Saturday

Was able to visit Dad briefly today. He was in his bed and his eyes were open when I arrived. I got what appeared to be a teeny smile. Anna mentioned that he is still eating, but not as much, turning it away sooner than he used to. He was able to make a few sounds in attempts to talk, but too weak to make anything out. The nurse had left me a voicemail yesterday. She saw Dad on Monday and Wednesday. She mentioned that he was talking on Monday, but not on Wednesday. His blood pressure was good and he had no congestion. They usually keep the TV on in Dad's room during the day and we have it tuned to the Olympics.

Tuesday eve

Just thought I’d let you know how my visit went with Dad this eve. He was awake when I arrived. Seemed comfortable, though I guess I would say that his overall “condition” appears more dire...not really the right word, perhaps just overall he seems weaker than when I’ve seen him over the past year. He seemed comfortable, and not in pain, but he was uttering sort of gutteral sighs, which is perhaps why it felt a little more strained. What’s weird, or interesting is actually how much it seems to me he seems to be more aware than I’ve noticed in prior visits. Perhaps I’m imagining it. It just seems like he’s paying more attention to me, and seems to be understanding, where as over the last year, he seemed more like he was tuning out most of the time (though perhaps it was me and my approach, or just the timing, who knows.) For example, I was asking him if he’d been thinking about his wife Suzie lately. Then I transitioned to explain how I had lost my husband Paul and how much I missed him. Of course it brought tears to my eyes and Dad was looking right at me and it just really felt like he was empathizing. Again, could have been my imagination. I also read a note to him that Janine had asked me to read to him...it was great, and again, I feel that Dad was listening and appreciated it. Love, Barb

Improvement

I just stopped by to see Dad today. Anna reported that he had a better day on Monday...was up for most of the day, talking a bit and eating (e.g., instant breakfast thickened with eggs for breakfast, pureed lentil soup for lunch, thickened apple juice). The gurgling is mostly gone too...Anna thinks the "patch" is working. The nurse had switched him from the liquid atropine to a patch, which I think she said is the same kind of thing used for seasickness. Apparently it also helps dry up the secretions. It is placed behind his ear. The nurse was there checking on him yesterday, and Anna said she is returning tomorrow. Today they said he's been sleeping most of the day, perhaps because he had such an eventful day yesterday. He looked comfortable, and was sleeping when I saw him, so I didn't want to disturb him. I was there picking up Haydee (car in the shop), so I will try and stop by again later in the day to see if he's more awake and have more of a visit. I forgot to mention that the nurse had said Dad's lungs were clear when she checked him yesterday.