Did you know I used to be a Daddy's Girl?
My Mom called me at work this morning and I knew immediately, by the sound of her voice, that something was wrong.
My Dad had a very bad night. As bad as when he was in hospital. He was tossing and turning, throwing things around. He got up, climbed the stairs and was crying out to my Mom. He could, at any time, have fallen down the stairs. According to my Mom, he's far worse now than he was upon bringing him home on Saturday. He's refusing to take his meds and once she manages to give them to him, he later is adamant that he never took anything. He's forgetting things. His short-term memory is definitely damaged. And, well, his long-term is not so hot either.
She gave me an address of a home in Redwood City which specializes in dementia and alzheimer's. She requested that I call the director and make an appointment to view their facility because she needs to get him placed.
It's in a great location. Up above the Canyon Inn in Redwood City and is a very short drive from both my office and home. As soon as I walked into the place, I got teary eyed and a couple of times I very nearly sobbed. I was given a tour by Rosemary who seemed quite agreeable. She was friendly and seemed sincere. I met a few of the residents, all of whom definitely suffer from dementia, no doubt! Walking into the building, I was hit by the strong odor of Pinesol. It makes my skin crawl. Seriously. Walking around, I just kept thinking, "my Dad will hate it here!" Honestly? He won't like any place that we find.
After leaving, I made my way over to Kaiser (after pigging out at Burger King...feel my shame!) to meet up with my parents who were there because my Dad had a doctor appointment. He woke up this morning and was bleeding profusely from his penis. He had the same issue before coming home and was checked out by a doctor who said he would be fine. They attributed it to a traumatic catheterization and said not to worry. This morning, they had a very hard time staunching the bright red blood flow. Again, no one is really sure what the deal is. He's been home from the hospital since Saturday and the original event was Friday. Four days in between with no bleeding. So, why today?
He looked awful when I saw him today. Well and truly awful. Sunken, tired and beaten down. He sounded hoarse, too.
My Dad had a very bad night. As bad as when he was in hospital. He was tossing and turning, throwing things around. He got up, climbed the stairs and was crying out to my Mom. He could, at any time, have fallen down the stairs. According to my Mom, he's far worse now than he was upon bringing him home on Saturday. He's refusing to take his meds and once she manages to give them to him, he later is adamant that he never took anything. He's forgetting things. His short-term memory is definitely damaged. And, well, his long-term is not so hot either.
She gave me an address of a home in Redwood City which specializes in dementia and alzheimer's. She requested that I call the director and make an appointment to view their facility because she needs to get him placed.
It's in a great location. Up above the Canyon Inn in Redwood City and is a very short drive from both my office and home. As soon as I walked into the place, I got teary eyed and a couple of times I very nearly sobbed. I was given a tour by Rosemary who seemed quite agreeable. She was friendly and seemed sincere. I met a few of the residents, all of whom definitely suffer from dementia, no doubt! Walking into the building, I was hit by the strong odor of Pinesol. It makes my skin crawl. Seriously. Walking around, I just kept thinking, "my Dad will hate it here!" Honestly? He won't like any place that we find.
After leaving, I made my way over to Kaiser (after pigging out at Burger King...feel my shame!) to meet up with my parents who were there because my Dad had a doctor appointment. He woke up this morning and was bleeding profusely from his penis. He had the same issue before coming home and was checked out by a doctor who said he would be fine. They attributed it to a traumatic catheterization and said not to worry. This morning, they had a very hard time staunching the bright red blood flow. Again, no one is really sure what the deal is. He's been home from the hospital since Saturday and the original event was Friday. Four days in between with no bleeding. So, why today?
He looked awful when I saw him today. Well and truly awful. Sunken, tired and beaten down. He sounded hoarse, too.