Shift Change & Breakfast

My dad has been mostly sleeping this morning, but when he has been awake, he seems a bit down today. Doesn't seem to want to try as hard to do what the doctors and nurses ask. I can't imagine how frustrating it would be to want to say something and not be able to. He is starting to get a bit discouraged when he can't do something or can't feel something. I'm sure he is becoming much more aware of the situation and isn't sure how to deal with it.

At one point I just tried to ask him about it. I asked him if he was feeling sad and frustrated and he just nodded. So I told him that I understood and that we were going to be here with him the entire time to figure this thing out. And I tried to reassure him that it would get easier with time and that he wasn't "stuck" like this.

Another neuro resident came in to do a quick check. They asked him to stick out his tongue and move it from side to side, to smile, and to wiggle his eyebrows. He did all of them without any problem. He doesn't seem to be able to feel much on his right side yet, but is still able to move it. So they said that will get better with time.

The new nurse, Ann, came at 8:00. Ann is so wonderful with dad. I expressed to her that I was a little concerned about him feeling depressed or sad about his situation because he is becoming more aware. She has been talking to him directly and explaining everything to him. She has been really understanding about how frustrated he is and trying to explain to him that his brain needs time to heal, but that things will get better with time. He seemed pleased to hear that from her. Also, Flora is the new CNA and has been in several times to see if we needed anything. She said she would come back to see if dad wanted a shave later and teased him for getting scruffy. LOL!

Ann brought breakfast at 8:45 and whispered in my ear, "It looks disgusting, but don't tell him that." LOL! And wow, yes it did. But he did like the cream of wheat and orange juice quite a bit. In fact, after his first bite of cream of wheat, he very clearly said, "Oh I like that!" And when she crushed up a pill in his applesauce, I warned him that it would be gross and he gave me a look like, "You weren't kidding!"

After breakfast, I asked him if he wanted to sleep and he said no. So I asked him if he wanted me to talk to him for a while and he nodded. So I told him about my day with Ros & Kathryn yesterday (my mom's sister and niece that are visiting from England.) He wanted to know every detail of that. Then I told him about all of the well-wishers on Facebook and mentioned several of you by name. He was glad to hear about everyone and I think it really lifted his spirits.

He drifted off while I was talking (thanks a lot, Dad) so I put his bed back down and told him to rest for a while. After a few minutes he got my attention and said fairly clearly, "My neck is hurting." So I was able to fix the pillows and make him more comfortable.

Its been an eventful morning for him, so I'm sure he will sleep for the next little while. I think the physical therapists will come in soon, so I hope that he will be alert enough to work hard!

Karen is taking over soon, so she'll be the next one to update. :)