My Daddy
Donation protected
February 13th 2015 my dad, John, woke up paralyzed from the navel down. MRIs, CTs, CSF taps, Xrays, Fluoroscopy, countless instances of Bloodwork and Urinalysis profiles, TB test, the "best neuroscience team" in Canada and unfortunately, no sufficient findings.
Diagnosis: Idiopathic transverse myelitis. For those unfamiliar with medical terminology, "idiopathic" is a term describing an unknown cause.
What they could tell us was; he had suffered a series of TIAs (mini strokes,) a potential heart attack, had multiple lesions through his spinal cord, and was in chronic renal failure.
Individuals who have suffered a neurological injury, often have "dysphagia," difficulty swallowing. About 2 weeks into his hospitalization, my father had an episode of dysphagia, choked, vomited and aspirated (inhaled into the lungs.) It is a miracle he survived. No one knows truly how long he was without oxygen before the nurses found him. He was induced, intubated and remained in a coma on life support for about 7 days.
Unfortunately the damage to his lungs was so incredible, he was unable to support his own breath upon extubation (tube out) and had an emergency tracheostomy.
This tube through his neck maintained his airway for over 4 months in the Neuroscience ICU ward.
We had many setbacks; bleeding ulcers, abdominal aortic aneurysm, multiple episodes of pneumonia, hospital infections and a tainted blood transfusion (like I said, it's a miracle.)
My pops was finally transferred (after 6 months in the hospital) to GF Strong, a physical rehabilitation facility in Vancouver, B.C. where he is now learning a whole new way of life.
He remains positive most days, still tying flies for flyfishing and dreaming of coming home. My mom has been an incredible beacon of hope and support, driving out every single day to visit. Their love is inspiring.
His rehab team has slotted his release for September 24th, and we are honestly terrified. It's no secret that I grew up on the poverty line. I'm not ashamed of it, my circumstances have made me the strong person I am today. My dad has been seriously ill most of my life, and my mom has been my rock, sacrificing everything for her family. She is a beautiful woman with a giving, loving heart, who was dealt a hard hand in life.
We are still renting the same nearly delapidated house, unable to move due to our income.
A discharge meeting revealed that our rehab team suggests we have; a ceiling lift, stair chair lift, wheelchair accessible vehicle, hospital bed, hospital air mattress, wheelchair accessible shower and special washroom equipment. We sat overwhelmed listening to 9 specialists; doctors, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists talk to us about home nursing, urinary catheter care, bowel control and pressure sores. They scrutinized us on how we expected to get him up and down the stairs... Afterwards, I cried, into my mom's chest like a child.
For any of you reading this, if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, take note: if you are not covered by disability before the age of 65, you get no additional financial support from the government. My daddy is 67, mom is 74, and we have been told that we are to obtain no further discount on medications or additional financial support other than old age security.
Why not put him in assisted living?
No one wants their parents in assisted living, however, having a motorised wheelchair bumps him up to a new category of self sufficiency according to our social worker. This disqualifies him from assisted living.
If we are unable to care for my dad at home, he will end up in a residential care facility where his rent and cost of care will be taken as a percentage of his income solely. We will effectively be unable to afford the rent at home.
I love my family. We are good people, who are not too proud to ask for help... we need help. After this 7 month journey, I honestly have no idea what the future will bring, but I certainly remain hopeful.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Jessica Filthuth
Diagnosis: Idiopathic transverse myelitis. For those unfamiliar with medical terminology, "idiopathic" is a term describing an unknown cause.
What they could tell us was; he had suffered a series of TIAs (mini strokes,) a potential heart attack, had multiple lesions through his spinal cord, and was in chronic renal failure.
Individuals who have suffered a neurological injury, often have "dysphagia," difficulty swallowing. About 2 weeks into his hospitalization, my father had an episode of dysphagia, choked, vomited and aspirated (inhaled into the lungs.) It is a miracle he survived. No one knows truly how long he was without oxygen before the nurses found him. He was induced, intubated and remained in a coma on life support for about 7 days.
Unfortunately the damage to his lungs was so incredible, he was unable to support his own breath upon extubation (tube out) and had an emergency tracheostomy.
This tube through his neck maintained his airway for over 4 months in the Neuroscience ICU ward.
We had many setbacks; bleeding ulcers, abdominal aortic aneurysm, multiple episodes of pneumonia, hospital infections and a tainted blood transfusion (like I said, it's a miracle.)
My pops was finally transferred (after 6 months in the hospital) to GF Strong, a physical rehabilitation facility in Vancouver, B.C. where he is now learning a whole new way of life.
He remains positive most days, still tying flies for flyfishing and dreaming of coming home. My mom has been an incredible beacon of hope and support, driving out every single day to visit. Their love is inspiring.
His rehab team has slotted his release for September 24th, and we are honestly terrified. It's no secret that I grew up on the poverty line. I'm not ashamed of it, my circumstances have made me the strong person I am today. My dad has been seriously ill most of my life, and my mom has been my rock, sacrificing everything for her family. She is a beautiful woman with a giving, loving heart, who was dealt a hard hand in life.
We are still renting the same nearly delapidated house, unable to move due to our income.
A discharge meeting revealed that our rehab team suggests we have; a ceiling lift, stair chair lift, wheelchair accessible vehicle, hospital bed, hospital air mattress, wheelchair accessible shower and special washroom equipment. We sat overwhelmed listening to 9 specialists; doctors, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists talk to us about home nursing, urinary catheter care, bowel control and pressure sores. They scrutinized us on how we expected to get him up and down the stairs... Afterwards, I cried, into my mom's chest like a child.
For any of you reading this, if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, take note: if you are not covered by disability before the age of 65, you get no additional financial support from the government. My daddy is 67, mom is 74, and we have been told that we are to obtain no further discount on medications or additional financial support other than old age security.
Why not put him in assisted living?
No one wants their parents in assisted living, however, having a motorised wheelchair bumps him up to a new category of self sufficiency according to our social worker. This disqualifies him from assisted living.
If we are unable to care for my dad at home, he will end up in a residential care facility where his rent and cost of care will be taken as a percentage of his income solely. We will effectively be unable to afford the rent at home.
I love my family. We are good people, who are not too proud to ask for help... we need help. After this 7 month journey, I honestly have no idea what the future will bring, but I certainly remain hopeful.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Jessica Filthuth
Organizer
Jessica Filthuth
Organizer
Delta, BC