Monday, September 6, 2010

After I finished my blog on Saturday, Dad used the bathroom again. This time I needed to get him in the shower. Upon my request, he followed me to our bathroom. I asked him, piece at a time, to undress. I would say, "Take off your shirt." He would reply, "Take off my shirt?" "Yep." I physically have to help him with his pants. When I got him undressed, I told him to step in to the shower. He did with my help. As I started to turn the water on, he shouted "No!" and moved my hand away. He kept shouting "No!" and moving my hand. Simon came in and tried to help. Dad was like a child, not wanting his bath. He acted as if he was going to cry. I persuaded him to let me turn the water on so he could wet his rag and wash his bottom off. He finally let me. Then I told him to stand back so I could turn the shower on. He didn't like it at first, but when he got use to it, he went about washing himself and actually stayed in for about 10 minutes. I said earlier that Dad is often fairly easy to care for, but more and more he is becoming resistant to certain tasks. After his shower on Saturday we went down to the pond. Dad enjoyed sitting and watching everyone fish. Instead of asking how deep the pond is, he now counts people. He will count everyone over and over. If I'm across the pond and wave at him, he'll smile and wave back. We also spent time at the pond yesterday afternoon. As Dad and I were sitting on the dock, he did something he hadn't done in a while. When we were growing up, Dad would always reach over and use the side of his hand to check our knee reflex. He did that to me yesterday and laughed. The other thing Dad does over and over at the pond is spit. He spits and spits and spits. I gave him a fishing rod after I cast it, and he reeled it in. Every time I cast it, he would reel it in, over and over. He did catch a fish one time! When I got him ready for bed last night, he didn't want to change his Depend. He said, "No, I'm okay. I'm okay." After insisting several times and not letting him lay down, he finally let me change him. Today has been a lazy day. Simon stayed with Dad while I ran some errands. Dad spent time at the bar, outside on his swing and sleeping in his recliner. I have ribs on the grill so I better run! Happy Labor Day!! Susie