Day five

July 17^th, 2009 Day five

I spent the morning working with the volunteer crew since it was the last day for them to be there. We poured some more concrete (been doing that a lot lately) and finally got home and cleaned up. Called mom for updates.

2030 (previous evening) Dad started being a little restless and received pain meds. Seemed to do OK til 2200. Said he was hungry so mom fixed PBJ sandwich. Ate some of it but still complained and more restless. Mom said, “At this time I changed my name from Chris and didn’t tell anyone what my new name is”. She is definitely feeling the strain and he seems to be more demanding.

2230, mom gave him his dose of Lorazepam. Dad (and mom) slept all night.

1000, dad finally woke up and was feeling OK. Hospice nurse arrived and cleaned him up, changed his clothes, and walked him to the bathroom. He didn’t feel up to a shower so he went back to his bed.

{Speaking of bathroom, I joked with mom about the night dad got home and after getting settled in he said he had to go to the bathroom. Medical supply house had yet to deliver a bedside commode so mom was going to take him to the bathroom. He was still in his wheelchair so mom wheeled him down the hall, through the master bedroom and squeezed him in the bathroom but a few inches shy of the toilet. After a few attempts to get him up mom hollered for me to assist. I went back and had to dead lift dad to his feet. He finally gained his balance and I left him to his business. A few minutes later I was summoned to get him back into his wheelchair and negotiated our way back to the living room. As we chatted mom said he didn’t have much output so I asked, “All he did was pee?” Mom said that was all and I replied, “We went through all that for a little pee? I thought he had to take care of some serious business”. I suggested from now on for him to get a urinal and save the hassle of the trip. Of course, if he could walk it would do him some good.}

1230, nursing staff was changing so dad got to meet his new nurse for a while. Dad really likes her so that makes things easier. Lots of people in and out through the day.

1800, Heather arrives with tacos and strawberry caked. Dad ate four tacos and a piece of cake. Visited for a while and company went home. His very last meal and he loved it!

Good night’s rest.

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