Monday, October 14, 2013

Round the clock round-and-around...

My sister and I are sort of switching off on staying with dad in the hospital -- she's three hours away and I'm twelve hours away so this isn't easy logistically, but it is necessary.  Mom is dealing this this fairly well, but she is dealing with her own diagnosis of Alzheimers so she can't help.

Dad cannot feed himself and his appetite is such that he can only eat small amounts of food that really appeals  to him, so we need to be ready with his favorite foods on hand, at the optimal temperature. This is harder than it sounds when your patient alternates between sleep (45%), lucidity (32%), mild hallucination (22%),  and food readiness (1%).

Thing with dad is, when you think he is asleep he is fully aware of all conversations in the room. I had a conversation in hushed tones with the airline company one afternoon, whispering so that mom would not overhear my haggling over the service charge. Mom was five feet away. My dad was twelve feet away, but when I was sitting near him later, he piped up, "How did things go with the airlines?"

This made me look back to all of the other conversations we had when we thought he was asleep -- about his condition, his myeloma, etc. We didn't say anything awful, but we'll need to be more careful.


  1. Oh Stacey ... I just caught up to this. I want you to know my prayers are with you and your family. I have been sick for the past 5 months too. But, I really hope for you and your Dad that God can bring healing and joy of some sort. You need some cheer.

    I will be praying for you guys. Hang in there, Stacey. <3

  2. Keeping your family in my thoughts. Hoping your dad stabilizes soon. Cherish every moment. (((♥♥♥)))

  3. I've always thought it was wise to be careful in circumstances like that. You never know.

    Once again sending you good wishes. You and your sister are angels to work so hard to give your Dad such good care. I am sure he appreciates it, even if he may not be able to tell you. Bless you both.

  4. Echoing Jean's sentiments. Such a difficult time, but you and your sister are doing all that you can.

  5. Best wishes. You are doing so much for your Dad.

