Dad’s surgery has been postponed because of his heart problem. We went to see the Cardiologist this morning. The result of another ECG test necessitated an Echocardiogram, scheduled to be done on 19th March 2008 at UMMC.

I had to excuse myself from International Relations class this morning. Now I don’t have to skip the next U.S. Government class since surgery has been postponed.

Dad underwent an ECG on 6th February 2008 for surgery preparation. That report is in the hands of his Ophthalmologist in the same hospital. Unable to hear well enough to participate in conversations, the Cardiologist personally instructed dad for another ECG. I didn’t know the plan until later. If I did, I would have suggested we evaluate the previous report. Now we had to pay twice.

Then again, considering the amount of patients and the large size of UMMC, it would be inefficient to obtain the report from another department. I learned the lesson this time. I asked for the new report, photostated it, and kept the copy. Now I can just bring it along wherever dad goes.

I got a feeling the Cataracts is just God’s way of leading dad to medical attention. Heart problems are less detectable unless the patient self-reports. Now I am ruling with an iron fist when Dad refuse to visit the doctor. Given the choice, dad would just let things be. I won’t let things be. If I do, I will deeply regret when he’s gone.

It has been trying for me as well. Bringing dad to medical attention means facing my own inner demons. Dad’s poor cognition and mental capacity become worse in unfamiliar or crowded environment. He’d look at the slip over and over again each time a number is called, and keeps losing his way. He refers to me for just about anything. If he had been more assertive and maintained a purpose in life he would not have deteriorated so quickly.

But he is not in the wrong. It’s me and my lack of patience. Still trying very hard to forgive and forget. Thanks to dad’s poor cognition, he quickly forgets when I get short-tempered.

Posted in Caring For Dad |