My dad has Congestive Heart Failure and was just rushed to the hospital?!
Question: Hes had it ever since I was about 8 or 9. Im 16 now. He had a heart attack, and then developed CHF. Hes on tons of meds. He had like walking pheomonia a few weeks back and then was rushed to the hospital because his lungs filled up. Now its been about 2 weeks and he was rushed back again. The paramedic said he sounded pretty filled up. His ejection fraction is 30%. Its been between 30% and 33%. Its been like that for as long as I can remember. Im am so terrified that his heart is getting weaker. Im sitting here just confused and crying. The last couple of days he was taking afternoon naps and acting quiet. Yesterday I snapped because he gets grouchey and threw water at him. Now I regret it! Then this morning he told me that "im gonna start eating whatever I want to" "life is too short" "this is gonna kill me eventually" and I thought he was jsut saying that to make me feel guilty. And my mom thinks it to. I dont want a call from my mom saying he died from the hospital!
Answers: Hes had it ever since I was about 8 or 9. Im 16 now. He had a heart attack, and then developed CHF. Hes on tons of meds. He had like walking pheomonia a few weeks back and then was rushed to the hospital because his lungs filled up. Now its been about 2 weeks and he was rushed back again. The paramedic said he sounded pretty filled up. His ejection fraction is 30%. Its been between 30% and 33%. Its been like that for as long as I can remember. Im am so terrified that his heart is getting weaker. Im sitting here just confused and crying. The last couple of days he was taking afternoon naps and acting quiet. Yesterday I snapped because he gets grouchey and threw water at him. Now I regret it! Then this morning he told me that "im gonna start eating whatever I want to" "life is too short" "this is gonna kill me eventually" and I thought he was jsut saying that to make me feel guilty. And my mom thinks it to. I dont want a call from my mom saying he died from the hospital!
He is depressed and frustrated. Heart problems are very difficult to cope with because you really can't lead a normal life. Your activities are limited. You can eat the way you used to. Everything is a challenge.
I don't know how old he is, but he may qualify for things like disability, Medicaid or Medicare. He needs to check into it because it may help to alleviate some of the medical costs. The hospital where I work offers financial advisors as well that can help devise payment plans that are within his means.
As for you, I know this time is incredibly difficult for you. Just remember, he's not angry at you. He's angry because he's sick and do the things with you that he wants to. I would try to talk to him about how you feel. If you can't, then try to talk to a counselor.
Oh, and if it makes you feel any better, a ejection fraction of 30% isn't all that terrible. I've taken care of patients with only a 14% EF!
Stay strong! I hope your father makes a speedy recovery and you guys can work things out!
He may be getting depressed from his illness. The constant illness can cause many people to go into a depression. Especially this time of year. I would mention to your mom about this when he's not around. My dad had cancer and suffered from depression and now takes an anti-depressant and he's doing much better with it now. Good Luck and have patience.
Sometimes you have to accept what's coming. It's the way you handle it that is your decision. It's a part of life sadly. There is really no advice to give other than hope for the best.
That's a big problem my friend died of a Congestive Heart failure when he was 20 years old he had it ever since he was born. Your dad has survived for a lot of years with that condition. I don't know if you believe in God, but I think you should need to pray to ease the burden off your father and for your family.
If you want you can help paying the bills have a part time job. Maybe your father is just angry right now third stage of death first is denial, bargaining, anger, depression and acceptance. Just be there for him, he has little time left.
Sometimes anger gets the best of us, just remember that your father isn't mad at you he might just be annoyed that he has this medical condition. It is hard not to get stressed, and i'm not going to tell you to forget everything because you can't. I have gone through a similar situation with my father also, you just have to stay calm and everytime you think of yelling or screaming just remember you can calm yourself down. It is difficult not to be confused and to wonder why this had to happen to you. Everything happens for a reason, but we may not find out that reason in our lifetime. Try not to anger him so that he doesn't react in a way that would put stress on his condition or his heart.