Thursday 12th July

Thursday 12th July

I arrived early to see Dad today at 1.45 pm.  When I peered through Dad's window I could see he was fast asleep in bed.  I was pleased to see when I got to Dad's room, that the Carers had got him dressed today.  He had not been out of bed, and didn't get out all day.  The Carers had asked Dad if he wanted to get out, but he couldn't be coaxed.  We are concerned that Dad's tiredness may be from the anti-depressants he started last week, although it might well be an effect from his stroke - we have asked the Nurses to monitor this. Good to hear that he had eaten his lunch though - with a little help from one of the Carers.

Dad woke up slowly while I was there.  He brushed his teeth whilst in bed, and he gave himself a shave - he looked better for it too.  The Doctor came to check Dad's chest after he had been coughing earlier in the week I've come to listen to your chest  the Doctor said Hello I'm Alan's chest  Dad said in a funny voice making himself laugh.  Although Dad has always had a good sense of humour and is quick witted - his humour seems to have become a little more childlike...  Anyway - the Doctor was pleased with Dad and said there were no problems with his chest which is good news.

Mum and Dad's sister arrived at 2 pm to visit Dad and shortly after another of Dad's golfing friends dropped by.  Mum and I met with the lady from DSA and had a good chat with her.  She was more like a counsellor and a support than someone with all the answers.  I think it was good for us to talk to an independent person who has experience of stroke recovery in her own family, she was able to empathise and relate to what we are experiencing.  She reiterated to us that part of the process was to experience the bereavement of the Dad and Husband we have both lost and adapt to the changes that are going on around us and the person Dad has become.  Not an easy journey - there are definitely good days and there are definitely bad days. As I say, she didn't have the answers to what the future holds, nobody has, but she made positive suggestions for us going forward.

Dad was asleep when we got back to the room, but he soon came to when we started talking amongst ourselves.  Dad tries to join in conversations but gets confused trying to describe what he means and struggles to find the right words - we try to encourage him and listen to what he says but it is difficult to understand what he is getting at.  Dad speaks very well - but the words don't always come easily.  

During our visit today, Dad lifted his left leg several times - he has not done this for a couple of days. Considering a few weeks ago he didn't have any feeling at all in his left leg, this is good progress.  We are still waiting for his new 'boot' to arrive that has been ordered - it's to help prevent Dad's foot from turning inwards.  Dad's left arm still didn't have any movement today, but he can feel when it is being touched - when he was in hospital he didn't have any sensation at all.  We try to keep it as straight as possible and ensure his fingers are kept straight too.

Since Dad had his stroke we have found he sings even more than he used to.  He knows all the words to his old favourites and is word perfect.  Since starting the anti depressants, Dad has stopped breaking down in tears when he starts singing and his pitch and tone is definitely improving - he's no Sinatra - but it's an improvement to the monotone voice we were hearing a few weeks ago.  Dad was singing 'Only the Lonely' and with a bit of prompting knew it was by Roy Orbison - although at one point he did suggest it may have been sung by Pauline Amos!  He also sang 'Some day I'm gonna write the story of my life' - when asked who it was by - he said something to do with Holly or Holiday it was by Michael Holliday.

Dad ate all his tea tonight fed by Mum - soup, main and a bit of dessert.  When the Nurse came to give him his insulin (which he has only been having since being admitted to hospital) Dad attempted to bite her saying you hurt me and I'll hurt you.  This is the effect of the stroke - because my lovely, caring, gentle Dad would never have done anything like that before.

Hopefully a few days of resting in bed will do Dad good and he'll be more up for being active tomorrow...we'll see.

Love you Dad x