Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Rocky Day

Today has seemed to last way beyond its ture boundaries. Dad communicated very little with anyone, though he and Mom had a couple of short exchanges which included a kiss or two. The hospice aide came to bathe Dad and Dennis assisted him. When Dennis applied the aftershave (Black Suade), Dad was pleased!

Later in the evening, Mom went in to talk with Dad, and as she expressed her love we could tell he could understand her, and in a nonverbal way, expresses his devotion to her. A bit later, Dad became somewhat agitated and insisted on doing things for himself that he didn't have the strength to do. His nonsense chatter has increased, he is not eating, and drinking is becoming difficult. When he finially settled down, his breathing seemed different, more labored, so we called Hospice and the nurse who made the housecall felt Dad was in some pain. He advised us to give medication more often and so far it seems to help Dad rest more comfortably.

Tim arrived late last night, through a snow storm on I-15 and was at a stand still for three hours outside Beaver. We are grateful he arrived safely, Dad seemed happy to see him. Heather (Dennis' daughter) flew in this afternoon and Dennis Jr. and famiy arrived also. Tim is on the night shift tonight, keeping watch over Dad. We feel he is beginning to slip farther from us and pray the transition from this life to the next will be a sweet. calm experience.

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