Seal Bark

There's Parkinson's.  Then there's Parkinson's with dementia.  Then there's Parkinson's with dementia with a cold.  Poor wee mite is barking like a seal.  Don't need to look too far to see where us three kids came about the infamous seal bark.  I first noticed dad coughing early last week.  By the end of the week, the bark was in full effect and he had a baritone voice.  (Was thinking of contracting him out to the Sydney Philharmonic Choir.)  Jokes aside, illnesses are not cool with Parkinson's patients.  The fear is that the infection would go into his chest, and that is definitely not what you want to happen.  After taking a look at dad on Saturday, the doctor confirmed that dad's chest was clear, and put him on a round of antibiotics. 

My heart goes out to him.  It is annoying being sick at the best of times.  Your head is foggy, your throat hurts, you can struggle to breathe properly.  When I saw him tonight, he was not himself at all.  I have seen him like this before when things are not right, but it doesn't make it any easier to watch.  His brain is taxed which puts all the motor skills (we take for granted) out of sync; where it is a struggle to even put food in his mouth.  Of course this makes him very frustrated and asserts his independence even more.  I have to reach into my rather large bag of patience and grab a big handful!  He was being cheeky and not accepting my help.  So I quoted the famous line that children always say, "I will do it myself."  He didn't take well to that comment... so I quoted what mom used to say when we didn't get her joke ... I screwed up my face and said, "Excuse me, this is going to be a joke."  At which point dad burst into absolute fits of laughter, and then of course, hacking.  I have not seen him laugh that hard in years.  I don't know what it was, but I obviously struck his funny bone!  Which is helpful when you have to clear your throat!

As I was leaving, I said I'd come back in a day or two.  He has asked me to come back tomorrow... so I know he is just not feeling well.  Usually he is alright with me visiting every few days.  That's OK... he isn't too far away.  I can take some interior magazines and sit with him for a while and do research for school!  (That's what I'm calling it, anyway!)

Hopefully he has a good night's sleep and improves tomorrow.