Wednesday, November 30, 2011
"You're pretty."
I had been sitting at the table with dad in the activities room... also at the table was an older woman, "U", with whom I had been "chatting"! She had been telling be about moving to Australia from Germany when she was a schoolgirl, and attending a boarding school in Neutral Bay that was "horrid"! Getting up from the table, she was right in my personal space, staring at me. That's when she said that I was pretty, and was that red hair I had? I had the biggest smile on my face, as five minutes prior, when I was showing her something... she said she couldn't see very well, all she saw was shapes. Ahhh... the whole world is pretty through a soft-focus lens ;)
I've spent zero time with old people prior to dad going into hospital. I have to say, like children, they crack me up with the things they say. I find myself hanging out with dad in the activity room purely for entertainment! Today when I was there, it was "ice-cream party" time. The aides were handing out chocolate cones to all. When dad's table-mate was handed the chocolate ice cream cone, she turned her nose up and it, and wrinkled her face while eating it. She got up from the table and told me she was going to the balcony to eat it. One of the aides saw her and came over... she told me that "U" had a habit of going out to the balcony and throwing her cone over the side. We watched her, and sure enough, that's where she was headed. The aide went to rescue the cone before it ended upside down in the front entry way. What a laugh!
All this afternoon hilarity was unforeseen at 10.30 this morning. I had a call from the home to say that dad fell out of bed again last night... bed rails and all. He wormed his way down to the end of the bed between the rails and got out somehow. He was unhurt this time. What we do not need is another hospital visit. Pleeeeeaaase, can we make it through Christmas intact?! What ARE we going to do with him?! Wrap him in a cocoon and suspend him in a hammock?
Upon arriving at the home this afternoon, one of the aides came up to me to talk to me about dad. Her words were, "That man is determined."
My response, "Don't I know it!"
They have him up and walking with a frame. When he gets tired, he sits down for a rest, and when he's ready to go, he tells them, "Right. Let's go." Apparently they have to coax others to do their physio.
She said to me... "He always has to have the final say."
Yep. Try being his kid. Growing up was fun! No doubt with whom they are working. Dad is strong and determined... yet I always hear from them that he is very polite... please, thank you, sorry. Guess of all the human traits to have, these ones aren't so bad!
PS... Have been meaning to post a photo on this blog update.... click here to see...
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Grumpy Boots
After my mom passed away, my aunt said to me, "You will sometimes wonder why there are bad people still left on the earth when you had to lose your mom, who was so good and kind." (Or words to that effect.) That is one thing I have learned in this experience, life is not fair. Bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to not so nice people. Perhaps it is a carry over from childhood... when we thought everything should be dealt out fairly. "It's not fair, his piece is bigger than mine." How many times were those words uttered, when we felt we were dealt the smaller piece of pie. (Invariably, "he" would lash out with his fork and take a further chunk of pie for himself, all the while saying, "You thought it was smaller before...")
We think that if we go through some sort of tribulation in life, there will be good things in store for us down the road. Perhaps this is the attitude of the entitilist generation. Throughout history, people have struggled and battled through life without palm trees on their own private island as a reward, or whatever their personal perceived uptopia may be. Life can be a battle and we manage the best that we can. (I realize this is deep... it's late at night!) There may or may not be utopia waiting around the next corner. We should count the blessings that we have and not expect any more.
These were the thoughts swirling around in my mind as I walked (stomped) the sidewalks of Sydney, on what I call a "Dad Day". Days solely devoted to running errands and odd jobs for dad. I was feeling pretty grumpy about having to spend another day doing dad stuff... banking, tax work, medical documents, and then shopping for more clothes (I used to giggle at men wandering in the women's department; now the joke is on me!) One could say that a lot of this work has to do with our settling into a new country, and if I didn't want the additional work, I could have stayed put. However, I was doing all this work in Canada too, so I say, whatever. (So mature!)
I realize I am having a bit of a whine... but it's my blog and I'll whine if I want to. This is life with a disabled family member and most days it is pretty lame. I long to have a 9-5 job and go off to work like a normal person. I hate answering the question, "What do you do for work?" ("I look after my dad, he's a full-time job, haha.) I have said it before... just because you are disabled, does not mean the work, chores, bills don't stop piling in. Someone has to do it, and if that someone can't be you, who will it be?
I know all this work will eventually be finished, I am not running these extensive errands in vain... though most of the time it feels like it. I suppose one day soon I am going to have to re-evaluate where I am in life. So maybe I should enjoy the "Dad Days" for now. It could be worse... it could be all about me. Maybe that won't be so easy to figure out!!!!!
Note: My (rather insightful) brother said to me today... "I suppose there are gumpy people, and then there are grumpy people who can laugh about being grumpy. You may as well have a laugh and find the humor in it, or else you're just a grumpy person."
We think that if we go through some sort of tribulation in life, there will be good things in store for us down the road. Perhaps this is the attitude of the entitilist generation. Throughout history, people have struggled and battled through life without palm trees on their own private island as a reward, or whatever their personal perceived uptopia may be. Life can be a battle and we manage the best that we can. (I realize this is deep... it's late at night!) There may or may not be utopia waiting around the next corner. We should count the blessings that we have and not expect any more.
These were the thoughts swirling around in my mind as I walked (stomped) the sidewalks of Sydney, on what I call a "Dad Day". Days solely devoted to running errands and odd jobs for dad. I was feeling pretty grumpy about having to spend another day doing dad stuff... banking, tax work, medical documents, and then shopping for more clothes (I used to giggle at men wandering in the women's department; now the joke is on me!) One could say that a lot of this work has to do with our settling into a new country, and if I didn't want the additional work, I could have stayed put. However, I was doing all this work in Canada too, so I say, whatever. (So mature!)
I realize I am having a bit of a whine... but it's my blog and I'll whine if I want to. This is life with a disabled family member and most days it is pretty lame. I long to have a 9-5 job and go off to work like a normal person. I hate answering the question, "What do you do for work?" ("I look after my dad, he's a full-time job, haha.) I have said it before... just because you are disabled, does not mean the work, chores, bills don't stop piling in. Someone has to do it, and if that someone can't be you, who will it be?
I know all this work will eventually be finished, I am not running these extensive errands in vain... though most of the time it feels like it. I suppose one day soon I am going to have to re-evaluate where I am in life. So maybe I should enjoy the "Dad Days" for now. It could be worse... it could be all about me. Maybe that won't be so easy to figure out!!!!!
Note: My (rather insightful) brother said to me today... "I suppose there are gumpy people, and then there are grumpy people who can laugh about being grumpy. You may as well have a laugh and find the humor in it, or else you're just a grumpy person."
Monday, November 28, 2011
Chocolate
Monday, November 28, 2011
Now, I'm confused. Dad was back today asking for the Roger's peanut butter, or was it peanut brittle? I told him we were in Australia, and couldn't get Roger's brand here. He stared at me as if to say... so what... make it work. Hmmm... sometimes it feels like I am working for a difficult celebrity!
See, there's Adam's peanut butter, Roger's choclates (yet it was Purdy's chocolates) that was at the mall near him. I have no idea what he's looking for. I did an Internet reseach on the chocolates he could possibly be requesting. Then I did search on Darryl Lea to see if they had an equivalent... and if they don't have a chocolate peanut brittle bar. I started to wonder if the joke is on me and dad does know what he's talking about, after all! It does not really matter anyway... cuz the Darryl Lea chocolate bar is the one he's getting!
Another funny incident from today: dad's brother and sister-in-law are coming to visit next week. He said to me, "I've not seen C&J yet." I told thim that is because he's a week out on his dates. But I am a little proud of him for remembering that they are coming and taking it all in.
Something else I realized today... even if dad doesn't remember everything, and is confused, I still need to communicate everything to him. I realized how important that is. I have just had my head down, getting everything done. Today he was panicking as he hadn't paid for where he is staying... well, he has paid, he just hasn't seen the bill as we have taken care of it for him. I needed his signature on some new paperwork; so I took it to him and explained to him what we were doing. A bit of practice with the old signature, and he was happy to sign the paperwork. I then realized that I had been doing the very thing I had blamed mom for... keeping him in the dark about things because she thought it would only worry him. When keeping him in the dark was the very thing that did worry him. A few explanations, some communication, and he seemed quite happy to be (seemingly) in control of the situation. Lesson learned, and will incorporate the changes moving forward.
Funny little anecdote from when I was leaving... I said, "Bye dad, see you tomorrow."
He said, "I hope not, I'll starve."
Momentarily confused, it took me a couple of seconds before I said, "You mean, you want your peanut butter chocolate bar?"
Small grin in response.
Brat!
Sidenote: I took him in a pack of 12 mini Cherry Ripes on Saturday night... I ate two... and there was one left when I left tonight. I wonder where my sweet tooth (and lack of self-control around sweets) comes from!!
Now, I'm confused. Dad was back today asking for the Roger's peanut butter, or was it peanut brittle? I told him we were in Australia, and couldn't get Roger's brand here. He stared at me as if to say... so what... make it work. Hmmm... sometimes it feels like I am working for a difficult celebrity!
See, there's Adam's peanut butter, Roger's choclates (yet it was Purdy's chocolates) that was at the mall near him. I have no idea what he's looking for. I did an Internet reseach on the chocolates he could possibly be requesting. Then I did search on Darryl Lea to see if they had an equivalent... and if they don't have a chocolate peanut brittle bar. I started to wonder if the joke is on me and dad does know what he's talking about, after all! It does not really matter anyway... cuz the Darryl Lea chocolate bar is the one he's getting!
Another funny incident from today: dad's brother and sister-in-law are coming to visit next week. He said to me, "I've not seen C&J yet." I told thim that is because he's a week out on his dates. But I am a little proud of him for remembering that they are coming and taking it all in.
Something else I realized today... even if dad doesn't remember everything, and is confused, I still need to communicate everything to him. I realized how important that is. I have just had my head down, getting everything done. Today he was panicking as he hadn't paid for where he is staying... well, he has paid, he just hasn't seen the bill as we have taken care of it for him. I needed his signature on some new paperwork; so I took it to him and explained to him what we were doing. A bit of practice with the old signature, and he was happy to sign the paperwork. I then realized that I had been doing the very thing I had blamed mom for... keeping him in the dark about things because she thought it would only worry him. When keeping him in the dark was the very thing that did worry him. A few explanations, some communication, and he seemed quite happy to be (seemingly) in control of the situation. Lesson learned, and will incorporate the changes moving forward.
Funny little anecdote from when I was leaving... I said, "Bye dad, see you tomorrow."
He said, "I hope not, I'll starve."
Momentarily confused, it took me a couple of seconds before I said, "You mean, you want your peanut butter chocolate bar?"
Small grin in response.
Brat!
Sidenote: I took him in a pack of 12 mini Cherry Ripes on Saturday night... I ate two... and there was one left when I left tonight. I wonder where my sweet tooth (and lack of self-control around sweets) comes from!!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
A Word of Thanks
Throughout this experience, we have been blessed with many caring, helping hands. Thank you to so many who eased the burden of our journey... a shoulder to cry on, a table to laugh around, a roof overhead (for those out of town visits... I didn't end up homeless, until now!), a home visit, a hospital visit, a phone call, a thoughtful email...
Graeme, Rachelle, Amelie, Zara, Dana, Calvin, Carson, Josephine, Adrianna, Alex, Ryan, Tracy, Jake, Dax, Dave, Ashlee, Greg, Sandee, Carter, Zara, Patty, Sefton, John, George, Lloyd, Brent, Veronika, Dominik, Bianca, Twyla, Shayla, Elyse, Ethan, Gary, Glenda, Laura, Carly, Jon, Keely, Andrew, Dave, Jayna, Ben, Nate, Steve, Loretta, Abigail, Juliette, Reece, Linda, Piper, Arlo, Garth, Sherri, Mark, Anton, Bensen, Chase, Vic, Joan, Ralph, Lenore, Paul K, Merv, Phyllis, Murray, Beth, Carly, Nigel, Nathan, Gail, Colette, Pati, Maggie...
Special thanks to the Fulton and Anderson families who provided rides for dad...
Thank you to all who visited dad in the hospital in the last weeks before his move overseas. Thank you too to all who emailed and sent cards... I tried to respond to everyone, but I know I have forgotten a few. No matter... your words did not go unnoticed.
Thank you to the nursing staff at PAH 5N ... for pushing dad to get him up, walking, ready for the long flight overseas... and for giving me the tools to manage the long flight.
Thank you to the caring team at the Nurse Next Door for your care above the call of duty...
Thank you to the team of doctors: Dr. B; family doctor, Dr. T; elder health doctor, Dr. S; neurologist, Dr. A; urologist... thank you for your kindness and care of dad, and for your patience with my stressful queries.
We couldn't have done it without you, so a heartfelt thanks to all ... the family... Norman, Donna, Loren, Dale (Joanna.)...
Note: We are in safe hands here in Sydney, so thank you to all who have welcomed us with open arms... it feels like home already. We are looking forward to the next chapter, hoping it is somewhat less dramatic!
PS... I apologize profusely if I have forgotten anyone. It's quite possible, given my current mental state!
Graeme, Rachelle, Amelie, Zara, Dana, Calvin, Carson, Josephine, Adrianna, Alex, Ryan, Tracy, Jake, Dax, Dave, Ashlee, Greg, Sandee, Carter, Zara, Patty, Sefton, John, George, Lloyd, Brent, Veronika, Dominik, Bianca, Twyla, Shayla, Elyse, Ethan, Gary, Glenda, Laura, Carly, Jon, Keely, Andrew, Dave, Jayna, Ben, Nate, Steve, Loretta, Abigail, Juliette, Reece, Linda, Piper, Arlo, Garth, Sherri, Mark, Anton, Bensen, Chase, Vic, Joan, Ralph, Lenore, Paul K, Merv, Phyllis, Murray, Beth, Carly, Nigel, Nathan, Gail, Colette, Pati, Maggie...
Special thanks to the Fulton and Anderson families who provided rides for dad...
Thank you to all who visited dad in the hospital in the last weeks before his move overseas. Thank you too to all who emailed and sent cards... I tried to respond to everyone, but I know I have forgotten a few. No matter... your words did not go unnoticed.
Thank you to the nursing staff at PAH 5N ... for pushing dad to get him up, walking, ready for the long flight overseas... and for giving me the tools to manage the long flight.
Thank you to the caring team at the Nurse Next Door for your care above the call of duty...
Thank you to the team of doctors: Dr. B; family doctor, Dr. T; elder health doctor, Dr. S; neurologist, Dr. A; urologist... thank you for your kindness and care of dad, and for your patience with my stressful queries.
We couldn't have done it without you, so a heartfelt thanks to all ... the family... Norman, Donna, Loren, Dale (Joanna.)...
Note: We are in safe hands here in Sydney, so thank you to all who have welcomed us with open arms... it feels like home already. We are looking forward to the next chapter, hoping it is somewhat less dramatic!
PS... I apologize profusely if I have forgotten anyone. It's quite possible, given my current mental state!
Peanut Butter
Sunday, November 27, 2011
I'm a worrier... that is what I do. I have been a worrier for as long as I can remember, and the rest of my family can attest to that. I am worried that dad cannot communicate properly anymore. It has been two weeks (already!) since his surgery, and we have not heard many clear words from his mouth. Yesterday, the only thing we understood him to say, or should I say, request, was "Roger's peanut butter." It took us a while to clue in that he was asking for Adam's peanut butter... the crunchy variety.
Ah... something else we take for granted... what we ingest. At the care home, we have to sign in food brought in for a resident. While signing in the Cherry Ripes yesterday, curiosity got the better of me and I took a sticky-beak at some of the other things people were bringing in for family/friends. One of the items on there was fresh oysters. How I love oysters... and had just bought a dozen of the Sydney Rock Oysters for consumption. I cannot imagine not being able to satisfy my craving by just walking into the fishmonger and purchasing. Or coffee. Sydney is home to the most amazing coffee. You don't have to walk far in the city to find an amazing cup of coffee... smooth nutty goodness topped with thick foam and a sprinkle of chocolate. A bag of chips, a grilled cheese sandwich, strawberry smoothie, turkey dinner, a warm jelly-filled donut... all the food items one craves, and caves into. In a care home, the residents are at the mercy of their visitors to bring them the food items they enjoy.
Of all the things to miss... peanut butter! Adam's was a pure peanut butter, no additives. Available in Canada. Something else to replace in Sydney. Following a new driver's license, medical card, and phone... that one should be easy!!
I'm a worrier... that is what I do. I have been a worrier for as long as I can remember, and the rest of my family can attest to that. I am worried that dad cannot communicate properly anymore. It has been two weeks (already!) since his surgery, and we have not heard many clear words from his mouth. Yesterday, the only thing we understood him to say, or should I say, request, was "Roger's peanut butter." It took us a while to clue in that he was asking for Adam's peanut butter... the crunchy variety.
Ah... something else we take for granted... what we ingest. At the care home, we have to sign in food brought in for a resident. While signing in the Cherry Ripes yesterday, curiosity got the better of me and I took a sticky-beak at some of the other things people were bringing in for family/friends. One of the items on there was fresh oysters. How I love oysters... and had just bought a dozen of the Sydney Rock Oysters for consumption. I cannot imagine not being able to satisfy my craving by just walking into the fishmonger and purchasing. Or coffee. Sydney is home to the most amazing coffee. You don't have to walk far in the city to find an amazing cup of coffee... smooth nutty goodness topped with thick foam and a sprinkle of chocolate. A bag of chips, a grilled cheese sandwich, strawberry smoothie, turkey dinner, a warm jelly-filled donut... all the food items one craves, and caves into. In a care home, the residents are at the mercy of their visitors to bring them the food items they enjoy.
Of all the things to miss... peanut butter! Adam's was a pure peanut butter, no additives. Available in Canada. Something else to replace in Sydney. Following a new driver's license, medical card, and phone... that one should be easy!!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
This Just In
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
After all that... we had a call from the hospital today... they are discharging dad back to the care home tomorrow morning!! It has all been taken care of; I just need to go to the home in the morning to sign some more papers. Such good news. He had received excellent care in the hospital, but it will be nice for him to be back in a more inspiring environment. I can take him treats again, and we can sit out in the garden. (Though maybe not this week... it's a week of rain... looking a bit like Vancouver weather. Not so bad though, as it's about 18C... so can splash through the puddles in flip flops!) Fingers are crossed for smooth sailing for a while...
After all that... we had a call from the hospital today... they are discharging dad back to the care home tomorrow morning!! It has all been taken care of; I just need to go to the home in the morning to sign some more papers. Such good news. He had received excellent care in the hospital, but it will be nice for him to be back in a more inspiring environment. I can take him treats again, and we can sit out in the garden. (Though maybe not this week... it's a week of rain... looking a bit like Vancouver weather. Not so bad though, as it's about 18C... so can splash through the puddles in flip flops!) Fingers are crossed for smooth sailing for a while...
Checking In
Monday, November 21, 2011
Every day dad looks a little more contented, which gives me pause to think... I thought he was improved the other day!? How is it that I always forget reasons why he is still confused. It took someone to point out that he is still on pain medication for his hip, hence the continued confusion. I was starting to panic that this may be the new dad... but should give him a break (no, not that kind of break!) as he did just have surgery one week ago. It takes longer to recover due to the complications with Parkinson's... will I never learn!?
Seems that dad will be in the hospital for another one to two weeks. His nurse, who has been caring for him yesterday and today had not heard our story of moving over only three weeks ago (she obviously doesn't have a link to the b,log!). Some people hear my accent and assume that I amm here on holiday... then shocked that I moved here, with dad, only three short weeks ago (who am I kidding... it feels like three months.) Today's nurse could not believe our story... of all the setbacks and complications on our journey to get here. She tapped dad on the arm and said, "There you see Norm, you can't let obstacles in life hinder you from getting where you want to be." Indeed. (I may have welled up about then. Must stop doing that. It makes people nervous.)
Every day dad looks a little more contented, which gives me pause to think... I thought he was improved the other day!? How is it that I always forget reasons why he is still confused. It took someone to point out that he is still on pain medication for his hip, hence the continued confusion. I was starting to panic that this may be the new dad... but should give him a break (no, not that kind of break!) as he did just have surgery one week ago. It takes longer to recover due to the complications with Parkinson's... will I never learn!?
Seems that dad will be in the hospital for another one to two weeks. His nurse, who has been caring for him yesterday and today had not heard our story of moving over only three weeks ago (she obviously doesn't have a link to the b,log!). Some people hear my accent and assume that I amm here on holiday... then shocked that I moved here, with dad, only three short weeks ago (who am I kidding... it feels like three months.) Today's nurse could not believe our story... of all the setbacks and complications on our journey to get here. She tapped dad on the arm and said, "There you see Norm, you can't let obstacles in life hinder you from getting where you want to be." Indeed. (I may have welled up about then. Must stop doing that. It makes people nervous.)
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Lucky Me
Thursday, November 17, 2011
'You're lucky, you get to go home,' said the middle-aged woman in the elevator we shared at the hospital this afternoon.
'I don't take it for granted, that's for sure.' I told her as we exited together at the lobby.
One thing I've learned in this experience is not to take one's health for granted. How many years have any of us jumped out of bed and lived our lives without giving thought to how many things need to be in place for us to even do that. The human body is an amazing thing, and it's a wonder it all works together as it does. Because when one thing goes wrong, it can affect everything else. Upset the apple cart, if you will...
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. This expression keeps going through my head ever since the elevator interaction. Many things are out of our control: genetics and time and chance. However, many things are within our control: diet, exercise, environment, attitude. Following last week's ER drama with dad, my brother and I were conversing that after seeing people in the hospital, there is a strong desire to eat healthy and exercise - to avoid landing in the hospital sooner than necessary. Also to drive with care and attention... would be awful to end up in ER due to a preventable thing such as speed, or even impatience.
Dad is improving everyday. Today the delusion is much improved, though the words are still quite slurred. He asked me at one point if people knew...
I asked, 'Knew what? That you're in hospital?'
He said, 'They knew that three weeks, a month ago.'
Haha, dad. Just when you wonder what's going to be next for him, he surprises you by being surprisingly on the ball.
Such was the case the other day when my brother and I visited him... he was still in the middle of the post-op delusions and talking gibberish about his old days building... the radius of the coffee cup, the thickness of the laminate, the plans on the wall and trying to get out of bed to get to work. (Oh yes, he hasn't given up on the ole get-out-of-bed-trick quite yet.) Loren and I exchanged glances a couple of times as if to say, "Whack-a-doo!" He caught us looking at each other both times, and the second time he asked, "What's going on with you two?" Good old dad; he was always spot on reading social cues, and he still has it going on. Haha... he showed us, didn't he!?
'You're lucky, you get to go home,' said the middle-aged woman in the elevator we shared at the hospital this afternoon.
'I don't take it for granted, that's for sure.' I told her as we exited together at the lobby.
One thing I've learned in this experience is not to take one's health for granted. How many years have any of us jumped out of bed and lived our lives without giving thought to how many things need to be in place for us to even do that. The human body is an amazing thing, and it's a wonder it all works together as it does. Because when one thing goes wrong, it can affect everything else. Upset the apple cart, if you will...
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. This expression keeps going through my head ever since the elevator interaction. Many things are out of our control: genetics and time and chance. However, many things are within our control: diet, exercise, environment, attitude. Following last week's ER drama with dad, my brother and I were conversing that after seeing people in the hospital, there is a strong desire to eat healthy and exercise - to avoid landing in the hospital sooner than necessary. Also to drive with care and attention... would be awful to end up in ER due to a preventable thing such as speed, or even impatience.
Dad is improving everyday. Today the delusion is much improved, though the words are still quite slurred. He asked me at one point if people knew...
I asked, 'Knew what? That you're in hospital?'
He said, 'They knew that three weeks, a month ago.'
Haha, dad. Just when you wonder what's going to be next for him, he surprises you by being surprisingly on the ball.
Such was the case the other day when my brother and I visited him... he was still in the middle of the post-op delusions and talking gibberish about his old days building... the radius of the coffee cup, the thickness of the laminate, the plans on the wall and trying to get out of bed to get to work. (Oh yes, he hasn't given up on the ole get-out-of-bed-trick quite yet.) Loren and I exchanged glances a couple of times as if to say, "Whack-a-doo!" He caught us looking at each other both times, and the second time he asked, "What's going on with you two?" Good old dad; he was always spot on reading social cues, and he still has it going on. Haha... he showed us, didn't he!?
Monday, November 14, 2011
Bright Eyed & Bushy Tailed
Monday, November 14, 2011
Bright eyed and bushy-tailed... well, kind of...
The call came mid-afternoon Sunday; dad was heading into the theatre right then for surgery to insert pins and plates onto his broken femur. That meant all was well with his temperature, etc., and the operation could proceed. No news is good news... we had not heard back from the hospital that afternoon, nor could we reach anyone to find out how the surgery had gone. It being a Sunday, I am sure they had left for the weekend. Having been a somewhat busy day, we did not go into the hospital... assuming dad would have been right out of it from the surgery. (Yes, I still feel slightly guilty for not being there... I am trying to deal with that!)
Heading in through the hospital doors on Monday afternoon, my brother asked what I thought dad would be doing. I said that he would probably be sitting up in bed, bright eyed and bushy-tailed. And I was right. He was sitting up in bed when we got there, taking it all in. Not to say that he was fully aware of what was going on. Or as his nurse put it... 'post-op delusions that can last a few days'. Went through this back in January... it is about par for the course. (At least this time the professionals can handle it, and not like last time where they sent him home with me and I was not prepared for the crazies!!) There was an IV in his arm for fluids, and oxygen in his nose as post-op patients tend to take shallow breaths for a day or two post surgery. I steered clear of the surgery site... I am not a nurse... no way!
So there you have it... we have one (slightly) intact father, on the road to recovery once again. And once again, I am releasing one looooong exhale..........................................
Bright eyed and bushy-tailed... well, kind of...
The call came mid-afternoon Sunday; dad was heading into the theatre right then for surgery to insert pins and plates onto his broken femur. That meant all was well with his temperature, etc., and the operation could proceed. No news is good news... we had not heard back from the hospital that afternoon, nor could we reach anyone to find out how the surgery had gone. It being a Sunday, I am sure they had left for the weekend. Having been a somewhat busy day, we did not go into the hospital... assuming dad would have been right out of it from the surgery. (Yes, I still feel slightly guilty for not being there... I am trying to deal with that!)
Heading in through the hospital doors on Monday afternoon, my brother asked what I thought dad would be doing. I said that he would probably be sitting up in bed, bright eyed and bushy-tailed. And I was right. He was sitting up in bed when we got there, taking it all in. Not to say that he was fully aware of what was going on. Or as his nurse put it... 'post-op delusions that can last a few days'. Went through this back in January... it is about par for the course. (At least this time the professionals can handle it, and not like last time where they sent him home with me and I was not prepared for the crazies!!) There was an IV in his arm for fluids, and oxygen in his nose as post-op patients tend to take shallow breaths for a day or two post surgery. I steered clear of the surgery site... I am not a nurse... no way!
So there you have it... we have one (slightly) intact father, on the road to recovery once again. And once again, I am releasing one looooong exhale..........................................
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Rewind, Play
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| Looking towards Darlinghurst |
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| Centerpoint in the CBD making an appearance in the distance |
Saturday, November 12, 2011
"Howzyadad?"
Friday - Deja-vous... back to the hospital again... looking for dad's ward. Found him being moved into his new spot at 7 South, St. Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst. Writhing around in pain, yet again. You may recall the blog post titled Fractured... and here we are again. Much pain from the broken left femur. And in addition to that, some kind of infection... suspected chest infection. Here is where we learn a new Parkinson's effect... swallowing is compromised, and sometimes the patient (victim) inhales food into the lungs where it becomes infected and then causes havoc. Not that this happened, but is suspected. Cannot tell without a proper chest x-ray... which they cannot take yet, as the patient needs to be sitting in an upright position. A bit awkward when said patient is in a horizontal position, sleeping and unresponsive.
Dad is receiving exceptional care in the hospital. In the space of two hours, I met the geriatric doctor (who was dressed like she was at the office... I was very impressed, and wanted to know where she got her skirt!), the speech pathologist and the pharmacist, as well as dad's nurse. Whilst I was sitting there, someone came by with milky tea and biscuits for me. I do like this Aussie tradition of morning and afternoon tea... makes every day feel like a celebration of sorts! (And living in this beautiful city, it kind of is!) In talking with my brother about the difference in care between Canada and Australia, he commented that the Canadian system seems like it's spread too thin. I would tend to agree. The majority of dad's nurses etc in Canada were exceptional and concerned for his well-being... it is not their problem that the system is failing them. Their number one concern is for patient care as well. The Aussie's seem to have every specialist possible involved, including one looking out for the family!!
Moving on... Friday was an emotionally charged day... finding out that dad's surgery had been delayed due to fever. That the surgery may not happen due to his failing health. However, I am the one who has seen his progress (or lack thereof) all the way through. I have seen him like this before, and have seen him recover. If there is one thing he has left... he is a fighter. He would grasp our hands and squeeze tight. He is a fighter, and if he has the fight left in him... then I will be in his corner, cheering him on.
Saturday has proven that he has been alert, responsive... and eating a tiny amount of mashed potatoes... his fave!! He was sleeping whilst we visited with him... but managed to open an eye to take in the view outside his room of Darlinghurst, Kings Cross and Centerpoint in the CBD. We are in no means out of the woods yet... but Saturday was a marked improvement over Friday. Only time will tell...
To be continued...
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Too Good to Be True
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Are you kidding me?
No, really... a broken femur??
It was fun having dad around the corner while it lasted. Popping in to see him daily... waving to him across the room when I arrived. Having been ten days since being discharged from the previous fall, he decided he missed the hospital. Or something like that...
Being a fall risk... his mattress had been switched to a concave shape, lowered near the floor and a mattress added beside the lowered bed for additional protection. Still not cluing in to the fact that he needs assistance getting out of bed, despite my telling him every day to ask for assistance in moving around, at 4am Thursday morning, he fell getting out of bed. He has had several falls sinceoriginally being admitted to the hospital back in September, as you will recall from previous posts. Turns out all the falls, hospital visit, dramas of September/October were merely a build up to today's events... a broken femur. A little Internet research revealed that a broken femur is a common sports injury. Also common in the over-65 set. I would assume dad would fall into the second category, unless you call crawling out of bed a sport. When you think about it, it kind of is, for him.
Soooo.... back to the emergency room. More bringing doctor's up to speed on his medical history. More chasing down medical staff to give them the lowdown on the Sinemet doses. More reassuring dad as to what is happening to him. He just stares at me with these big eyes, unable to speak and ask what is happening.
Parkinson's loss of balance and the brittle bones of osteoporosis makes for a vile combination. This is the fourth fracture incident... L1 in the lumbar spine in November 2009, wrist bone in August 2010, ribs in September 2011 and now femur in November 2011. We are now waiting on a surgery opening within the next couple of days as he requires pins and plates to put his femur back together.
I still cannot believe we made it to Sydney... we really only had a window of ten days and we made it. There is still a lot to figure out here, but am not regretting the move (just yet)... Even though the hospital is farthur down the road now, and I have to take a ferry and a bus to get to it. They are expecting him to be in only two weeks, but still too early to confirm that.
To be continued...
Are you kidding me?
No, really... a broken femur??
It was fun having dad around the corner while it lasted. Popping in to see him daily... waving to him across the room when I arrived. Having been ten days since being discharged from the previous fall, he decided he missed the hospital. Or something like that...
Being a fall risk... his mattress had been switched to a concave shape, lowered near the floor and a mattress added beside the lowered bed for additional protection. Still not cluing in to the fact that he needs assistance getting out of bed, despite my telling him every day to ask for assistance in moving around, at 4am Thursday morning, he fell getting out of bed. He has had several falls sinceoriginally being admitted to the hospital back in September, as you will recall from previous posts. Turns out all the falls, hospital visit, dramas of September/October were merely a build up to today's events... a broken femur. A little Internet research revealed that a broken femur is a common sports injury. Also common in the over-65 set. I would assume dad would fall into the second category, unless you call crawling out of bed a sport. When you think about it, it kind of is, for him.
Soooo.... back to the emergency room. More bringing doctor's up to speed on his medical history. More chasing down medical staff to give them the lowdown on the Sinemet doses. More reassuring dad as to what is happening to him. He just stares at me with these big eyes, unable to speak and ask what is happening.
Parkinson's loss of balance and the brittle bones of osteoporosis makes for a vile combination. This is the fourth fracture incident... L1 in the lumbar spine in November 2009, wrist bone in August 2010, ribs in September 2011 and now femur in November 2011. We are now waiting on a surgery opening within the next couple of days as he requires pins and plates to put his femur back together.
I still cannot believe we made it to Sydney... we really only had a window of ten days and we made it. There is still a lot to figure out here, but am not regretting the move (just yet)... Even though the hospital is farthur down the road now, and I have to take a ferry and a bus to get to it. They are expecting him to be in only two weeks, but still too early to confirm that.
To be continued...
Monday, November 7, 2011
Happy Sad Happy Sad
Monday, November 7, 2011
Standing in the middle of the grocery store... I cannot even explain how happy it makes me to know I can now buy all of my favorite ingredients... thickened cream, Arnott's crackers and biscuits, bags of Allan's lollies... and there is no pressure as I am not leaving any time soon! Or how blissful it is to cruise on my bike down to Rose Bay and watch people practicing paddle boarding in the sunshine.
In the middle of all this happiness, there is this immense sadness. We had the Aged Care Assessment Team assessment at the care home today. (Yay! Tick another "To Do" off the list... this has been on my list for a year.) Dad was assessed as high care... which does not come a surprise. Hard to believe he was living on his own only two months ago! Seems that another Parkinson's symptom is that they lose their center of gravity... hence all the falls. I cannot even explain how thankful I am that we made it in the nick of time. There is still so much to do (nursing home tours - ugh!)... but we are here now and have a plan of action, rather than three years of "what to do, what to do"... alas, I am repeating myself.
When I arrived this afternoon for the assessment, dad was nowhere to be found! Turns out they take them out on bus excursions and today's venture was to La Perouse... which is on Botany Bay, out near the airport. Dad has gone from a two-kilometer radius in White Rock to cruising around Sydney with his pals! I had better watch out or he is going to have a more active social life than I!
Standing in the middle of the grocery store... I cannot even explain how happy it makes me to know I can now buy all of my favorite ingredients... thickened cream, Arnott's crackers and biscuits, bags of Allan's lollies... and there is no pressure as I am not leaving any time soon! Or how blissful it is to cruise on my bike down to Rose Bay and watch people practicing paddle boarding in the sunshine.
In the middle of all this happiness, there is this immense sadness. We had the Aged Care Assessment Team assessment at the care home today. (Yay! Tick another "To Do" off the list... this has been on my list for a year.) Dad was assessed as high care... which does not come a surprise. Hard to believe he was living on his own only two months ago! Seems that another Parkinson's symptom is that they lose their center of gravity... hence all the falls. I cannot even explain how thankful I am that we made it in the nick of time. There is still so much to do (nursing home tours - ugh!)... but we are here now and have a plan of action, rather than three years of "what to do, what to do"... alas, I am repeating myself.
When I arrived this afternoon for the assessment, dad was nowhere to be found! Turns out they take them out on bus excursions and today's venture was to La Perouse... which is on Botany Bay, out near the airport. Dad has gone from a two-kilometer radius in White Rock to cruising around Sydney with his pals! I had better watch out or he is going to have a more active social life than I!
Problem Solving
Sunday November 6, 2011
It's my blog and I'll whine if I want to. The laptop that I run my life from flashed the 'blue screen of death' this morning. Four days into an overseas move. I use that computer heavily; from photo editing to drafting, Internet, and of course, blogging. Having learnt from previous crashes, (most of) the work is thankfully backed up. Fortunately, I have dad's computer to use as a back up. Unfortunately, all the software discs are sitting in a container in the Port of Vancouver. Of all the eventualities I planned for, back up discs for a crashed computer wasn't one of them. This is the third crash on the second computer. I have pretty much decided that is it for me and Dell and Windows. Time for something new... it is the season for change, after all.
Just add it to the list. Still attempting to get the final six weeks of medical records from dad's hospital stay at PA so we can get dad a doctor here. You would not think it would be that complicated!? Hospital said that they would be sent to the medical clinic. Medical clinic said to call the hospital as they did not have the records yet, they were still being transcribed. Another call to the hospital... and for some reason, it is not liking the overseas connection. I do not get it. We can talk to people overseas on video on computers, yet I cannot reach the hospital operator. The message machine keeps booting me out and disconnecting. "Goodbye. GOODBYE." I finally found a fax number (who uses a fax number but the government?", but then it ended up being the Canadian weekend.
At least it is sunny and warm.
On a brighter note, we had an extended family visit with dad in the afternoon. It was a lovely afternoon, so we sat out on the deck for a relaxing visit. I have not seen dad smile so much since he has moved here. In fact, I had forgotten what his smile looks like. His face has changed with the disease... the muscles have changed his smile... so it is a bit disconcerting to see this new face. He loves children and is happy to sit and watch them. The kids were happy to serve us up coffees from the latte machine in the snack corner. I remember visiting the elderly when I was little.... would have loved a latte machine diversion as well! Probably be serving up lattes with a towel over my arm!
It's my blog and I'll whine if I want to. The laptop that I run my life from flashed the 'blue screen of death' this morning. Four days into an overseas move. I use that computer heavily; from photo editing to drafting, Internet, and of course, blogging. Having learnt from previous crashes, (most of) the work is thankfully backed up. Fortunately, I have dad's computer to use as a back up. Unfortunately, all the software discs are sitting in a container in the Port of Vancouver. Of all the eventualities I planned for, back up discs for a crashed computer wasn't one of them. This is the third crash on the second computer. I have pretty much decided that is it for me and Dell and Windows. Time for something new... it is the season for change, after all.
Just add it to the list. Still attempting to get the final six weeks of medical records from dad's hospital stay at PA so we can get dad a doctor here. You would not think it would be that complicated!? Hospital said that they would be sent to the medical clinic. Medical clinic said to call the hospital as they did not have the records yet, they were still being transcribed. Another call to the hospital... and for some reason, it is not liking the overseas connection. I do not get it. We can talk to people overseas on video on computers, yet I cannot reach the hospital operator. The message machine keeps booting me out and disconnecting. "Goodbye. GOODBYE." I finally found a fax number (who uses a fax number but the government?", but then it ended up being the Canadian weekend.
At least it is sunny and warm.
On a brighter note, we had an extended family visit with dad in the afternoon. It was a lovely afternoon, so we sat out on the deck for a relaxing visit. I have not seen dad smile so much since he has moved here. In fact, I had forgotten what his smile looks like. His face has changed with the disease... the muscles have changed his smile... so it is a bit disconcerting to see this new face. He loves children and is happy to sit and watch them. The kids were happy to serve us up coffees from the latte machine in the snack corner. I remember visiting the elderly when I was little.... would have loved a latte machine diversion as well! Probably be serving up lattes with a towel over my arm!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Two Steps Forward...
Saturday, November 5, 2011
One step back...
Bit of a setback today... dad was back in a wheelchair following yesterday's movements with the wheelie walker. He had fallen twice... again... didn't break anything. In his determination to get up and moving, he does not have the insight to realize his limitations. Just wants to get a move on. Not sure I entirely understand this determination to get moving... as when he was on his own at home, he spent hours sitting in his blue La-Z-Boy chair. No doubt the whole experience from falling, to the hospital, to the plane trip to the new facilty has been very unsettling for him. Unsettling for anyone, let alone someone living with Parkinson's disease.
I had to sign a form giving the go-ahead for him to be restrained in his chair. It is for his own good, but not something you want to do. They just cannot have eyes on him all the time, and he is so quick, he can bail out of his chair before anyone can get over to assist him.
Before when he was having falls, I panicked as the pressure was all on me to take care of him. Plus I was worried we'd never get out of BC. This time when I heard about the falls, I just laughed. He is a monkey to keep on insisting that he is ok on his own. I know he is in good hands now and I can breathe easy(ier).
One Eighty
Friday, November 4, 2011
The daily visit to the care home revealed dad on the tail end of 'exercise class'. Dad's physio wanted to talk to me and she was very excited! Following dad's assessment that morning, she felt confident that dad would not need a wheelchair, but will be able to get around with a wheelie walker. Dad has made a complete one hundred and eighty degree turn from where he was at in getting off the airplane on Wednesday. In short days he has come so far... who would have guessed it??
Just let me get his walker from the car then! (We had been driving it around in the trunk since bringing it over on the plane.... unsure of whether it would even get used.)
Well! Apparently dad's walker is quite flashy! Forget kicking the tires of a Cadillac; these days it is all about what you are pushing!
Morning tea was about to be served, so I sat down at the table for a visit. Upon sight of the walker, dad was asking for a walk down the street! Maybe next week, once he gets his strength up.
Such great news though. His determination to get moving is paying off. Not that he'll be jumping into the surf at Bondi Beach any time soon... but encouraging nonetheless.
The daily visit to the care home revealed dad on the tail end of 'exercise class'. Dad's physio wanted to talk to me and she was very excited! Following dad's assessment that morning, she felt confident that dad would not need a wheelchair, but will be able to get around with a wheelie walker. Dad has made a complete one hundred and eighty degree turn from where he was at in getting off the airplane on Wednesday. In short days he has come so far... who would have guessed it??
Just let me get his walker from the car then! (We had been driving it around in the trunk since bringing it over on the plane.... unsure of whether it would even get used.)
Well! Apparently dad's walker is quite flashy! Forget kicking the tires of a Cadillac; these days it is all about what you are pushing!
Morning tea was about to be served, so I sat down at the table for a visit. Upon sight of the walker, dad was asking for a walk down the street! Maybe next week, once he gets his strength up.
Such great news though. His determination to get moving is paying off. Not that he'll be jumping into the surf at Bondi Beach any time soon... but encouraging nonetheless.
Settling In
Thursday, November 3, 2011
When I stopped by to see dad in the morning, he was sitting in the activities room, flipping through a newspaper. I was so happy for him... all the things we take for granted in a day... and he wasn't able to do much of anything, sitting in the hospital in White Rock. In respite care, there are all sorts of activities organized to keep their minds active... and so they don't fall asleep all day and party all night long!
The care aides and physio therapists were talking to me and asking about our story... why we moved to Australia,, etc. Wanted to know my relationship status... when I told them I was single, they got excited and said that I'd be able to get a boyfriend (cuz it is as easy as going to the shops and ordering one!) ... and I thought to myself... oh, can I just stay with dad a while longer - might be easier!
As silly as this sounds, I am going to have to learn to let go of dad. I've been a helicopter daughter for so long, I'm going to have to let go. This is the first time in the whole experience where I've been given reverse reassurance. Instead of me worrying about dad, the nursing staff is telling me not to worry about him, and that I have my own life to live. I've known this all along, which is why we have made the move. Still, I will need to let go a little and trust that dad is well cared for. There is still a long way to go in getting him permanently settled, but a huge frantic weight has already been lifted. Not entirely removed, as I'm still working on getting paperwork from Canada (another painful extraction)... but at least I do not have the painfully sick panic I had before when he was on his own, and then in hospital.
When I stopped by to see dad in the morning, he was sitting in the activities room, flipping through a newspaper. I was so happy for him... all the things we take for granted in a day... and he wasn't able to do much of anything, sitting in the hospital in White Rock. In respite care, there are all sorts of activities organized to keep their minds active... and so they don't fall asleep all day and party all night long!
The care aides and physio therapists were talking to me and asking about our story... why we moved to Australia,, etc. Wanted to know my relationship status... when I told them I was single, they got excited and said that I'd be able to get a boyfriend (cuz it is as easy as going to the shops and ordering one!) ... and I thought to myself... oh, can I just stay with dad a while longer - might be easier!
As silly as this sounds, I am going to have to learn to let go of dad. I've been a helicopter daughter for so long, I'm going to have to let go. This is the first time in the whole experience where I've been given reverse reassurance. Instead of me worrying about dad, the nursing staff is telling me not to worry about him, and that I have my own life to live. I've known this all along, which is why we have made the move. Still, I will need to let go a little and trust that dad is well cared for. There is still a long way to go in getting him permanently settled, but a huge frantic weight has already been lifted. Not entirely removed, as I'm still working on getting paperwork from Canada (another painful extraction)... but at least I do not have the painfully sick panic I had before when he was on his own, and then in hospital.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
The Longest Day
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| A little dragon came to see us off... |
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| Send off crew |
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| The men in my life |
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| Dad's respite care - Rose Bay |
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| Front of dad's "holiday villa" - we're still trying to figure out how to get him on the back of the Vespa!! ;) |
Halloween... October 31, 2011
It started out as a somewhat normal day... I crawled out of bed, all the while wondering when it would be that I would get to crawl into a bed again. (44 hours later as it turned out.) First up was the rubbish removalist for the final push of junk. Then off to do some shopping, and tie up some odds and ends. Back at my place, I started to panic. There was still so much stuff to get rid of, and there was no time left to do it in. Some stuff went to a friend moving into her own place, some more went to another friend to be redistributed to charities, still more was left at my place to be distributed to more charities. Slowly the time ticked away, and there was still much to do. Recalled I had more paperwork to sign (which was fortunate), final items to pick up at the hospital and a dad to reassure, final errands to run, a car to clean and sell. By the time it came to the final packing stage, I was so overwrought and about in tears. All throughout the day, I was telling myself I was crazy and that it was not too late. Add to that, teary farewells to all of my friends, and I thought I was well and truly mad. A lot of work and little reward in view at that point.
Still so much to pack, I ended up grabbing a fifth bag. (In a stroke of luck... I ended up having to pay for my bike box at the airport, so the fifth bag ended up being the fourth bag... and since we were allowed two each, all I ended up paying for was the bike box @ $50. In another stroke of luck... our tickets had been purchased prior to Air Canada changing their luggage policy from two checked bags to one checked bag and each additional bag costing an additional $70.) I just stuffed stuff into that bag. Then sat on bags, zipped zippers, tossed the rest into the garbage and was ready to depart. My then... I was 5 minutes over my estimated departure time. Lucky.
Off we went... five pieces of luggage to be checked, two carry on bags, plus two smaller ones as is the allotment. A quick detour to the bank machine, and it was off to jail-break dad from the hospital! I arrived at 5N for the last time. As soon as I saw dad waiting in his wheelchair at the nurses station, I promptly burst into tears. It was all too much for me. Was also filled with this sense of dread, realizing he was my sole responsibility... across the Pacific Ocean no less! A quick debrief on dad's care on the plane, and we were off again. Down the long, dark freeway to the airport... a very odd feeling to say goodbye to the place we have called home for over thirty years. I have traveled a lot and have been gone for months at a time (such a world traveler!), but have never lived anywhere else but the Semiahmoo Penninsula in the most south western corner of BC. No more time to reminisce, as by then we were at the airport; all our luggage and VIP passenger needed some attention.
Kudos to Air Canada for their customer care. We checked in (and all our bits and pieces) at the customer care counter. Felt very much like VIP as we checked through the handicap security and had a helping hand to the gate and were first on with priority boarding. Dad was moved from airport wheelchair to airplane wheelchair (which is narrow enough to fit down the narrow aisle of the plane), and then into his aisle seat (which was his home for the next 14 hours).
We had a goodbye crew out to say farewell... thanks to all for coming to see us off. It was lovely to see everyone and took the edge off some of the emotion for me. (A relief from the thoughts in your head when you are laughing with friends!)
Because I then got to be alone with my thoughts for the next 14 hours... wondering the whole way what on earth I had done... was I mad????
We were fortunate enough to be traveling on the same plane with some family friends. They were further down the back of the plane, but stopped by our seats every once in a while for a chat. Was reassuring both to dad and myself... maybe more so for me as dad declined over the course of the flight. He started off really well, choosing his midnight meal and eating it on his own. He commented several times on the length of the flight. I commented to him that Loren made that flight twice last year alone to come see us. (Yes Loren, we were really appreciating your efforts in those moments.)
Dad did well on the flight for the most part... though there was some confusion. Can you blame him though... from hanging out at the hospital for six weeks with no stimulation, to stimulation overload on the plane. I was feeling ill and anxious at various points, without the addition of a disease. He barely slept till the end of the journey, when I could hardly wake him. Say... just like the hospital where he slept all day and was awake all night!
Landing in Sydney, we flew south over Cronulla (Loren's old hometown), and then banked over the National Park and headed north to the airport. I had a gorgeous view of the cliffs plunging down into the ocean, and at that moment I knew that I had made the right decision. The plane touched down at Kingsford Smith shortly after that and all I could think was that we were home.
By the end of the flight, dad could barely move, he was that exhausted. We got him off the plane... and had a lovely, patient airport crew who stayed with dad in the electric wheelchair until we got out to Loren's car in the parking lot. Not before we offloaded all that luggage! Had the bike checked in quarantine (am I ever glad I scrubbed the wheels clean of Canadian debris... my bike is now safely on Australian soil!), luggage checked for foodstuff... and off to meet the Australian welcoming crew!
After bundling dad and half the gear into Loren's vehicle, I jumped into the other vehicle and off we went in a convoy down the road to respite care in Rose Bay. Loren had set up the care on this end (thank you, thank you, thank you) ... and they were expecting us. Dad went straight out of the car, into bed where he promptly fell asleep. Well, not before he thanked me so much for everything I had done to get him there. In that moment, the angst, grief, preparation, hard work of the last weeks, months and years has all been worth it.
We have arrived and are very happy to be settling in. Already, my stress has been cut in half. We still have a lot to do to get dad permanently settled... but he is now in the system and they are kindly taking care of him. More soon... I now get to go visit my father who is in a care home just down the road from my brother in Rose Bay... whoever would have thought it!?
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Superfastpost
Have been awake for over 44 hours, so will make this brief. Arrived safe and sound in Sydney after one very long 14 hour flight. Poor dad... I don't think he realized how long the flight was going to be. It certainly took everything out of him. However, he is now resting comfortably in a respite care home... just 3km away from where I am staying with my brother. So weird to think! (That is the closest he has been to me in a long time!) I need to get some sleep, and will write a proper update tomorrow... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Farewell
October 31, 2011
All being well, dad and I are on the midnight flight to Sydney tonight. After all that blood, sweat and tears... we are finally down to the last hours in Canada, which hardly seems real. Am sad to leave behind all our wonderful friends... it has been an emotional farewell. Looking forward to seeing our friends and family in Sydney... and having a coffee under the shade of the jacaranda trees in Rose Bay. Right now... I have a list a mile long of things to be done before we leave, so I had better get to it. Watch this space... !!!!
All being well, dad and I are on the midnight flight to Sydney tonight. After all that blood, sweat and tears... we are finally down to the last hours in Canada, which hardly seems real. Am sad to leave behind all our wonderful friends... it has been an emotional farewell. Looking forward to seeing our friends and family in Sydney... and having a coffee under the shade of the jacaranda trees in Rose Bay. Right now... I have a list a mile long of things to be done before we leave, so I had better get to it. Watch this space... !!!!
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