December 1, 2010

I can't believe it's December 1st. Time flies. Peter picked up Dad yesterday. I had scheduled a message for my back. It was wonderful. After that, Simon and I met Pam and Pam at Mudbones for the Low Country Boil. We had a great time and the food was delicious. When I got home, I got some chores done. Peter brought Dad home just before 9. I gave him his medicine and he got in the recliner. I relaxed on the couch, and actually fell asleep. I woke up at 10:15 and decided to get Dad in the bed so that I could get in bed. He was sleeping and I woke him and told him we needed to get in the bed. He said, "I'm good right here." I told him I needed to go to bed, so he needed to get up and let me get him in bed. He said, "No, I'm not getting up." I tried to take the blanket off him and he kept pulling it back. We went back and forth and it took Van and Simon coming over to help before Dad would get up. I took him in the bathroom and told him to try to pee. He wouldn't. Then I tried to put soap on his hands so he could wash them, but he wouldn't let me. I did get toothpaste on a toothbrush and he grabbed it from me and quickly brushed his teeth. He was not a happy camper. He followed me to his bedroom. I tried to look at him in his eyes to let him know I needed his help. I got him to take off his shirt and pants. He argued some, but complied. He didn't want to take off his depend, but he finally did. I checked his blood sugar and it was okay. I was glad to say "Good night." Last night I got up at 1:00 to change him and it went well. He was a little slower and seemed a little out of it, but he didn't complain. I don't even remember the second alarm. When I got up at 5:30 this morning, I realized I hadn't changed him the second time. When I went in at 6:40 to get him up, he grabbed the covers and said he didn't want to get up. He said, "I'll get up in a little while." I told him I had to leave for work and I needed to get him up. He said, "You go on, I'll get up later." He pulled the covers tightly on himself like he wasn't going to budge. I decided to do a few other things I needed to do and then I came back. I acted like it was the first time I had been in. By this time I think he was more awake. I said, "Good morning! Are you ready to get up?" He said, "I guess so." He got up and I got him dressed and to the bar for his medicine, juice and coffee. David picked him up at Life Care today. They should be home any time. I may go ahead and get him in the bed when he gets home, depending on how he seems. It's a real struggle when you know that all they want to do is be content and not have to do anything. It's hard to make him do something he doesn't want to do. Hopefully things will be easier tonight! Susie