October 29, 2008

Jiggity-Jig

We all met at my Dad's bedside this morning at 10, and by "we" I mean myself, my sister, brother-in-law, Uncle Bob and Aunt Jean. The nurse that came in to give the outbrief seemed impressed by the size of the crowd.

Near noon, we loaded Dad into the front seat of sis's minivan for the cavalcade home. I broke off to get gas at cheap Pennsylvania prices, so I was the last one home. We got Dad situated in a living room easy chair and moved a small table next to it, where he could put a phone, books, cups of tea, and whatnot. The table we're using is the one that's destined for me, as my sisters took the associated doll-beds. If memory serves, Grandpa H built all three.

Over the course of the day, Dad improved tremendously. He's supposed to be walking for twenty minutes a day in short spurts for the first day. We didn't bother to time him, because he got that much in just walking around the house. It was snowing today, so walks outside are perhaps not a good idea yet anyway.

Sis and BIL got Dad his medication; he's taking five daily pills, plus a pain pill every four hours. In addition he needs to weigh himself and take his temperature daily. At his insistence, I created a spreadsheet to keep track of all that. It's a rather crude spreadsheet at this point, but I think it acceptable for a first draft.

He went to bed earlier than he used to, but his color is wonderfully improved, he ate a reasonable quantity of food at lunch and dinner, and after the first few times I stopped following him as he walked; he seemed stable enough on his feet to be at no risk of falling. His stamina is still quite low, and he never walked for more than sixty seconds at a time. That's about where we should be, according to the nurse.

Tomorrow I've got some shopping to do. With Bob and Jean visiting, we'll certainly need more food. Also, Halloween is only two days away, so I feel obliged to get some candy for visiting children. I've no idea how many children are likely to show up, although I know Dad keeps track every year. I could ask him, but I don't think I'll bother him over such a minor issue, especially since maintaining ignorance of the issue gives me a fine excuse to buy a substantial pile of candy. Lastly, his required daily shower uses five washcloths, so unless we want to do a small load of laundry every day, I'll be buying some more of them. They must be on sale somewhere.

Posted by: Boviate at 10:42 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1

Friend of Rachel in Louisiana here:

Let me just say that your dad is my hero!  He made you create a spreadsheet to track his weight and temperature!  LOL!  That's fantastic!

As for the candy and the amount needed, you're probably right not to ask because he probably has a spreadsheet and corresponding graphs for the past 15 years tucked away somewhere.

Hang in and take care!  Glad to hear he's home and doing better.

Posted by: Alan at Thursday, October 30 2008 08:16 AM (QTTvv)

2

As the husband of the friend of Rachel who posted about:

Thanks a bunch, Nathan and Rachel's daddy.  You've both probably ruined my Halloween, during which my spreadsheet happy hubby will want me to track my child's bowel movements and feeds and the number of trick or treaters and treats distributed.

Fab U Lous.

;)

Posted by: Kristy at Thursday, October 30 2008 08:52 AM (IGMzi)

3 5 washclothes a day?  That is a lot...  is that per the nurse's orders??  Or does your dad just like a lot of washclothes??  I'm also curious to your father's profession. 

Posted by: Another friend of Rachel at Thursday, October 30 2008 10:48 AM (BVZ/z)

4 I am pleased and relieved that your patient is improving steadily. I am sure the spreadsheet helps. Since I seem unable to post to your sibs' blogs, let me say here that I appreciate their blogging as well.

Posted by: margaret at Thursday, October 30 2008 11:13 AM (M0Mid)

5

As far as candy goes, if I remember right, he grumbled last year that not many kids showed up.  But I don't remember a number.

He's to use a different washcloth for each wound, and a different one for his body.  That adds up to at least 3 or 4, I 'm not sure how many holes he had made in his leg, so one more beyond that isn't too surprising.  I'll bring some over from my supply this weekend, they mostly sit on the shelf anyway. Can't help you with towels, I need more of those myself!

Posted by: Gretchen at Thursday, October 30 2008 11:36 AM (IKQA4)

6 Well, I went to Target to buy him a 2×7 pill keeper and an in-ear infared thermometer. While I was there I picked up five more washcloths on sale. So we've got two day's worth now. Still, if you have some extras, bring them by; doing laundry every third day vice every other is still a win.

Posted by: Boviate at Thursday, October 30 2008 10:22 PM (fDLPv)

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