As Enthusiastic As Popeye...

Mom went to visit Dad.  She first stopped in to see the Administrator of the nursing home.  She had called me in the morning to tell me about a letter she received from the nursing home, stating Dad's Medicare portion (100 days) had run out, so anything not covered, she would have to pay.  The insurance/financial officer was off, so Mom cannot speak with her until Monday.  Tuesday, is Dad's Conference Care meeting.  Mom and I will attend (me via the phone).  The Administrator assured her Dad was still covered and he would still get the same care.  He told her not to sign until she was able to talk with the financial office.

Mom found Dad eating his lunch at a table with the salty, sailor and his girlfriend.  You remember, the one who cusses about how bad the food is, as he shovels it, as fast as he can, into his mouth with one hand, holding his girlfriend's hand with the other...

As Mom walked down the hallway toward the dining room, she saw the wound care nurse and stopped to chat.  She was happy to hear her excellent reports on Dad's wound progress.  The wound on his pinkie toe is getting smaller and smaller and is almost healed.  She told Mom she had ordered the two compression stockings for him and felt it was definitely contributing to the progressive healing.

Mom greeted Dad, asking how he was today; Dad looked up smiling, and told her he was good.  He added the fact E___ had told him to concentrate on the positive.  She agreed.  I think it is phenomenal Dad remembered what his son had told him two days prior.

Dad had a delicious meal of fish, french fries, cold slaw, spinach, bread and butter, milk, coffee and strawberry ice cream.  Dad had finished everything except for the spinach.  Mom urged Dad to finish his spinach, so he could be as strong as Popeye.  Dad suddenly grabbed a handful of spinach and popped it is his mouth.  Mom was stunned as she had never seen Dad feed himself with his hands instead of using utensils.  Dad kept shoving in huge hand fulls until it was gone.  Mom was afraid he would choke, his mouth was so full!

She scooped up a spoonful of his strawberry ice cream and tried to feed him.  He turned his head telling her it was too soft and had not been in the refrigerator.  Mom asked one of the CNA gals to get Dad some colder ice cream.  She returned with some vanilla.  Mom popped the lid and dug in the spoon she had used on the strawberry ice cream.  Dad again turned his head and told her there was "lipstick" on his spoon.  Mom assured him it was strawberry ice cream.  Her comment tickled Dad as he roared with laughter!

Mom noticed Dads eye looked gookie again, and made a mental note to tell the charge nurse on the way out... She also wanted the nurses to check and test his wrist alarm.  Dad only had one on today.

Dad told Mom the young girls there wanted my youngest brother, E___ to return to visit.  Apparently they all told Dad how handsome he is.

Dad also told Mom about a young girl he met.  He told Mom he had met her before when his room was on the other side of the nursing home.  He told Mom how much he liked her.  Mom pleasantly told him she was happy for him.

Dad looked at Mom and reminded her he was a murderer, which Mom did not react to, because a couple visits back he had discussed this with her.  He went on to tell her when he entered the room this morning every one smiled at him, and it made him feel so good. I wonder if Dad thinks about the War, and that is why he feels he is a murderer?

Dad changed the subject and asked if she would like to go out to the patio.  Mom told him it was over a 100 degrees outside and might be too hot.  Dad agreed and invited her to his room.  She wheeled him in, and the room was deserted.  Both his room mates were out.  She sat on his bed and Dad sat in the wheel chair as they visited some more...

Mom mentioned Dad needed a hair cut and he assured her they would see he got one, telling her how well he was cared for.  Mom asked Dad if he would like to wear his eye glasses, and apologised for not finding it the other day because she did not look in his case.  Dad waved his hand in the air and told her he could not see with the glasses anyway. He told her he would get Doctor-Doctor to take him to a better eye doctor because the one there (at the nursing home) was no good.  Dad has cataracts and refused to have them done when he was living at home.

Mom silently worried Dad would start wanting to go to more outside appointments, as long as he could be with Doctor-Doctor...

Dad announced he needed to be changed.  Mom went to the hall, just as his male CNA for the day came to the door, wheeling in one of his room mates.  Mom told him about Dad's eye, needing a hair cut and he needed to be changed.  The CNA said he was bringing in the other room mate for a nap, and then he would change Dad.

Dad told her he was tired and wanted to take a nap.  She gave him a kiss and a hug and told him to have sweet dreams...and returned home to finish organizing her craft room...

She stopped at In and Out on her way home. By the time she reached her home, she felt sick and was ill the rest of the day. She was not sure if it was the heat or the burger. She and my sister are going to a cousin's wedding and reception tomorrow.