Heather on Tuesday:
“Dad walked as far as the nurses’ station windows twice, using the walker and some help. One trip, he tried to lay down on a gurney that happened to be parked in the hall and they had to get a wheeled chair for him to sit in instead.
The jaundice is gone – not yellow and bilirubin level down almost to normal – but his belly is still bloated, he still had diarrhea, and his lipase and albumin level s are high, suggesting mild pancreatitis from a gallstone blocking his pancreatic duct while working its way down to the intestine. So solid foods were stopped again: back to jello, icicles, tea, water, broth, and the I.V. nutrition with lots of protein.
Dr. Robinette says Dad’s albumin levels were actually so low when he was first admitted that he must not have been getting enough protein for quite a while. And here I thought he got seafood and some meat and occasional beans&rice, and that we get too much protein in our diets. I guess we better pay closer attention to the protein in Mom’s diet too!
Dr. Robinette also says that anyone who is frail can take many months after any major injury or operation to get back to their former function, if at all. I have heard this from others as well.”
What some of you may not know is that Dad had a fall a couple of months ago which was bad news. I think it was a balance thing, in the lower part of the house, and he couldn’t get up until Alex got to the house and helped him. Since then, he has mostly been disoriented to time and unable to concentrate. Full time care has been needed because he strongly exhibited characteristics of Alzheimer or some form of dementia.
Heather and Chena have been going to the Alzheimer support group in town, which has been quite helpful. We are also attending a Savvy Caregiver class to learn how to deal with the declines. Caregivers Aurora and Marilyn are also attending.
So things, although becoming gradually different the last few years, have changed dramatically at the homestead this winter. Sometimes things happen faster than we expect or would like! My message to people out there who love Dad is that he is not who he was before. Your good wishes, your stories, your visits are welcome.
Love, Chena