Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Back to his old self
We had a great six days of bliss with Bob. He is now his old self again. Fighting to go outside, and arguing about everything, but he isn’t winning. That’s alright though; I will take the six days and look forward to the next six days in the future.
He hates going out and working in the yard. It’s a lot of work for him to do this. He says he wants to use the exercise bike instead. The bike is good, but we have told him it isn’t getting him fresh air and sunshine. It also isn’t getting him up and walking. While he does sit outside while he pulls weeds, he is still up and walking around a lot.
Last week, one night, he got up at midnight and decided to go through all of his drawers in his dresser. Thank God, I had already cleaned out a lot of these drawers and there wasn’t a whole lot left. I went back to his room and found him with things all over his bed. When I asked him what he was doing, he told me that he was trying to figure out what all of the stuff was. Sarah and I had to take everything out of his room that night and pile it up on the dining room table. I had to go through the rest of the stuff the next day and finish cleaning out his room. At least I got his room clean and that room is now done for the spring cleaning.
Saturday, everyone worked in the yard all day. After we were done, and resting, Rob announced that everyone needed to go inside and get cleaned up. Bob pitched a fit for getting another bath. He had just gotten one the day before, and he didn’t understand why he needed another one. We all laughed and told him he was filthy from digging in the dirt. He told us a little dirt never hurt anyone, but I told him that it would hurt the couch and he wasn’t going in and sitting on it with dirt all over him. Rob told him he would live through another bath and to get inside and get it over with. I am happy to report that he did indeed live and smelled so much better. We were all very tired Saturday evening after working so hard in the yard.
The weather here has been nice. Warm during the day and cool in the evenings. We have had some rain, but nothing horrible. All of the plants are starting to bud and when the summer finally does hit, they should be in full bloom.
Keep Bob in your thoughts this Easter and encourage him to get out and enjoy life. This is the time of year that it is perfect for getting outside and getting some fresh air. We all need to air our bones out from being cooped up all winter.
He hates going out and working in the yard. It’s a lot of work for him to do this. He says he wants to use the exercise bike instead. The bike is good, but we have told him it isn’t getting him fresh air and sunshine. It also isn’t getting him up and walking. While he does sit outside while he pulls weeds, he is still up and walking around a lot.
Last week, one night, he got up at midnight and decided to go through all of his drawers in his dresser. Thank God, I had already cleaned out a lot of these drawers and there wasn’t a whole lot left. I went back to his room and found him with things all over his bed. When I asked him what he was doing, he told me that he was trying to figure out what all of the stuff was. Sarah and I had to take everything out of his room that night and pile it up on the dining room table. I had to go through the rest of the stuff the next day and finish cleaning out his room. At least I got his room clean and that room is now done for the spring cleaning.
Saturday, everyone worked in the yard all day. After we were done, and resting, Rob announced that everyone needed to go inside and get cleaned up. Bob pitched a fit for getting another bath. He had just gotten one the day before, and he didn’t understand why he needed another one. We all laughed and told him he was filthy from digging in the dirt. He told us a little dirt never hurt anyone, but I told him that it would hurt the couch and he wasn’t going in and sitting on it with dirt all over him. Rob told him he would live through another bath and to get inside and get it over with. I am happy to report that he did indeed live and smelled so much better. We were all very tired Saturday evening after working so hard in the yard.
The weather here has been nice. Warm during the day and cool in the evenings. We have had some rain, but nothing horrible. All of the plants are starting to bud and when the summer finally does hit, they should be in full bloom.
Keep Bob in your thoughts this Easter and encourage him to get out and enjoy life. This is the time of year that it is perfect for getting outside and getting some fresh air. We all need to air our bones out from being cooped up all winter.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Life is good again
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! What a wild week this has been. Monday, was a terrible day. I honestly think it was one of the worst days I have ever spent with Bob. The weather has been nice for a few days, and so I took Bob outside to sit in the sun while Sarah and I raked leaves. We knew Bob wasn’t able to rake, but he could sit in the sun and get some fresh air.
I handed Bob a rake and tried to get him to rake around his chair. That was a disaster. He pitched a horrible fit and refused to do anything. So next I moved is chair next to a large pile of leaves so that he could help pick the leaves up and put them in the bag. Once again, he refused to do anything. Then he refused to walk for me or even stand.
It was a horrible day with tons of nasty comments until finally I blew and let him have it. I told him he was working his way towards a nursing home and I threw in a few other comments along the way also.
Rob came home from work to find a house that was totally out of control. I was on the verge of tears from anger and frustration. Sarah was afraid to move or speak, and Bob was still throwing a fit and pouting on the couch. Rob came in the house, went over to his father and sat down.
“Pop, are you giving up? Is that really what you are doing?” He asked.
“Yep,” Bob replied.
Sarah and I just stared at each other amazed that Bob was actually telling the truth. We stealthily slipped away to another room to get away from anything that might begin after that comment.
I have to tell you, that I adore my husband, because in a situation like that where most people would loose their mind and begin to yell, he is calm, but stern. He began to tell his father that he was breaking his and Tina’s heart because of his actions. He continued to talk for about 45 minutes to him, telling him to listen and not speak. After he was done with his lecture, he told him to sit and think about what he had said to him, and then he walked away.
Tuesday came and I again took Bob outside while Sarah and I raked leaves. This time while Sarah and I raked I handed Bob a broom and told him to sweep the back porch off. He stood up, and started to sweep. He continued to sweep as Sarah and I worked and we continued to praise his work. He did a fabulous job.
After we had finished working and Bob and I where sitting on the back porch, Bob told me he was sorry. He told me he had thought all night long and he had been a stubborn mule. I surely didn’t disagree with that one. I told him I was sorry for the things I had said to him in anger. We had a good talk about his actions and how he needed to do things in order to feel better about himself and for his health.
Wednesday, Pat and Tina stopped by right after Bob had gotten up. He came out and greeted them and then asked for his shoes. I went and got them and then he proceeded to pull everyone outside with him to get going on working for the day. Tina and I just laughed and were amazed at the change in him. Pat took him out and helped him rake, sweep and then pull weeds. He didn’t even want to go in after 2:00 when I told him I was tired and was done.
Thursday, Rob stayed home from work and it was a little chilly. I didn’t get him outside till after 3:00, but he swept again, while I picked up leaves. We sat on the back porch with Rob and laughed and talked. It was wonderful.
Friday, he worked again in the yard and then asked to go fishing. I got him a pole and took him to the lake. He sat and fished for over an hour. He almost got a bite, but it got away.
I can’t tell you if this will last, but please say a prayer that it does for a very long time. He is a joy to be around when he is like this. He is doing so much better, mentally and physically. And as for watching TV; in the last three days he has only watched a few shows during the day. YEAH!!!!!!!!
I handed Bob a rake and tried to get him to rake around his chair. That was a disaster. He pitched a horrible fit and refused to do anything. So next I moved is chair next to a large pile of leaves so that he could help pick the leaves up and put them in the bag. Once again, he refused to do anything. Then he refused to walk for me or even stand.
It was a horrible day with tons of nasty comments until finally I blew and let him have it. I told him he was working his way towards a nursing home and I threw in a few other comments along the way also.
Rob came home from work to find a house that was totally out of control. I was on the verge of tears from anger and frustration. Sarah was afraid to move or speak, and Bob was still throwing a fit and pouting on the couch. Rob came in the house, went over to his father and sat down.
“Pop, are you giving up? Is that really what you are doing?” He asked.
“Yep,” Bob replied.
Sarah and I just stared at each other amazed that Bob was actually telling the truth. We stealthily slipped away to another room to get away from anything that might begin after that comment.
I have to tell you, that I adore my husband, because in a situation like that where most people would loose their mind and begin to yell, he is calm, but stern. He began to tell his father that he was breaking his and Tina’s heart because of his actions. He continued to talk for about 45 minutes to him, telling him to listen and not speak. After he was done with his lecture, he told him to sit and think about what he had said to him, and then he walked away.
Tuesday came and I again took Bob outside while Sarah and I raked leaves. This time while Sarah and I raked I handed Bob a broom and told him to sweep the back porch off. He stood up, and started to sweep. He continued to sweep as Sarah and I worked and we continued to praise his work. He did a fabulous job.
After we had finished working and Bob and I where sitting on the back porch, Bob told me he was sorry. He told me he had thought all night long and he had been a stubborn mule. I surely didn’t disagree with that one. I told him I was sorry for the things I had said to him in anger. We had a good talk about his actions and how he needed to do things in order to feel better about himself and for his health.
Wednesday, Pat and Tina stopped by right after Bob had gotten up. He came out and greeted them and then asked for his shoes. I went and got them and then he proceeded to pull everyone outside with him to get going on working for the day. Tina and I just laughed and were amazed at the change in him. Pat took him out and helped him rake, sweep and then pull weeds. He didn’t even want to go in after 2:00 when I told him I was tired and was done.
Thursday, Rob stayed home from work and it was a little chilly. I didn’t get him outside till after 3:00, but he swept again, while I picked up leaves. We sat on the back porch with Rob and laughed and talked. It was wonderful.
Friday, he worked again in the yard and then asked to go fishing. I got him a pole and took him to the lake. He sat and fished for over an hour. He almost got a bite, but it got away.
I can’t tell you if this will last, but please say a prayer that it does for a very long time. He is a joy to be around when he is like this. He is doing so much better, mentally and physically. And as for watching TV; in the last three days he has only watched a few shows during the day. YEAH!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Update!
Well, it’s been awhile. Things are still the same. Time seems to run together now except for a few good days that stands out. A typical day for Bob is getting up around 10:00 and sitting on the couch until 6:00 where he then moves to the table to eat dinner. After dinner he moves back to the couch to watch a ball game until bedtime between 9 and 10. A few days out of the week Rob gets him on the bike to peddle while watching a show.
I spend the day switching out DVD’s for Bob to watch and giving him his medication on time. Oh sure, we have tried to get him to do other things; coloring, drawing, word puzzles, typing, writing with a pen or pencil. They all end up the same way, first he can’t do it, then he needs something different, like it’s not the right kind of pencil, or the right kind of pen. He couldn’t type on the computer; he needed an old fashioned kind of type writer. It’s always the same thing. We drag it all out, and then put it all back away with nothing being accomplished but a lot of arguments. He talks a good talk about wanting to do these things, but when we call his bluff and pull everything out, he suddenly can’t do it and it isn’t the right things he needs.
I sat one day with him for about 45 minutes trying to get him to type. He told me he couldn’t see the print. I made the print larger. He told me he couldn’t see the keys, I went and got a lamp. He told me he still couldn’t see the keys, I told him to point to the letters with one finger. He got every letter right. I then gave him a simple sentence to type. He got a few words out, but then stopped and said he couldn’t do it. At least he did try.
It isn’t all doom and gloom. The doctor’s say he is doing very well. He has the best blood work of anyone in the house. He has lost some weight, but we are working on getting some back on him. He doesn’t eat much anymore and we are constantly shoving food in his mouth. He is very healthy physically. Mentally, well what can I say?
We have had some good days though. Pat and Tina took Bob for a day while Rob, Sarah, and I went to the flea market. It was a wonderful day on both sides. Rob and I had a great day with Sarah and even went to dinner and a movie after the flea market. Pat and Tina took Bob to Dunkin Donuts, back to their house and then out to dinner at an Italian restaurant. After dinner they went back to their house, lit a fire in the fire place, and watched an old movie. Bob had a fabulous day mentally and physically. Pat and Tina were really pleased they were blessed with such a good day.
About two weeks latter, Pat, Tina, Sarah and I took Bob bowling. That was another fabulous day. We bowled three games and Bob threw two frames a game. He got a strike and picked up a spare. He was very pleased with himself. He uses a kid’s ball, but still has the throw down. We all laughed and had a great time hanging out with him.
A few days ago, I took Bob and Sarah to Denny’s for dinner. He was very happy about that. He had biscuits and gravy. It took him an hour to eat, but he ate every drop on the plate. Sarah and I finished our meal and then sat and talked letting him finish at his own pace. He enjoyed getting out.
The weather is finally warming up down here in Florida. We are very happy for that. I don’t mind the cold, but this year was just ridiculous they way it lingered on and was just freezing. Burrrr. Poor Bob about turned into a Popsicle. With the cold weather leaving and the warm weather moving in, Bob will be able to go outside more and get some fresh air. Hopefully, I will be able to get him out by the lake and sit a spell. If I can’t get him out I know Rob and Pat can.
Keep the one, who thinks he’s old, but has no clue as to how young he really is, in your thoughts this week. He does love hearing from everyone. His phone conversations only last about ten minutes before he starts saying good-bye. Ten minutes is better than nothing though.
I spend the day switching out DVD’s for Bob to watch and giving him his medication on time. Oh sure, we have tried to get him to do other things; coloring, drawing, word puzzles, typing, writing with a pen or pencil. They all end up the same way, first he can’t do it, then he needs something different, like it’s not the right kind of pencil, or the right kind of pen. He couldn’t type on the computer; he needed an old fashioned kind of type writer. It’s always the same thing. We drag it all out, and then put it all back away with nothing being accomplished but a lot of arguments. He talks a good talk about wanting to do these things, but when we call his bluff and pull everything out, he suddenly can’t do it and it isn’t the right things he needs.
I sat one day with him for about 45 minutes trying to get him to type. He told me he couldn’t see the print. I made the print larger. He told me he couldn’t see the keys, I went and got a lamp. He told me he still couldn’t see the keys, I told him to point to the letters with one finger. He got every letter right. I then gave him a simple sentence to type. He got a few words out, but then stopped and said he couldn’t do it. At least he did try.
It isn’t all doom and gloom. The doctor’s say he is doing very well. He has the best blood work of anyone in the house. He has lost some weight, but we are working on getting some back on him. He doesn’t eat much anymore and we are constantly shoving food in his mouth. He is very healthy physically. Mentally, well what can I say?
We have had some good days though. Pat and Tina took Bob for a day while Rob, Sarah, and I went to the flea market. It was a wonderful day on both sides. Rob and I had a great day with Sarah and even went to dinner and a movie after the flea market. Pat and Tina took Bob to Dunkin Donuts, back to their house and then out to dinner at an Italian restaurant. After dinner they went back to their house, lit a fire in the fire place, and watched an old movie. Bob had a fabulous day mentally and physically. Pat and Tina were really pleased they were blessed with such a good day.
About two weeks latter, Pat, Tina, Sarah and I took Bob bowling. That was another fabulous day. We bowled three games and Bob threw two frames a game. He got a strike and picked up a spare. He was very pleased with himself. He uses a kid’s ball, but still has the throw down. We all laughed and had a great time hanging out with him.
A few days ago, I took Bob and Sarah to Denny’s for dinner. He was very happy about that. He had biscuits and gravy. It took him an hour to eat, but he ate every drop on the plate. Sarah and I finished our meal and then sat and talked letting him finish at his own pace. He enjoyed getting out.
The weather is finally warming up down here in Florida. We are very happy for that. I don’t mind the cold, but this year was just ridiculous they way it lingered on and was just freezing. Burrrr. Poor Bob about turned into a Popsicle. With the cold weather leaving and the warm weather moving in, Bob will be able to go outside more and get some fresh air. Hopefully, I will be able to get him out by the lake and sit a spell. If I can’t get him out I know Rob and Pat can.
Keep the one, who thinks he’s old, but has no clue as to how young he really is, in your thoughts this week. He does love hearing from everyone. His phone conversations only last about ten minutes before he starts saying good-bye. Ten minutes is better than nothing though.
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