Saturday, April 10, 2021

Saturday, April 10, 2021

Tonight's picture was taken in April of 2007. Every April the azaleas come out in full bloom at the National Arboretum. I would always tell Mattie that the azaleas came out in time for his birthday! They bloomed just for him. He loved when I said that! 

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins.

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 31,149,205
• Number of people who died from the virus: 561,758

Last night Peter sent me this photo! Honestly how can you look at this photo and not LAUGH! Both animals are staying close. Apparently my presence is missed and I know this makes Sunny anxious! 

Meanwhile Peter is overwhelmed with toiletries! They are coming to us in all directions. I am so grateful that our supporters are helping us stock our Snack and Item Carts at local hospitals. 

I can't believe as of next week I will be in Los Angeles for 17 days. I feel like I got a lot accomplished, but it is hard to leave as I know my dad needs a lot of support, and my mom needs periodic breaks. Today we went out to lunch in Calabasas, which is about 30 minutes from where my parents live. While at lunch, I reflected (to myself) on the fact that when I was a child, I was afraid to interact with a waiter or waitress. My dad would order for me. Now we have done a 180. As it is me who takes charge and orders for my dad. Not sure that is an earth shattering revelation, other than I would have to say that dementia overall is a horrible disease. It is one of those invisible diseases, as people can't necessary see it, therefore, people do not accommodate to my dad's needs. 

In comparison to January, I see a physical decline in my dad. He has far less energy, I notice his left foot is dragging when walking, and his dementia makes him very self focused. He was never a chatty person to begin with, but now when he eats, he can't focus on anything other than his food. He doesn't engage in conversation and also isn't listening. Fortunately his appetite is back, but my joke to my dad is he is like a goose. What comes in, comes out. So literally we can be out at lunch, and like clock work as soon as he finishes eating he has to RUN to the bathroom. I emphasis run because if he doesn't make it in time, we are faced with a mess thanks to his irritable bowel syndrome. My dad uses a walker and walks much much slower now. So his physical limitations make it hard to get to the bathroom in time. He can NO LONGER remember where the bathroom is (even if it is a restaurant he goes to daily), he can't open the bathroom door, and manage toileting alone. While I am in Los Angeles, I can jump up and take my dad to the bathroom, but this is challenging for my mom when alone. Not many people like to eat food and then deal with toileting problems and accidents. Fortunately caring for Mattie during cancer treatment has made me immune to most bodily issues! 

I am trying to encourage my mom to leave the house while the caregivers are here. She needs a change of routine and the time alone to do what she wants. Otherwise this daily routine is a total grind and debilitating. However, my dad is cognizant enough to know that my mom has to remain safe and healthy, in order for him to remain living at home. So he really doesn't like her going out, if he isn't with her. It is an interesting dynamic, but I trying to get him to see that my mom needs this freedom in order to be able to continue caregiving.