CAREGIVER NOTE:

We spent Thanksgiving evening in the ER – he was experiencing some chest pain, but no other symptoms of a heart attack. After bloodwork to check for enzymes that would indicate an attack and ruling that out, as well as pneumonia, he was discharged with the pain being attributed to reflux. Which really isn’t too surprising since one of the meds he had been taking before the choking on a pill episode was a horse pill for reflux. He’s refused to take it since that trip to the ER as he’s afraid he’ll choke on it again. So Tums or Maalox it is for the time being and an appointment with his Primary Care Physician so be set up to determine next steps.

CAREGIVER NOTE:

His interest is peaked in the process of a deck being added to the house at the back. We started with the tear down of the old landing yesterday. He is intrigued by the steps we’ll be taking to build the handicapped accessible deck he’ll be able to use while he’s ambulatory or even in a wheelchair. He checked on the progress several times yesterday afternoon. We showed him the drawings and the discussed the next steps several times throughout the day and evening. He was wanting the next step to start ASAP, even though it was dark outside during our last conversation. He is excited, but nervous about what the birds will do when we have to move the feeders when we hang the supports next week. I told him we’d figure it out so he wouldn’t miss out on seeing the birds at the feeders and maybe even being able to watch the workers putting up the deck.

CAREGIVER NOTE:

Confusion about what day, year and season is part of our every day life at the moment. He still can dress and feed himself and occasionally make a sandwich for a snack or meal. He makes his bed every morning and keeps his room tidy. We still try to focus on at least 3 positives that happen in his day — even if most of them have been memories of days long gone. He’s at a loss at times when he realizes he is the last living family member of his generation — He can’t grasp it at times — but then for a moment, it sinks in and the tears roll down his face. We’ve talked about his posterity and the legacy he has created for them. We have a visual idea to share with him. Hoping we can pull it together in the next month or so.

CAREGIVER NOTE:

A smile, a few moments of laughter, a good night’s sleep and a rub on the dog’s head a couple of times during the course of his day. Loves his hot dogs and sauerkraut for lunch. Would likely eat it for a second meal if offered that day. Enjoys watching the news — has little interest in much else at the moment. Stories from long ago and “visits” with family members long gone make up most of the conversation when he wants to share what he’s been thinking about.

The weather is changing — Fall temps have arrived as have the rains. No AC needed yesterday and today, we might need to switch the heat on to keep things a little more comfortable for him.