My Last Day With Eddie

Thursday February 28, 2008

Was called by the nursing home at bedtime last night that Eddie's fever had spiked up to 103 and they were going to switch to a different antibiotic administered by IV. The nursing home called again before 7 am and said that his breathing was distressed and they were taking him to Tri-Ward emergency room.

Cindy and I got ready and left for the emergency room. Eddie was not conscious and his breathing was shallow and labored. He was on oxygen. His extremities were very swollen -- puffy -- like the michelin man. I had never seen them this way. The nurses asked us if we had advanced directives for him. We left after he was admitted and in a room. Cindy notified the family of his situation when we got home and I went to work.

The nurse called Cindy later and asked if she was aware of how much breakdown there was on Eddie's backside -- they were going to have to call Wound Care. Betty and Inez went down to see Eddie and to talk to Dr. Shaw mid-afternoon. Dr. Shaw indicated that his situation was very serious and otherwise, he was much the same as when Cindy and I saw him in the morning. Betty and Inez left the hospital and arrived at our house at 5:00 pm. They had barely arrived when the hospital called and said that Eddie had died. Betty called me at work and I came home and began the arrangements for his funeral.