A Two Week Reprieve....

I was suppose to leave last Friday for California...just as I entered the I-15 South, I heard the tale end of a news report to stay away from state line ....  I called my husband and asked him to turn on the news and let me know what happened.  He called me right back and informed me a tanker carrying some kind of toxic Chloride and the freeway was closed southbound and one lane northbound with a two mile back up of traffic... He told me they needed to call Hazmat and they had not arrived yet...

Luckily, I was able to turn around at Jean and drove back home.  My stomach had been upset for two days in anticipation of what would happen with Dad.  I was happy to receive an email from the Doctor telling me he would wait another two weeks and then possibly do another Cryotherapy treatment.  I needed this news as I was really dreading visiting Dad...

I left early Saturday morning and arrived at Mom's house around 10am.  We both went to visit Dad.  We found him in the dining room waiting for his lunch.  He greeted us both by name, but then closed his eyes and barely spoke to us.  If he spoke, his voice was so soft, I could not hear what he was saying...

His eye looks absolutely horrible.  He has a cruddy cough and is on cough medicines, antibiotics, Allegra, and assorted creams for his rashes.  I fed him his lunch of barbecued chicken, corn, baked beans, whole wheat bread and butter, milk, coffee, peaches and vanilla ice cream.  He normally makes enjoyment sounds when he eats, but if he did, I sure did not hear him...when I spooned the ice cream, it was half melted.  Dad softly mumbled, "It is broken..."  which no doubt meant melted.

The entire time we were there he hardly opened his eyes...I am not sure if the bright lights hurt his eye, if he was sleepy, or just zoned out...the nurses assured us Dad was probably tired from the cough and his medication.

Every time Dad took a drink of his milk or coffee he would begin a spastic cough.  I had the server bring him several cups of ice cold water and we could see how much he enjoyed it... must have felt good on his throat.

During lunch, I was not sure if he could even finish, he seemed so tired...  When I asked if he was full, he told me, "Almost..."

After eating, he closed his eyes and put his head down, so we took that as a sign he was tired.  While his caregiver tucked Dad into bed, I took the opportunity to go to the nurses station and get a copy of all Dad's medication.  By the time Mom and I returned, Dad was snoring away and fast asleep...

I had such a difficult time this visit...I have a feeling it is going to start getting more and more difficult...