suffering in silence?

I know that my dad is a poor historian when it comes to his health. He denies having Diabetes. He has no idea what all the surgical scars on his chest and abdomen are from. But I never thought he'd be unable to tell me that he didn't feel well. I never thought he couldn't tell me what was bothering him.

We went to the doctor today to talk with him about the results of blood work from 2 weeks ago. I knew something was up with him for about the last week. He seemed really tired. We went for a walk and I heard him wheezing. And that ever present cough has worsened. It is non productive, and I can hear it rattling down there. It's like he needs to be suctioned! Yesterday, I asked him if he was feeling poorly and he told me his back was hurting. But I hadn't seen, and have yet to see, behavior that says that. No extra time needed to get up, no grunting or groaning...

Anyway, the doctor thinks he has either bronchitis or pneumonia. He had more blood work taken today, a chest x ray taken, and has an antibiotic to take. I thought he felt warm and took his temperature about an hour ago and it's 102.5 Most people would be complaining and laying around, or more than likely sleeping. Not my dad. He's not acting the way sick people act. Yes, he's a tough ole' guy, but man, at 102.5 I'd be sprawled out whining with a cold cloth on me.
Here's another thing learned about Alzheimer's. Marcia Detective is my name. Gotta be ever watchful, suspicious, and momlike I guess. whew

Sunday evening...

When we went to the new doctor a week ago Friday, I talked with him a little about Aricept. I have no idea how long my dad has been taking it and I don't know if it is working. Since he's been here, there have been some changes, both good and bad, but significant ones? I don't know.
And add to that, it costs $170/month out of pocket, which is totally worth it if it has some type of positive effect. In the class I took about Alzheimer's, they talked about medications and how they are typically more effective with mild cognitive impairments. That's not my dad. So I talked with the doctor about it. He recommended to d/c it for about a month, and we will know if it was helping or not. So my dad has been off it for 9 days now. I don't see any changes. Time will tell. Or it won't.

He had another appointment with that doctor on Friday, but at a different office. We got in the area about 30 minutes before his time, but Ole Marcia couldn't find the building. The phone number on the card had been disconnected. The (number at the) office we went to the week before was closed. And there wasn't a building with the address on it. hmmmmmmm? Soooooooooooooo, we didn't make it.

My dad and I had 3 days together this weekend. All went well. But...I am looking forward to going back to work tomorrow. :)

a moment

Last night I went through the night time routine with my dad. As we hugged good night, he said, "thanks". I said, "what for?" He said, "for being so nice to me". That made me feel so good!

The hunt is over!

Pat, my dad's caregiver, found my dad's college ring. She was so excited when she found it that she called me. I didn't get her message for a few hours and called her, and she was still excited. And when I got home, she was still excited!!! It was in one of his shoes in his closet. How did it get there? Tell me if you know. In the mean time, I am happy it has been found and it is safely in his desk drawer with his wallet. If he ever asks about it, I'll probably give it to him. But in the mean time, it is safe. Maybe his fingers have gotten smaller and it slipped off? hmmmm?

wood work

hmmmm....the layout didn't go very well. :)

But here are some of my dad's wood carvings.

"Did I make that?"

Oh yeah, dad, you did!

(Somebody has to help me with these layouts!)

A new friend

My friend, Cheryl, came over on Friday to visit. She brought her 14 month old daughter, Taylor along. My dad really enjoyed their visit, as you can see! Silly smiles! :) It's amazing how a baby or toddler just bring him to life! Dogs too!

And the hunt is on...

When my Dad first came here, going through his stuff filled up my days. Sneaking into his wallet while he showered, I was able to remove important stuff like his social security card, insurance information, and charge card. I left his driver's license in there because I knew he would know if that was missing. There has never been a problem with his wallet's contents. In fact, he has stopped putting his wallet in his back pocket.

He wears a silver necklace with a cross on it, and when I asked him how long he's had it, he told me forever. So I don't know how long he's had it. He wears a watch, and his college ring. The story I remember is that he got the ring when he graduated from Central Michigan University, I think in 1951. Somewhere along the way, it was lost. And on their 25Th wedding anniversary, my mom gave him a new one. He loved it. He was very proud of it. And the other day, I noticed it wasn't on his finger. I reactively said, "where's your ring, Dad?" He looked at his hand and said, "I never take it off". I told him that we'd find it, and changed the subject. So far, we haven't found it. I know for sure he had it on 5 weeks ago today, the day that Lisa started to come on Saturdays. After that, I don't know. I've looked through his drawers, clothes pockets, all around his bed, his closet, and even in my mom's silver cracker bowl. No luck. I know it is here somewhere, or at least I hope it is here somewhere. It could have been thrown away while he was cleaning up after a mess, but he never takes it off! Or I should say, he has never taken it off. But he obviously has taken it off. The good thing is, he hasn't mentioned it at all since I asked him about it. The bad thing is, part of me feels really responsible that it is lost. The other part of me says, it's just the way it is. Another time I can say, I like the way the other part of me thinks.

And...we went to meet my dad's new doctor yesterday. I really liked him! He was kind to me and to my dad. He listened to me! Can you believe that? A real live doctor listened to me! My dad had some blood work done, and we are going back next week to talk about that. I think this is going to be a good thing.