BUSTED...

Today's entry was going to be about our city's MLK program last night with guest speaker Sheyanne Webb-Christburg donned the youngest Civil Rights marcher in Selma in 1965. BUT that entry will just have to wait as something else has superseded it. Do check back tomorrow for that story.

What could be more pressing? Well, it has to do with this man with his hands raised in the photo below. 

This guy was busted. Actually, the security guard on the left is a life like sculpture in the bank, the fellow next to him happens to be my 90 year old Dad. 

My Dad who is one of those people who is right about 98% of the time. Yep one of those. It was the 2% that got him "busted." You see, he's been keeping secrets from his 3 children. 

An intelligent, independent, strong guy who has insisted on staying in the family home alone. Well, truth be known, he has been falling and not telling us about these falls. Last week must have been a doozy as I could hear something in his voice during a phone conversation.

I called him on it and asked how he had slept the night before. "Not so good," he cautiously replied. "Why is that?" I inquired. "Oh, I couldn't sleep worrying about the cruise." Partial truth. 

The truth is his detailed planning of his first trip in 3 years (due to Mom's declining health) had filled 48 hours until it was paid for and in place. He was really excited with anticipation of the March Caribbean journey.  As we discovered much later he was worrying whether this trip was even going to be possible as the part he left out about the worrying is, he had fallen. We, his kids, would not know about the fall from him only to find out through an informant coincidence. We kids conferenced called and decided to confront Dad individually about the importance of keeping us 'informed'. 

We felt better when he did report indigestion issues this weekend with details of how exhausted and dizzy he was. I emphasized liquids so he didn't get dehydrated. Then, my brother who lives in town received a 'help' call Sunday as Dad was too weak and dizzy to get up. He had had another sleepless night with bathroom visits. My brother was there within 10 minutes filling him with liquids and cooking him his favorite waffle breakfast with instructions to rest, regain his strength and call his physician.

Dad agreed and went to see his Doctor yesterday as he wanted a full checkup to figure out what was happening.  His doctor did not allow him to go home as he wished.  Orders were to head straight to the ER due to the severity of the bruising, a transfusion was ordered, IV and brain and neck scan for a possible concussion. The man had been driving after his fall! Double OY. 

The patient is now being kept in the hospital for observation for a couple days. By nine last night he still didn't have a bed. Time and tests and a good 2 weeks of home bed rest. I don't think he will protest too much.  Now, having a care giver will be an entire different story...