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

[@dannycrooks8462]

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

[@OliveOilandGasoline]

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]

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

[@OliveOilandGasoline]

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

[@Retired-nohurry]

@@OliveOilandGasoline the sign of a good son.

[@donb.puryearjr.8699]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[@arielajaeger4291]

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]

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]

@@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! ✨💛✨🌞✨💪✨🥰✨

[@theresawhite8366]

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

[@OliveOilandGasoline]

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

[@marjorielevangie220]

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]

Thanks Marjorie! Best of luck with your Mom!

[@alehasfamily]

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]

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]

@@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]

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]

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!

[@Napalvr-mf]

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]

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.

[@KristeneSchmitt]

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]

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.

[@bronsont7280]

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]

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

[@JessicaLeighZ1]

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]

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]

@@OliveOilandGasoline would love that!

[@groet508]

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]

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]

​@@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]

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]

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!

[@bigdave4863]

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

[@OliveOilandGasoline]

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

[@TheOUboy]

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

[@OliveOilandGasoline]

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

[@coachab100]

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

[@OliveOilandGasoline]

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

[@jillywilson4582]

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

[@OliveOilandGasoline]

Thanks Jilly, I have a look at that!

[@DanielBengtsson]

Do not know what to say…❤❤❤❤

[@OliveOilandGasoline]

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

[@tg.garloo4271]

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]

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

[@clifbradley]

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]

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]

There are two shocks in life: death and birth.

[@OliveOilandGasoline]

Absolutely. In our culture at least.

[@iainsanders4775]

'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]

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