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.