Day 66 -- Some Firsts Stink

After dad's bad day yesterday, I took him to the doctor today to see if there was anything serious we needed to do anything about.  This was my first time to meet his doctor, Dr. Joplin, and I really did like him.   Dad had tests and X-rays done in the morning,  and I went back by myself in the afternoon for a consultation with the doctor to get the results of the tests.  There were not a lot of surprises or significant changes, but I had never really latched on to the fact that he has a mass growing in his lung which may be spreading to the colon area or not--can't be seen well by X-ray because of the fluid that continues to fill his pleural cavity.  There is really nothing to be done about any of the findings because dad isn't strong enough to stand treatments or surgeries or even invasive tests.  All-in-all the doctor was very kind and compassionate in saying that dad is approaching end of life and that he would help with anything he could but there wasn't much to do.  He will continue to need to have the fluid drained, but the doctor didn't recommend putting him through more testing or anything.  Home health will continue to come in weekly or bi-weekly to check on him, take vitals and determine when the fluid needs to come off again.  The doctor uttered the one word I just wasn't prepared for and never had associated with my dad and that was "hospice"--may never need it but may if pain management is required.  For some reason, that one word made everything more focused and real.  At 91 there are no magical rebounds from bad health, there are no treatments and remedies that modern medicine offers that a 91 year old can tolerate.  I believe it is something that is hard for all of us except dad to accept--he is ready whenever the Lord calls for him.  We must prepare to be ready as well.