This blog was formerly dedicated in 2009 to my Dad who died of Alzheimer's in 2013. It's been three years now...and I find myself missing blogging...so I am re-inventing my blog... because, after all, life is about moving through, and going forward...

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Pretty impressive for an 89 year old, even if he keeps telling us he is 98....



My sister went to visit Dad today.  I did not post how he looked 10 days ago after he fell... But trust me, it was too graphic to show!  We are all totally amazed at how quickly he is healing!  In the ER, his entire upper lip was swollen and you could not see the bottom of his nose, where the nostrils are divided.  He looks so good!

When she first arrived, Dad was getting a sponge bath and a shave. Dad's bruises are starting to turn yellow. Dad was so happy to see her.  He is still too weak to get out of bed, so she sat on the edge of his bed during their visit.

She asked him again if he could remember how he fell.  Immediately, he told her he was running and he fell flat on his face.  He did not remember anything else. He has consistently told us this story, and it seems to piece together within the time line, so that is probably what happened.  He most likely saw the lights from the Jack n the Box across the street and began to run for some ice cream.

My sister observed he shut his eyes a lot.  She was massaging and rubbing his arm and hands, so she thought he had drifted off to sleep...then, suddenly, Dad's eyes would open wide and he would say her name with exuberance.

He told her how good it was to be back with Doctor-Doctor and all his other friends.  The juice girl came by with her little cart and asked Dad if he would like some Lemonade.  "SURE! I WOULD LOVE SOME GOOD TASTING DRINKS!", Dad blurted out.  My sister watched him drain the first one and went to get him a second, which he drained in short order.

Dad told her how much he loves ice cream, and she reminded him there is a note on his food chart that says just that.  Dad smiled.  He asked her if he had been on a ship....and she told him maybe he had dreamed of it.  He asked if he had been in Chicago.  Dad was born in Chicago.  She said he seemed confused at times and very coherent.

Dad thanked my sister for coming.  She assured him the entire family sent their love, are happy he is healing and doing so much better.  Bless his heart.  Pretty impressive for an 89 year old...even if he keeps telling us he is 98.

10 comments:

Mari said...

His healing is pretty impressive, as are his good spirits! He probably does feel like 98 this week though!

Anonymous said...

Oh good grief! I hope I never, ever have to see anyone in my family looking like that at his age. I'm so glad he's getting better.

Ninety-eight is good...:)

XOXOXO
Penny

Jeanie said...

That all sounds like very positive news about your dad. Glad to hear it.

gayle said...

Glad he is improving everyday!!

betty said...

I say he is making a remarkable recovery for his age! I'm glad he is making progress and able to enjoy things (like ice cream) again

betty

dellgirl said...

Just dropping in to say hello and to wish you well, so glad to hear your dad is much better - love that big broad smile (grin) on his face!

Wander to the Wayside said...

Boy, you guys really were lucky on this one. Sometimes something like this will take the fight of an older person and take them on a downhill slide, so it's a testament to your dad's spirt that he's making such a speedy recovery!

Sarah Sullivan said...

Thank you for popping by my ecourse blog...nice to meet you! What a wonderful loving post about your dad! Glad he is doing better and whoot for more ice cream!!
Namaste, Sarah

mickeydee said...

He looks SO much better in this picture than he did in the first one I saw of him. Love that huge smile on his face!

naomi orana said...

Hi,
I really enjoy your blog, you are a great writer. It's easy to get completely lost in your posts - they're addictive ! My heart goes out to you and your amazing father.