Good Intentions

Hey, Y'all,
Somehow, when I get home and have had my late supper, I come into the computer room to read some other blogs, but find I just don't have the energy to do so. I really want to, but my body seems to be dragging and My want to has done got up and gone. Anyhow, maybe tomorrow evening. The day has been really hot and every time I have gone out and gotten into the car, it is hotter than blue blazes inside it.

This morning Gramps was sitting in the hallway in his wheelchair when I got there. He had had his shower and was dressed and waiting for me. It wasn't long before the physical therapist, Dr. Sam, came for him and I went along with them to the therapy room. When we got down there, Sam began working with Gramps, and showed me how to do the exercises with him, and Sam and I worked together with Gramps. After several minutes of working, doing exercises to stretch the hamstrings in Gramps legs, I went to the room to get Gramps' walker. I got lost on the way there and back. Arghhh. I felt like I had already had my walking exercise for the day. Then Sam got Gramps on his feet and they walked down two hallways, and I followed along with the wheelchair several steps behind them so that Gramps did not see it. At the end of the walking, I kept Gramps in the dining room for his lunch.

He ate a good bit of his lunch, and as he ate, I looked around at the other residents eating and being fed. Many of them eat food that has been pureed, and of these, some have to be fed each bite. Some are in such shapes that makes you wonder what is the quality of life that they have. Gramps doesn't handle the fork, knife and spoon the way he did before he fell. He doesn't have the healthy appetite, either. He sometimes drools when he eats, and liquid escapes his mouth. HIs vision seems to have worsened, and sometimes he tries to pick up paper and eat it. I cut his meat up into bite size pieces for him, and sometimes load his spoon with food,and then lay the spoon where he can pick it up. Most of the people, including Gramps, wear a large bib to cover their clothing to protect it.

I was reminded of the story I once read about a couple who made the man's father who lived with them, eat from a wooden bowl in a corner of the room. They had a son who watched very carefully the actions of his parents and the way they treated his grandfather. One day they saw the little son carving on a piece of wood and they asked him what he was doing. He said, "I am making a bowl for you to eat out of when you are old, like Grandfather is."

Compassion for others is never out of style, is it?

Gramps' doctor, Dr. Cooley, was very kind to see me on short notice this afternoon at her office. She gives the greatest hugs, don't you know? I wanted to know about his prognosis, and about the Foley that he has and that is bugging the heck out of him. He thinks that he has a sore place that needs lancing, not realizing that it is where the Foley is attached. I also asked if the Foley could be removed for awhile. She said that it possibly could, and we would just have to try. She also said that it is possible that if he continues to decline, he could be placed on hospice. She will check out the possibility that he could have prostate cancer. She is going to be coming to see him tomorrow at the nursing home. I look forward to seeing her there.

After lunch, Gramps went to the therapy room for occupational therapy and when they checked his oxygen level and his heart rate, the heart rate was elevated greatly and his oxygen level was quite low. Apparently he was down to get oxygen, but has not been getting it. They gave him some while he was doing his OT, but none was given after he went back to his room. I will find out tomorrow why he has not been getting it.

When I went back to the nursing home after seeing Dr. Cooley, I found Gramps sitting in the break room near his room. He still has confusion about where he is, and where his room is located. He was asking this evening about when we would be going to our bedroom and I told him that he was in his bedroom. He also asked me at lunch if I had heard from his sister, Johnnie, today and I told him that no, she was probably busy with her four daughters. (Johnnie passed away several years ago, along with her husband, Ross, who died later on). He accepted that answer with no problem.

A lot more things happen during the day, but I won't relate them here and now. My bed is calling to me, and I am about ready to answer. I did a load of laundry when I came in this evening, and I will put it in the dryer in the morning and hopefully take it out and get it folded and hung up before getting ready to leave for the nursing home.

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for tonight. Much love to each of you, my friends, and thank you for your continued support. Bye for now. More later.