Dear Followers,
Saturday was the start of a bad beginning for my dad. Natalie, Mom, and I went to solo and ensemble and Natalie did a terrific job receiving a gold rating for not only her string trio but her solo as well. Walking on air and filled with joy we went to visit my dad. Natalie took her cello in and played her solo for dad and then went to the dining room and played for the residents during their lunch. Dad, unfortunately, has contracted another infection. This time it was causing him to have diarrhea. They had already begun treatment and were hopeful to get it under control. He had been moved so he could be on the nurse's wing who had the most experience with wound management and he didn't want to eat. The nurse is awesome. He came in and was so concerned with helping dad and doing everything possible to help his pressure sores heal. I left with guarded hope for a fast recovery.
Today I got the phone call from the doctor that dad had taken a turn for the worst. They believe he has Pneumonia and another UTI. I had to make the decision to have him taken to the hospital or start the treatment (oxygen, Pic line, Antibiotics and Fluids) at the nursing home. The third option was to not do anything at all and let him continue to decline. I was not ready for the third option. I took the second. The trips to and from the hospital tend to confuse him and he does not need that at all. We will see how he progresses. He is just so weak that he is a target for any wandering bug.
I think dementia is the worst way to loose anyone you love. It is like dying a thousand deaths. You have to watch your loved one fail one system at a time all the while their recognition of you and all that has made up their world fades into the woodwork. It is like making decisions for a ghost. My dad still knows who we are and when we are there but he is floating in and out of consciencness and it is so hard to walk away feeling hopeful. The new facility is amazing. I can find comfort in knowing he is in a place where they are so kind and attentive. At least that small part is positive.
Project
I came home and found some material that I was given at the second hospital. It outlines the stages of Alzheimer's Disease. It is written by Dr. Barry Reisberg. Part of my journey with my project I am having to weed out accurrate and inaccurrate information that is relavent to my search. This summary of the stages of Alzheimer's does not accurately portray my dad's walk. Inconsistencies like this are why it is such a confusing disease.
Tune in for more updates on my journey.
Fondly,
Debbie
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