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Well, day 1 of looking after Alan, he's my dad and aged 74 years old. Alan was healthy up until 1996, hehad been a diabetic for about 25 years and had started suffering with angina but other than that he was physically in good shape for his age.
Then in October 1996 dad went into Walsgarve hospital for a quadruple heart bypass, he had been told that he needed it urgently and his appointment had come through fairly quickly. Together with mom I took him in on the Sunday evening before his operation on Monday, I'll never forget the way he looked as I gave him a kiss on the cheek, he was frightened but being proud didn't want to admit it, he was due in about 9.30am on Monday so we left him to it.
The next day I phoned from work I was in stop gap job at another hospital afterhe had been in three and half hours I phoned up but I was told he was still under,mom was there and she was worried. I phoned back after another hour still under the knife. I'll never forget my moms voice when I called back 30 mins later, the doctors had told her there had ben complications and they had had problems restarting his heart but eventually had managed to get back on track.
This was the start of the long haul, dad spent eight weeks on Intensive care he had suffered a stroke and contracted MRSA, the outlook bleak and at one point the doctors said they had little hope as they couldn't get him to breath on his own. Eventually though in typical Al style he turned the corner and made a good recovery, moving to New Cross Hospital where he spent another few weeks and undertook physio.
My mother has looked after Alan tirelessly for the past 11 years, she is 68 now and is the last of a breed wife that really does look after the house and husband, never complaining always putting herself last to everyone. So my wife as taken her away to Portugal for a week with her friends in order to give her a break, she was delighted at being asked and although worried did go this morning, have a great week mom. so here starts the first of six days of me looking after dad. However as I write he requires the loo so I'll be back...........soon I hope.
Right well what a morning, first off dad got me up at 7.15am thinking it was 9am so there went my lye in anyway I got him up and prepared his breakfast, first mistake I made his coffee too soon so he complained it was not warm enough, I put his aspirin to disolve in his plastic cup but eh I didn't realise he always always as to drink half of the water first before putting the aspirin in the other half then drinking it. Giving Al his insuline was another trauma, he always has to argue how much he needs luckily I was briefed by mom who told me just to pretend to agree to whatever he said just to keep him happy.
Well after we got through the morning I took him out shopping, he complains mom doesn't take him anywere but we all know its not true. He moans about not getting out then when you offer to take him he doesn't want to go. Little Britains Andy Pipkin could not be further away lol.
So why write this blog, well its something I've fancied doing for a while and I can use it as therapy lol. I don't normally get the time and don't particularly have a subject but having to look after Al for six days will test my patience I'm sure so I'll need something while I'm sitting with watching day time TV, monster trucks probably. All that I'll say is my mother must have the patience of an angel and she definatley needs a rest, have a great time mom you deserve it xx
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Posted by chrisguest on 2007-06-27 03:00:30 | Rating: | Views: 148
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wow! what a day. i hope things go well for you & big al, as well as your mother and wife in Portugal over the next 6 days. please keep us updated on the events.
this part gave me a great laugh:
"Right well what a morning, first off dad got me up at 7.15am thinking it was 9am so there went my lye in anyway I got him up and prepared his breakfast, first mistake I made his coffee too soon so he complained it was not warm enough, I put his aspirin to disolve in his plastic cup but eh I didn't realise he always always as to drink half of the water first before putting the aspirin in the other half then drinking it. Giving Al his insuline was another trauma, he always has to argue how much he needs luckily I was briefed by mom who told me just to pretend to agree to whatever he said just to keep him happy."
thanks chris... i can't wait to hear about the adventures tomorrow
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Posted by jason
on 2007-06-27 10:45:50
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