This day, Thursday, was a good day with Dad, though he was tired from all the activity from the day before. Eating in the dining room, socializing and moving around so much just wore him out. I went to see Dad around lunch and he had already eaten in his room. The staff were wonderful about making sure he had what he needed.
The staff also made me aware that the first Hospice that we used was good, but was not doing everything needed. So I had another Hospice assigned. And they were amazing. They gave a thorough examination and made sure I had their numbers. They had chaplain who came while I was there. Dad, who was a man of few words, immediately trusted him and opened up. Dad smiled and talked easily.
The chaplain had a way about him that put people at ease, myself in included. And he said he would come back, when it could be just the two of them, and really talk to Dad and make sure that he did not have any emotional or spiritual issues with the situation. He said he would talk to Dad about loosing Mom, about his children and family, about God and make sure Dad was a Peace. He said that he was there for Dad, in whatever he may need in that capacity. Dad smiled and said he was looking forward to seeing the chaplain again.
Dad was in good spirits that day, though tired. He was still also in a bit of pain from the fall earlier. He also fell at the assisted living place, and that jared him a bit, so he was sore from that as well. Dad was having trouble balancing and walking. He would shuffle his feet and sometimes would not lift them up quite enough when stepping.
Dad was still able to eat by himself and wasn’t shaking as much. When he first went into rehab back in December, he was so weak and shaking so badly that he could barely hold a fork or spoon to get food to his mouth. It was heartbreaking and I took video of it him if I was accused of exaggerating Dad’s condition. But he was doing well in assisted living. He was easily fatigued but doing much better. And that day he was in good spirits, so that made me feel much better too.
I was excited because I was going to see Phantom of the Opera with some friends. I had bought 3 tickets a month before, originally for my then boyfriend and father. Dad had not seen a stage production in a long time, and this was a great one to take him to – the amazing costumes, the effects, the music…it would be perfect. But he was too tired and the then boyfriend was now the ex. So my friends and I went instead.
We had a great time that night and it was a needed break. Sometimes when dealing with difficult emotional situations, you need to be reminded that life exists outside of your current experience. That life does exist, period.
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