Baby steps...

So, a little better every day. But I think really only my Mom, Aunt and I can see it because he is still full of rage and frustration, and those who came to visit today got an earful...My poor uncle got read the riot act for not calling in the reinforcements...You know, the police, FBI and the like, to address the ill treatment he is receiving. He is feeling very trapped (because he is...in his mind), and deprived (because he is, from his normal routine), and out of control (again, because he is).

He was giving them such a hard time this morning, they called me to come in. So, I went down around 9:00, and he was very agitated. Wanting a cigar so badly, and wanting to get up. He also was feeling like he was not being treated well (contrary to everything we have seen), and he wants to speak to the high ups. He went on and on about how he was going to give the doctor a piece of his mind...Oh geez, that was a really bad choice of words wasn't it...

When Dr. Hardy arrived, my Dad had been with the physical therapists. They tried to help him get up, but he couldn't explain well enough for them to get him up. So, after working with him in misery for about 15 minutes, they got him into a wheelchair so he could sit for awhile. Just as they came back to get him into bed, Dr. Hardy walked in. I am preparing for this tongue lashing he is ready to unleash...Dr. Hardy starts talking and my Dad is the most attentive and polite, and making comments like "well you can't ask for much better than that" in response to Dr. Hardy saying they got about 90% of the tumor out.

So, Dr. Hardy asks him how he is...And I think, "oh boy, here it comes..." My Dad looks at him and says "I am not getting a good response from the nurses here."
-Dr. Hardy: "they are not getting you what you want?"
-Dad: "no."
-Dr. Hardy: "What is it you want?"
-Dad: "A really big cigar."

Dr. Hardy turns to me as we all start laughing (including my Dad), and says that we could start him on a nicotine patch to see if that helps...Let's just say, the mention of wanting to go out for a smoke went from once every 2-3 minutes with threats of violence to those who would not help him get a smoke, to a mention every 15-30 minutes...Bless the patch...

Dr. Hardy said that the second MRI did show that there were some tumor cells left around the perimeter, which we knew about, but that they also are seeing something very small on the left side as well. He says we won't really know the full story until he gets a PET scan in a few weeks.

He also said he would be staying at Grossmont for another couple of days.

I really noticed him processing better today. He was a little better to reason with on most things. He really is funny too. He keeps cracking jokes and they get funnier and more complex every day. One of the funniest moments today is when my Mom told him I was communicating to everyone on my "blob," and he quickly corrected her and said "BLOG...Not 'blob' Dorth..."

Before we left, he was very calm, and at one point said "I will be staying here because it is the best place for me in my condition." I hope this kinder, gentler Dad continues...It sure makes it easier on everyone, especially him.

He really is processing things better. When we were talking about the date (they ask him the day, date, month and year, and if he knows where he is to see how he is processing...He hates it), and he was able to get that 17 comes after 16 and Tuesday comes after Monday much quicker today.

He is awake and talks all day long. He is always engaged. It is so tiring...For me too!:) Usually when someone is sick and in the hospital, you talk awhile, then they sleep a little, then you talk, and maybe they have a bite to eat, then rest...Not with my Dad. He has been up all day, and not sleeping very well at night. They were going to give him a sleeping pill tonight. He needs the rest...I hope he gets it.

One last funny...He kept telling me that he wanted me to bring in a recorder so we could record all of the stuff going on, and how he is being mistreated. He said that there are people who are loud and complain and are really bothersome...I asked him if he knew who was being like that now, and he looked at me and said "your old Dad?"