Mom went to see Dad yesterday afternoon. She found him in bed and thought he was asleep. He opened his eyes and told her he was just closing his eyes. She gave him his Valentine from his sister. He was either too tired or could not read the card, so Mom read it to him.
Dad smiled and kind of laughed and told her he had five wives, but his Angel was still #1. I am so proud of Mom for not taking these kind of comments, personally. She just smiled back and agreed that his Angel was wonderful...
Dad began mumbling something about danger, and it was not good for her to travel alone at night. He told her she could go home now if she liked... Mom had not been there more than five minutes! She tried telling him the family news, but he seemed distracted and kept interrupting her. She changed the subject and asked how his feet were doing. He told her he didn't know, because he does not have a doctor...
Mom told him about the breakfast my second to the oldest brother made for his soccer girls (my brother coaches a female soccer team) and Dad perked up with , "Sausage Girls?" That made them both laugh, including the nurse who came in to say "Hi" to Mom...
Dad seemed distracted and aloof, and began telling her it was dangerous for her to drive alone and she should leave. It dawned on Mom that it was late afternoon, and Dad generally is in a negative Sundowners state in the afternoons, so at least that assured her, it was the time of day, and not her...
On her way out, the nurse asked her to sign permission for Dad to have the Flu shot. The nurse told Mom she had spoken with me earlier in the day and re-explained the procedures they are following with Dad. Mom asked if he was watching the Olympics, and the nurse said he was not interested.
The Director of Nursing came down the hall and greeted Mom. She reminded her about Dad's care conference meeting next Tuesday. I plan on attending via conference call. I want to make sure I have a current list of his medications and what they perceive to be his medical problems...
Hang in there Daddy...Spring is coming...
7 comments:
My heart goes out to your mom. She seems to be hanging in there with a lot of courage and good will, not to mention good sense.
I'm so glad your Mom doesn't take those comments personally. I've known some people who have a hard time visiting because of that kind of thing. It's also good that she understand the Sundown Syndrome. It amazes me how different people can be from morning to afternoon.
It'll be interesting to see what they say at the conference.
Hi Jeanie, I agree. I am proud of Mom too. It has been such a long, hard road for her. I know it is difficult for me with certain things he says, but I have to remember it is the disease talking and not my Dad.
My sweet, dear Mari. How I wish we could meet. You are always there to put a positive spin on things. That Sundowner's is such a strange phenomenon. I still have horrid memories of the Psych Ward during the visiting hours between 4pm and 5pm. It was awful!
Your Mom is a strong woman. It is so hard to go through this. Glad she has you to watch over. You sound like you are doing all you can. I am behind on following your Blog so playing catch up. I agree that it will be interesting to see how the conference goes. Follow your gut no matter what. It usually will guide you as it seems to be guiding your Mom. Take care.
Thank you Darlene, I really appreciate your support and concern. It means so much to me.
I am so glad you will be able to attend the meeting via conference call. That is so very important!! Your mom sounds like a strong woman!! Take care of yourself!
Bless your mom for not taking it personally but still loving your dad for who he is.
Does she visit him every day?
I hope and pray that there are some positive answers for you all during the conference call.
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