Keeper of Odd Hours

Feeling numb..don't know what I'm really feeling. Can't let feelings get in the way.  My Dad has been ill. He had a 103.1 temp on Tuesday, November 19th (its been down for past two days) he is refusing to eat, will only take some water/juice to take his meds or moisten his mouth. When his caretaker and I got him to stand for a few mins (to change pads, clothes etc) he got upset, he kept saying he didn't want to go with a tears in his eyes as he looks in the direction of where the hospital is located. We reassured him, he is staying and we need to clean him up. He relaxed then.  His last Drs visit; He informed his Dr (and later the head nurse of the home health) that if he got sick again he doesn't want to go to the hospital like last time.  I really don't know what to feel at this moment.  ttfn

Wednesday (10/2/2019) started out rough: New Caretaker (who is also new to care taking) arrived at the house. Lets just say Dad said some choice words and wanted the guy gone. After letting Dad settle down and give the caretaker a try, all went very well. (H= caretaker) H took dad for a walk (I also went), it was bonding for the two. Dad walked as far as he could then used the transport chair. Dad was smiling at the Halloween decorations and enjoying himself. Fast forward a few hours.  We are watching the Wild Card A's game.  😕   Around 5:30ish p.m. Dad started to feel uncomfortable. Made a trip to the toilet. Started vomiting. Later he was back in his chair and said he felt better. Started vomiting again. Took him to ER around 9:30ish. V and I were with him all night. Was given anti-nausea drug (worked). After the CT scan of his abdomen (clear), lots of blood work (high white blood cell count) and chest X-ray (some area's suggesting pneumonia). Don't know the...

Found these photos while cleaning out a drawer in the dining room.  My Mom and Dad. My Uncle Paul and Aunt Kathy. Love them all. Will always miss my Mom and Uncle Paul. My Dad talks about his little brother, "Good guy".  Howard and Barbara Barbara and Howard Uncle Paul and Aunt Kathy.

Today is my Dad's 85th Birthday! Had carrot cake with his breakfast (he loves carrot cake). DoB July 24, 1934   He is doing well. No Rx pain pills since yesterday morning. 2 extra strength Tylenol are keeping pain away. Keeping him hydrated. He had first glass of Kevita Sparkling Probiotic (Dr.s orders). Not a fan, but will drink it. Says the bubbles are weird. HATES yogurt of any shape or form. Doctor also wants Dad to drink lots of Gatorade but mix with water (watching the sugar content). Dads likes the Gatorade/water mix. Dad has been good about leaving the bandages on his head alone. I see him start to touch it then he quickly pulls his hand away. There is a little fresh seepage today.         Another note: I purchased a "baby" monitor. Dad's voice is weak and very hard to hear him. What is nice about it: 2 parent monitors. I can leave one plugged in and take the other outside with me (still Sun drying laun...

Took on the 30 day challenge with Body Groove! June 1-June 30.  I fell behind a bit..caught up and then yesterday I took steps backwards in WW and BG. :( but all is good, today is a new day! And I took progress photos today to keep me motivated. As I was told, the scale is not a good measurement. So I use the scale and how my clothes fit and how I feel! The scale..it goes up and down, esp if I weigh every few days. I like my new scale lol it's connected to my phone via blue tooth. Hey I'm a nerd..and love this kind of stuff!! Always have! My clothes, especially my pants are fitting a little loose and the ones that were fitting a little snug are fitting! I am feeling better now. I'll be truthful it was a struggle for my body and mind, to adjust to less food and to healthier foods! Now when I have a cheating food moment..I regret it! Cause my body says ugh..it's time to bloat and acid re-flux kicks in! I have a doctors order for some blood work..hol...

On our way to Dad's ENT appointment.  Dad is in panic mode. Bribed him with Martie's banana pancakes if he sees the Dr. today. It worked. He settled down some. Dr.  Moulton-Barrett , talked to my Dad,not at him or only to us. We had to adjust so we could see what he was drawing in regards to my Dad's ear etc. He explained everything to Dad. And told Dad that his lymph nodes hear his head are good. The cancer hasn't spread to them. The 2 scalp lesions will need skin grafts (from his upper arm) stapled and protected from outside touching. His ear, well that one will be a little more detailed. Going to slide cartilage from lower ear to upper ear so his ear will look pretty normal, just a bit smaller than the other one. Dad needs to see his primary doctor for a pre-op check, for the surgery. And maybe something to help ease the panic and distress that he goes though. I am to work on getting the top "scaby" stuff off and his hair cut short. All will b...

Vanessa took Dad out to brunch at Marties. I stayed home to do some cleaning and Body Groove. While waiting to leave, Dad's primary doctors office called to reschedule his appointment. My Dad wanted to know who that was on the phone, since he knew it was about him. I explained it was his favorite doctor office. I wrote on his white board all his appointments for June and July. He read them line by line. Then pointed to the last one..Surgery..he "told me" (with hand and facial gestures) that he will be knocked out and his ear and scalp will be taken off. Yes, that is correct. He then proceeded with his sounds for no and turned away. I sigh..he turns back to me and laughs! He is happy about it...thank goodness.. I'm thinking he is getting lots of Banana Pancakes next month!

This arrived today! Good timing. Had a blow lots of points wed night with Five guys burger, fries and shake! After not eating that much and types of foods in over a month, my stomach was not feeling the love. Same with my Dad. Too much at once..and to think I could eat like that several times a week and my body was showing it.  Thank you WW with the surprise!  Ttfn

Today I did a few reps with the light weights (3lbs) .. My Dad laughed at me, so, I goofed off pretending to be straining all the time laughing. I handed him the 2 lb weights (one hand at a time) and said ok since you are laughing at me..how about you do it with me. He refused at first but I wrapped his fingers around the dumbbell. The look of surprise on his face when he could hold it. Then together we did 10 lifts each arm (so I did 2 sets :)  He was laughing. Then it was on to his daily stretch.  Good Start for the Day! And, yes the dogs were hanging all around him while he exercised, even Zara our house guest. ttfn

Have a Sassy problem here. She thinks the little bed I put down for Simba is for her. She has a bigger one but it's not right next to me .

Didn't make it to Marties for brunch. Many reasons: After being up most of the night with ice pack on my boob (calling doctor on Monday) So many messes from cats gone wild Dad in pain from sleeping on broken power lift chair, new one is on the way..please no delays! Toilet clogged. Thank you Vanessa for taking care of it. Now Dad is depressed about not going out to eat..says to put him in a home, cries, had to be soothed talked to take his pills and eat breakfast.  When ever he doesn't get his way he pouts, gets depressed. I know it's hard on him and he seems to rather have someone do everything for him, when he can do it himself. At times I feel like I'm being mean when I have him try before I help. Examples: open a very ripe banana, pack of cookies, his pills from his pill holder, pulling up his pants, taking his shirt off when getting ready to be changed. I wish he would let me clean him up after a bowel movement. I'm allowed to take the messy pullup but not clea...

Life with caring for my Dad. The ups and downs. Think its a good idea? Hard to recount the sad scary moments and the eww ones. But a friend suggested I do (but I won't on FaceBook).