Out of Left Field...

Mom went to visit Dad Saturday, August 10th.  She found him all freshly shaved, showered, hair combed and spiffy sitting in his wheel chair.  His Hospice CNA had given him his shower and told Mom Dad was doing pretty good.  He suggested she get Dad some mouthwash since Dad battles anyone and everyone who attempts to brush his teeth.  (Dad would have to be supervised with the mouthwash so he would not drink it or choke when and if he can still gargle...)

"You look really pretty, " Dad told Mom....she thanked him.

Dad mumbled something she could not understand....and asked him to repeat what he said...

"KU KLUX KLAN!!" Dad roared...as if he was dumbfounded Mom did not understand...slumped over and closed his eyes....(Talk about out of left field!)

Mom was so embarrassed and shocked at what Dad said, she pretended she understood and changed the subject....She told the Hospice CNA what Dad said and he was just as perplexed....so who knows where that came from...unless he saw something on TV.

The wound care nurse was busy, so the Hospice CNA had just covered Dad's foot with a bath hand towel so Dad did not have to see it.  Mom asked about the towel and the wound care nurse told Mom she would dress it after Dad had his lunch.

Mom wheeled Dad into the lunch room and found him a table near the window near his usual lunch friends...  She decided she would feed Dad and see how much he was eating.

Dad ate about 95% of his cubed beets (which Dad loves), most of his mashed potatoes and gravy, all of his custard and ice cream and about 25% of his meat loaf and gravy.  Dad reached for his milk, so Mom attempted to hold on to it and give him slow sips, but Dad insisted, grabbing it and growling at Mom, so she relented and let him gulp it down...choking all the way.  Same thing with his coffee.

Mom looked over at the Hospice CNA and he came to Dad and offered Dad some water....same thing...Dad choked on that too.  The choking pretty much exhausted Dad and he told Mom and the CNA he was tired and wanted to take a nap...

Mom wheeled Dad back to his room and then the CNA appeared telling Mom he would get the wound care nurse to dress Dad's foot and he would get Dad ready for bed.

Mom kissed Dad and told him she would see him later... Dad had his eyes closed and did not respond....either he was already asleep or didn't hear her...

Emotionally spent, Mom drove home.  As she pulled into the garage and stepped out of her car, my brother K_______ and his wife pulled in the driveway bearing gifts....they had brought her some chicken pot pies and a big pack of batteries to change her smoke and carbon dioxide alarms.

Company....just in the nick of time...