Roadtrip Across America Pt.2 | Moving Dad across the country because the healthcare system is broken

Рет қаралды 1,073

Жыл бұрын

Roadtrip Across America 2022 | Moving Dad my father with late stage Parkinsons across the country because the American healthcare system is broken.
PART 2 of 3 - Watch this second part to get a better idea of what was going on behind the scenes and what I was going through at the time. As we drove the 3,000 miles across the USA.
Link here for PART 1. • Roadtrip Across Americ...
I filmed this a week after our road trip while I was on board the yacht I work on. I felt like the video didn't really cover the nitty gritty and some of the practicalities of looking after someone whose health is fading and needs more and more care. When Dad needed my help, I couldn't film and I was okay with that. When we were connecting and talking about his future, I didn't film it and I was okay with that. I wanted to be present for him 100% and not trying to make a KZfaq video out of it. In hind sight, if it wouldn't have ruined the moment I would have loved to have had those videos for the rest of my life. Maybe next time I'll film a bit more.
Thank you all for the love and support you've put in the comments. I had no idea how good that would make me feel. A lot of you have gone through or are going through very similar situations with loved ones. Some of your advice and wisdom I've thought about and talked about with my Uncle Gary.
Filmed using:
GoPro Hero 10 - amzn.to/3xwBeOC
Google Pixel 6 Pro - amzn.to/3qRjVnu
Drone DJI AIR 2S - amzn.to/3qNvAUE

Пікірлер: 57

@dannycrooks8462 Жыл бұрын

Thanks from the bottom of my heart for posting this video a lot of families are going through this in silence

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

It's such a strange feeling to post this and hear other people are trying to figure out the same thing. It's quite lonely when you're going through it.

@Retired-nohurry Жыл бұрын

Thanks for acknowledging the sacrifices parents make and being a caring son who makes sacrifices to help.

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

Thanks Curt, I'm not sure I'd be able to NOT do it.

@Retired-nohurry Жыл бұрын

@@OliveOilandGasoline the sign of a good son.

@donb.puryearjr.8699 Жыл бұрын

And the travel continues......life as we see it, sometimes not the sunshine, but always a path taken. Imagine if we had to watch our parents go thru this 50 years ago? Keep posting......we're watching thru your eyes.

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

Hi Don, the path taken is quite important! You have to live with those choices. I can only choose certain paths or I will not end up being very happy!

@vincelardner330 Жыл бұрын

Brennan thank you for this additional piece to the road trip story. It is heart breaking, but sadly increasingly common throughout the developed world where people are living long. The system is not as brutal or expensive in UK as the US, but it is still a system designed to make a profit out of the those who have contributed to society over their lifetimes, and while no Nation or State can afford to fund unlimited care for everyone, because the burden would be too great on those still working, it should not be a source of profit. Rant over, best wishes to you and your Dad.

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

Hi Vince, it's something we take for granted until it impacts you or your family directly then it's too late and you need to find the loopholes in the system. It's so frustrating knowing how much money insurance companies and pharmaceutical compnaies make. Piles and Piles of money earned off of people health . It's disgusting and evil.

@AStahl152 Жыл бұрын

I will be thinking of you and your dad. I lost my dad to Parkinson’s earlier this year. I hate that disease it takes our loved ones away one day at a time. Thanks for sharing your story. Understand you are not alone.

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

Shit Alan, I'm really sorry. I agree, one day at a time is the right way to describe it. It's getting harder and harder to answer the question, "hows your Dad doing?" as if he's gettign better. Every day he gets a little worse.

@marjorielevangie220 Жыл бұрын

So so sorry, Lord Almighty please help. My mom has Alzheimer’s, I understand your pain. Praying for you both.God Bless you both ❤❤❤

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

Thanks Marjorie! Best of luck with your Mom!

@bronsont7280 Жыл бұрын

Love ya man, you and your dad are in my thoughts & prayers. It is indeed too much and too hard for one man or one family to bear alone.

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

Thanks William, we're doing the best we can but this system is clearly evil.

@theresawhite8366 Жыл бұрын

Love you dearly, hope to see you soon. Keeping you and Dad in my thoughts and prayers each and every day.

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

I love you too! Thanks for thinking of us Aunt Theresa!

@Napalvr-mf Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing you personal trip with your dad. I feel ya. My 86yo mom is starting to going through dementia. I call her every week, so she doesn't forget me. Your in my thoughts.

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

Just remember that even when they don't seem like they are "there", they always are there, if you know what I mean. I'm sorry you have to go through this as well, Mark.

@arielajaeger4291 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing Brennan! It really shows how valuable and tough life is.. So so priceless to have people like you!!In the family and the world. Sending lots of strength.. power...good energy... positivity and love!! ❤️‍🔥💛💫🤗🧡❤️‍🔥

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

Thank you for saying all of those nice things Ariela! Dad and I had a good time, challenging but still a lot of fun. He's a great dude and is still fun to spend time with even with all of the things he has to deal with on a daily basis.

@arielajaeger4291 Жыл бұрын

@@OliveOilandGasoline you are so right about the memorys! So important and delightful for those elderly hearts and brains! It's sometimes very tough on us, and of course on them(i m also visiting my very old dad in Manhattan right now) keeping a sense of humor... every laugh and every moment of happiness...oh so precious and priceless!! You emit such strong vibes of that, of authenticity.. confidence... kindness. We are and will be strong for them, because we can and we are here for each other! ✨💛✨🌞✨💪✨🥰✨

@alehasfamily Жыл бұрын

I subscribed to your channel after seeing you on the crew chef channel. I never saw this type of video coming from you . I cried. I care for my mom with dementia - and in such a loving and straightforward way you expressed so much of the joy and pain of caregiving. Thank you ! I am a new fan. Please keep us updated on your dads progress.

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

That's interesting that you didn't expect it from me. I'm not sure why that statement surprised me but it did. Maybe because what I look like vs who I actually am? I really wish you didn't have to do that for your mother. She doesn't deserve this disease and neither do you. It's the most brutal and unfair way to end your days on this plane of existence. My heart and love goes out to you and your Mom. I'm starting to tear up just typing this. We're struggling with Medicaid in NJ and how the application is being handled by the Post Acute he's in now. They're dragging their feet to make the most money as possible off of him by submitting his application as late as possible. Gary and I feel helpless.

@alehasfamily Жыл бұрын

@@OliveOilandGasoline I didn’t expect you to share something so personal on this Chanel. That is what surprised me. I have other dementia care videos I watch for support - and as just surprised to find validation of some of the feelings I have on a chef channel. As I have struggled getting support from my siblings - I am trying to let go of those feelings of hurt I have towards them - and just focus on being thankful that I get to spend this time with my mom - and do her care with grace. That is what I got from your video. You were honest about how hard it is for both of you…. But took joy in the time you got to spend with your dad. You are lucky - and you know it. So sorry to hear about the ringer you are being run through. Something has to change in our healthcare system! Again, thank you…..

@dogcoinbros4124 Жыл бұрын

Keep your head up brother!! Such an amazing story and really shows your true feelings. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and pops!!!🙏🙏🙏

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

Thanks Dog Coin Bros, I appreciate you following along with this story. I wasn't sure if I would post it but I'm glad I did!

@KristeneSchmitt Жыл бұрын

Thank you for documenting this. It's important to bring awareness to the disease. Parkinson's is such a mean disease and so are the idiots that take advantage of those folks that just need assistance. Cudos to you for stepping up and taking care of him. I'm that for my parents. It ain't easy but I'm grateful I can be there. ❤️

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

Good for you for answering the call yourself. It's not easy and I'm sure you'd rather being doing other things sometimes but it really is rewarding in strange unforeseen ways.

@groet508 Жыл бұрын

I have read a lot about the American health system and seen tweets about insane bills etc But I don't think I really ever understood the struggle until your first video. I can also relate to your father slipping away from you. My dad doesn't really have dementia but he has a problem talking (some days are better than others) so I really feel for you man. At least this trip seems epic, I wish I could take my dad on a trip away from his care home. Enjoy this moment!

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

Thanks Magnus, I won't try to describe how bad it is here otherwise I wouldn't need to move him. Has your Dad been diagnosed with anything?

@groet508 Жыл бұрын

@@OliveOilandGasoline He fell and hit his head in march 2020 but recovered after months of rehab and fell again a couple of days after he got home. Since the last fall, he mostly lost the use of the right side of his body and his health has also deteriorated. He's in good spirits and talks about traveling to visit me someday but it is unlikely to happen. At least my most significant problem is trying to get a hold of his mail and paying the doctor's fees and other bills ($20 per visit regardless if he stays a week, has an MRI, etc.) and not worrying about the costs. Not being able to visit him during covid and him having aphasia/speech problems has been hard though.

@slowpoke2122 Жыл бұрын

You and your Dad are twinkies dude. My Dad passed away while I was on a Med. Cruise with the USN. I was 2 days past my 23rd birthday. I would give my left or right nut to be able to have a trip like tou and tour Dad. ENJOY while you can.

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

Thanks Slowpoke. He's already gotten much worse, I'm not sure we could do the same trip again. I'm glad we could do that together when we had the chance!

@JessicaLeighZ1 Жыл бұрын

Brennan!!! So much emotion watching this. Thank you for sharing this and for bringing attention to how these important members of society can fall through the cracks so easily. The system is so broken. Much love for you.

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

I appreciate you writing that Jessica. The system is corrupt and evil which is separate from the amazing people that work in the healthcare industry. I'll be back in WPB this winter. We should catch up.

@JessicaLeighZ1 Жыл бұрын

@@OliveOilandGasoline would love that!

@TheOUboy Жыл бұрын

Sorry man. Lost my father when I was 25 suddenly. Sorry you have to watch someone you love go through this.

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

That's really rough too! Thanks for checking in.

@bigdave4863 Жыл бұрын

Prayers for you and your father. But the blessing in this is the incredible cross country journey you had together! Peace.

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

Thank you it was a really good time and it was great to make some new memories with Dad.

@coachab100 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing his story! You guys look a like! It is tough for him but also tough for the family to watch.

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

Hi Alex, yeah we get told that a lot. We definitely look a like.

@DanielBengtsson Жыл бұрын

Do not know what to say…❤❤❤❤

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

Thanks man, there's nothing to really say. It's life.

@jillywilson4582 Жыл бұрын

Hey Brennan, Nina's mum here! Take a good look @medicalmedium for Parkinson's recovery and miracle stories of healing by food choices.

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

Thanks Jilly, I have a look at that!

@tg.garloo4271 Жыл бұрын

Did you grow up in NJ, where ya from? I had an upstairs neighbor diagnosed with Parkinsons. We didn't notice any changes in part because she lived alone, and her Scottish brogue was so thick we never really understood her. Then she began experiencing hallucinations. The family she used to take care of stepped in and found her a suitable facility. We used to visit her. NJ stepped in after her own funds were exhausted. I assume your dad will always have a place and care.

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

My Dad grew up in South Jersey and I grew up in Vermont/NH with a few bad years in Haddonfield.

@clifbradley Жыл бұрын

Again Brennan I feel so sorry for you or anyone having to go through this. I'm going through a brutal divorce right now and I am about ready to lose my wife's kick ass government insurance. I will only have Medicare left because I am disabled. Our insurance system here is broke. I blame Obama for a lot of that, but also a lot of Republicans as well. They made having insurance mandatory but didn't go after the real issues that make it so that our insurance is needed to cover these massively expensive things. I got other issues that are coming up from the divorce like a lack of affordable housing anywhere here and food costs. If you are disabled, you are screwed. Anyways, enough about me. Sorry to hear about your dad still. He sounds like an amazing man and luckily he raised an amazing son who wants to take care of him. I know being on the yacht on the other side of the world is tough when people you love also need you, but sometimes you being on that yacht and making the money you make is what helps them more. I went through that with my family. I sent all my money and half my tips back to my family. I took every crew contract I could.

@OliveOilandGasoline Жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting Cliff. I'm sorry to hear about your divorce and the struggle you're facing going forward with your disabilities. America is ruthless on the people that are struggling .

@ehadceylan8300 14 күн бұрын

There are two shocks in life: death and birth.

@OliveOilandGasoline 14 күн бұрын

Absolutely. In our culture at least.

@iainsanders4775 11 ай бұрын

'Parkinson Canada supports the use of advanced consent for medical assistance in dying when suffering becomes intolerable later in the disease course whether or not the person has competency.' Grreat!! Canada; the new place to avoid if you have Any vulnerabilities.. Organ-harvesting from victims - OK! Never be any conflicts of interest there, of course..

@OliveOilandGasoline 11 ай бұрын

Yikes, that sounds pretty damn hectic. I don't really hear much about the system up there. Ours is definitely pretty evil as well.