Well it has been a long and interesting week. First, we had all of that lovely snow and then the extra special wind chill that made life just a bit more special. Well the snow is melting and yesterday I was running back and forth to my parents place in shorts and a jacket. But I confess, I did have to come in and put my long johns under my jeans as I was tromping around in the cold drizzle and wind last night attempting to be helpful to Hubby who was mending a broken water pipe on the barn.
Life with my husband’s father has had new challenges this week. He seemed to have had no problem coming off the sinemet. The hallucinations stopped the day he stopped the medicine. All of the Parkinson’s symptoms went away. New problems have arisen that we are trying to deal with. He basically had no real recollection of the past six or seven weeks. He did not know he had broken his hip and I think is still skeptical of the fact. He does not understand why we will not let him get up and walk without help. While he is getting stronger, his balance is still not what it ought to be in order for him to safely maneuver from one place to another without help.
Three mornings ago, he got up and fell on the same hip. He had no pain but a horrible goose egg that looked as if the hip was dislocated—so he was taken to the ER for an Xray. The next morning he tried to get up and he knocked the bedside commode over. This morning, hubby was lying awake and just happened to hear a little noise and he went in the bedroom again and found his dad getting up. Needless to say, we are learning that the hours between 5 and 6 are the most critical for us to be alert.
As far as his walking and strength. He is gaining strength and walks fairly well. He is taking good strong steps but he does not want to work at it very hard. He is content to take a few steps and let that be enough. The safety issue has a lot to do with his balance. Hubby built a standing box for my Dad. (an apparatus that the wonderful VA PT’s used with my dad) I am going to suggest that perhaps he use that with his dad as well. I am not sure his dad would submit to be taken out to my parents place and stood up for display…so hubby might have to build a second one.
Savannah is continuing to do the occupational therapy and that has been very helpful to his ability to eat and to his overall upper body strength. I wish I could have gotten pictures today because for the first time since he has been here he was smiling and laughing some during this therapy time with Savannah. This is also the first day that he has not asked to go back to bed for a nap. He has slept a lot in this chair today but this seems to be a milestone for him to stay up all day.
That is our Saturday update. I am sorry that I have been unable to do a daily update. There has been great improvement this week and today being the best one so far. Thank-you for your phone calls, letters, and most importantly your prayers.
Life with my husband’s father has had new challenges this week. He seemed to have had no problem coming off the sinemet. The hallucinations stopped the day he stopped the medicine. All of the Parkinson’s symptoms went away. New problems have arisen that we are trying to deal with. He basically had no real recollection of the past six or seven weeks. He did not know he had broken his hip and I think is still skeptical of the fact. He does not understand why we will not let him get up and walk without help. While he is getting stronger, his balance is still not what it ought to be in order for him to safely maneuver from one place to another without help.
Three mornings ago, he got up and fell on the same hip. He had no pain but a horrible goose egg that looked as if the hip was dislocated—so he was taken to the ER for an Xray. The next morning he tried to get up and he knocked the bedside commode over. This morning, hubby was lying awake and just happened to hear a little noise and he went in the bedroom again and found his dad getting up. Needless to say, we are learning that the hours between 5 and 6 are the most critical for us to be alert.
As far as his walking and strength. He is gaining strength and walks fairly well. He is taking good strong steps but he does not want to work at it very hard. He is content to take a few steps and let that be enough. The safety issue has a lot to do with his balance. Hubby built a standing box for my Dad. (an apparatus that the wonderful VA PT’s used with my dad) I am going to suggest that perhaps he use that with his dad as well. I am not sure his dad would submit to be taken out to my parents place and stood up for display…so hubby might have to build a second one.
Savannah is continuing to do the occupational therapy and that has been very helpful to his ability to eat and to his overall upper body strength. I wish I could have gotten pictures today because for the first time since he has been here he was smiling and laughing some during this therapy time with Savannah. This is also the first day that he has not asked to go back to bed for a nap. He has slept a lot in this chair today but this seems to be a milestone for him to stay up all day.
That is our Saturday update. I am sorry that I have been unable to do a daily update. There has been great improvement this week and today being the best one so far. Thank-you for your phone calls, letters, and most importantly your prayers.
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