Archive for April 15th, 2008
Installed @ Hospice
This is an interesting day about which I’m unsure what to write.
Dad slept soundly through most of the night — sleeping through the night @ hospital is not all that unusual, but sleeping soundly is. Not much change in strength or aspect. Some slight motling, diminished pulse at three of four extremities @ transport time.
Peg rode over to the hospice with dad in the ambulance, the trip was uneventful.
We got him over to hospice about 1:15 and he was clearly confused and concerned even though we’d talked about us all going someplace else.
Intake was unremarkable. Simple and routine.
The people ARE very wonderful and very caring. He’s in a good place here. And he seems content.
At first when we got into his new room he looked concerned, then he started looking around, noticing the crown moulding, the amount of furniture, the VIEW out the window into the courtyard where there are daffodils blooming. At first he looked overwhelmed, then he smiled a little and we have been having some little conversation as time went by. He has napped on and off.
On some levels he seems more alert, he’s getting congested, but to deal with the congestion he is trying to cough things up — working on his own swallow reflex on his own. And some minor movements aimed at achieving comfort. Even a little movement of his left (weaker arm).
There is an optimistic part of me that wonders if coming to hospice could be enough to get him jump started to recover? It’s not likcly, he’s incredibly weak. And there are countless problems he faces. But, he knows that this IS hospice, was not alarmed, nor making any reaction other than resignation — but people have surprized others in the past — we shall see what happens this time.
In the mean time Mike, Katy & Mel are enroute from Milwaukee, to arrive tonight. Fred & Lisa arrive late Thursday morning.
I dont know how to report today’s activities. Is there any real improvement or not? Ias it simply a burst of activity in response to an active day — if an ambulance drive is “active.” Or is this simply a son-in-law wishing it wasn’t time to say goodbye to a wonderful man.
Time will tell.
