Goodnight Irene

My husband said that Pop was the perpetual shuffler. He always shuffled his way around the house. "Pop is going to shuffle his way into heaven."

The doctor said, "People often die the way they lived."

The hospice nurse said he was a fighter, he loved life so much, "You don't get to be 98 by being a wimp."

I said, how do you end a life story?  With a kiss and a prayer and every dream come true...

I'll end it with the song that Pop and I sang every night before he went to bed.

Goodnight Irene,

Goodnight Irene,

I'll see you in my dreams

Give My Regards to Broadway

Pop has been non-responsive and non-verbal for five days now but the doctor assures us the he can still hear when we speak to him. The long hours spent in vigil at his bedside have been heart breaking. To keep the mood upbeat and to prove the doctor's point, my sisters and I have been "entertaining Pop with campfire songs from our childhood, much to Mom's chagrin. We had to pause for a brief commercial break when the nurse arrived to give Pop his meds. She chuckled at our choice of songs and we giggled in embarrassment that people in the hallway heard our renditions.

For our next selection, we chose a patriotic theme, we thought was appropriate for Pop, a WWII vet. We are now rehearsing for a medley of show tunes from Broadway. Pop, for better or worse, is a captive audience.

Relatively Pleasant Day, if it hadn't started so early.

Pop's dementia is progressing but generally he is good-natured and provides us with opportunities to laugh.

According to Pop, we had a lot of plans on this sunny day. First thing in the morning, 4:00 AM, we played a round of golf (18 holes, I lost) then 2 sets of tennis (I lost), by late afternoon, we strolled along the Atlantic City boardwalk (sans the sunscreen) watched the young couples going by, judged a beauty pageant, and saw bunnies hopping on the beach. If it wasn't for the darn mosquitoes and mice, it would have been the perfect day.

Unfortunately, there were a few dark clouds on the horizon too. It was getting late and his  mom and dad would be worried, so we had to hurry home. When we arrived home, his childhood home has changed so much since he has been gone and nothing looked the same. He had problems during the war but never one like this. Pop asks, "What should I do?"

Pop has been awake for over 24 hours, medications given to sedate him have been ineffective, sleep is elusive. I ask, "What should I do?"

Happy 90th Birthday Mom

Although it is belated, we wish you the best 90th Birthday ever, Mom!

Poops! Bloops! Oops!

Pop had another fall. This one resulted in hospitalization. He is not the best patient, nor does he have much patience. He insisted on having his bed directly in front of the door to see the activities outside his room. He would wave to the nurses, doctors and staff members who would smile and wave back.

The doctor came in with Pop's paperwork attached and ordered several tests. He said, we need to find the cause for this fall; dizziness, dehydration, low blood pressure. He went on to list several other factors that could have contributed to this fall.

I offered the doctor my diagnosis...he slipped on the poop on the bathroom floor. Without a moment's hesitation, the doctor responded, "I don't see a check box for that" My reply, "Can we list it under other?"