Lessons From a Quarrel

Dad has gone from life in a recliner to shopping with me!

Yesterday Dad was annoyed with me - long story, and of course he was right. I take his blood pressure every day and foolishly took it after this 'debate'. It was 159! When I expressed dismay, he said "I guess you upset me". We sat and chatted for awhile and I retook it 20 minutes later - it was back down to 131. 

What happens to those who live alone without assistance? A reading taken in a doctors office could easily be taken following a stressful encounter getting to the office. Will a medication decision be made on faulty data? It is so important that we be a part of monitoring the health of our senior loved ones. 

In the first 18 days of 2015, I've made 5 doctors visits with Dad. When we saw his new general practitioner, I learned that he has an aneurysm in his aorta and has long had atrial fibrillation -  yet there is no record that he was ever seen by a cardiologist. We've seen one now. Overall, his blood tests look good, the aneurysm is below the size that would suggest surgery and we will see his GP every two months and his cardiologist every three months. 

When I told Dad about his blood tests last night, he said "I think I'll be around for awhile' and smiled at me.

The increase in Dad's independence and mobility in just two weeks is astonishing. Where before we were coaxing him to participate in events, he is now looking at the daily schedule in anticipation of finding something he enjoys. Today he will try Wii Bowling! 

When he moved in, we worried that the long hallway from his second floor apartment to the first floor dining room would be too much. Yesterday, the elevator was out and he took the stairs - 5 times! We went out to lunch and I stopped to pick up pet food. In the past, Dad would have waited in the car. Yesterday he joined me, manned the cart and took it back after we unloaded. The lot was full at his place and I had to park down the street and around the corner - I offered to drop Dad off and park and he preferred to make the walk with me.

Two weeks ago, we could barely coax him to walk three doors down in his mobile home park.

Dad is quick to tell people that he has us to thank for this. Not true. He inspires us everyday with his trust in us and his willingness to embrace change. We are all learning how to grow old together.