Mary and I went to the hospital and got there just before lunchtime. I brought him a CD player/clock radio so that he would have something to listen to his CDs, without us searching around for one of the hospital's players. It was wrapped up as a Christmas present, but he didn't seem to interested in unwrapping it. So I unwrapped it for him, and he seemed more interested once he saw what it was.
We took him for a walk, and upstairs for a coffee (not realizing he'd already taken the same trip with Mom and Tracey!). It's good to get off the unit, just for 20 minutes or so, so that you don't feel you're sitting around in the same place all the time.
Dad seemed more aware, even if some of the things he was saying didn't make sense. He was reading signs, and while we sat at the table near the coffee stand, he picked up a section of the paper and opened it. I don't know if he was reading anything, but he isn't always able to even look at a paper without getting agitated.
Towards the end of our visit, he had a philosophical moment. I don't remember his exact words, but he talked about taking solace and that we all have our time and that things must sometimes come to an end. I don't know if he was talking directly to me, or generally, or if perhaps he was talking about something else altogether. Whatever he meant, I appreciated it -- I value every moment I get when there's a little flash of Dad's old self.
Chris
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Monday, December 25, 2006
Christmas Day
Today Tracey and I went to visit Dad. We wished him Merry Christmas and gave him some presents. He wasn't too interested but was happy to see us. Then he gave us a detailed description of the civil engineering of the Tacoma Washington Bridge and why it failed. Is there such a bridge?
He asked me to buy him a coffee, so we went up to the lobby and bought him their very indifferent brew. Because it was so hot, Tracey kept straightening his cup. Whereupon he would get very annoyed with her and scold her. (She was right!) When I spoke with her about it later, she said that she knew it wasn't her dad speaking. She's being so mature that it is hard to watch him berate her.
Chris and Mary came after his shower, so we left to go to Holly's for lunch.
He asked me to buy him a coffee, so we went up to the lobby and bought him their very indifferent brew. Because it was so hot, Tracey kept straightening his cup. Whereupon he would get very annoyed with her and scold her. (She was right!) When I spoke with her about it later, she said that she knew it wasn't her dad speaking. She's being so mature that it is hard to watch him berate her.
Chris and Mary came after his shower, so we left to go to Holly's for lunch.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Dad on Monday
I went to see Dad yesterday. I guess he was pretty much the same as Chris described him on Sunday. Before lunch he was better; he seemed to know us, but after lunch he seemed really sleepy and didn't really know much that was going on, and he wasn't talking much. Aunt Joan came today. Even though that was after lunch, he said right away, "there's my sister" but kind of went in and out of sleep after that. Mom thinks he may get one of his pills at lunch which has sedating side effects. The doctor came by, she thinks he is ok for now, but they don't plan on moving him, unless they move him within the hospital to complex care. There are currently no plans to apply for a nursing home, apparently because if he gets dehydrated agin, he will have to go back to emergency as the nursing home cannot cope with those needs. So, each week tells a new story.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Sunday at the hospital
Dad was a bit unaware of things today, but he recognized me when I came in, and he asked about Mary. He talked and talked, but nothing really connected to anything else, so I just sat and listened. I took him for a walk up and down the halls of the hospital. Not sure how he felt about it, since he was fairly quiet, but it was easier for me than just sitting there.
His lunch came a little after noon, and he was mostly able to eat by himself, with a little help. He couldn't always see what he was reaching for, so I think it came as quite a shock when he bit into a cold, wet teabag!
Though most of his talking was incomprehensible, when he was finished with his lunch, he whispered to me, "You're a good kid."
Chris
His lunch came a little after noon, and he was mostly able to eat by himself, with a little help. He couldn't always see what he was reaching for, so I think it came as quite a shock when he bit into a cold, wet teabag!
Though most of his talking was incomprehensible, when he was finished with his lunch, he whispered to me, "You're a good kid."
Chris
Friday, December 15, 2006
Friday 15th Dec.
Hi
I've been at the hospital for about 3 hours. Before that I went to Richmond Hill to have John's hearing aids serviced. They cleaned them both and told me that the one that produces volume only needed 250.00 repair but that the companies were closed over the holidays and to bring it back in the New Year. $$$$
Then when Dad saw me he said "Where have you been? " So I helped him with his lunch, and spoke to Anna. She told me that she had left a message for me and to ignore it. I gave him a manicure and pedicure. By then he was beginning to get a little agitated, so I came home. Anna said that if he is going to need I.V. often that they might transfer him to complex care in the hospital, because nursing homes do not have that capability.
Now what remains is do I go ahead with Andrea's scenario #1 or do I wait?
I've been at the hospital for about 3 hours. Before that I went to Richmond Hill to have John's hearing aids serviced. They cleaned them both and told me that the one that produces volume only needed 250.00 repair but that the companies were closed over the holidays and to bring it back in the New Year. $$$$
Then when Dad saw me he said "Where have you been? " So I helped him with his lunch, and spoke to Anna. She told me that she had left a message for me and to ignore it. I gave him a manicure and pedicure. By then he was beginning to get a little agitated, so I came home. Anna said that if he is going to need I.V. often that they might transfer him to complex care in the hospital, because nursing homes do not have that capability.
Now what remains is do I go ahead with Andrea's scenario #1 or do I wait?
Call from Anna (social worker at hospital)
I got a call from Anna today and she said that Dad was reading the paper! She said the IV is out as he is healthy and he is calling the nurses by name. There is no agitation at this point. Man. is this ever a roller coaster ride. Two days ago I was preparing myself for the worst, but now I don't know what to think. My first reaction was to leave right away to go and see him, but I thought he might be different by the time I got there, so I changed my mind. I'm at work today.
Why this blog?
I set up this blog to keep people posted on how things are going with John Garbutt, father to me (Chris), Tracey, Holly and Tim, husband to Michelle, and grandfather to Kyle. He's been in the hospital since just before Labour Day, and it's been a rollercoaster.
Dad was diagnosed with mid-stage Alzheimer's Disease in August. It was a shock to all of us, but it did explain some things, such as why he wasn't able to remember things. About three weeks later, he went into the hospital for unrelated reasons, and has not come out. Since that time, his decline has been dramatic. Before he went into the hospital, it was pretty easy to forget that he even had Alzheimer's. But over the last three months or so, he has been unpredictable. Sometimes in he's good spirits, singing old songs and making jokes. Sometimes he's completely unaware, not recognizing us, not saying much, other than muttering under his breath. Sometimes he's in very poor health and other times he's getting up and walking around as if nothing's wrong. Still, he's not the guy we used to know, and we miss our dad a lot.
It's certain that he won't be returning home, but what happens next is still up in the air. It could be rehab, it could be a nursing home or it could be more time in the hospital. Because so many have asked about him, and because there may be times we can't respond quickly, I've set up this blog to provide updates. I'll do my best to keep everyone posted, and there may also be posts from my siblings and from Mom.
Thanks to everyone who have been so supportive during this time -- you don't know how much that has meant to us.
Chris
Dad was diagnosed with mid-stage Alzheimer's Disease in August. It was a shock to all of us, but it did explain some things, such as why he wasn't able to remember things. About three weeks later, he went into the hospital for unrelated reasons, and has not come out. Since that time, his decline has been dramatic. Before he went into the hospital, it was pretty easy to forget that he even had Alzheimer's. But over the last three months or so, he has been unpredictable. Sometimes in he's good spirits, singing old songs and making jokes. Sometimes he's completely unaware, not recognizing us, not saying much, other than muttering under his breath. Sometimes he's in very poor health and other times he's getting up and walking around as if nothing's wrong. Still, he's not the guy we used to know, and we miss our dad a lot.
It's certain that he won't be returning home, but what happens next is still up in the air. It could be rehab, it could be a nursing home or it could be more time in the hospital. Because so many have asked about him, and because there may be times we can't respond quickly, I've set up this blog to provide updates. I'll do my best to keep everyone posted, and there may also be posts from my siblings and from Mom.
Thanks to everyone who have been so supportive during this time -- you don't know how much that has meant to us.
Chris
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