Thank you everyone! Dad is back in Delaware in a physical rehabilitation facility. we are so grateful for the love, thoughts, Prayers and donations that have been sent our way.
Significant Update: A substantial donation has been received from an Angel benefactor.
Following my arrival at HCA Kendal in Miami, I have successfully ensured that my father is receiving the necessary care.
It is crucial for individuals with elderly loved ones to maintain open communication with their healthcare team and advocate on their behalf.
We go to great lengths to support our loved ones. I am deeply grateful for the overwhelming support and kindness extended to us through messages, prayers, and donations.
Caring for elderly loved ones can be a lonely experience, but the outpouring of love and support has bolstered my resolve and provided my parents with the strength to persevere.
Yesterday, my father ate for the first time in three days and even managed to take a shower and participate in physical therapy.
This is for my Mom & Dad. (Tricia & Charlie Krim)
On Tuesday February 10th at 7:45am I received a phone call from an unknown number, it showed from Florida. My heart sank because my parents were on a cruise. When I answered the phone, my Mom was hysterical. I could barely understand what she was saying aside from your Dad is dying. My heart hit the floor, I knew I needed to remain calm, so I told her to get the on board Dr. to call me.
What happened; My Dad became suddenly violently ill. The on board Dr. said he was in liver failure and his kidney functions were compromised, and he needed to be hospitalized.
This is where the journey starts. They were in the Bahamas, yet he couldn't go to hospital there because they didn't have passports. They didn't plan on getting off the ship.They did not get travel insurance, so panic set in at a 24k price that had to be paid before the plane would even come over. We put on credit cards.
She texted when they touched down and when they were on the way to hospital. I was expecting her to call after he was admitted. I tried that night to get ahold of them, my Moms phone was going straight to voicemail. I was able to get through to the nurses station after 2 hours of calling and they said"Oh yeah the signal is bad here" & brought a phone to her. She was able to talk for 2min because she needed the phone back. So I told her I loved them and would call back in the morning.
9am the next day I called, he is in ER so there is no room phone. I leave a message at the nurses station requesting a call from a dr., nurse, case manager, someone. I call once an hour. Finally at 2:00 pm I got someone that was willing to go and show mom how to connect to wifi to use wifi calling.
When I spoke with my Mom she was in tears. She hadn't had any sleep in 36 hrs. The room they were in had overflowing trash, medical waste ( blood vials sharps, ect) from prior people. Dad was left in his own excrement for 3 hours.
I told her I would handle it. I went to the directory and got a hold of the secretary of the hospital's CEO and explained the conditions.
They moved him immediately to a room and treated them well bringing Mom food to eat. I felt good about and went to sleep.
The next day I still had not received a phone call from their case manager, nurse or Dr. to update me. I needed to speak with them because my Dad is completely out of it, my Mom is so exhausted she can't think straight. Then she calls in tears because they are discharging him and his only option is go to rehab in Miami or take a commercial flight.
Dad cannot walk on his own, he cannot get up to go to the bathroom, yet they think it is fine to release him and mom who is 73 to get him to the airport and navigate flying even though she has never flown. Push Dad in a wheel chair and let him evacuate himself on the plane.
Between talking to my Mom and Brother , I drop everything and get a flight. The closest I could get is West Palm Beach. So I flew into WPB on a train to Miami, uber to hospital. They live on Social Security, aside from the medical flight and the expenses from the ambulance, me getting here the costs just keep piling up.
We still have no idea how we are getting home. We maxed out cards to get him here. So I am doing something I have never done before reaching out to friends, family, and complete strangers for help.
Thank you for reading all of this. We are beyond grateful. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Michelle
