May 29 Visit

Today I went by McD's and got Davey some lunch and we headed over to Gramps' house. They were all eating lunch. It was just Gramps, Jim, Hazel and Geri. Frank is still in the hospital (Areli said he was really sick, not hardly awake or talking) and Fred was in his room and didn't want to eat lunch today. So, Dave had a seat next to Hazel to eat lunch.

Gramps was pretty talkative today. Erica was feeding him his lunch (he can totally feed himself but likes to be fed...so funny!). Areli gave him some ice cream and cookies and he ate all of that JUST FINE by himself. He remembered that Darrel and Dad had been to see him the day before.

I asked him about his neice Ann that lives in OK. She emails me occasionally and he remembered her well. He is experiencing some anxiety at night when he sleeps, so we're trying to figure out what that's all about. Hopefully we'll find out what's going on. Last night, he slept in his recliner because he didn't want to go into his room. Dad is going to check with the nighttime helpers to see what's going on.

Here's a picture of his darling Areli. She is so sweet.


I also wanted to post a pic of Davey and baby Allison from last week. She's just the cutest baby ever!


I hope you all can go and see Gramps this weekend. We will be out of town. He really likes to see everyone! Send me your updates and pictures and I will post them!

Dave-O's Response

In response to Darrel's question I don't think they weigh him but he is eating good and eats a lot Hazel says. When he was in hospital they took him off of some meds. That's how he became more alert. He has a hospice aid that comes by every day and a hospice nurse that comes by at least twice a week. She handles his meds and other needs through hospice Dr's and he has a geriatric Dr. also. Since he went to hospice care he gets better care. Hospice care does not mean that gramps is going to pass away soon. Their care is to try to make gramps as comfortable as possible and apparently it's working. This was Dr. Scroggins request the last time gramps and I saw him a few months ago.

I am very thankful for what has taken place. I know there will some challenges as time goes by. I hope this helps. If you have other concerns or questions please or write me. Dave-O

PS Did he look like he gained weight? I see him often so I may not notice.

Update from Darrel~May 28

I went to see Gramps today. He was great! I noticed his voice has gotten a lot stronger, and he was very clear when he spoke. He stayed awake the whole time I was there, and we visited and looked at pictures that I had on my phone.

He talked about how they eat all the time there, and had his usual nice comments about the nurses that take care of him and how thankful he is for them. He asked me where I had been, as I did not make it to see him last week. He really likes company and said he is so thankful when anyone comes to see him.

Karen (Teas Peck) called me while I was there, and I put him on the phone with her. They had a nice visit, and he told me after they hung up how good it was to hear her voice.

I do have one request. If anyone (Bill or David) has any information that can be posted on the blog as to how Gramps is doing on his weight gain and any other progress that he is making medically-that would be great.

We plan to take the boys to see him this weekend.

Love to all,
Darrel

P.S. One more thing to add. Frank is in the hospital. Please keep him in your prayers.

Update from Sherryn

I went to Dallas last week on Wednesday, May 14. Sam and I stopped
by to visit with Gramps for about an hour before heading on to
Lori's. David was there and we enjoyed seeing each other - had been
a while.

On Saturday the 17th, I took Carly, Emily and Sam to see Gramps. He
told Joy that Sam and the whole gang had been there when she talked
to him that night! I fed him his lunch. He said he wasn't very
hungry when I took him to the table, but he ate everything on his
plate! He settled down to nap after we wrapped him in a blanket! We
stayed a little over an hour that day. Saw David when he came by on
his way to work.

I came home on the 21st, but did not go by to see Gramps then. Will
make the stop on my visits to Dallas. He is not out of the way to do
that and he really is excited and happy to see Sam!

Later..

Hugs,

Sherryn

PS Thanks for keeping the blog updated. It is really nice to be able
to see how he is doing. love the videos!

Conversations with Gramps May 22

When I went to see Gramps today, I took some video of him talking with me. I've included a couple of snipets of our conversation. The funniest thing was when he was talking about his new night caregiver, Gabby. Areli had told me that when she got there today, Gramps was really taking to Gabby (she is very loving and affectionate). She joked and said that she told Gramps she was jealous of his new "girlfriend". This is what he had to say about Gabby, and then Areli came over to give him a "hard" time.


Here are some closing remarks. He mentioned that Joy calls every night. I told him that I was making the video for all the family in Florida to see.

May 20 Tuesday

Dad called...he went to see Gramps this morning. Everyone was sitting outside. It's a beautiful morning here! He said Gramps was happy and "perky". We were worried that he had been sleeping/spending too much time in bed, but I don't think that's the case. The nurse said none of his meds had changed to make him sleepier. He just has a weak heart and needs lots of rest sometimes.

Also, the caregivers that work in the house on weekends are different from the girls that work during the week. I think the weekday girls (Areli & Nubia) "know" Gramps a little better and try to keep him up and out of his bed.

I won't be able to go today like I usually do b/c my car is in the shop. I will go sometime on Thursday morning. Let me know if you go and see him...I will post your update.

Gramps May 15

I took all three kids to see Gramps on Friday after school. It wasn't the greatest time to go because Gramps was like this the whole time!!

However, he did wake up for a short time and listened to Mason play some songs on the piano.

Nubia's little boy was there....4 year old Nicholas. Davey had a great time playing with him.

I talked with Hazel and we watched a little Oprah. She says Gramps always has so many visitors!
Dad said the chaplain was there earlier in the morning playing the piano and Gramps was singing out loud. Hazel says he has a good voice. I believe Sheryn was there to see Gramps either on Friday or Thursday with Sam the dog.

Anyway, he still doing good and seems comfortable and content. I spent way more time talking to everyone else this visit because Gramps was sleeping the whole time. He really must have been tired b/c those kids were not being quiet!

Send me any updates or pictures when you can. We had a crazy busy weekend and didn't get there, but I will be going back on Tuesday.

May 13 Tuesday

My visit with Gramps today went very well. He and his friends were all eating lunch. Areli said she thought he was doing much better at eating. He was feeding himself just fine. She said after he returned from the hospital, he seemed confused at how to feed himself. I know that Gayle and my mom had been there helping him eat last week and over the weekend. Today, he was eating just fine with his hat on. He's so cute.

He had been complaining about his eyes, but he said they were better. I think they've been putting some kind of lubricating drops in. He sees better with his right eye. His left eye is always watery b/c of a floppy eyelid. This is very common in the elderly b/c the elasticity in their skin is not as tight anymore. So, instead of the bottom lid lying up against the eyeball, it flops out a bit. This is where the tear drain is located, so the drain ends up pointing out away from the eyeball instead of up against it and the tears can't go into the drain. Instead, they pour out over the bottom lid. Hope that makes sense? If you want to google it, try the word ectropion.

I know that he sees pretty good and is more aware of his surroundings. A car pulled around in the driveway outside and he could see the car and asked who was pulling up.

He is definitely more alert since going off some of his anti depressives. We talked about how he used to take his teeth out when we were kids. He remembered that for sure and we laughed about it. Some of his friends were also talking to him more today at lunch. Hazel is quite a talker and she has sense. Unfortunately, Geri talks alot too and she makes zero sense. Most of the time I just smile and nod my head like I know what she's talking about.

Gramps has new medical caregivers. I didn't meet the nurse, but Dad did. He has a new bed and there was an oxygen tank beside his bed. Areli said that he had those little oxygen tubes in his nostrils while he slept at night. Gramps didn't remember about that.

When I left, he was cozied up in his recliner. He likes to have the blanket up around his neck and ears. He seems to always be cold! I think it's because he's lost most of his insulation! I would think that he has to be putting on some weight b/c of all the good food he's been eating.

Go and see Gramps when you can. He loves visitors. Hazel is also fun to talk to. She's a real sweet lady.

Friday May 9th Visit

Davey and I went by to see Gramps today. Gayle was there and said she had been there during lunch and helped him eat his lunch. He was just finishing up his cake when we arrived.

He was very alert and walked to his recliner. He always says he is cold and likes to have a blanket up around him and over his "zapatos" (shoes). He had a hard time getting comfortable. He was a little irritated today about that. All the chairs were "too hard".

He asks a lot of questions over and over. He remembers me and Davey always, but forgets who everyone is in the house. He kept asking about Hazel over and over. She is the new lady who lives in the house. She is physically challenged, but her mind is sharp. She is very sweet.

Geri was pushing baby Allison all around in the stroller. She is such a happy child and was making everyone laugh today with her "talking".

Today, they were playing old church music and Gramps would sing out loud to the hymns. It's amazing how he remembers all those old songs, but he has trouble remembering what I just told him five minutes ago.

I think he is doing great. He is eating well and is moving around well without feeling light headed. I hope that problem is getting better (that's originally why he went to the hospital last week in the first place).

Here are a few pics that I took today. I plan to take all the kids up to see him tomorrow afternoon. Hope you all can go by to see him!

Thanks to Dad and Gayle (and anyone else who came later on) for coming by today!

May 8

Hey guys! !
I went and saw gramps today and he seemed more alert than ever. Maybe by taking him off of some of the behavioral medicine is helping. Whenever you get a chance please go see him even if it's only for a few minutes. He loves company. We are working on getting him a Dr or Dr's (cardiac). We think we have better control that way. Later.
Dave-O

Gramps is HOME!

Just a quick note to say that Gramps is back home. Bill and Darrel picked him up from the hospital this morning and Dad called at 12:15 to say he was home and eating his lunch!! Yay!

May 4 ~ Hospital Visit

Gramps was put in the hospital last week b/c he kept passing out when he stood up. The doctors have adjusted his medications and hopefully we'll be taking him back to his house tomorrow (Tuesday). Dad has been at the hospital with him for four days. We went up to see him yesterday. He was in good spirits & talking to us. Dad says he was eating well. I will post tomorrow once we get him back home.

Bill, Darrel, Hunter & Griffin