16 January 2008

I called my mother this morning to say hello, only to be informed that she had called 911 for my father, and the paramedics were there. The only thing I got out of her was that he was on the floor of the bathroom, and something about him fainting. My brother and nephew were going to the hospital, and I would meet them if it turned out to be serious. Later I found out that he hadn't been feeling well that morning. My brother called to tell me my father was lucid, talkative, and in the emergency room undergoing all kinds of tests. I called my mother throughout the day, but all she knew was tests showed his blood sugar to be high, which could have caused him to faint. I drove to the hospital after work, and spoke to my SIL on the phone. It turns out he fell because he slipped on the bathroom rug! He hit his head and hip, but a CT scan and x-rays showed no damage, thank goodness. They've run all kinds of tests, and have him overnight for observation. He should be home tomorrow. He's shook up, and a little nervous. I told him he should be able to walk as well tomorrow as he did yesterday. And this brings me to a story and I'll start out by saying there should be NO throw rugs in the home of older parents. None. Two years ago my father slipped on the rug in front of the kitchen sink and fell, hitting his head on the refrigerator. He said it was a pretty bad fall, and his head bled, but he didn't even have a headache and that was that. About three weeks later, he had some problems with numbness in one of his legs. As the day progressed, he couldn't walk. We got him to the hospital, where a CT scan revealed that his fall caused a brain injury, called a subdural hematoma. He had major brain surgery, a Craniotomy. He was in the hospital for weeks, then a rehab hospital for months. He was in really bad shape. He couldn't walk. He was incontinent. It was a terrible ordeal. All because of a fall. He developed a blood clot while in the hospital, that caused problems that still plague him, but otherwise he made a complete recovery. It really was amazing. Anyway, we didn't throw out the bath rugs. No, we bought double-sided tape made for rugs, and attached the rugs to the floors. When the rugs get washed, the tape has to be reapplied. It works well, but apparently they ran out of tape, and, my dad fell. Again. This time, luckily, no brain injury. The doctors told us that any time an older person falls and hits their head, a CT scan should be done. So, keep that in mind if you have older parents or relatives. And no throw rugs!

I feel really badly for my father, all alone in the hospital. He said he never thought he'd be in a hospital again. The hospital brought back so many memories for me. It was the same one my mother spent weeks in when she had her stroke. It was the first time I'd been back there. I remembered the parking lot so well. The emergency room. The sidewalk we wheeled her out to the first time Emily came to visit because we didn't want Emily to see her in the hospital bed. I remembered the chairs we got from other rooms that we put together to make a 'bed' so we could spend the night. All those memories came flooding back. When my mother left this hospital, she spent months in a rehab hospital. The same one that my father went to when he had his brain injury two years ago.

I told my parents they had both used up all their hospital stays. Apparently my father didn't listen. I hope tomorrow I'll be writing that he's home.

PS... For Crusty... I had Dove dark chocolates for dinner. About 15 of the little ones. I'd never bought them before, and never will again. Obviously I can't control myself. I won't tell you what I had for dessert!

16 comments:

Dave said...

Cheryl, I am so sorry to hear about your father. Four weeks before my father passed away, he was taken to hospital and I remember the stress and worries that went through my head as I flew down the road to meet him there.

The tip about the floor rugs... Great tip! I think my moom has one in her bathroom. I am going to have to check that one out.

Take care and I hope that all goes well with your father.

Jay said...

That was pretty scary! Glad he isn't hurt bad though.

Brad said...

Honey, I'm so sorry you had such a scare ! I'm glad things worked out as well as they did.

I have an idea for you. I've done this and it works (Mom has MS so i had to) If you go to Home Depot or Lowes and look near the carpeting section they have these flat rubberised pads (about 1/8" thick) meant to go under carpets to protect hard wood floors under area rug. They sell them in rug sizes, like 9 X 11 or whatever. I cut these down to size to fit under any area rugs to keep them in place. I also lined the hard wood in the hallway all the way through it. They don't look bad, but they don't look great. But they work great. They're kinda beige in color and there cheap. And really work, especially for those that want to trundle off down the hall way in stocking feet.

Now go do something nice for yourself for all the stree you had today !

XOXOBC

heiresschild said...

oh Cheryl, i am so sorry to hear about your dad's fall. i'm glad there's no damage, and i do hope he's able to go home tomorrow.

thanks for sharing about the rugs. i'll mention that to my Mom also.

i appreciate you sharing on my blog. i was thinking 3 days is a long time with no voice, but 2 weeks is even longer. i'll be glad when this is a faint memory.

i hope you're able to relax and rest tonite. what an ordeal for your whole family to go thru.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad your dad is relatively fine. What a scary thing to happen.

Your problem with Dove candy is why I can't buy ice cream...no self-control for certain things.

beachgirl said...

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

I notice in my grandmothers apartment in my uncles house there is no throw rugs. She's 93. But in incredible shape. I never thought about the throw rugs.

I know I have slipped and fallen in someone's house on a throw rug. Wasn't fun.

Have a better day.

C.A. said...

Wow, Cheryl, what a scare for your family! You must have been feeling like a bad dream was repeating itself! My parents are just starting to get to that stage and I don't like it already. :( You should do a public service announcement against throw rugs for Senior Citizens!

SOUL said...

cheryl... really sorry to hear about this.. and i honestly do know how memories can drown you like that.. even smells of a place ... anyhow--- i hope he does pull through quickly and makes it home very soon without more complications. i know you are close with your folks and i hope all will be fine with them, and with you.
thinkin of you all.
take care ...
hugs (and you know thats a rare thing for me :))
try to have a good day-- and eat more than chocolate today-- :))

dawn said...

i am glad that he is okay, cheryl.

and i support your dove for dinner diet.

Happyone said...

So sorry to hear about your dad. I pray he will soon be back home and well.
Good idea to get rid of the throw rugs. I'm going to visit my mom next week. I'm going to suggest she throw hers out as well. Maybe we should all throw them out. We can fall at any age!!

Martha said...

I am so glad that your dad is okay. If it was my dad, I probably would have had a complete meltdown. I hope he's home quickly and makes a total recovery with no complications!

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

Glad your dad is recovering well. Your advice on rugs are well noted. Thanks.

Moohaa said...

What a relief that it wasn't more serious. I will definitely keep the no rugs thing in mind. Who knew they could be so dangerous. I'm glad he is doing better. You must have been so frightened. (hugs)

Take care and I'll be looking forward to an update of his homecoming.

Mary said...

Cheryl, I'm so sorry. It's so easy for older folks to fall. I can read your later post and see that your father is being released, that's good news. Hope no other problems related to the fall show up later.

CRUSTY MOM-E said...

sweetie, you deserve the desserts!!
Hang in there!!
Always,
Elizabeth

Jamie said...

I'm just a little late here - and I'm so sorry I am, but I am really really happy to hear that your dad is okay and going to be just fine.

Good heavens, I had no idea that throw rugs could cause such problems, but I will sure listen to your advice--thank you!!

Post a Comment

I love comments!