Sunday, 4/28

Talked to mom last night.   Guess when she went down to dad's yesterday, he got really agitated.   I know Eric and fam were with him before mom got there, and he slept most of the time.   When mom got there, he was asleep on his couch, so she sat there for a bit.   He started stirring, and when he woke up, they walked up the hall to the big room.   There was a basketball game on, and they watched that, then dad fell asleep.    The med tech came over and tried to wake him, because it was time to take his meds, but they couldn't get him to wake up.   They let him sleep for a little while.   After some time, the aide came over and tried to wake him, because it was time to go to the bathroom.   Dad did wake up, but was pretty disoriented.   They let him sit there and get awake, but when she asked him to follow her to the bathroom, he started clapping his hands and yelling at her.   Something about he was "going to kill all of you".   Mom said she handled it really well, asked him if he wanted to go into the bathroom by himself, and he said yes.   After a few minutes, she opened the door to check on him and he was just standing there staring at the door.    She gently rubbed  his arm and he grabbed it and brushed her off, and started yelling again.   So, she suggested he come out and sit in the chair.    He did, but was very agitated.   Mom did walk over, but let the aides take care of it.    Dad was totally oblivious to her, and sat in the chair.    Given his agitation, she decided it would best for her to leave.   As she left, he was yelling at the tv about the basketball game.

I think she was a little down about him.   Guess he has gotten this way a few times before with the aides.   I think she was embarrassed, and said, "He shouldn't do that there."  Reminded her that he got like this at home, and this is part of the reason he is there.   It's not like he is a guest, and we shouldn't be embarrassed, it's part of the disease.    She agreed, but I can see where it affected her a little bit.  It is hard to go there, and see this.   She was OK after we talked awhile, but I could tell it was tough.  She is going down this morning to go to church, then will eat lunch with him, if he is not agitated.   The boys and I will go see him afterwards, then head up to mom's.   More later.
**************************************************
4:30 pm
We headed up north this afternoon.    Mom was just leaving dad's place when we got there.  She had gone to church with him and stayed for lunch.   Said he was in a good mood, no yelling or agitation.   Still really tired.   We went down to his room and he was out like a light on his couch.   I rubbed his arm a few times and gave him a hug.  He kind of mumbled, but just couldn't come around.  We hung out for about a 1/2 hour, and then took off.   We said good bye to him, told him we loved him.  He half way smiled, and I told him to go back to sleep, that we'd come back another time.  He said OK, and smiled again, then was out.

Headed up to mom's and hung out there for awhile.  Mom got a letter from the insurance company yesterday, indicating dad is eligible for benefits on the 91st day of.   They will contact Chancellor directly and make the arrangements.    This is good!!  I didn't think they would deny the claim, but you just never know with these kinds of things.   Mom has her new furniture in, and she is pretty excited.   We stayed about 1 1/2 hours, and she was disappointed when we left.    Told her that Chad and I will come up on Saturday, and we'll go to lunch.    We will also see her Friday night, Rick and Lori are picking her up to come down to Bry's play.

Weekend Visit

Spent some time with pop yesterday, after mom and I went to the support group.  He was sitting in his chair sleeping, and was a little disoriented when he woke up, but came around after a few minutes.   Gave him a hug and told him he looked good, and he played the doddering old man for a few minutes. He is missing a tooth on the bottom - right in the middle.   Mom said she hadn't noticed it on Friday.   Didn't bring it up to him, and it really doesn't matter at this point anyway, but the gap is noticeable.   He was pretty sleepy, but was talking about the ranch and his brothers.   I couldn't quite make out everything, but just went along with him.   It just amazes me, still, that he pulls up these memories from so many years ago.    He jumped from one subject to another, asked if I was still working, and where did I live.   Then he would comment about the cute little girls that worked there.   Told him that yes, they are cute, and they are there to help him, so he needs to be nice to them.  He smiled.   I said that, because when I was talking to Sally, there has been a couple of times the last few weeks where dad has gotten pretty aggressive with the aides.   My guess, is, it's because there have been a few new faces hired on, because he allows Jessica, Sarah, and Melinda, to help him.   But, I could tell he knew what I was talking about.  He asked about the weather, and I told him that when (if) it every warms up, we will take him to the park so he can watch the ducks.  He smiled at this.   Mom was napping on the couch, so I just sat on the floor by the chair and talked with pop eye to eye.   He started drifting off, and I asked him if he wanted to sleep more.  He said yes.   Dinner time was coming soon, so I gave him a kiss, told him I loved him, and said I would be back to see him soon.   I should mention that the entire time I was by him, he held my hand, or had has hand on my arm.   He seems to want that physical connection.  Cute little man!

A couple of notes:   Pop does continue to wander around, just as the others do.   When mom went to see him earlier this week, he wasn't to be found anywhere, and James found him asleep on Susan's bed.     Guess when he's tired, he pops in to whatever room looks comfy.   There is another guy, Clyde, who has moved in, so there are 5 men now.   Mom said when she took dad down to dinner, he sat at the table with 3 of the guys.   Remember Miss Chelsie?  Well, Chelsie was really a girl, but was referred to as guy while there because it was confusing for the residents.  AND...Chelsie  and Whitney were "a couple".   I was talking with Sally about who has left, and she kept referring to Chelsie as "she", so I explained my confusion to her.   So, there you have it.  

I should also mention that mom and I had a long talk about sweating the "little things."  She is getting better about things, but I told her that she needs to remember that if she wants things to be just like they were at home for dad, we need to find someone that will stay by his side 24 hours.   We can't control the fact that he doesn't get shaved every day.  In fact, when mom brought his up to Sally, dad hasn't wanted help to shave, or shave at all, on several occasions.  When the residents get mad, they let it go - it's not worth the agitation.   Virgie suggested to mom that if this bugged her so much, get an electric shaver (the last one broke) and shave him when she is there, then take it home.   Mom does seem to be getting better about things, because when we first arrived, someone else's shoes were under dad's bed.  She just laughed about it.  Two weeks ago, she would have been upset.  In time, I guess.

Sunday, April 14

Stopped in and visited with Chuck today.   He was doing well.  Had just finished lunch and was hanging out in the big room.   Was very happy to see us, gave us all big hugs.   He recognized Bryson, as someone he knew, but didn't know his name.    Asked Bry, "How long has it been?"   He then told Bry to give him another hug, since it had been awhile.   Knew the rest of us, just wasn't quite sure how.  His pants were falling down, didn't have his belt on.  We walked down to his room, and the buckle had broken on his belt, so it was just laying on the couch.  Fred fixed it, so I put on the belt and pop said that was much better.  Opened the blinds and he sat in the sun on the couch.  He was in a talkative mood - talked about the winds they had up there the last few days, and then rambled about just everything.  Looked good, was starting to get tired.   We hung out for a little bit, and he was really starting to droop.  He said he was ready for a nap, so I tucked the blanket around him.   Kissed his forehead and told him I loved him.    He gave Fred and the boys a big hug, too.   On the way out the door, told him I loved him again, and he said "love you too".   It was tough to leave him today, for some reason.   He is definitely content, and just such a cute little man now.   (Never thought I would refer to my dad as a little man - or cute.)  It was good to see him.

As we got closer to the desk, Stan and Skipper were standing there, and Skipper reached around and pinched his bum.   I figured he would do something, but he didn't do a thing, just kept standing there.   We did pass Sam, who turned 95 yesterday.   His daughter was with him, and she lives in San Francisco.  Says she comes and visits every 2-3 months.   Pretty quiet today, compared to last week.

Just talked to mom about 8:00.  She went down to dad's this evening, and they couldn't find him.  James, the aide, went room to room.  Found him sound asleep on Susan's bed.  Susan was out wandering the halls, as usual.  

Chad and Bryson, hanging out with Grandpa

Monday, April 8

Spent some time with pop yesterday.   He was doing good, pretty sleepy, but in a good mood.   When I got there, he was just finishing up lunch and standing in the dining area.   I walked up to him and he was really happy to see me - gave me a big hug.    He was cold, so we walked down to his room.   I open the blinds, put on his sweater, and he sat in the sun with his blanket tucked around him.    Asked him if he knew who I was, and he said I was his little girl.   He was rambling about working there, so I just went along with things.    Mom arrived shortly after that, and dad wanted to go out and sit in the hall.   I can now see why - pretty active place.  As it turns out, dad has taken a liking to one of the rocking chairs in a lady's room.   Ashely, the med tech, found him there earlier in the morning, and it's the same place mom found him last week.  Dad also had on someone else's shoes, so we just switched his out.    While we were in the hall, Skipper and Susan were wandering around together, and Susan actually pushed Skipper.  Pretty funny.   The staff would walk by and say hi to Charlie, and he would smile.   He dozed a little, but was still aware of what was happening around him.   Eric got there, and then mom and I took off.   All in all, pop seems pretty content.  He is defninately getting more frail, but that is due to his age and the disease.  He does like to have visitors, even though he is asleep half of the time.

Sittin' in his usual spot, enjoying the sun.

Wednesday, April 3

Just quick update. 

Dad is doing well, seems to continue to enjoy the place.    Hasn't slugged anyone in a long time!   Both Trent and Ann were down last week, and spent some time with him.   I saw him Friday and then Sunday.  He was in a good mood, rambling quite a bit, but it's easy to just agree with him and follow along.     His glasses did show up, and Ann bought some chums for him.  These won't prevent him from taking them off, but might help in taking them off so much.    As it turns out, pop does wander quite a bit into other rooms, if the door is open.   When  Fred, Chad, and I stopped in on Sunday, he was sitting at the table in the dining area.    Seemed pleased to see us, and knew we were related, just wasn't sure how.  He wanted to to his room to get his sweater, so we walked down the hall.  He was moving pretty quickly, so I guess the fact that his room his at the other end of the hall has built up his endurance.    He does seem more frail, and even the nurses have noticed.  That's just part of the disease, and something we will likely continue to see progress.