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The sun and the clouds and the break in between
By juliezavala in My Turn
March 24, 2011

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Dad's good humor is returning (thank God!) He started seeming a little more like himself last Saturday. He sat on the patio and I served him breakfast there. He smiled a little and commented on a loud bird chirping nearby. He didn't talk much.

Throughout the week he gradually started joking and teasing and even laughing. Laura, his Senior Helpers companion, commented on his progress and she was glad to see the old dad, too.

This weekend Robert and I will be spending a long overdue weekend alone. Hospice provides up to a five day break for caregivers. We need this.

Over seven months ago, when Dad first came to live with us, South Texas Hospice told us we could have those five days to get away each month. I remember thinking that I wouldn't need to get away from daddy. My opinion is a little different now. I still love my dad more than ever, but I think a "mental health" break is way overdue for Robert and myself.

On our lunch break today Robert and I visited the nursing home where Dad will be staying to see what it was like. We met the some of the staff (friendly and helpful) and even got to see the room Dad would be staying in. Marcy, the supervisor said they could even turn his bed sideways like it is in his room at home. I'm going to bring some of his things with us to make him feel more comfortable.

Robert said this nursing home seemed as nice or nicer than the nursing home his Dad had been in in Tennessee. I'll bet Dad makes up a little story in his mind that he's in the hospital. He's done that before while sitting in his own room. He once told me to shut the door; he didn't like the other patients staring into his room. That's fine and preferable to him believing we've stuck him in a nursing home for good.

I like the fact that we won't be far away from Dad and we'll only be gone for two days. We'll drive him there, make sure he's comfortable and entertained and then we'll leave. If this works out we'll be sure to take a break again next month. I've got my fingers crossed.