ask what to do, no response, she called the hospital, they said to bring him in, but he didn't think he could get out of bed and we weren't sure we could get him to the car, the hospital said to call 911 which we did. His breathing was good. He was upset that he had to put us through this again....we don't care about that, we just want him well.

Friday he was so well that he spent parts of the day alone. He was getting up to go to the bathroom and walking well with his walker. And I have to say a big THANK GOD FOR GOOD NEIGHBORS! Mr.C came down before I left for work and stayed with him until about noon, sometimes leaving to go home and check on his wife, and then our other neighbor Mrs. K came over for the afternoon, made him lunch, etc. She also had to leave for awhile, but he was fine. We're very fortunate. The church came and gave him communion this a.m. too, so I'm sure he felt good about that.

I'll hopefully know more later.

Dad is continuing to do well. He's getting up and walking around a little more and you can tell he just feels better. Mom is home with him today and taking him to 2 dr's appointments. He is hoping to get that catheter out and I think that will really help him, it'll make it easier for him to get up and go to the bathroom, or take a walk down the hallway. His physical therapist came out yesterday and worked with him for over an hour. She didn't think he needed the walker, said he could use the cane. She gave him a band to do some exercises and he has some small weights he needs to use. I asked him how he felt this morning and he said "Great" and "I'm having positive thoughts today". I'm hoping he gets that catheter out today and is really doing good because we may need to leave him alone tomorrow. We're working on getting someone to come in but that won't happen until next week. We'll work it out.

Thank you for the continued prayers!

A really quick post (I'm at work). Just wanted to let you know that Dad got home from the hospital yesterday. Mom picked him up after work. It was her birthday too. He was doing really well last night, he was talkative, telling a story even and a joke or two. They are now giving him Prednisone and that seems to help. He'll take that for a couple weeks. He was in good spirits this morning too, although he got up to wake me, he thought I over slept and I wish he hadn't gotten up because he got winded and needed help getting back in bed.

Mr.Carrasco, our neighbor, has been visiting him daily. That's really nice of him. Junior is out of the picture from now on....we never could depend on him.

Dad has been doing well, but tonight he started not feeling well after dinner. We were celebrating Mom's birthday, which is tomorrow, and Junior brought us Chinese food and also a Chocolate Birthday cake. Dad had gotten up to have lunch, so he tried again for dinner but he wasn't feeling well. He got back in bed and we gave him a breathing treatment, but he just kept getting worse, so we had to call again and they took him to Emergency.

Junior and I took Gary back to his care center and then we went to the Emergency. He was doing better, they had taken xrays and gave him another breathing treatments. So we're not sure if he's coming home tonight, but we're hopeful. (Mom just got home and they are keeping him tonight. He was wheezing and they wanted to keep an eye on him).

Hi all,
Dad is doing well although he had a pretty bad day yesterday. He's been home, doing well with his breathing treatments, although he hates using the nebulizer. I guess I would too if I had to have that thing on for 15 minutes at a time 4 times a day. But he hasn't been back to Emergency lately, so he's continuing to do it. He had two Dr. visits yesterday which Junior took him too, the first one was early and he had to fast to have some blood work done. They came home and then they left for a 1 pm visit. They weren't back when I got home from work. We started to worry. We called to the Dr's office and they knew he was there, but not when he left or if he left or if he was taken to a hospital for anything. After being a little persistent, I got the supervisor to try and locate him but they could not. Then we get a call around 6 o'clock and poor Dad had his catheter taken out and they made him sit in the office for, no kidding, like 4 hours, to see if he'd go on his own. He could not. The nurses were trying to get him on the table, he lost his footing with his left leg, fell back and hit the back of his head hard. He has a nice goose egg on the back of the head. So they had to take an x-ray to make sure he's ok, which he seems to be, ice it and re-insert the catheter which he is just thrilled about. They finally called us to let us know what was going on but after he hit his head.

Dad's home nurse came over today, she said he was doing well.

I'm going to try and post his picture again, I could never get them to post with the previous post. Oh, they posted, the pics are of Dad (of course!) and the other one is his new recliner!

Dad is now home, he came home from the hospital last night. We had a hospital bed delivered and set-up last night, they also brought a walker and a nebulizer for his breathing treatments. We rearranged the garden room so that he can have his new recliner near and then the hospital bed and a table near him. He came in and went to bed, and he had a pretty good night. We had to go last night to get 4 prescriptions for him. He is on heart medications now too. Mom had to pick up one more today. He was up around 4:30, he wanted to sit for awhile in the recliner. He had a breathing treatment and had breakfast and he's been sleeping well (and noisily :) ) A Home Health Nurse came today around 10 am. She was really great, very nice, and she was here almost 2 hours. She will be back Monday or Tuesday, but they only allowed her to come for 2 visits. Mom may talk to them about getting some more visits, but maybe he won't need them, we'll see. I had a couple pics but they don't want to upload, so I'll try again later.

Our neighbor who has been away to Chile for a couple months, came to visit Dad today. That was nice.

A reminder, if anyone wants to leave a comment, you can do so by going to the end of this post and where it says Comments, click on it and it'll take you to another screen. You can leave an Anonymous comment (meaning you don't have to be signed up with Blogger), but put your name in the comment please so we know who you are. And when you are finished with your comment, look below if you need to enter some letters to have your post take, it's there to stop spammers. If you know anyone who would like to see this blog and know about any updates on Dad, please email me at mitchypoo777@yahoo.com with their email address or just forward to them. Thanks

Oh, Cindy was right and it is the steroids that is bringing Dad's sugar up. So we're watching his sugar but they did not have us get insulin for him. He's not thrilled about being on a low-sodium diet, but it'll probably do us all good.

Dad made it through the procedure just fine. The news sounded fairly optimistic. They were able to get in the heart with the catheter and he does not seem to have as much damage as they anticipated. He has some damage and weakness on the bottom left side of the heart. The one artery had some closing, but no blockage. I don't know what is next.

My cousin Gene(Wink) came to see Dad at the hospital. Mom and Dad had a hard time recognizing him, he's lost so much weight. He looks great I'm told. Woohoo Wink! Dad was happy he came by. My friend Jul came to be with my Mom and see Dad too, but was toting 2 inpatient toddlers with her and had a hard time finding mom and dad, thanks for trying Jul. I went right after work and I thought he looked well, but he was tired. And he had his dinner earlier, but he needed his puffer and the nurse was working on getting an OK from the Dr. for that. He's scheduled to come home today. And we're working on getting a hospital bed at the house, because I think he needs to be elevated to help his breathing. His sugar was high again too and they are looking into why that is. So all in all, yesterday was a good day for him.

Thank you all for your continued prayers! Hugs to you all!

Dad has been moved from ICU and moved to the 3rd floor for the evening. Me and Mom saw him after work and he looked good, he's breathing well and he's enjoying giving the nurses a taste of his sense of humor. The nurses are really wonderful there and seem to enjoy him . They are going to do a cardiac catheter tomorrow at another hospital. He's being moved tomorrow morning to the hospital in Arcadia and having the procedure done at 2 pm. Mom was concerned because after talking to Dr.'s when they did the angiogram, she thought he couldn't take a procedure like this, but the Dr. assured her that they need to do this and it's the only way right now to see what is actually going on with the heart. They know he had a heart attack, but they need to see if they can maybe put some stints in. This is my best understanding, I'll update if I get more or better information. We heard there was just recently an article about this hospital's Cardiac unit so we feel good about that. Mom is going to work until noon and then go to the hospital.

So prayers please...

Well, Dad had to go back to the hospital last night. He went to bed and seemed to be feeling good, but his breathing got bad again. Not as bad as the night before so Mom was able to drive him to Emergency. A male nurse saw her come in with Dad and said she looked familiar, she explained why and he whisked Dad away. His oxygen level was at 81, which is not good and he (the nurse) said when it's below 90 i think, they can make more decisions and he took him and admitted him right away to ICU. He is still in ICU, I just spoke to his nurse, she said he is doing okay.

Quick update...Dad is home. He's much better. He has to go to his primary Dr. tomorrow. And another Dr. on Tuesday and another to get his stitches out on Wednesday. He's watching TV and laughing, things are a little bit back to normal. :)

Dad is back in the hospital. I spoke too soon I guess. He seemed to have a pretty good day, he was talkative and eating. He laid down during the day and got up to have dinner. He loved Julie's Chicken and veggies and ate a great dinner, he came and watched some TV with me and Mom and he was able to get out of the chair by himself. He got ready to go to bed, went to the restroom and then Mom came out and said he was breathing weird. I went to check and it was like he couldn't catch his breath. It was very labored. I asked him if he felt anything else, he could speak, but quick and not in sentences. So we called 911 and they came and gave him oxygen and a breathing treatment, it never stopped or got better, his blood pressure was soaring and his pulse too. They took him to the hospital, they had to carry him to the gurney. Mom was there at the Emergency until 2 am. They continued to give him breathing treatments, but it never went away. They were waiting for a room in the cardiac area. So he called this a.m. and said he's feeling better, but Mom said his breathing still wasn't good. This is the second time he's come home and had to go back the same day, I'm not sure what to think.

He's home! Dad was on the phone promptly at 8:30 am telling Mom he was ready to come home. We still had to get Gary up and get ready so Dad made it home a little after noon. He looks great.

He had a visit yesterday from his brother Butch. He sounded very happy that Uncle Butch came to visit.

So tonight we're having a family dinner, a special dinner made for us by my best friend Julie. She made us a platter of chicken and vegetables with a cream sauce. Yum! We can't wait and I'm sure Dad will be happy to have some "real food" And thank you Jul, for thinking of us, it's really so nice of you.

Hope that picture isn't too graphic for you all. I thought he had his staples taken out of his head, but they are still there. He's getting them taken out on Wednesday. And the other pic is Dad on the couch, patiently waiting for his new recliner, that is being delivered on Monday.

Again, keep the prayers and good vibes coming, and thank you all! Big hugs to all of you! I think he's out of the woods for now though. Dad hasn't seen the blog yet, so I'm going to finish this post and then set it up for him.

I'm sorry for the lack of an update but it's been busy for me lately and no news is good news, right?! Well, we do have good news. Dad is scheduled to come home Saturday after his last physical therapy session and he is now walking without a walker! I talked to him today on the phone and he sounded really good, he's looking forward to coming home. They want someone to stay with him for the first part of the week, just to make sure he's ok at home on his own with me and Mom working now during the day. My hunnie Jr. is able to be here during the day on Monday and Tuesday so we're happy about that.

Thank you all for your caring and kind words. It means so much.

Mom, Gary and I went to see Dad today at the Convalescent Center. He was in bed when he got there but he looked well and was fairly talkative. He is getting up twice a day for physical therapy. He's taken walks down the hallway and back, but with a walker. The therapist wanted him to go outside but he was being ornery (frankly), he said it was cold and didn't want to. We tried to tell him that they are trying to help him and he should at least try. His appetite is not so great. He doesn't really like the food like he did at Hotel Huntington Memorial Hospital. They are tapering him off the steroids and I think that is why he's not so hungry. He looked to me like he lost a little weight actually. We stayed for about 1.5 hours or so until his 103 year old roommate (yes, he's 103 and not a 102 as first mentioned) started yelling in a pretty strong voice for his age...."NURSE!!"...and scared the life out of Gary! He jumped in his wheelchair, mom said she thought he was going to levitate. We couldn't help it, we laughed, but the poor man cannot hear a thing and he just kept yelling "NURSE!!" and "NURSE I need you" and Gary would jump every time. The last time I saw, Gary covered his ears and his face, like, make him stop! I went to go get a nurse for him but could not find one. Mom came back to the room and went to tell him that we were trying to find a nurse and he yelled at her...."I need a urinal" and he unfortunately had something out in the open waiting for his urinal. She said she said, ""OK, I'll get that for you", and gave him his urinal....I know, sorry, way too much information but we have to find our humor wherever we can get it! :)

Dad asked about all of you, I told him about the blog and then he wanted to talk to Uncle Rol so he called him on Mom's cell. He read some of his comments and was happy to see a note from Don Keenan. He said we should have brought the camera, which we were but forgot, we remembered while on the way there. So pics next time. He told me to tell you all that he's feeling better every day.

After the visit I took mom to the mall, she's been shopping for a new and sturdy, non-swiveling, non-rocking recliner for Dad. She found one she liked and it was on sale but the sale was over today, so she went in and ordered that for him. It's being delivered on the 13th. And Dad has a Dr. visit on the 15th in Glendale. Mom is starting a job this Monday and I'm working now so we're not sure how we're going to arrange that yet.

Dad did definitely have a small heart attack on Friday when he was released from the hospital. And he did lose some function on his left side. They didn't let him out of bed for a few days but then they got a physical therapist in and he was being exercised in bed twice a day and walking. He is tiring easily. They gave him a nitroglycerine patch to help him be more comfortable. I noticed that his breathing was different on Friday but the patch is helping. They are not able to do surgery on the heart because of the blockage in his arteries to the brain, so they plan to treat him with medication.

Today they moved him to the South Pasadena Care Facility for rehabilitation. They think he'll only be in there for 1 week, but we'll see. He is fine with the decision to go there, he said it might be fun. But Mom got him settled tonight and he has a roommate who is 102, very talkative and can't hear hardly at all. Dad's voice isn't loud anymore so that'll be interesting!

I saw him last night and he was doing ok. He had an angiogram and he had some pain in the groin from that and was very tired. He fell asleep while we were there so we left and left him a note.

Thank you all for well wishes and prayers! They are so appreciated.

Dad definitely had something happen after he was released from the hospital Friday, they are not sure if it was a small stroke or heart attack. They are keeping him in the hospital, he's not able to get out of bed right now, but he's doing well. Mom says he's talkative and eating. I did not go to the hospital today because I am not feeling well. They are bringing in a neurosurgeon specialists for arteries and are going to look at his carotid arteries. We know that one is 100% blocked and the other is starting to get blocked. I guess they are concerned that he could have another larger stroke or heart attack.

Uncle Butch and Aunt Carolyn came to visit him today, he was happy about that.

My best friend Julie's mom Shirley made us a bundt cake and Don and Alexandra brought it by the house. It's really yummy and much appreciated. Mom is bringing some for Dad tomorrow.

Dad was finally transported to Huntington Memorial last night by 1 a.m. He is being seen by his neuro surgeon but they did not see anything new since the surgery. They did call in a cardiologist because something in his blood indicates that he may have had a small heart attack and the symptoms he had with the weakness on that side, it could have been from that. He is feeling good today, he's talking more. Poor Mom only got about 4-5 hours of sleep last night, she was called at 6 this a.m. and needed to bring up some of his medication. She called me with some things to bring him, like an electric shaver. I went and picked up Gary at the care facility and then we went to the hospital to visit. Dad was resting and had already had lunch so Mom and Gary and I went down to the cafeteria and had a bite to eat. We came back and visited a while and then Mom went home to take a nap. Gary and I visited for awhile, he was very talkative and then we left.

Dad mentioned that a lady came this a.m. and gave him communion. She said she'd come again tomorrow and have communion for mom too if she is there. I think he felt better receiving communion. Especially after he went to see a Priest before his surgery and he had Reconciliation and the Blessing of the Sick.

They are going to keep him for a few days and check him overall and find out what is going on. I guess we still don't know anything definite about his biopsy or now, his heart. But I keep thinking too that no news in this case is good news.

Dad is back in the hospital.... It's been a long day, especially for Dad and Mom. Mom went to the Huntington this morning and they released Dad, she was bringing him home and he was hungry, they stopped at Jack in the Box. He had to use the restroom, but when he got out of the car, he could not use his left leg, mom got him back in the car and home, but then he seemed OK? She had to go to the pharmacy to get his medication and she said he was walking fine and everything. So she got him in bed and went to the pharmacy. Dad said he went to use the urinal shortly after Mom left, put his legs on the side of the bed, and again could not use his left leg and he fell off the bed. He had to lie there for about an hour before Mom get home. (I'm sorry if this is TMI [too much information]). She found him on the floor and the paramedics came and took him by ambulance to the Montebello hospital (which none of us are thrilled about), so Mom ended up staying with him in the emergency all day. It's 9:53 and she's still there. There was some problem between moving him to a hospital with a neurology department, we wanted him to go back to Huntington, then the latest news from mom was that they were going to keep him in ICU and they would not transport him ALL WEEKEND! Mom had a fit, and there are other arrangements being made now tonight to get him to Huntington and moved tonight. He seems OK, he's still telling jokes, he wants to come home, I'm sure he misses his TV, but something is going on and we need to find out what is going on.

So, prayers please and Dad is aware of the blog now and I'll be sure and tell him of your comments.

Dad had his biopsy today. It was originally scheduled for 8 am but got pushed back and then he had to go for another MRI before the procedure at 10 am, so he did not go into surgery until about Noon. Mom and I were able to stay with him for awhile in the room. He was a little nervous, he said he had RLS "Restless Leg Syndrome", I said, are you nervous? He says, "Well, I've never done this before."

It took about 3 hours before he was back in recovery. They took 4 samples of the tissue and the good news is that none of the tissues automatically showed bad news. There was some necrotic (dead) tissue near the mass but they are doing more test tonight and may know more tomorrow. He was put into the ICU for the night and we were able to see him for a bit. Junior, my boyfriend came for the afternoon and he seemed happy to see him. He seemed ok, he was hungry, he was talking. He wanted me to be sure and send an email to "Apodaca" and he said what a good friend he has been to him. He got a little emotional. He's been doing that lately. So I crashed his address book and I'm sending this blog to everyone I think he wants me too. He called the house earlier this evening and had eaten dinner and he said he had round steak and squash and melon.....well, mom was surprised because he hates squash and he hates melon! He was either really hungry or just ate it, although Huntington does have great hospital food! He had a sock thing on his head tonight and one of the dr's I think drew a picture on it for him, it had a plane on it. Here are some pics. He asked Dr.Taylor if he'd take a pic of him with the cage on, but Dr.Taylor took many good pics. There are other pics, but i'm having trouble uploading. I think maybe they are too big for one file. I'll try to post more, but maybe tomorrow, i am pooped...

So Dad is scheduled to maybe come home tomorrow or he may stay until Saturday. Mom has had a really long day, she was up at 4 am and we got home around 7pm. I missed work but they are very understanding.

If you have any questions, please call or email me at mitchypoo777@yahoo.com. Again, all prayers are so appreciated. (((((((((Hugs)))))) to you all.

Hi, this is Michele, Denis Simons daughter and with his latest health scare I decided to make a blog to let everyone know the status of what's going on with him. Please bookmark this site or save to your favorites and check back often so that you can all be in the loop. Mom is trying her best to keep everyone informed but it's kind of difficult for her to do. So let's try this. I'm going to email this to all friends and family that I can get ahold of, but if you know someone that I should include please email me at mitchypoo777@yahoo.com. And if this is the first you are hearing of Dad's situation, I do apologize.

Surgery is scheduled for one week later, not this Thursday, but next Thursday on Feb. 23 at Huntington Memorial at 8 a.m. They think it'll take about 1.5 hours to complete. Dad went for his MRI today and the Dr. who did the MRI explained the whole procedure to Mom and Dad and I think they feel better about it. They postponed so that Dad would be off his blood thinning medications for a whole week instead of only 3 days. He physically is doing well, he seems like his old self, even telling a joke or two. He is tired and takes a nap usually in the afternoon. And he's been really good about taking his medication on time, and precisely. That's a plus.

If this is the first you've heard of this, Dad started not feeling well, and we all thought maybe he had a bad flu, he got to the point where he couldn't keep any food or water down and hadn't really eaten anything for a couple days. He also fell once trying to get out of his chair, so Mom took him to Urgent Care two Saturdays ago and they kept him in the hospital. Turns out he has a "lesion" on the brain. They ran numerous CT scans and could not find a source, so the surgery he is having on Thursday is to go in and biopsy this area in the brain and find out hopefully what is going on.

I'll allow posts for anonymous comments so you can leave a post for Dad and do not have to be signed up for Blogger with your own site. So if you want to leave a comment, you go to the end of the post and leave a comment (click on Comments) and then you can choose to leave an anonymous message but please let Dad know who is posting, ok.

Prayers are welcomed! We have him on many prayer chains, and we as a family believe in prayer. Thank you and ((((((hugs to you all))))).