Thursday was a very interesting day! When Mom and I joined Dad in the bedroom early Thursday morning, he was extremely depressed. Mom and I stayed very close to him because he was indicating that he was feeling bad, but was not in pain. As the morning grew older, Dad's mood improved quite a bit. In fact, I felt comfortable enough that, with Jerry here, I convinced Mom to get out of the house with me for a little while! She and I went to Marble Falls, ran a few errands and went out to lunch! I think it was good for her to get out and have a change of scenery! She and I got home about 2:30 and Danny was there! Danny is Dad's best medicine. While we were gone, he had gotten Dad into the wheelchair and taken him outside to see Mom's rose bush and bluebonnets, and took him out to the shop for a while. Dad absolutely refuses to go outside with me or Mom, but Dad will do just about anything Danny says! Dad and Mom enjoyed listening to Danny and me reminisce about our favorite Christmases and other amusing stories from our childhood. We all laughed a lot! It was so priceless to hear Dad and Mom laugh! Danny stayed until about 4:00 and left to go to the deer camp for the monthly steak dinner and poker game. Danny tried to get Dad to go with him, but Dad did put his foot down on that one and said no. We knew he wouldn't be able to nor want to go, but Danny couldn't go without asking.
Dad wanted to go to his recliner in the living room after Danny left. He pointed to the television and wanted it on, which is very much out of the ordinary of late! Not only did he want to watch tv, he asked for his glasses and hearing aids! That meant he was really going to watch it instead of nap while it was on!! We all (yes, even Mom!!!) sat and watched "The Death of a Gunfighter" with Richard Widmark and then a Hallmark Channel movie, "The Simple Life of Noak Dearborn," starring Sidney Poitier. Dad would wait until a commercial to go to the restroom. As Christina, the night-time caretaker, wheeled him past me, he would raise his eyebrows, kind of cock his head and grin this funny grin at me as if to say, 'pause the movie if it comes back on before I get back!' Amazingly, Dad stayed completely awake and alert for both movies!! When the movie was over, we all talked about how much we liked it and Dad nodded a big 'yes' that he liked it! Of course, very shortly, he was ready to go to bed! It was such a fun night! One that I will hold precious in my heart!
I always get up early enough to talk to the night-time caretaker before he or she leaves so I can get a report. Christina said that Dad had his best night since she's been here! He did have some pain in his abdomen and asked for Tylenol, but, otherwise, it was a good night. Twice during the night he slept for four hours straight! That's the longest he has slept, day or night, since I have been here! I can't wait to see how he's feeling, once he is fully awake. Currently he is in his bedroom chair and has been up to use the restroom, but went right back to sleep. Usually, he is more fully awake by mid-morning. Mom and I talked this morning and hope to establish a new pattern of watching movies at night to encourage Dad to stay up until at least 10:00, in hopes that it will relax him yet tire him enough to sleep during the night. However, "the best laid plans of mice and men go awry." This journey is absolutely taken one step at a time and there is no routine, pattern or consistency. So, we will take it as it comes and try what we think is appropriate at the time according to how Dad is feeling or his mood.
After Dad went to bed last night, Mom and I walked down to the road to put out the garbage can. It was a beautiful, cool, starry night and we walked and talked and enjoyed that little bit of exercise! "Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing." Isaiah 40:26
We are breaking in a new daytime caretaker today, Greg. Jerry is out for the next 10 days, so Greg will be the weekday caretaker and Christing will be here for the nights. That changes on the weekends. Monica will be here from tonight at 8 p.m. until Sunday night at 8 p.m. I am going home tonight for one or two nights, and Glenda will be here tomorrow during the day. I will be back Sunday in case Monica needs a nap during the day. I don't want Mom having to help Dad by herself. He is weaker and it takes more help to get him up and down. I don't want Mom hurting her back or wearing herself out. We've gained too much ground with her to backtrack! She is doind a great job of allowing the caretakers to do any of the lifting of Dad and with most of his care! She's still voerseeing, but I wouldn't want that to change! Dad watches for her and wants her to be near him, and, of course, she wants to be near him also. I still count our blessings that she will sleep in the other bedroom and get her rest! If she gets up at night, she goes in and checks on Dad, but then she goes back to the other bedroom and goes back to sleep. We can worry about her less when she is getting her rest!
I will be back with you on Sunday or Monday, unless there is significant news to report. Meanwhile, I pray that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy! One of my favorite quotes popped into my head just now, so I guess I am meant to share it...Don't tell God how big your problem is...tell your problem how big GOD is!!! AMEN!!!!! Have a happy weekend! Love, Sandi
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