Tuesday, 22 July 2021: John and I Visit David
Yesterday my youngest son, John, picked me up about 10:30 a.m., and we drove up to West Reading**, PA, to see my oldest, David. He has been at Tower Health Medical Group Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation for at least two weeks now: I'm not certain when he was first transferred there from Reading Hospital.
David is 64 and, besides having had a stroke three years ago, has diabetes and Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's is a cruel disease that is slowly killing him, as it killed my uncle, my father's brother. The diabetes isn't helping. This hospitalization started when David needed the remaining toes on his left foot amputated, thanks, at least in part, to his diabetes.
David was asleep when we got there, but perked up once he was fully awake.
John and I stayed with him for two hours, until about 2:00 p.m. He begged us to stay longer...that really hurt...but conversation was difficult. The Parkinson's affects his speech, and John especially was long past his lunch hour. I haven't driven for more than fifteen years***, so I'm not able to go see David on my own, but I was thankful that I was with John anyway. I needed the emotional support, plus he understood much more of David's speech than I did. I'm also sure that John, too, often nodded or smiled agreement when he hadn't actually understood David.
Reading is 60-some miles from Philadelphia, almost all limited access highway, so when we left David, John and I immediately looked for somewhere to eat nearby. We ended up stopping at the first open bar/restaurant we encountered. I don't remember the name; it was just a neighborhood taproom, but we had a nice meal there. I had a tasty steak sandwich, made with lots of mushrooms, and John had a hamburger with fries and a beer. (He always lets me sample his beers, and I liked this one.)
As you can see, there were screens all over the bar, mostly showing sporting events, but the sound was so muted that John and I could talk without raising our voices. Our waitress was cheerful and just attentive enough which I appreciated. Altogether, it was the epitome of the best of the typical neighborhood tappy.
We got home about 4:30. I managed to stay awake the whole trip, but immediately lay down on the couch and napped for an hour or so, then went to be early (for me) at a little after 11:00 p.m. I still feel sad today, a normal reaction, I think. FanSee
**Reading is pronounced Redding.
***I gave up driving voluntarily. I became so nervous about possibly causing an accident that I could never sleep well the night before. That meant I was then so fatigued that I really was a menace on the road.
David is 64 and, besides having had a stroke three years ago, has diabetes and Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's is a cruel disease that is slowly killing him, as it killed my uncle, my father's brother. The diabetes isn't helping. This hospitalization started when David needed the remaining toes on his left foot amputated, thanks, at least in part, to his diabetes.
David was asleep when we got there, but perked up once he was fully awake.
John and I stayed with him for two hours, until about 2:00 p.m. He begged us to stay longer...that really hurt...but conversation was difficult. The Parkinson's affects his speech, and John especially was long past his lunch hour. I haven't driven for more than fifteen years***, so I'm not able to go see David on my own, but I was thankful that I was with John anyway. I needed the emotional support, plus he understood much more of David's speech than I did. I'm also sure that John, too, often nodded or smiled agreement when he hadn't actually understood David.
Reading is 60-some miles from Philadelphia, almost all limited access highway, so when we left David, John and I immediately looked for somewhere to eat nearby. We ended up stopping at the first open bar/restaurant we encountered. I don't remember the name; it was just a neighborhood taproom, but we had a nice meal there. I had a tasty steak sandwich, made with lots of mushrooms, and John had a hamburger with fries and a beer. (He always lets me sample his beers, and I liked this one.)
As you can see, there were screens all over the bar, mostly showing sporting events, but the sound was so muted that John and I could talk without raising our voices. Our waitress was cheerful and just attentive enough which I appreciated. Altogether, it was the epitome of the best of the typical neighborhood tappy.
We got home about 4:30. I managed to stay awake the whole trip, but immediately lay down on the couch and napped for an hour or so, then went to be early (for me) at a little after 11:00 p.m. I still feel sad today, a normal reaction, I think. FanSee
**Reading is pronounced Redding.
***I gave up driving voluntarily. I became so nervous about possibly causing an accident that I could never sleep well the night before. That meant I was then so fatigued that I really was a menace on the road.