Not so fast ...

I suppose it was wishful thinking that I was taking a day off from Dad. Around 6 pm yesterday, Dad's surgeon called to say that progress is slower than Doc would like, and will be re-admitting Dad to the hospital today. Apparently, the infection isn't getting better, and there are some numbers, related to his kidneys, that are causing some concern. Also, Dad isn't complying with medical advice/orders. He needs to be doing physical therapy 5x per week, and is apparently refusing 3x a week. He also needs to keep the foot elevated, and Doc says that every time he goes to check on him, Dad's sitting on the side of the bed, with his feet on the floor. I can just picture it: that's how Dad's most comfortable, and he has always sat like that.

After I spoke with Doc, I called the very nice man and the neighbors about the dog. Since Dad's not going home any time soon, it seems a lot to ask of people to check on the dog multiple times a day (there's a dog door, so she can get out to do her business, but she needs food and water and people time). And since Dad doesn't work, the dog is accustomed to being with someone all day, every day. So we are all starting to feel bad for the poor little thing, and will probably need to find a foster home for her while Dad's laid up. Fortunately, the neighbor's sister has a Bichon Frise, same breed as Dad's, and is willing to take her in. (Last time Dad was in the hospital and rehab for an extended length of time, my mom was kind enough to do it.) It's so wonderful that there are good and kind people in the world.

What really sucks is the financial situation. Dad's been living on the razor's edge for quite some time now, and after the hospital stay, he'll surely return to rehab. He's got 20 days in the rehab that are covered 100% by Medicare, but after that, the coverage for the remaining 80 days is only 80%, so he'll rack up over $100 a day for as long as he stays beyond the first 20. (Universal health care now!!!) In addition, he's not in any shape to attend to his bills while he's recuperating, so he'll likely incur late fees on things like his mortgage, and I'm not entirely sure what he's been doing to make ends meet (his mortgage is more than he brings in monthly from his disability checks). He's been trying to sell the house for months, but it's a terrible market. I fear that he'll be denied Medi-Cal (the rehab helped him apply, but he has at least 1 too many vehicles), and will be forced to sell his house for less than he could, just to be able to pay his medical expenses, and then where will he live?

Ultimately, so much of this is out of my hands, but it certainly causes concern. Thank god I have a job now, just in case Dad's financial situation starts to get super intense. I'd hate to have to pitch in (I've got to save for my own retirement, plus a college fund for Kid A), but I suppose we do what we have to do, right?