Dad was so Happy!

Do not devise evil against your neighbor, For he dwells by you for safety's sake. Do not strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. Proverbs 3:29-30

We went to see Dad. He was in the physical therapy room painting a wooden Halloween lantern. (They do such wonderful things with the veterans at Physical Therapy!) My dad was so happy. (In fact, the nurse at the nurses station of his wing had told me earlier that Dad has been especially happy over the last few days.)

We got to have lunch with Dad in the smaller, adjoining dining hall. We hadn't been able to do that for some time, because he had several bouts of pneumonia and didn't feel like going to eat lunch in the adjoining dining hall. To top that off, after lunch, I got to play Solitaire with Dad. We hadn't gotten to play that in a month or so, because of his illnesses. He just hadn't been up to it lately.

I was so pleased about all of this, and then, decided to go ask how much my Dad weighed. The smile went off of my face. Dad weighs only 132 pounds. He had been losing weight, but they tried some things to increase his appetite, but it doesn't sound like they were working. Dad got down to 128 pounds several years ago and gained it back. Although I'm hopeful, I'm not sure that's going to be the case. I was so sad and just wanted to cry. I went to Physical Therapy to tell them how much I appreciate all they do to keep my dad happy and involved in things. I must have looked the way I felt, because one of the female Physical Therapy staff members gave me a couple of hugs. They have been very supportive of Dad all the time he's been there and I feel like God put each and everyone of them there as a special blessing for my dad and for all the other veterans!



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Startling News!

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you. Proverbs 3:27-28

Dad was still in the hospital with pneumonia and I got a startling phone call. My dad's step-daughter had suddenly passed away. She was so young, it was difficult to believe. When the shock wore off, I realized that her name had been on Dad's house after his wife passed away the year before. Oh, boy, what now????

I prayed and prayed and the answer I felt led to was to help Dad put the house in his son-in-law's and grand-daughter's names, since they lived close to the house and were the ones who were going to be taking care of it and paying the utility bills. Dad agreed to all of that, which was a big relief.

The part that was hardest was what I felt, personally. My step-sister was one of the kindest people you'd want to meet. She and I used to email each other periodically as she helped her mother through her golden years, as I did with Dad. It felt good to have someone else to talk to periodically about things, someone who understood. Someone who also felt that they needed to have our respect and support regardless of the cranky times they might experience with their health issues. I feel such a sense of loss without her. It's like there's this big whole in my heart. Then, I feel so very selfish, because her kids and husband miss her even more. She will truly be missed, but know she is in a better place and we will join her in heaven, some day. 



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Dad's in the Small Hospital

My son, let them not depart from your eyes- Keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:21-24

We got the call that they were taking Dad to the hospital, since his lips were a deep purple. Fortunately, his vital signs were good, but it was pretty scary so soon after Dad having MRSA. I am very blessed to have a husband who has been very supportive of me and my dad. I told him that I really wanted to go to get a hotel, so we could see Dad for several days while he was in the hospital.

My husband got on the phone and scheduled the room and we were off and heading to the hospital later that same day. I think it's reassuring to Dad to have us there. We have found that it works better for us to go to the hospital, go get something to eat, go to the hospital, go run errands and go back, so that we visit him around three or four times a day. It allows Dad to rest in between and Dad does better when the hospital staff feeds him, instead of me. I think he doesn't want his daughter "Momming him," although he doesn't mind if the staff feeds him.

We were so glad that Dad was able to go to the Small Hospital in town instead of the bigger hospital about 30 miles from him. The staff in the Small Hospital are very sensitive to the needs of the senior. My dad likes to go to the bathroom. The staff takes him to the bathroom or helps him get on the bedside commode. At the big hospital, they would get frustrated when Dad wanted to actually go to the bathroom and they would just hand him a bedpan. My dad doesn't use a bedpan! Again, it was such a relief that he was in the smaller, Senior Friendly hospital. 


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One Good Week!

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding. For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Proverbs 3:13-15

We went to visit Dad. He was off of isolation and was MRSA free. We had hoped that he was up and in his wheel chair, so we could go to the smaller dining area, so he could eat lunch with his friends. He really wanted to stay in bed, but we figured that after getting over a bout with MRSA, he deserves some extra bed time, if he feels the need.

I straightened out his drawers. My dad is an orderly person, by nature. Although he never says anything about it, I know he likes everything in it's place. I remember when he first moved in with us and he taught me how to play dominoes. He didn't like to have any of the dominoes crooked. I realize it's not a big thing, but if it makes my dad's life feel more orderly, straightening his sock/hankie drawer is easy enough.

Also, I try to organized his sweat pants neatly on the top shelf of his closet, so his shirts don't get wrinkled. Although this might not seem a big thing, I want to mention it before I forget. My daughter and I bought Dad shirts for his 91st birthday with pockets in them. He likes to have a place to keep his hankies. Before, he had about half of the shirts with pockets and half without. The people who dress him don't know that he really wants to wear a shirt with a pocket for his hankie. After we got the shirts with the pockets, I pulled out all the ones without pockets to donate. That way, they can only pull out shirts with pockets. Sometimes, the smallest things like neat drawers and pockets in shirts can make all the difference in someone's day!



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No More MRSA!

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-12

We went to visit Dad the day before his isolation ended from the MRSA. Actually, we had gone to visit family, but when we do that, we try to swing by on the way back home and visit Dad. I was especially glad, because I wanted to see how he was doing, because he had been in isolation for 14 days, because of the MRSA.

Dad looked pretty good, but wasn't back to his old self again, although I could tell he was on the mend. It was well worth the stop to see how he had progressed, because it's difficult being so far away that I can't see him at any given moment. When Dad had lived in the Group Home in our town, I could go see him whenever he wanted or needed me. 

That was the down-side of his living at the Veteran's Home, but almost everything else was a positive. They are very senior-friendly there. Many of their staff go out of their way to stop by and visit Dad, especially the PT Staff.  Also, they pay close attention to Dad and know when his health isn't up to Parr. They call in a mobile chest x-ray and have identified his having pneumonia at least ten different times that saved him from having to go to the hospital. That's the ideal, because it feels like home to Dad. I am very thankful for all the Veteran's Home does for my Dad!


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