Dad is in the Hospital

Today at church, Dad was a little woozy and pale. He came home before Sunday School to get some things for their class. While he was home, he checked his blood sugar and it was in the low 200s. Normally, it is in the low 100s. Not good. Apparently, during class, he was looking pale, he was feeling dizzy, he wasn't walking very straight. And those are some of the signs that he had had when he had his mini-stroke back in August 2001.

So after church, Mom and Dad came home, changed, checked his blood pressure and sugars again. They weren't looking good. Mom drove Dad to the new hospital (Banner Gateway) ER. He was admitted and they believe that he has had another mini-stroke. And studies show that 10% of people who have mini-strokes have another stroke within a week, and they are big ones. So they are keeping him for a couple of days in the main hospital and are running the same tests on him as last time.

While we were there, he had an IV running with just a standard saline solution. Already he was looking better. And he was in a better mood. He was even laughing and joking around with us, some visitors, and the nurses. This is his nurse Ashley, checking his vitals.

And Dad had a pretty dang good looking (and good-tasting, I had a bite, shh...) dinner while I was there. The hospital had a really good menu of food to choose from. Almost makes me want to get hurt! Well, not really, but if I ever do (knock on wood) I am so going there. Although the food in the "Nourishment Room" for the families and friends of the patients was okay, it was nowhere near as good as what the patient was getting. It was stuff like, crackers, pudding, ice cream (generic little cup kind;) apple, grape, orange, and prune juices, coffee for those who like it. Vegetable soup, little cereal boxes, like the sample kind you get with a newspaper, and toast. Oh, and ice, water and some soda. Great offerings, right??

Amy and Preston were visiting with us, too. And since this was the hospital where Amy will be giving birth in a couple of months, she was taking a close look at that menu. She is very excited about it. Preston is excited about the TV. It is a flat screen, with Internet capabilities. Enough said.

So for now, Dad is looking okay. He is going to be in the hospital until Tuesday, at least. Hopefully, he is just fine and will be okay. And let's just pray that those darn Foster genes don't come kick us all in the butt.