Short update on Dad 2/14/10

I finally had a chance to talk to Dad this week. Christie, who lives in Pittsburgh, is in Utah, and she called me on her cell phone while she was visiting Dad. I said hi to Dad, and Christie reported that he waved to say hi to me. He said he was doing very well, and he chuckled as I told him a cute story about my grandson.

I was glad Christie was there to help the conversation along because Dad said very little. Christie suggested I tell him about our trip to Punxsutawney, PA for Groundhog Day. He chuckled a couple of times and made a few comments--"Oh, my," etc. Christie later told me that he was smiling and reacting to what I was saying, gesturing at times. That was good to hear.

Christie also reported that he'd seemed to recognize her and her husband, Duane, when they came to visit and had asked about their kids.

Christie also reported that Dad kept trying to get out of bed to urinate while she was visiting. He has a catheter, but kept feeling the urge to go. Dad's great nurse, Barbara, checked, and Dad has a urinary tract infection. He's on an antibiotic, but it's not clear if it's cleared up the infection. A staff member at the care center told me he's not trying to get out of bed as often. They will do another culture three days after they take him off the antibiotic to see if the infection is cleared up or not.

I'll write again in two weeks. As always, thanks for your love and concern.