As Chena noted, today was a very busy day, with meals, family and other visitors, nursing evaluations, Primary Care Provider and later Physical Therapy (and maybe Occupational Therapy but I missed them) evaluations. Niilo seemed to be having a hard time making sense of much today, but squeezed our hands whenever offered, and commented a couple of times on the subject of his roommate’s television shows.
I read Dad the letter Diane Benson sent him. (Thank you, Diane.) Dad remembered Dietrich Strohmaier but had a hard time hearing him; Dietrich doesn’t have the loud voice of one used to having to work to be heard, but he sure does have the memories of shared times and interests! He reminded me how healing classical music can be, so I got a working CD player (in the bedside drawer now) with earphones and brought it in. Even when Niilo wants just to sleep, it can muffle the other noises to make that easier. Please offer to put it on for him when you come visit.
Particularly worrisome is Niilo’s increasing weakness over the past few days: He could not stand up straight. It seemed like it took more energy than he had, just to get almost up despite considerable help. The physical therapists will try again over the next couple of days, but unless he can stand safely with support he cannot even use the bedside commode. He also seemed not to have energy to talk or to focus for more than a moment.
More blood, urine, and other tests will be done again.
We don’t know whether the future holds meaningful improvement or continued decline. We encourage friends to visit for 5-15 minutes: Pull the chair up close to the bed, squeeze his hand, and talk to him for a bit about a common interest, even if he seems to be sleeping. And leave a note in the little book on the nightstand so we can remind him who came. Room 116, Aspen Wing, Denali Center (19th ave off of Lathrop St, directly across from the Medical & Dental Arts Bldg.)
And if you can’t visit, please write or call and we will tell Niilo for you. It has been encouraging to know that he has so many people who care about him. Niilo Koponen, 710 Chena Ridge, Fairbanks AK 99709
–Heather
heatherkoponen@hotmail.com, (907) 479-0981 (has message machine) or chena@chena.org 907-488-2001
Hi there I just got Heather’s e-mail. What depressing news! I went through this with my father a few years ago and then with my partner’s father last year. I hope the Denali place is nice and that lots of people can visit all day long. Please give grandpa a big hug for me. I will e-mail a photo of Callie; maybe you can print it out for him?
Lots of love,
Kotty
As they say here in Quebec, Bon courage!