Rico and I are sending our prayers and good thoughts to you, your father, and the rest of your family.
Speaking as a stubborn bitch who does things in her own time, wether it be good for me or not, you really can’t force someone to get treatment if they aren’t ready to.
Please try to not be so hard on yourself over this. It really was out of your control as long as he was calling the shots for his health care. Like it or not, we have to let people do that. It’s just not fair of us to take that kind of control away from someone.
I’d bet you are feeling helpless right now and that’s compounding the other feelings you have expressed.
Bosda - I’ve had many family members spend lots of time in St. Thomas, and they’re very good, very caring. Although my mother (who went to St. Thomas for a mastectomy and an aorta replacement) chose Vanderbilt for her recent double bypass/double valve replacement. She just didn’t like the hotshot young cardiac surgeon at St. Thomas. {{{hugs}}} I’m right in Smyrna if you need anything. I know sometimes it can be hard to get home to feed pets, etc.
**Bosda ** The hardest part of being adult is letting other people do their own thing, wallow in their own mistakes because until *they ask for help on their own * no matter what you say will go in one ear and out the other.
What you can do, instead of massive of amounts of frustration and worry, is change your gear. Stop the worry, it really is not in your hands. Stop the frustration, you are not going to change your Father from being stubborn. What, this isn’t a newsflash to you?
Take a different approach: Be amusing, cheerful and (if possible) happy at his bed side. Have a mental list of jokes, anecdotes and quips at the ready. Bring interesting reading material for both of you. Make something like this your mantra: I’m not letting your stubborness and phobias ruin my life as it is ruining yours.
This strategy has saved me from the brink of Sanity many times.
Best of Everything to You and your Dad.
My prayers are with you and your dad during this time, and the rest of your family. I’m here for you if you need anything. Make sure you get plenty of rest as well; you will be better able and equipped to help your dad and your family.