My dear dad, who will turn 83 on March 16th, had an accident on Thursday. My husband and I got a call from him about 1:00 p.m. saying he was trying to get a sandwich and tripped on the sidewalk and fell. A nice couple helped him up and somehow got him into Quiznos. He thought he would sit there for awhile, and that he would be okay. Not so much. When he tried to stand up, he just couldn’t. That is when he called us.
My husband and I went by his house to get a wheelchair (he doesn’t use it normally, but has it from previous issues), and headed out to find him. He was sitting in Quiznos, just as brave as could be, waiting for us. He said his hip really hurt. Now mind you, this is also the side of his body that has the amputation below the knee, and also his dialysis port (in his thigh/groin).
He wanted to try getting up with our help, to no avail. We thought that we should call an ambulance, but he would not hear of it. My dear, stubborn father. We did manage to get him in the wheelchair and roll him out to the car. It took a bit of work to get him in my car, and it was hard to see him hurting so much. I drove him to E.R. while my husband removed the modification contraption from my Dad’s car and drove it home.
They took xrays and found that his hip was broken – the ball of the hip joint broke completely off. Now me, personally, would have been screaming my head off. He was so composed – in the true fashion of my father. The doctor told us he would need hip replacement surgery. Wow, we were not expecting this. My dad said to me, “I should have stayed in bed this morning” LOL.
He had the hip replacement surgery Friday morning and it went well. Yesterday they got him out of bed to move around a bit, which was tricky since he had to wear his prosthesis on that leg. He did manage a few steps, which is good, but also frightens me a little bit. He tends to get over zealous and impatient. Just yesterday he claimed that he wanted to come home today. Ummmm how about NO! I think he might have to go to a rehab place for a bit, but I know he will protest. He also does not like to be considered a “fall risk”. In this hospital they actually have sensors for fall risk patients, and the nurses are alerted (and others in the hospital), when “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain” plays out loud. Yeah – he is not liking that.
I will keep you posted!
18 Responses
Aww, I am so sorry about your dad. he sure sounds like one tough cookie though!
Oh my goodness Jen. Please give your father a gentle hug from me. I am keeping him, you and the entire family close in prayer.
I believe he is going to do great! Be GREAT! and I know with all the love you and your family surround him with, will see him through.
You are loved my friend, from across the miles, I carry you always in my heart.
I'm sorry….keeping you in my thoughts..it's not fun watching our parents age. Hang in there!
Bless his heart. I was there with my mom 2 years ago. ONly it took nearly a month and a half before she got her replacement surgery. LIke your dad she got up from her fall, only she kept pushing through the pain, even resulting to a walker. We moved her in with us and she took another spill one evening coming in while we were out. She got herself to her recliner and then couldn't get out of it. That took an amublance and 2 days later it was replaced. She wound up having thme both done wihtin 6 months of the other. It is scary, nad mom stayed here with me after a 2 weeks stay in extended care facilities in the hosptial. But they were wonderful to her.. We moved her behind us that fall lol..
Your a devoted dear daughter Speedy! Take good care of your special Dad!
XOXOXO
Leslie
Leslie Loves Veggies
http://www.leslielovesveggies.net/
I hope he recovers quickly!
He sounds very strong-willed. Hehe.
You are an amazing daughter! 🙂
Those darn hips~they sure cause issues for a lot of our older loved ones. I hope his recovery is smooth and he is able to return to somewhat of "normalcy." Love your blog……., but you already knew that !:) Sounds like he's lucky to have such a loving daughter in his life!
Your poor Dad! He sounds like such an amazing and strong man. I nearly cry when I stub a toe!
Saying many prayers for him. {{hugs}}
Oh wow,so sorry to hear that. I am hoping he is feeling better soon. My mother is 74 and stepped into a chair and broke it the other day but thank goodness she only bruised her toe.
I am sorry to hear about all your dads mishaps. I hope he is feeling better soon. Not too soon because you don't want him out running around until he is healed. Sending prayers out to him.
The "She'll be coming around the mountain" is just too funny.
Hi Jenn,
Sorry to hear about your Dad. Rehab is the right move for your Dad. They will get him up and moving as quickly as possible but also as safely as possible. Take care. God bless,
Steve
I'm so glad that everything went well for him, Speedy. I feel for him. I'm much like him in that I would rather be home…no matter what is going on.
Prayers that he continues to heal well.
OMG, That's horrible!! My heart goes out to the poor guy and you guys >.<
That's got to be tough to just want a damn sandwich and instead get a broken hip! Sheeeesh.
Hopefully all goes well and he get to recovering quickly!
My Lord! Your poor dad! HOpe he heals quickly!
Wow! Your poor Dad! It would really stink to get old and have your body fall apart on you and still try to maintain some dignity!!!! Sounds like he's doing a good job on the dignity part. Now if only his body would work right for him!
Oh your poor Dad! All for a sandwich! I hope he is doing well by now, I am sure hip replacement is painful. We will keep him in our prayers!!
So sorry to hear about your dad, I know that you care very deeply about your dad and that he is a very strong man. (I just reread your Father's Day post about him).
I believe he will pull through this with your help and the help of the rehab center.
My prayers are with you and your dad.
WOW…he really is a toughie! Isn't that amazing he wasnt just passed out with pain!!!? My daughter works as a CNA and she has seen several patients go through this.
Your pic of your dad is so cute…I always think is fun looking at old pics of our parents. My dad has been gone for almost 5 years. He was SO handsome!
Would be fun to see some of bloggers with their Mom's & Dads pics when younger for Mothers & Fathers day, to see how much you might look alike at the same age. We forget they were once new parents & just starting out like some of the families that are on the blogs.