weekend update

Dad settled into Kernan this weekend. The therapists didn't seem to be around so Dad was able to relax for the upcoming week of therapy. Yesterday, I brought Dad some Gatorade since his salt level still seems to be low. He's not hooked to an iv anymore. I arrived when Dad was having dinner in the kitchen area with other patients. They gave him his steroid, salt, and anti-seizure medication. Afterwards, I was able to take Dad to the Healing Garden and the entrance of the hospital in a wheelchair. Since the wheelchair didn't have any foot rests, Dad crossed his weak right leg over his left leg and lifted his left as I pushed him. Dad seemed to enjoy watching the ants and berries on the bushes. I asked him if he remembers anything about the fall, but still nothing. I told him that some are suspecting that he was attacked, but it didn't bring back any memories.

Today Mom was with Dad since 2:30pm to 8:30pm. We tried to take Dad around the Garden again, but this time we put on these athletic shorts that seems slippery with the cover for the wheelchair seat. Dad kept on slipping down the chair when he crossed his legs. Finally, we took off the seat cover, but he still slipped a little in the shorts. We had to keep stopping to slide Dad back up again. I also found out that Dad has a UTI. Ouch. He's on antibiotics that were started today. Darn catheters. He was given Tylenol for pain.

I tried to wash Dad's hair yesterday, and one of the nurses gave me this odd invention. It was a shower cap with a damp cloth lined inside. You heat it in the microwave for a few seconds to warm it up, put on the head, massage it, and you don't need to rinse the shampoo/conditioner. Well, Mom called when I slipped it on Dad's head, and I tried massaging with one hand. I realized later that water had dripped down the back of Dad's neck, and his hair wasn't cleaner than with regular way so I brought in shampoo today.

Dad talked a little more since we had to take care of his rent and lease today. He was able to sign his name. In the wheelchair, he tried stepping with both feet and moving the chair forward himself. The right leg is still weak. I'll be calling the therapist tomorrow about his treatment plan.

Poor William had some bleeding today from his wisdom teeth extractions, and Mom said that his face was swollen. He used some black tea bags to try to stop the bleeding. The dentist will look at the stitched tomorrow morning.

Linda and Jae have moved into their new condo. They painted the baby room the lightest blue with white crown molding. Remember no lifting, Linda! Only directing!

With the summer nearing the end, Sam decided to grill some steaks today on the community's gas grill. It was tasty, but I don't think that it helped with lowering his cholesterol levels.

My hair's becoming a bit wild, especially when I wake up in the morning. I'm constantly watering it down. I'll have my Herceptin this Wed. Still no sign of my period since May. My toes are good, no tingling anymore. My thumb joints have been a bit achy lately, but it may be the tubes I have to close and this tough multi-channel pipettor I was using.