Question for Docs on Travel

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

One of the main reasons for our lousy summer is it appears my Father-In-Law is coming to the end of his days. He has been fighting a losing battle against agent orange exposure (Artillery Officer in Nam, hit twice, captured and escaped once) for forty years. It affected his lungs and intestines/stomach. Surgery to correct acid reflux related to stomach issues affected, negatively, his blood pressure. Too many concerns from Docs for anyone to want to reverse the procedure.

He has been having trouble with his blood pressure, serious trouble. The meds are no longer working. The lower pressure jumps very, very high and he will have to take two or three nitros to bring it back close to 100. He has spent time in the hospital and they believe he has had a series of small strokes. He has trouble sleeping and so he becomes very tired and will fall asleep at strange times while not being able to sleep at others. He has started another new round of meds to control the pressure, unknown at this time if they are working. Most of the docs are from the VA but he runs things past my wife (who has not practiced in toooooo many years) and his older daughter (but she is a psychiatrist).

There is a wedding going on with a side of the family they have not been close to. For some reason he has become fixated on this and intends to drive 1/2 way across the country to go to the wedding. We are scared the stress and the drive could be too much for him and would hate to see the weekend spoiled by his passing while the couple are trying to get married.

Conversely, we hate to try and stop him as it will further emphasize the end of life aspect he is facing. We are trying to push that maybe he accompanies his wife and youngest to our place and then helps me maintain the farm for a week? We have a MUCH smaller farm than they do though he is not even able to get out and work on their farm any more. I also don't have an enclosed and air conditioned cab on the tractor like he does.

Really torn on this one and I'd kinda like to see the old man once more! Too much courage and too much stubbornness.

Any thoughts on what might be best? He announced late last night he would start the drive on 20 July, released from hospital 18 July.

[fingpilot]

Maybe take some time off and drive with/for him?

My Dad had a similar deal. I wish I had done exactly that. The talks we could have had. The time. You'd not have to worry about him, if he got tired, you could 'take over'.