Hi, Everyone,
Well, I have a short report today, based on information from my brother John, my brother Alan, and my own brief conversation with Dad today.
John and his daughter Lisa went to visit Dad this week with Lisa's boyfriend, Court. Dad seemed much as he's been, John said. He talked with them about one of the pictures in his room, but was confused about who the people were. (He seems to invent a story about the picture if he can't remember who's who.) John wants to make sure Court will not expect Dad to recognize him the next time he sees him--although Dad's so gracious, Court may not be able to tell that he doesn't recognize him.
My brother Alan called to report that his father-in-law, Darrell, and Darrell's friend, Jeri, visited Dad again today. They said he was very talkative and told them about the pictures in his room. (Alan commented to me that he wasn't sure the information Dad told was accurate. I'm actually curious to know if he tells the same story about the same picture to each visitor or not!)
Darrell mentioned that he'd be phoning Alan and Janice today, and Dad asked how often they spoke and asked Darrell to send his love to both of them.
I also phoned and spoke to Dad today. His voice was strong, and he sounded cheery as always. Although I'm sure the care facility staff talked to him about it being Father's Day today--and probably celebrated in some way--Dad was surprised when I wished him a happy Father's Day.
I didn't have any Jeffrey stories to tell Dad today--my daughter, son-in-law, and grandson have been in Boston for a family get together with my son-in-law's family. I told Dad that I stayed home and worked on the census, but I couldn't think of a single funny story to tell him. I was sorry I couldn't come up with something funny to say because Dad does enjoy a good story!
As we said our goodbyes, we each expressed our love several times--a great way to end our conversation.
I've heard from several people recently about how they enjoy reading my blog--it's good to hear! Thanks to all of you for your interest and love.
Alison
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Report on Dad 6-6-10
Greetings, Eveyone!
Well, I have another brief update on Dad, gleaned from my own conversation with him tonight, from a report by Dad's former hospice nurse, Barbara, from a report by Christie who's visiting in Utah right now, and from a brief report by one of Dad's colleagues and friends from BYU's English Department.
I'll start with Barbara's report. She stopped by to see Dad this week and reported that he seemed to be doing well and that the staff at the care center told her he was "just the same." Barbara says that's a good report for someone Dad's age!
My sister Christie from Pittsburgh is visiting in Utah now. She told me that Dad seemed to know who she was. She took a picture of her granddaughter Eliana Hamilton, her oldest daughter's baby, and explained to Dad who everyone in the picture was. She also told him who some of the great-grandchildren are who are in the big picture on his wall--he's no longer remembering who they are.
Christie visited Dad again just a day or two ago and reported to me that he seemed to be doing well that day. She visited with him while he was having dinner and said, "He seemed every bit as alert as he was when he was last at home. I think he goes in and out of how alert he is. But after dinner he was pretty tired and just wanted to lie down."
When I spoke with Dad tonight, his voice sounded strong. When he got on the phone, I said, "Hi, Dad, this is Alison." He replied, "Well, hi, this is your dad!"--sounding alert and aware.
Dad chuckled when I told him that my grandson Jeffrey now says, "I do it" about everything--whether he can really do it or not.
And Dad really laughed at my story about Jeffrey and the bathroom door. I use the bathroom on the main floor the most, and it opens right into the livingroom. Jeffrey has learned to open the door and opens it whenever I'm in there and he's around. (The door has a very stiff lock, so usually we don't use it.) Today I put a child-proof cover on the door knob, so the door will only open if you press on the cover just right.
So today when I was using the bathroom, Jeffrey kept fiddling with the knob and managed to get the door open anyway. It was wonderful to hear Dad's great laugh!
Dad also seemed to follow my story about surprising my sister-in-law in the Washington DC temple yesterday. I'd told my brother Alan I would be coming, but I guess he hadn't mentioned it to his wife, Janice. I knew Janice worked at the temple on Saturdays, but I hadn't been sure that she and Alan were in town. I had my eye out for her before and after our sealing session and our special stake meeting, but by the time we were in a session, I'd given up on seeing her. But right at the end of the session, we got to see each other and share a big hug. It was a great moment for both of us.
There was one sadder moment in our conversation. I mentioned that Christie was visiting, and Dad said, "It's not the same though." Then he didn't seem able to explain himself more. After a pause, I said, "Because you're not at home?" Dad said, "Yes, I'm here in this place." I agreed that it was different and asked if they were taking good care of him there. He said, "Oh, yes." It's hard to hear even though we all know the care center is not where Dad would like to be.
Finally, to round out my report, Elouise Bell, one of Dad's former students and then his colleague for many years, has been phoning English Department members to encourage them to visit Dad. (She lives in Oklahoma, so she's too far away to visit.) She sent me Doug Thayer's report of his visit:
Went to visit Marshall. Looked good, cogent, but was eating supper so didn’t stay long. Will go out again. Mentioned to [others from the department] that Marshall would enjoy visitors. Will keep spreading the word."
As always, thank you for your love and interest. Best wishes to you all.
Alison
Well, I have another brief update on Dad, gleaned from my own conversation with him tonight, from a report by Dad's former hospice nurse, Barbara, from a report by Christie who's visiting in Utah right now, and from a brief report by one of Dad's colleagues and friends from BYU's English Department.
I'll start with Barbara's report. She stopped by to see Dad this week and reported that he seemed to be doing well and that the staff at the care center told her he was "just the same." Barbara says that's a good report for someone Dad's age!
My sister Christie from Pittsburgh is visiting in Utah now. She told me that Dad seemed to know who she was. She took a picture of her granddaughter Eliana Hamilton, her oldest daughter's baby, and explained to Dad who everyone in the picture was. She also told him who some of the great-grandchildren are who are in the big picture on his wall--he's no longer remembering who they are.
Christie visited Dad again just a day or two ago and reported to me that he seemed to be doing well that day. She visited with him while he was having dinner and said, "He seemed every bit as alert as he was when he was last at home. I think he goes in and out of how alert he is. But after dinner he was pretty tired and just wanted to lie down."
When I spoke with Dad tonight, his voice sounded strong. When he got on the phone, I said, "Hi, Dad, this is Alison." He replied, "Well, hi, this is your dad!"--sounding alert and aware.
Dad chuckled when I told him that my grandson Jeffrey now says, "I do it" about everything--whether he can really do it or not.
And Dad really laughed at my story about Jeffrey and the bathroom door. I use the bathroom on the main floor the most, and it opens right into the livingroom. Jeffrey has learned to open the door and opens it whenever I'm in there and he's around. (The door has a very stiff lock, so usually we don't use it.) Today I put a child-proof cover on the door knob, so the door will only open if you press on the cover just right.
So today when I was using the bathroom, Jeffrey kept fiddling with the knob and managed to get the door open anyway. It was wonderful to hear Dad's great laugh!
Dad also seemed to follow my story about surprising my sister-in-law in the Washington DC temple yesterday. I'd told my brother Alan I would be coming, but I guess he hadn't mentioned it to his wife, Janice. I knew Janice worked at the temple on Saturdays, but I hadn't been sure that she and Alan were in town. I had my eye out for her before and after our sealing session and our special stake meeting, but by the time we were in a session, I'd given up on seeing her. But right at the end of the session, we got to see each other and share a big hug. It was a great moment for both of us.
There was one sadder moment in our conversation. I mentioned that Christie was visiting, and Dad said, "It's not the same though." Then he didn't seem able to explain himself more. After a pause, I said, "Because you're not at home?" Dad said, "Yes, I'm here in this place." I agreed that it was different and asked if they were taking good care of him there. He said, "Oh, yes." It's hard to hear even though we all know the care center is not where Dad would like to be.
Finally, to round out my report, Elouise Bell, one of Dad's former students and then his colleague for many years, has been phoning English Department members to encourage them to visit Dad. (She lives in Oklahoma, so she's too far away to visit.) She sent me Doug Thayer's report of his visit:
Went to visit Marshall. Looked good, cogent, but was eating supper so didn’t stay long. Will go out again. Mentioned to [others from the department] that Marshall would enjoy visitors. Will keep spreading the word."
As always, thank you for your love and interest. Best wishes to you all.
Alison
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