Dad had another fall....

I got a startling call at 12:45am from the nursing home.  Dad had fallen again at 8pm.  The nursing home puts floor pads, with alarms in them, so they can tell if Dad gets out of bed during the night.  Apparently, he wheeled himself into his room and tried to get into bed without assistance, and fell.  The nurse told me he did not hit his head, appear to be hurt, or had any complaints.  Dad did not cut himself or suffer any abrasions.  He is still bruised from his fall in the bathroom.

The nurse assured me he was OK, but my heart was racing and thumping inside my chest none the less!  Since he was OK, I sent an email to the rest of the family this morning...We have instructed the nursing home to call me first and not to disturb Mom.  I can just imagine my poor Mom, if the phone would have rang next to her bed at that hour...:{

We have been discussing a plan for Dad's birthday, Nov. 5th.  Since it is on a Thursday, and everyone works, we have all agreed to meet at the nursing home at 7pm.  That is late for him, no doubt he will be tired and confused, but we won't stay long.  We'll bring him his favorite casserole, a pineapple upside down cake and his presents.

I will be driving to CA that day with my girlfriend.  She will drop Izzy and I off at Mom's probably around 5 or 5:30pm. My husband will be visiting his son and attending a football game, so he will pick us up on Sunday.  I want to try a short visit and a long car trip to see how Izzy does.  So far, she seems pretty much up for anything,  except for the brushing and men.

Thanksgiving is another matter with Dad.  My sister and I appear to be out-voted, as everyone else feels we should not attempt to bring Dad to my brother's.  Everyone thinks we should go in small groups of 2 or 3 to visit during the day and bring him food.  It makes me so sad, to have him alive and not be there...

Fears of a little orphaned dog...

Well, Izzy has still not warmed up to my husband.  I have NEVER seen a dog or any animal for that matter, ever have this reaction to him.  She had to be abused some way by a man.  She seems so calm and well adjusted around me, then when he walks in, she freaks out!  Any dog professionals, or life long dog lovers that can enlighten us with any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

After 4 nights of sleeping with me in our bed, she has slept the last two nights in her new crate.  She did very well and slept for a good seven hours.  The first night she made a whimper and a bark, but that was it.  Last night quiet as a mouse.  (Knock on wood) We have had no poop accidents in the house since her first over night with us, and no piddle accidents in two days.

She walks well on a lease, friendly with all dogs she meets along the way, except when they walk by our house with their owner.  She barks less at women with their dogs than men.  Rides great in the car. I just don't know.  My husband is getting very discouraged.  We've had her a week this Saturday, and she did not act this fearful of him when we got her.  She was just more leery of men, but now she seems terrified.

She is pretty quiet during the day, except for the passing occasional dog with a man. Trash trucks, cars, UPS, mailman, no problems.  At night she barks at any sound she hears or if someone is outside.  Good watch dog for sure!

She spins in circles and my husband wonders if that may be an indication something is wrong with her.  I don't know much about dogs, but I don't think so.  I think she does it when she is excited, anxious or trying to please. Maybe it was a trick someone taught her...

I feel so bad for my husband, because I know I would feel weird if an animal reacted that way to me.  I know we can't take it personally. She was abused in some matter, by a man, and we have to be patient.  I had him try to give her little bits of turkey hot dogs, but she would not come close.  Finally, he tossed it to her and of course she snorted it up.

Like I said, we would GREATLY APPRECIATE any advice to make her more comfortable, safe and welcomed to our home...

Dad had a fall yesterday...

Dad had a fall yesterday, but thankfully he is OK... His elbows were scraped to where they bled.  His skin is like tissue paper and he bruises so easy.

I was so fed up that the nurse never called me back after my trying repeatedly all day and not reaching anyone until 8pm at night.  It was then, I found out he had fallen at 2pm.  I was so ANGRY!  I called Mom and was blowing a ton of steam, after I gave both barrels to the night nurse.  I am frustrated being so far away and being the main contact person, only to have them NOT contact me!

Mom called me this morning.  She went right down to the nursing home to check on him and to give me a "first hand account" of how he looked and seemed.  I got to talk to him, which made me emotional, since I have not heard his voice in so long.  He was very excited to hear about Izzy and suggested I get her a sweater coat to wear when we are walking since it is getting so chilly here.  She and I will have to take another trip to Petsmart for a sweater for her...

I called his primary doctor about an order for his compression stockings and called the Director of Nursing about making sure I am notified with any changes with Dad.  I got two phone calls so far this morning, from the nursing home...and they did, finally get orders for his compression stockings.  Don't even think about messin' with our Dad!!!

An unsettling night phone call..

Last night Mom got an unsettling phone call from Dad.  He had the nurse call Mom so he could talk with her.  He wanted to know about some friends of theirs.  She told him the wife lives in Michigan but was visiting her son in Colorado.  Dad wanted to know about her husband and Mom told him he had died last Spring.  Dad began to cry. Then he asked Mom if she knew he was riding Blue tonight? Mom asked him who Blue was, and he was annoyed she did not remember my youngest brother's nickname for his first girlfriend.  Dad told Mom he has a horse that he named after her. He was going through the window and riding her to my second to the oldest brother's house up the hill...

Then he told Mom he wanted some fresh salmon and told her the grunion were running at the beach.  She told him the grunion run in January.  He wanted to know what month it was, so she told him October. He then launched into the subject of gold, worth billions and he was going to give it all to her.  Mom told him she was just fine, at which time, he told her, she didn't understand, and he would give it to all the kids.

I wish Mom would not correct him and just take whatever he says and accept it.  If he makes a sweet gesture, despite his fantasy and delusions, just give it to him...receive it with compassion... I know it is hard for Mom, but I really feel if she can "go with it" she might find it less disturbing.

Dad spoke very proud and loud about patriotism and the starving fisherman of Bar Harbor. He spoke of the bald head of his room mate and how he was not getting the proper care.

I know if Dad's fingernails and facial hair (shaving, eyebrows, nostril and ear hairs) is long, that would really bother him, because he is fastitiously clean and tidy with his hygiene.  He shaved every day and always kept himself immaculate.

I called again at 8am this morning to check if he had been trimmed yet.  The same nurse from yesterday, told me it would be done today. I also asked about his compression stockings.  She told me she would check and call me back...

Dad's eyebrows are interfering with his sight and his nostril hairs have become a mustache...

I called the nursing home today to check on Dad.  Mom, my second to the oldest brother and my sister all went to visit Dad. They all reported he needs his facial hairs and fingernails trimmed. The nurse told me the CNA usually take care of that with his daily shower and spa.

I told her either someone has a memory problem or is not doing their job, because Dad's eyebrows are interfering with his sight and his nostril hairs have become a mustache!  I may have slightly exaggerated, but all members of my family who have visited recently all commented on how wild and woolly he is!!!
 
The nurse informed me Dad's right leg was swollen and I asked if he was wearing his compression stockings.  She said he wasn't, and I told her that it is suppose to be a daily ritual, as well as a standing order.  She called Dad's doctor to give him Lasix.  Dad will not like that one bit...

I called his primary care doctor and told them the nurses were not putting his compression stockings on as he had ordered.  She took a message...but I know I will have to follow up. 

My sister's visit was pretty much the same as Mom and my brother's.  Dad dominated the conversation, but talking nonsense.  We are all still evaluating Dad to see if he would be able to come to my brother's for Thanksgiving.  Both Mom and brother thought he looked very weak. My sister just thought he looked tired. She told him about my new dog, and he was so excited.  He's such an animal lover.  After she adapts, I'd love to take her in to see him...

My life has turned upside down since getting Izzy (that is her official name now), our little rescued dog.  Up early, walking more (hopefully will help with the cholesterol count) and not having as much time for the computer.  I left her today secured in the laundry room for 4 hours, and no accidents, no destruction, and no whining, crying or barking...I take that back, guess she did wet on the newspapers after all...

If the CNAs don't take care of Dad's facial hair...I will trim him up myself for his 89th birthday...

The adventure begins...

We just adopted this sweet little girl. She was dropped off at the Animal Foundation by the owner. She is one year old and was given the name, "Winnie".

She responds to kissing sounds more than her name, so we may change it.  Any suggestions?  So far we are considering, Minnie, Molly, Annie, and Sophie.

She looks a bit disheveled and really needs a bath! I made a grooming appointment tomorrow at Petsmart.

I have always been a cat person. Not much knowledge with dogs. My experience with dogs have been strays or lost dogs.  I kept them until I found the owners or a good home. My husband has been more of a dog person.  I couldn't help myself though, when I saw her, I went right to her and monopolized her so no one else could adopt her.  People would comment on her telling me how cute she is.  I would tell them I was considering adopting her.

It seems dog lovers like to convince people to become a dog owner...So many people stopped to chat with me and told me what a good dog she was. After three hours, when I finally signed the paperwork, ten people came over to congratulate me!  I was so preoccupied with the dog, that I hadn't noticed the group of people who were lingering around, waiting to find out if I would take her home....

They were closing at 3pm, so I had to make a decision, or let her go back with the Animal Foundation alone, because all the other dogs had been adopted!  I just kept thinking, what will I do with her when I have to leave the house?  What will I do when we want to travel?  My husband suggested to have our relatives take her when we go away...

I have so many questions.  Do I get a crate and crate her when I have a doctor appt? What about at night when we sleep? Do they feel more secure that way?  Do I confine her in the laundry room? How do I potty train her?  Will she get up in the night and make a mess? Is loving animals, enough?

All I know is she is leery of men, friendly with women, children and other pets. Seems very mellow and calm. She rides in the car well. She does not seem real curious and does not know how to play ball. She follows me like a little shadow and likes the leopard blanket I gave her to sleep on. When I ask her, "What do you think?" She looks like she smiles, and spins around in circles. When I took her for a walk, it was the first time I heard her bark at other dogs. Was she protecting me? I welcome any suggestions on the names and any advice anyone would like to share.

The adventure begins...

My creativity going down in flames...

Blasted out of the sheets at 6am and busied myself getting household chores out of the way for the weekend.
Met my girlfriend for lunch at Chilis.  She works at Curves and I used to be a member.  I had called to purchase their protein powder.  Ever since my sister was here visiting, and taking her Herbalife shakes, I started doing the protein shakes too.  My friend was nice enough to offer to purchase it for me with her discount.  We met today to catch up...

My husband has a dinner meeting tonight and his friend is driving out from California, to stay with us. After our lunch, I had a few errands to run, then planned on coming home to have a nice evening with myself. I was looking forward to finishing Hearts and Flowers.

I walked in, put my bags down, went to the office to check my email, and noticed a blinking red light on the router.  Checked further... NO INTERNET!  It was perfectly fine this morning.

Called Embarq, which is now Century Link, and talked with tech support.The Bozo tells me I blew a circuit.  Interesting, since no other electrical device in the house is affected. Ironic that it "goes out" 6 days after the merge of Embarq and Century Tel...He told me I had to take my current router down to the Century Link store and exchange it for a new router.  No charge of course.

So I drove down the hill, picked up the new router, brought it home and installed it.  Connected both my desktop and my laptop, then drank my shake for dinner. Now I am fighting to keep my eyes open... I am struggling to write something remotely interesting, and it is eluding me. I had my whole evening all mapped out...only to go in the opposite direction, with my creativity going down in flames...