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.