Dad's Treatment Is Finally Done!

If you follow me on social media, (which you definately should), I told everyone there would be a little update coming soon and here it is! Dads hyperbaric treatment is finally done! The icing on the cake was that his PICC line was removed the very same day!

We started our day by going to hyperbaric for dads final dive. As our family tradition, we bought a little goodie bag for all the doctors, nurses and technicians who helped us over the last six weeks of dads treatment. We also bought a few gifts for a patient we got to know quite well, and the hyperbaric teams beautiful receptionist, who's birthday is actually today (Happy Birthday Minnie Mouse!) It was dads final dive and he was ready for it to be over, but it was bittersweet. My dad has been in hospitals plenty of times, and my mum is his biggest advocate. The hyperbaric team is the only ever hospital team that we have come into contact with that has made my mum feel like a person, and not a problem. It is terrible that my mums experience with my dads health teams is that she is often in the way, a wife that asks too many questions and shouldn't even be there as she is not the patient. The hyperbaric team did the exact opposite for her. They greeted her everyday and asked how she was, and whenever she had any concerns, they had no problems taking her and my dad to a room so that my mum could see what they were discussing, and happily answered any questions she might have. They were more than happy to let her know what signs she should be looking for, and what reactions to the treatment are normal. They got very good at updating her with dads progress, as my dad often forgets important information. (We can just blame that on the age.) So it was my dads final treatment, and then it was over. Good news is, he got to keep his cute little water bottle!

The great thing about hyperbaric is that the affects last for approximately three (3) years, so dad shouldn't have to go back, as the extra oxygen in his blood should continue to help him heal for up to three (3) years. The only reason he would have to go back sooner is if he had surgery, which is a very real possibility as his gums are still deteriorating from the necrosis, and his three remaining teeth on the left side of his face may be compromised already. They only hesitated to remove them as they may be the only thing that has allowed his control over that side of his face since the jaw bone was removed a few years prior.

If he does end up having surgery, he will go for another ten (10) dives to assist him in healing from that surgery.

After a heartfelt goodbye from the hyperbaric team, we headed to another hospital to get dad his IV Antibiotics and discuss the plan over the next few months.

Dad and I went in alone, as all four of us, (Dad, Myself, Mum and LJ) would not all be allowed in. So dad and I dealt with the doctors while Mum and LJ sat under a shady tree and felt the nice breeze.

Dad and I waiting to see a doctor, and Mum and Lj enjoying the nice breeze while waiting for us to finish up.

First dad had all his vitals checked, and then the doctor came and spoke to us. He asked about any pain, side effects, all those important things. He spoke to us about our next plan of attack. Thankfully, he agreed that it was the perfect time for the PICC line to be removed. He told us that anymore IV antibiotics probably won't do anything as we have run the whole course of them, and we have seen an improvement, so they are hopeful that the combined treatment of the IV antibiotics as well as the hyperbaric treatment seems to be making progress. Dad is now on two different oral antibiotics, a stronger dose to take morning and night, and then just a weaker booster to take in the middle of the day to ensure the antibiotics stay in his system.

In the following weeks, dad has a few scans, and a few appointments with his ENT, Oncologist and an MRI to check how the necrosis is going.

The doctor wandered off and we awaited for a nurse to come and remove the PICC line, which dad was very nervous about. Again, you must remember, my dad has been pocked and prodded by hospitals since he was four (4) years old. They are a scary place for him. He knew that it was unlikely that he would even feel the PICC line be removed, much like when they remove a cannular in his hand, but he was still nervous and anxious. My dad does not have a very high pain tolerance, and he is not someone to be curious if something hurts or not. Thankfully, the nurse we had was amazing, and pulled it out before dad even noticed what he was doing and dad didn't feel a thing, which we both really appreciate.

Dads PICC line hole with its final cover, which he has to wear for twenty-four (24) hours, and then he can finally wash it after six weeks of it being covered! We then got to hop back in the car with Mum and LJ, and take the long drive back home, knowing we would get a nice sleep in, and dad wouldn't have to worry about nurses coming in the morning to poke and prod him some more. We want to say thank you once again to all of our family and friends who have supported us through this. We also want to thank the amazing hyperbaric team, not just for taking such good care of my dad, but also welcoming me and my system with open arms. My littlies often went to the hospital to visit, and to make sure dad was okay, and the staff were always more than happy to say hello, and treat us as human, which is very rare in this world, even from medical professionals. They were always happy to compliment Four (4) on all the bright colours she wore to the hospital, which she was chuffed about.

We also want to thank a very special patient at the hyperbaric department. I don't want to say names as they may not appreciate it, but this person received a little gift bag from Four (4) for being so nice to her so im sure he knows who he and his wife are. Thank you for being a good example of how people should treat my little ones, and showing them they deserve respect as much as anyone else. You are an incredible human and we really hope your healing journey continues on a good path.

Hopefully there won't be any major updates on dad for a while, not big injuries of huge surgeries for the near future. Hopefully we will be able to enjoy our Christmas holidays together, and we can start all this drama again in the following year. Thank you everyone for being here and supporting our journey. Hopefully i'll be able to update on other things for a while, but I'll be sure to keep everyone updated as dad progresses!

I See You, I Hear You, I Love You.