Daily Life

It's been almost a month since our last update and so I thought I'd post a few pictures of Dad from this weekend and let you all know how he's doing and what life is now like.

Lincoln (Dad's oldest grandson) was visiting yesterday and to entertain himself while Rob, Mom and I talked he took pictures around the house.  He snapped this one that I thought captured a piece of Dad's daily life.  Ever since the strokes last month, Dad has been exhausted.  It takes a lot of energy from him to do the smallest tasks, so he sleeps a lot.  Here he is in his recliner in his bedroom.  What you can't see, is the TV.  Dad is obsessed with watching NCIS.  Last weekend Mom bought him the first two seasons on DVD.  He's spent the last week watching those.  Yesterday he asked me to start them over.  It might be time to invest in the next season. Or introduce Dad to a new show, any suggestions?  This week he branched out and watched The Lion King.  Dad saw a commercial for it a few weeks ago and has been obsessed with watching it.  When it was re-released this week, Mom picked it up so Dad could finally see it.

Dad has lost most of the strength, coordination and vision on his right side.  We are working with him to choose to use his left side.  As you can imagine, if you've lived 61 years as a right handed person, suddenly switching to using your left doesn't come easy.  But after a few falls this week, I think he's realizing it's a necessity. 
Today Dad made it to church!  On the days he feels able he tries to get up and move.  He's made it into work for a few hours most days each week.  It takes a lot of energy from him and my mom (she's a saint) to get him up and going each morning.  Thankfully Uncle Russ lets him come over and take a nap at his house before going to work, that way Mom still gets to keep her job.  And thankfully, the JCC still welcomes Dad to work everyday with open arms.

Next month Mom and Dad are moving to a one level apartment near Mom and Dad's work.  This will alleviate the stressful mornings and the falling hazard of the stairs in my parents house. 

Dad's a trooper and a fighter.  We are grateful to all who help out in whatever ways they can, including all your good thoughts and prayers on Dad's behalf.   He gets to have an MRI and meet with Dr. Coleman in a little over a week.  We'll update again then.