Update, July 19th

Mom is doing better.  No surgery, but still has to wait until the swelling goes down to put on the cast.  Ann was down all week, and left today.  Mom will be staying with Eric for the next several days, and play things by ear on when she can go home.   She is getting around pretty good, and is starting to be in better spirits.

I received the following email on July 18th, from Sallie Huntington, at Chancellor Gardens.  She is the head nurse there, and is also a very special person.  You can tell she loves her job and residents.


Celia

I wanted to share with you a special experience I had involving your day the past couple days. First you should know my Dad passed away 2 years ago on the 15th and today would have been his 72nd Birthday. So needless to say he has been in my thoughts more than usual this week.

Well yesterday when your Sister & Mom were visiting I had helped your Dad sit on the couch by them, then walked away. I don't know exactly what Charlie did or said but your sister said he wanted to see me. He came to me and asked if my Dad was with me? I of coarse said No. Your Dad then asked where he went? I told him he had passed away. Your Dad went and sat back down and I kind of pushed the thought aside.
Then this morning after breakfast your Dad was just standing by me at the Med Carts not really saying or doing anything. Went I passed in front of him to give someone their meds he looked at me and said "Oh it's you!" I said yeah it's me the medicine lady. Then he said clear as could be "No it's you. Your Dad had to leave." then he gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek. It meant SO much to me since my Dad never left without giving me a hug and kiss on the cheek. Needless to say that simple act brought tears to my eyes.
I have had many spiritual experiences during my time at Chancellor But that by far has meant the most!

Thank You so much for sharing your Dad.

Sincerely
Sallie


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We would sure like to know what pop was thinking when he approached Sallie.  Did he see her dad?  Did he see his own dad, or was he thinking about him?  We'll never know, but this touched everyone.  Dad has continued to sleep more, and mumbles incoherently, but obviously, there is still a spark of the non-Alz Charlie.   It is so hard to see him in this state, and some of us have outwardly said we wish he could pass so he could be at peace.  Then, something like the above experience happens, and I realize that pop will pass when it's time.  He clearly has a few lessons to teach or people to help, even in his current state.  Love him.

Chuck....and Shirl

So, this post is mainly about Shirl/Mom, just to let everyone know, if you haven't heard.

Mom fell in the yard Friday night and broke her left arm.  She was changing the water, and tripped on the hose.   She landed on her face, as well, but just has a a little bruise on her upper lip.   She is currently in a splint, and staying with Eric.   Orothopedic appointment on Tuesday, at which time it will be decided if she needs surgery on the arm before casting.   She is in pretty good spirits, and has been a little unsteady due to the pain pills.  However, when I talked with her this morning, she had yet to need a pain pill, and that was about 9:00.   Ann will be coming down Monday evening, and will stay with mom a few days at her own house.   She won't be able to stay alone for awhile, and this may begin more discussion about moving elsewhere - like an assisted living - the opposite of dad's lock down).  As hard as it is to think of mom not living in that house, what happened Friday night was something that we were waiting for.   She doesn't get around very easily, and this winter will be even more difficult.   I know that she really wants to keep her independence, and I really get that.  However, we are concerned about her safety, since she is so tiny and has a tough time walking.  We will have to take this a day at a time.

Dad's condition hasn't changed much from the last post.   He continues to sleep a majority of the time.   I spent the entire day with mom yesterday, and by the time I was done, it was late and dad probably would have been getting ready for bed, so I didn't get to see him.  Sallie did tell me that they weigh everyone each Monday, and she would email me with dad's weight each Monday.   We will likely be looking at Hospice for dad toward the end of this year, unless he escalates more rapidly.    More to come as things develop.

Chuck Update, July 9th

Dad has declined pretty rapidly in the last 2 weeks.  He sleeps more, doesn't seem to be as hungry, and is very frail.    This past week, it was determined that he was probably a little dehydrated, so the staff has made sure he has plenty of water the last few days.  This has helped him, somewhat, but he is still in the final stages of this horrible disease. He won't get better, and I think mom got her hopes up that with the additional water, dad would rally and be more awake.   He is a little more alert, and his color is better.   But, the reality is, he will continue to decline.   I talked to mom just a few minutes ago, and she agrees he won't get better, but she is a little down.  She is now worried about how much longer he will last.   Reminded her that we just have take this one day at a time.  We have talked about Hospice, and when the staff feels like it's time, we will need to explore this with the doc.   Usually, Hospice is not in place until the doc feels the patient has declined to a point where they anticipate passing within 6-12 months.   Sallie did say that based on her experience, she would anticipate dad being on Hospice toward the end of this year.    We will just have to wait and see.    As far as mom goes, we need to keep in close contact with her.