Updated from Weekend of June 22nd

So, went up north on Saturday.   Headed to dad's place first, and when I got there, he was sitting at a table, scowling.  The aide said he had a bad morning, wouldn't let her finish dressing him.  He had on a sweatshirt, pajama pants, and shoes.   Told her not to worry about it.  Walked over to him, and he scowled at me.  Said he wanted to go to his room, so we started down the hall.   Asked if he was pretty tired.  He said that he was, and told me that he "hasn't slept in days".  Got him to his room and settled him on the couch.   He half dozed, and was talking about and to his mom and dad.  Couldn't decipher everything, but he was definitely having conversations with his folks.  Then, he started talking to me about our courtship days.   Mom arrived, and we hung out for a bit, then headed to lunch.   After lunch, we stopped back in to see pop.  He seemed to be in a better mood, but still had the edge to him.   When I was ready to leave, he asked why I was leaving.    Then told me I was mean to him.   He also referred to the aide and said she was mean.  Than again, he looked at me and told me I was a good looking woman.   So, told him I was his daughter, I wasn't mean to him.  And, he needs to be nice to the aide and not yell and clap at her, she is there to help him.   (He is starting to clap more when he gets agitated.  It's loud, and it can be a little frightening.)  He smiled, and I really think he knew what I was talking about.   Told  him I was leaving, but I would be back.   Guess on Sunday and Monday, he was pretty irritable, according to mom.   Yesterday he was better.  It's just part of this disease.  Hate it.   He has deterioted some, and seems to be more feeble.  He has lost more weight, and it's evident.  He is down to about 133.   Last fall, when I went with him to the doc, he was at 147.   Still seems to like it there, and seems very content and settled, at least for the most part. 

Its true....Erica does go visit.

So I actually go visit Chuck quite often but never update this. I don't know why but I just don't. I will start with a thank you to whoever cut his extremely long nose hairs. I also love that occasionally he is wearing comfy pants instead of his usual pants with a belt. I always bring one or both of my boys when we visit which is a joy for everyone there. My boys used to be scared to death of the place but are doing much better with it now and I actually think they like all the attention they receive. Anywho...Once in a while Chuck is grumpy and sleepy and has no idea who we are and acts annoyed with us...we make those days short visits. Most of the time he is pretty happy and excited to see us. He lights up and tells me I'm familiar and he loves seeing both boys. But there is something different when he sees Z, he is ecstatic, he hugs him and talks non-stop with his arm around him. I'm not exactly sure who he thinks Z is. One thing that bothers me is the comments he will say to Z, I'm probably being a paranoid Mom but he will say things like "I'm coming back for you when I'm done" or "In the end I'll come back and get you"or I'll take you with me in the end". Um, what?? I ask him what he is talking about and he will just repeat it and smile. It bugs me. Does he know something? Should I leave my sweet boy locked in the house forever? Of course the hubs tells me I am a freak. He does always tell Z "get er done!" Whatever Chuck says Z just smiles and nods. It's very interesting.

Father's Day Update

Sounds like pop had a busy day on Father's Day.    Mom went to church with him, and the then mom, Ann, and Kent took him on a picnic.  Ann said he enjoyed being outside, and ate really well.  

We popped in to see Chuck about 3:00.  He was out cold in his chair.   Hung around for about 45 minutes, and didn't say much.  He was pretty tired,sounds like the picnic and the heat wore him out.    I did ask him how his picnic was, and he told me it was pretty cool.    When we left, he barely mumbled good-bye.  It was weird seeing him on Father's Day, and not at the house.   There are "firsts" for everything, though, and it takes some time to get used to. 

We all met at the house for a weenie roast.  Again, it was weird, and mom was doing her best to not cry.   She is trying really hard, and has gotten a lot better. 

Perry Visit! June 10-12

Chris, Elmer and I just got home from our annual trek up north to visit the Grandfolks! We had a great time playing with Gramma, visiting Grampa, and enjoying the beautiful weather!

We rolled in to Layton on Monday afternoon, reeking of smoke from a weekend of camping. Gramma let us shower and do a load of laundry. She was complaining about her dryer not working very well, but after Chris discovered a bird's nest in the vent tube, we decided that was the problem. We cleaned out the tube and got a new vent cover for the outside, and the dryer works just fine now. 

We went down to visit Grampa on Tuesday morning. He was pretty sleepy, but was glad to see us. I'm pretty sure he recognized us - he gave me a big hug and enjoyed watching Elmer putter around his room. Grampa stood by his chair, waggling his finger at Elmer and saying "Hi!" while Elmer wandered in circles around him. I think Elmer wore him out - he fell asleep in his chair after a while, so we left and said we'd be back tomorrow. As we were leaving, we had a bunch of the ladies come up and say hi to Elmer - he was a big hit and enjoyed all the attention.

The rest of the day Tuesday, we just visited with Gramma and sat on the back porch enjoying the weather. Elmer helped Gramma water the lawn - he loves sprinklers and faucets!

We went down to Chancellor again on Wednesday morning and found Grampa sitting in someone else's room. He got up after we called him, though, and came out into the hall. Gramma asked him if he remembered Elmer, and he said "Sure! Just not that name." He was pretty happy to see us, gave another hug, and smiled at Elmer. We took him out to see our new van - he walked between me and Gramma and held our hands. I asked him if he liked the new van, he said "It's all right." He asked what kind it was, and when we told him it was a Dodge Grand Caravan he said that was pretty good. It was fun to walk around a bit outside, and I think he liked holding our hands and feeling the sunshine. His room's AC had been set at 72 degrees, so we turned it up to 77 before we left.

(I like these pictures even though Elmer was trying to slide off my lap, because you can see the Grampa was talking to him and smiling.)

After our walk, he was pretty tired, so we went back to his room and sat down for a few minutes. When he started to nod off, we gave him hugs and kisses, told him we loved him and said we'd see him later. He gave Elmer a kiss goodbye.

It was really great to get up and see the Grandfolks. I'm glad to see Grampa getting such good care at Chancellor - it looks like a nice place. Gramma says she gets lonely still, but is adjusting. She had a good time visiting with us, and she enjoyed playing with Elmer. I wish we weren't so far away, but I'm glad we make it up every year. We'll hope to see more of the family next year!

Weekend Update, June 8-9

Went up north on Saturday.  Spent some time with mom, and then had a great time at dad's place.   Dad and Naola were sitting behind the counter, and dad had just started to walk back around when I got there.   I put my arms around him, and he looked at me, and said, "Well hello little girl".  Big smile.   It was a little chaotic, because a guy he went to school with Don Weaver, has just been moved in on Friday.  Don remembered mom, and was also hitting on all the women, including me.  Dad seemed a little overwhelmed, but handled it ok.  I took some stuff down to dad's room, and when I came back, Don's wife and daughter were just coming out of his room.  Dad, Don, and mom had settled down in one of the couches in the big room.   I sat down, and Don's wife pulled up a chair.  Dad dozed in and out, but Don's wife never shut up.   I would shoot myself if I had to live with that.   Every once in awhile, dad would wake up, look over at me, then shut his eyes again.   He did hold my hand the entire time.   It was an eventful day at Chancellor.  First, Susan sat down by me.   She was very alert, and asked if I wanted to go to her room and see her pictures.  Kept saying over and over "My kids and grandkids, my kids and grandkids".   She put her hand out and we walked down the hall to her room.   I have to say, this was pretty emotional for me.   Her room is covered with huge photos of her family - kids, grandkids, husband, and herself.   Remember, she is just just 52, and apparently the early onset of Alz hit her hard.   I told her what a pretty family she had, and she agreed.   She was beautiful in the pictures, and seemed so happy.   I thanked her for letting me see her family, and she hugged me.   I walked back up to sit with dad.  Naola walked up to me, squinted her eyes, and said, "Who do you think you are?"   I squinted back, and told her she knew who I was.  Then she smiled, and said, "Charlie's daughter".   I asked her who she was and she told me she was a bad-ass.   Then she said she was beyond redemption, and laughed for a long time.  She sat down by me, and kept making comments about everyone.   By this time, dad was ready to go to his room.  Thank goodness, Don and the gabber had already gone to his room, so we did have a few quiet moments.   We walked dad down to his room.  Naola was laying on the floor in the hall.  I walked by, and told her she was right in the middle.  She yelled, "I know".   We got dad settled, and kissed him good-bye.  He was just fine, seemed content and was ready to sleep.  Took mom home, and then left.  Mom was doing pretty good. She is definitely trying really hard, but the weekends and evenings are really lonely for her.   Cue Sunday morning...

The phone rang shortly after 7:00, and it was mom.  Chancellor had just called her and dad had fallen around 3:30 this morning.  He was doing fine, but they wanted to let her know.   Told her I would meet her there.  When I got there, Eric and mom were hanging with dad.  He was a little pale, but I guess when they first arrived, his color wasn't good.  Sally, the head nurse, told me he was fine, nothing that seemed to be of concern.   Dad was sitting on his bed in his jammies.  He didn't want to get up for breakfast, so they just kept and eye on him and let him sleep.    Eric got him dressed, and then I fed him a piece of cake that Eric had brought him.  He settled in his chair and slept for awhile.   Don't believe the fall did any damage, he was just really tired.   Shortly after 11:00, we got him up to take him to lunch.  When we opened the door, Susan was just reaching for it.  She was coming to get us, and was happy to see me.  I gave her a hug.   As we passed Naola's door, she joined us.   When we came down the hall, the aides all stopped and looked at us - brought the entire group with us.   We got dad settled at a table with Jan and 2 other residents.  Jan, of course, said she would take good care of Charles.   I said good-bye to Naola, and she asked when she would see me.  Told her next week.  Susan walked with us to the door.   I gave her a hug, and told her I would see her next week.  She did want to walk out with us, but Sally stopped her.  

I have to say, after these past 2 days, I almost look forward to going to Chancellor.   I don't think most of the residents get many visitors.  It is very rare to see more than 1 or 2 people, and I am only there once a week.  Mom said she doesn't see many people at all, and she is there almost every day.  These people are still human, and you can tell they crave the touch and the connection with other people.   It is  pretty heartwarming to see them,  and I am looking forward to seeing my dad and the others next week.

So, another action packed weekend.  We are glad that dad wasn't injured, and it will be good to see him again next week.

Update, June 3

Went to see the folks on Saturday.  Mom was doing pretty good - she is trying really hard to adapt to everything.  I think the most difficult for her are the evenings.  She mentioned Saturday that after dinner, her and dad used to talk about everything.  This was with the real dad, not alz dad.  She enjoys her independence, but gets lonely.  We will have to wait and see how she feels down the road.

We went and saw dad on Saturday afternoon.  He was in his room, snoozing in his chair.  Melinda, the tech, said he had been doing really well that morning.    I rubbed dad's arm, sat down on the floor, and he started to wake up.  Told him he looked handsome, and he said, "Well, you need your eyes checked, little girl."   Asked him if he wanted to go for a walk, since it was really nice outside.   He said he thought he could manage that.   We put on his sweater and the 3 of us walked around the building.   We went in through the front door, and sat down in the activity area.    One of the nurses on the assisted side said she was glad see Charlie, and since he didn't make it out to that area very often, she gave us cookies.   Dad thought that was pretty good.   I did notice his Parkinson's Disease was pretty active - he was shaking so hard he could barely hold onto the cup of water.   He enjoyed the cookie, though, and was starting to get tired.   We walked back to his area, and he wanted to sit in the common area.    He immediately fell asleep, but I noticed he reached for mom's hand.   See the pix below.  After about 30 mintues, he suddenly woke up and said he was ready to go to his "place".   So, we walked down to his room and got him settled on the couch.   He was cute and contented, and it is good to see him that way.   

Mom went to church with him Sunday morning, and she said he was in a really good mood, pretty chippper.  He was all ready for church, and waiting in his room when she arrived.   When it was time to head up the hall, guess he told her he needed a kiss from her.  I think this really improved her spirits, because she was very happy he had a good day.  Eric and fam were at mom's Sunday afternoon, and Eric said she was talking about how much dad liked to have the fam around for a weiner roast.   I talked to her last night, and she was doing well.  Said it was nice to have a weiner roast, and wants to do more.  We will.

Dad has an appointment with his internest on Tuesday morning, and mom is going to bring up the increased shaking.  Eric did mention that when he saw dad last week, he was even shaking in his sleep.  

 Enjoying cookies in the common area, on the assisted living side.   Dad reached for mom's hand when he was half asleep, and this is how they stayed for quite some time.