Update on Dad

    Dad called first thing this morning, saying that since they weren't going to operate on him, he could go home whenever he wanted, but that since he was so weak he might need me to go get him a wheelchair. I said Aaaaah, I better talk to the social worker. Because as much as we want him home, on the evidence of last night, when he couldn't get out of his chair without two strong people helping, nor without a bodily function accident, he's nowhere near ready to go home.
    When I talked to the social worker, I found out something I didn't know. The only thing the hospital gown covers, apparently, is the fact that they installed a drain for his gall bladder. This would have to be changed every few days. No doubt Dad can learn how, but not exactly immediately, and not while he's this weak and rundown. It turned out that the GI doctor wants to run one more test, so Dad wouldn't be going home today or in the next few days anyway. So that takes some pressure off.
    We left it that she would order a TB test (required for any nursing home), and we would try to get him into the Lowman Home, where Margaret's family tends to do their rehabbing. Everyone says it's really good, though kind of distant for me. It's run by the Lutherans, like Rice Estate where he did the more successful part of his previous nursing home stay.
    Today, he did a lot better, though he still tires easily. Heck, he was falling asleep with a live NFL game on TV! But on the whole, he seems to be improving. The story is that he needs his gall bladder out, but is too old and frail for that to be safe. So I guess he'll have to get used to having a gall bladder drain. Well, hell; it's nowhere near as annoying as dialysis!