Day 4

We seem to be settling into somewhat of a routine. Dad's learning his way around the house and such. Ate well today...3 meals, plus a couple of snacks. Really liked the fresh berries and whipped cream for dessert. Did his leg exercises on the couch. Still napping a lot when sedentary but did have a good walk from the parking lot to Dylan's physical therapy location. Enjoyed watching me and Dylan bike ride again from the sun porch couch.

Day 3 in California

Dad was a little less confused today, and seemed happier. Still slept a lot, and took naps during the day. I think he found his favorite spot in my house which is a nice leather chair on our "sun porch" that looks out over our patio/pool area. It's a very warm spot and he sat down and watched (and slept) while Dylan rode his bike outside.

We went to CVS in late afternoon and Dad said he was up for walking around the store with me (with his walker.) About half way through the store I started to "smell" something. By the time we got home, he had leaked through his pants, so we had a bit of clean up to do. We had already taken a shower that morning, and it seemed to work out okay, so he got in for another after we returned to get cleaned up.

Seemed to really enjoy the Roast Filet Mignon meat I had cooked for dinner, along with salad, green beans, wheat english muffin and cheesecake for dessert. Played a little bit of cribbage with Ryland. Needed help, but did set his hand correctly without help a couple of times. Also seemed to be able to count the cards with prompting.

Day 2 in California

Dad slept quite well...finally roused him around 9:30am, then toileted and washed up in the bathroom. Had pancakes for breakfast. Seemed a bit more confused and lethargic today...perhaps due to jetlag. It was a gorgeous clear day here, but on the cooler side (for us)...60's. Dad sat outside for a while. I walked him to the edge of my deck to look at the ocean and he noticed some ships. He then said "I could just die right here right now"...and I wasn't sure if it was because he felt tired or because he appreciated the view! I reminded him that he had once told me that after he died he wanted his ashes spread on the Pacific, but I didn't really get a response to that.

ANyway, it was a bit busy here today as a group of my girlfriends with kids had come to visit (my original West LA roommates/girlfriends...hadn't all gotten together in several years). 3 of them have only daughters, ages 7 to 11. We had lunch together at the house with Dad, but Dad didn't eat much. Dad stayed with Paul while we all went for a nice walk by the cliffs. On our return, Ken and family had arrived for their visit with Dad. Dad mostly stayed in the family room watching the football game, but initiated getting up several times, often seeming a big confused and/or saying "we need to set up the program.." and other gibberish. Judy, Ken, Dylan and I sat with him for awhile, and Judy gave us some tips and comparisons with her experiences at the Sunrise facility. Dad had a late snack (mini-sandwich, grapes), then Judy and Ken helped Dad in the bathroom before departing around 6pm. Dad had dinner a little later (chinese chick salad, eng muffin, slice of pizza) and milk and cookies. Had his 2nd Bowel movement in as many days here on the toilet (yeah!...it's all about the poops at our house!) and cleaned up and went to bed around 9:30pm.

Dad's arrival in California, December 27, 2008

Dad and Ken arrived without incident. Dylan and I had driven to the airport to pick them up. Ken said Dad only ate half a sandwich on the plane, so when he arrived at my house, after going to the bathroom and freshening up, he had a light meal of macaroni and cheese, english muffin and apricots (and took meds). He went right for the meal without prompting, and commented that the apricots were "really tasty". After eating, he sat on the couch with me, Ryland and Dylan watching the end of Oceans 13. Is now toileting before bedtime, around 10:15pm PST.

Though he asked some of the same questions repeatedly, overall he seems more alert than I expected. He definitely seemed intrigued with Dylan and Ryland, commenting that I had a blonde and a brunette, and I was halfway between!

I have set up the intercom to "monitor" his room (like we do Dylan's)...hopefully he will sleep comfortably through the night.

Dad Gets a New Identification Card

I just realized a couple of days ago that Dad would be asked for picture ID at the airport. He has a VA card, (but no drivers license). [I didn't want to have to carry his birth certificate-it is fragile and falling apart.]

So I went to the DMV. I needed two forms of ID so I had to go back home. I got a copy of his birth certificate. But they needed the original. Also Dad had to come and get a new picture.

After two trips, I brought his DD-214 and his original birth certificate and Dad! Bettie came also. I said I would drop her off at the shopping center for an hour. But she said no to that. She helped Dad negotiate the steps at the place.

I didn't have to wait too long. I guess a lot of people must be out shopping!

I also bought Dad some new pants. He only has one pair that is not falling off. I only had to make two trips to figure out the correct size. And I still have to return some. But I don't mind; I always have to return and exchange my own clothes at least once (especially when I don't try them on in the store!)

More Thoughts on Dad's Visit with Dr. Lichstein

Well, here are some things I left out of the last blog.

Dr. Lichstein asked why Dad's left side of his mouth was drooping. I said does that mean he had a stroke? Dr. Lichstein asked my Dad to raise his arms up and then he said he didn't think so.

We talked about Dad's itching. Dr. Lichstein asked if Rx cream was doing any good--I said it seemed to work for about an hour. [Looking back, he hasn't scratched as much as he had been doing about a month ago]. I told him he takes claritin for it as well.

I also talked about Hospice as a place for Dad to go to. He said that they don't take Alzheimer patients. But I was only thinking of it as a place for late stages of life (like last couple of weeks?). He wasn't sure of that situation.

I might think of other things. I will try to write them down later.

Dad's Visit with Dr. Lichstein

Dad visited Dr. Lichstein last Thursday.

First of all, Dad weighs 146. He has gradually lost about 10 pounds. I just noticed it recently in the last couple of weeks. I had to replace the large size Depends with medium size.

Dad's BP was 166. Dr. Lichstein did not comment on this during the visit. Later that week at home his BP was 130.

Dad was somewhat apathetic. I think it has something to do with the cold. Though Dr. Lichstein mentioned that Dad probably will gradually becoming more ? this coming year. [not sure what the word is].

Dr. Lichstein told Dad that he was "very expensive", when I mentioned moving to save money. I then mentioned to Dad that he used to tell us that it costs about $100,000 to raise each of us. I asked Dr. Lichstein about Dad living at my house. He also asked (like Justine) whether I could handle the burden of it. He seemed to think the chair lift was okay, though. His sister has one.

I told Dr. Lichstein about the visit to California and he reminded me to tell the airline about using wheelchairs, etc.

Dr. Lichstein renewed Dad's prescriptions. Dad got a flu shot. He also got a blood test, to test thyroid and other things.

'' Mr Dancys Day''

Hi, Mr Dancy was up at 7:30 this morning,
i assisted him with a shower, sitz bath, back
rub and skin care. Mr Dancys appetite was
at 80% for all meals.He took napps on and
off all day,still feeling tired due to the cold.
i gave him the medication that was here
for his cold.His BP was good 130/78.He is
relaxing by the tv at this time.Ilene

'' Mr Dancys Day''

Hi, Mr Dancy was up at 7:30 this morning,
i assisted him in the bathroom before..
breakfast. He slept on and off most of the
evening. His appetite was at 80% for
all meals.He is resting by the tv at this time.
Ilene

''Mr Dancys Day''

Hi, Mr Dancy was up this morning at
7:30 am.I assisted him in the bathroom
with a sitz bath,back-rub,skin care and
ear drops. He seems to be feeling much
better today. His appetite was good eating
90% of all meals. We listened to some
opera on tv,i got out a puzzle but he didnt
want to participate. His BP is good,138/80,
at 6:pm.Mr Dancy is watching tv at this
time.

'' Mr Dancys Day''

Hi, Mr Dancy was up at 7:30 this morning.
i assisted him in the bathroom before,
breakfast. Mr Dancy was moving slow today,
he didnt seem to be feeling well.I gave him
the medication for a cold and tonight he is
feeling better.His appetite was good today
eating 90%.He is watching a christmas movie,
at this time. Ilene

'' Mr Dancys Day''

Hi, Mr Dancy was up at 7:30 this morning
I assisted him with a shower,sitz bath,
back-rub,skin care and ear drops.After
lunch we went for a short walk and Mr
Dancy watched some tv.His appetite was
good eating 90% for all meals.His BP is
also good 130/80.He is relaxing by the
tv at this time. Ilene

'' Mr Dancys Day''

Hi, Mr Dancy was up at 7:30 this morning,
after a trip to the bathroom it was time,
for breakfast.We went for a short walk
before lunch.Mr Dancys appetite was good
today,eating 90% for all meals.He is relaxing
by the tv at this time. Ilene