Dad had a rough week at the hospital, having to have an IV and a catheter. He still doesn't really want to drink water though, so things do not look good. He does eat okay though.

Hopefully the nurses will try to get Dad to drink.

I sat with Dad while he ate his breakfast. He seemed bored and played with the eggs and grits, mashing them up. He had already eaten his cereal but denied it. He did drink some of his orange juice and the bacon and a bite of toast.

Not much going on this month. I played Scrabble with Dad. We didn't keep score. It was just as much fun.

Not much going on this month. Dad seems to be doing okay. But I am tired a lot.
We had a nice meal at the home of pizza, roasted red potatoes, chef salad and ice cream sundae!
I hope to write more next month!

Russ, Faye and I visited Mom and Dad for a few days around New Year's 2005. He was very glad to see us, and recognized us right away, saying our names. Dad played dominoes with us, needing a fair amount of direction, but had fun. Russ and I took him to play miniature golf. He wasn't sure if he should, but we said "come on," so he did. We went to Cedar Pointe which is nearby and not too hilly or too many steps. We had a great time - Dad would put the walker aside to putt, and took good care to putt. He got the only hole in one, and pars and birdies, too. It was a beautiful day for Dec. 30, about 65 degrees.

We also had dinner at Mom's with Suzie and her boyfriend, Jacob, along, too. Dad thought he needed to save some of his spaghetti for "the fellow" at the unit, and we couldn't convince him otherwise, so gave up. We played Scrabble with Cathy/Mom and Suzie, and Dad won, although I did help him a bit, but he put out some good words and combinations on his own, too.

On New Year's Eve, we all went over to Beau and Page's new house, which was quite beautiful; Dad enjoyed walking around it, and even went upstairs without the walker to see the rooms.

Just some random thoughts from Alzheimers' Group Meeting. It was a nice meeting. Only a few showed up but there was an ombudsman who works as an advocate for nursing home patients in North Carolina. Jean, the leader, talked about how it is a mistake to put a pacemaker in a person who develops alzheimers. It keeps his heart beating long after he is brain dead. And it can be painful as it constantly shocks a person over and over. (and a pacemaker can not be removed!).

Also, I mentioned that Dad sits on the toilet backwards. She said that Alzheimer's patients can not see the toilet behind them so backing up feels frightening (they might fall down on the floor, even if a person holds their arm and tells them that there is a toilet there) Also, they want to "see" what is going on. Strange, but helps to understand what they are going through.

Mom and Dad came over on Sunday for anniversary party. Suzie and her boyfriend Jacob came over as well. I made brownies for dessert. Mom brought over some ice cream for dessert. I made chicken barbecue in crockpot, peas, orange marmalade carrots, and rolls. It was easy to make! (good since I am getting over a cold).

The nurse has to remind Dad to drink still, he doesn't want to drink. Mom reminded Dad that if he doesn't drink he would have to go back to the hospital!

We played some cribbage yesterday. One of the ladies there, Virginia, said he was the greatest!

I asked the priest if he would pray for Dad. Dad isn't sure he wants to see a priest, but the priest said I could give Dad Holy Communion if I wanted to. Anyway, the priest thought that perhaps Dad might be hesitant to see a priest because maybe he was thinking that this was last rites?. Not sure, what to do. But Dad did say a couple of years ago that he wanted me to call a priest at Holy Family Church (after he died!). But I don't want to wait that long.

Well, Dad just spent the last week at the hospital for dehydration. The IV didn't work too well, so after sticking him multiple times and complaining that his veins were too small, the IV was removed after about four days. One time his hand blew up like a balloon. He had a hard time eating and Mom had to feed him breakfast one day. I was able to talk him into eating his dinner that night. Mom said a volunteer helped him eat as well. The rest of the time I just had to nudge him a bit to get him to eat. He had trouble for a while (since he was hooked up to IV) using the bathroom and the Depends from the hospital were very leaky. But with someone walking him and helping him he got better. Though he tried to walk too fast and later to eat too fast as well. He seemed to enjoy chatting with the nurses though when one nurse took his blood pressure he kept trying to pump his arm (like when he gives blood). The nurse had to hold his arm down firmly. While in the hospital, Dad seemed very talkative (his Zyprexa was also stopped last week). He asked about how much money he makes, also that Mom should turn in his guns to the police, that they were not safe to keep around the house. (I am not sure if Ken wants his hunting rifles and bb guns).

Dad keeps saying Hollin Hills and Hollin Meadows when he means to say Homestead Hills. I also say Heather Hills when I mean to say Homestead Hills!

Yesterday I couldn't find Dad's cribbage board so we played a form of dominos. I couldn't remember the exact rules but we managed some type of game. I have another cribbage board that I will bring in.

Dad got a special shoe that looks like a Birkenstock for his right foot. It is supposed to help the "foot bone get back in shape", but the doctor at Homestead says maybe he shouldn't wear it because he might lose his balance wearing it. So Dad is not wearing it anymore. But he still wants someone to fix his foot! Maybe the podiatrist can do something about it. It seems like a bone that got injured a while back and healed badly.

I ate dinner with Mom and Dad at The Homestead. It was quite tasty, fish cabobs, french fries, cole slaw, vegetable capri and ice cream. Dad mentioned that he thought he saw Justine's car in the parking lot. I am not even sure what kind of car she has but sadly I had to say she was not coming here (at least not this weekend!).

After Dad used the bathroom I had to use it as well. He was worried that I might pee on myself!

We played cribbage, but I had to go home after one game I was so tired. Mom stayed and played another game with Dad.

I played cribbage with Dad yesterday, but we were unable to finish the game. We were about even though during the game so it was fun anyway.

The nurse hurt the side of Dad's foot while putting on his support socks. I am not sure why it hurts so much to pull over the side of his foot, but the socks themselves did not hurt his foot once they got put on. We also thought it was his toe nails catching that caused the pain. Dad then started talking about prices of Homestead Hills and taxes going up and she responded by addressing his foot pain.

I noticed that my right ankle is also causing me some pain when I push down on my foot (but only during yoga class doing the downward dog position!) Could this be some kind of sympathetic pain. Strange!

I did not have Mom and Dad over for dinner on Sunday, I slept most of the day. Not sure if I am sick or just tired. But I plan to have them over next week.

I played another game of cribbage yesterday with Dad.

He has some sort of hard skin on the back of his ankle, probably a callus of some sort. I hope he talks to the doctor about it. He doesn't seem in too much pain about it anymore (or else he is very stoic).

Mom and Dad had dinner again last Sunday. I fixed Breaded shrimp, Cajun rice, Squash and brownies. Also some homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream that Suzie made in her ice cream maker.

We watched the golf game on tv. Since I am taking lessons, it seems more interesting to watch now!

Well, Dad has his new walker with wheels. He seems to like it better. Going up the front stoop is a little tricky but we manage. When he left, his ankles hurt him for a second or two though when I move the walker away, until he can grasp it again at the bottom of the stoop.

We had a nice meal of meat loaf. I use a recipe that calls for a layer of mashed potatoes and cheese in the middle.  Dad has started leaving food on his plate, I think he is imitating Mom. (I never know for sure how much to serve Mom, since her appetite is small).  He said "should I leave food on my plate?" I wasn't sure whether that was a question or a remark. I also had Boston Creme Pie which I made thinking about Justine's birthday. (not to slight Ken. I will be making brownies later this week in your honor). 

I practiced my putting in the house using a ping pong ball. Mom gave me some good tips about differences in golf clubs and hitting underneath the ball when I was practicing my drive. (I am not sure that hitting a ball in the house is a good idea though) 

Suzie and her boyfriend Jacob stopped by.  Suzie took her Scrabble turn and then left shortly. (we are having a revolving scrabble game).

Dad is now using a walker. He hurt his ankles somehow. But when he visited me he could not use the walker going down my front stoop, so he had to take my arm which confused him and seemed to hurt his ankle more. But anyway, it was only two steps, so we managed and he got back to using the walker to get to the car.

I called Cathy's house on July 4, when Mom and Dad came over for a pizza dinner. Dad still sounds alert, and was glad to hear from me, and confirmed that it was the 4th of July and so maybe he would see fireworks. He said he felt like he'd been in a coma for months, and couldn't believe he'd been in "this place" for so long, which he referred to as a "club" of some sort. He mentioned some concerns about his blood (being thin or something) and that he'd tried to do some running and his muscles knotted up, so he wasn't doing that anymore.

Dad took another memory test at Dr. Johnston's. She doesn't want us to give him "help". It is hard because I can sort of understand what he is talking about and at times she seems confused by his answers. But he seems to be able to talk about the war in Iraq easier than names. He was talking about Jennie, his sister than started talking about Jennie my sister. (I personally don't mind that kind of conversation that switches gears, but she was asking him about his own siblings).

Anyway, Dad says his shoes bother him, and his eyes feel better when he takes them off. SOmetimes he just slips them on with the heel pushing down on the back of the shoe. Maybe some clogs or sandals would be better.

Dad is still doing good with Scrabble and Cribbage. I was getting bored with dominos and solitaire for three. I always make sure he has the blue peg. One time he was green and he kept asking what color he was. By the end of the game I forgot what color I was!

I called Dad while he was at Cathy's house, to wish him a Happy Father's Day. He sounded very alert and with lots of enthusiasm. He thinks things aren't going
so great, I think in terms of the fact that he doesn't really know what's going
on, although he can't articulate it well. I tried to ask how his day caretaker was,
I thought his name was "Robert" from when I was there in the Spring, but maybe
he has changed, because we couldn't seem to agree on the fellow's name. Mom
wasn't sure, either.

Then I just told him how much I loved him, and what a great Dad he was, sense of humor, doing for others, etc. He really appreciated it. I told him Faye and I would see him
in August - I will go a couple of days early before the beach.

We played Scrabble yesterday. Dad tried to use the word Foxer but I challenged him. I had tried to use the word brainer but Dad challenged me. I was thinking of the expression no-brainer, but was not in dictionary. Since Dad will not count his score Mom and I do it--I watch Mom carefully but ususally she gets it right.

I tried a new food item for the lunch Black bean burgers, made with beans, corn and tomatoes, okay but a bit dry. I also prepared a frozen spinach souffle and added swiss cheese and eggs to make it different.

Talked about getting a cell phone. I may get a tracphone at first because there is no commitment. Mom thinks the "free" phone is a better deal, but the ad does not tell how much the activation fee is. Dad immediately said no. Suzie might get one and I want to borrow it to see how it works.

Dad said he forgot what "rung" meant. Then he immediately remembered that it was from a ladder. He then talked about ladders on ships. I also mentioned that rung was past tense of ring. He also asked me if I had replaced the window in my dining room where we were sitting, which was broken accidently by a falling piece of wood used when I was widening the doorway to my kitchen. (which happened 10 years ago). Anyway, this doesn't seem very interesting, but just wanted to write it down for future reference.

We also played checkers and he won. I am unable to see beyond one turn, so whenever I jump him, he is able to jump me twice the next turn. I do enjoy the cribbage with him though.

I went to a support group for Alzheimer's. There was a very belligerant man there who spoke harshly about his mother. Unfortunately he sat down next to me and seemed to direct his comments at me, which made me feel very uncomfortable. I said a few things, but one or two ladies were doing most of the talking. I hope next time that everyone will get a chance to speak. The facilitator was obviously tired that night and unable to let everyone have a turn. The support group I went to last month was more organized but the facilitator was trying to "solve" peoples problems for them. I think she should have just listened more. Anyway it lets me see other people who are in the same situation and how they are dealing with it.

We played Cribbage for three today. Dad says his eyes were itchy. Mom had to lie down after the visit for a few minutes because her back hurt. But she was fine earlier in the day and had gone to water exercise class. It is a pleasant day so I will go to community wide picnic at nearby Bolton Park for light supper. (I am writing this on Mom's computer but this message is from Cathy).