"Ok...So what's next on my schedule?"

So, my Dad has become so interested in "what's next." He is having some trouble keeping track of the days and time...It is helping that the longer he is at Arbor Hills, the more stability he is getting. I think he maybe getting bored of stability...

He is so funny...Whenever we get him loaded in or out of the wheelchair to take him out for a smoke, or over the PT, he always says "Ok, so what's next on my schedule?" Then we tell him, and at the finally of the next change of scenery, he asks "Ok, so what's next on my schedule?" It is kind of like taking an 8-year old child on a car trip..."Are we there yet?"

So, today he was pretty emotional. He is far more emotional than he was prior to surgery...Well, more emotional might not be the right term...Less in control of his emotions is more like it. He was always so even-keel. He would get frustrated, or mad, or choked up when I told him I loved him, but it was always very controlled, and only a few times in my life would there ever be actual tears, or a "ugh" of frustration, or would he raise his voice in anger.

Now, he tends to cry off and on, and when he gets mad, look out. I am sure some of this is due to them digging around in his head, but some of it has to be from sheer frustration, and the feeling of having your independence taken away from you suddenly. He has always been so independent...He always did it himself, his way. He was very slow to break down and ask for help (a quality I am cursed with as well...Thanks Dad!). So, for him to have to work around other people's schedule, and just not step out for a cig, or run to Costco, or go to lunch at Hooter's with the guys is really taking it's toll on him.

Still having some hallucinations. Not as many ducks or spiders, but my favorite new one is he thinks he sees my dog, Tucker all the time. Now Tucker is a Jack Russell Terrier who weighs about 20 lbs...The Tucker that "comes sniffing around his room at night" is about 4 feet tall. Geez, I have my hands full with him being little, I don't even want to think about what he would be like if he was that big! I just told him Tucker was worried about him, and he is coming to visit him in dreamland at night. He thought that was pretty funny. The only thing funnier, was when I asked him if it was just Tucker, he said "No, I think Macrame' was here too..." Then he caught himself and looked at me funny, and said "Where did I get Macrame'?" Yah, my other dog's name is Newman...We just laughed and laughed.

Looking forward to Thursday. I have a whole list of questions to ask the Dr. about his behavior since the surgery.

Love to all.:)