2011

 

Christmas

 

97 years, 8 months, 12 days

Ryan talked with Dad last week. Brenda captured the moment. We older folk have a difficult time adjusting to fast changing technology. But when I came on the phone he put his receiver in his lap and picked fried potatoes off his plate.

Most of the time he is confused and anxious. There just seem a million things to worry about and take care of when you can barely move. I had hoped that my experiences would be insightful and possibly helpful, but there does not seem to be any pattern to dementia. He still can not find the bathroom, but said hi to Betty (White) on TV. He speaks in clear sentences sometimes but usually nothing relevant. He smiles and is friendly and then swears and calls us names.

During the CNN Heroes award show he stood up from his chair. His loose pants fell down so I pulled them up while he called me names for shoving him. Still swearing he sat back down. A few minutes later he stood again. I was behind him with one hand ready to grab if he fell forward. He waved at the TV. I hit "mute." He said, "I would like to introduce you to a great artist; (pause for a few seconds) Jerry. More seconds go by and he adds, "Merrill." Then he sat down. I was so proud.

Farmer Bob

We visited the Merrill ranch to watch the building of a new chicken/duck/four wheeler building. Heather put Dad on the lawn mower and helped him drive to a better viewing position.

Still Dancing

Lawrence Welk was playing polkas. Dad's knees jumped up and down for an hour after he sat down.

Linear development

This blog for you grandchildren was intended to help you in small ways to prepare. However, I am learning that there is no pattern. As you have read I kept looking for patterns to help predict, but there are few if any. After very little sleep for two nights, Dad slept 10 hours straight. The next night only four the whole night. He pretty much stays awake all day to entertain his two female caretakers.
I did an admirable job cutting his hair. Last night I asked if any of his "girls" had noticed and commented on how nice his hair looked. He replied, "No, they both still have good eyesite" And that was all of last night's dialogue.
So in general Dad continues to weaken, but: His grip is strong, all systems function, he has times when he is alert, he can walk with the walker a short distance, he can recite a poem and forget where he is.
Yesterday, Heather made oatmeal cookies. She put four hot and fresh on his plate and set the rest aside. Dad reached aside and took one. Took a bite and set it on his plate. Took another, bit it, set it on his plate. After he repeated the one bite trick four times, she took the large plate away. Then Dad looked at his plate and said, "Guess I will have to eat all of these now."