Unfortunately, since Dad has such thin skin, the simple act of getting him into his wheelchair caused very large skin tears on his legs. I went down early so that I could spend some time with him while he was in his wheelchair. Since the damage had been done, we left him in his chair for a few hours. When I got there, he was on pain meds, so not really as lucid as he could have been, but he was responsive when spoken to. I wheeled him outside, and we sat in the sun for about 25 minutes, and he was so happy to be in the warmth. We talked a little, and then I read my book while we sat. It was really nice. We finally had him put back into bed, and they cleaned his new skin tears and gave him some pain meds. They will keep the tube feeding at night for 3 days and then reevaluate to see if he is able to take in enough food to survive. Now that he is able to eat ice cream, one of the very few pleasures Dad can still enjoy, we are meeting with hospice tomorrow to evaluate him, and move him on to hospice care. I am looking forward to the additional attention he will receive, and the additional care to help keep him comfortable.
Mom was a little feisty today, but really, she has been a great deal better over the past few days. Much more patient and aware of her actions. Not nearly as likely to fly off the handle if she doesn't get exactly what she wants when she wants it. She knows it too. She keeps telling me that she tells the staff that she is going to be a good patient, and not yell anymore. And I think she is actually doing pretty good following through with that. Now, she is not a perfect angel, mind you, but she really is acting better. I still don't think she is sleeping through the night. I am working with the nursing staff to observe and document her behavior over the course of a couple of nights to get a baseline. And if she is not sleeping enough, I am going to push for some sleeping pills. She falls asleep when they give her the muscle relaxer and Ativan, but, I don't think she sleeps all night long, and has a hard time going back to sleep if she wakes up in the night. Her PT went well today, and she is able to take a few steps along the rails with assistance. I watched a little today, and the therapist does have to advance her left foot, but she seems to be able to place weight on it as she moves her right foot.
She is very anxious to go home, but she also is starting to come around to the benefits of Magnolia I keep trying to convince her of. I want to be honest with Mom, without taking away her incentive and enthusiasm. I want to be realistic with her. I tell her that it is good for her to be at Magnolia, where she is getting entertainment, good care, physical therapy, food taken care of, clean sheets, dozens of people she can meet and converse with, and most importantly, the chance to see Dad any time she want, while he is still here. It may not be the quality time she would want, but, like I keep telling her, she needs to take what she can get. It is a good thing I am in sales and marketing, because using my work skills on Dorth seem to be working...Slowly, but working nonetheless.:)
I have been off work for awhile, since after Mom got sick. It has really allowed me to not only try and deal with all that has been required with these situations with Mom and Dad, but to take time to look out for myself. It has still been very difficult emotionally and just plain logistically. I love my job, and I miss my wonderful friends and co-workers, so I am looking forward to getting back. However, I am nervous about handling it all. At least I know that both Mom and Dad are in a good place and being tended to, and that is a weight lifted off my shoulders. But there are still houses and cars and bills to look after, insurance companies to fight with, and whatever else lays in our path. So, I will be going back soon, so wish me luck, and if the blog begins to be a little less frequent, please know I am doing the best I can.
Thank you to all who have been so supportive of me and my family. I know I say it a lot, and I hope that doesn't detract from the sentiment, because I am truly thankful for the cards, phone calls, emails, text messages, meals, food, prayers, wishes, thoughts, visits, love and more. They have kept me going, through it all. They have been a source of happy tears, and laughs, full belly, smiles and an escape I/we have needed. Thank you and bless you all. Just that you care enough read the blog means a great deal to us.
Much love to all!
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