Saturday in Frankville

And now a tour of the grounds...

Friday

Pizza Friday!

All dressed

After lunch, when the rain ended and the sky cleared, Dad changed into his street clothes and we went for a walk. We walked as far as Mary Ellen's driveway, then turned around. When we got back to the porch and the rocker I saw that he was out of breath. But it was a start. A few short weeks ago he was too weak to hold a newspaper, so a jaunt of any length is tremendous progress.

This happened today when mom stepped out to buy food and supplies:

*Phone rings*

Nat: Hello?

Caller: *pause* Is this Bobby's wife?

Nat: No, this is his daughter.

Caller: What? *pause* Is Bobby home?

Nat: Yes but he's sleeping.

Caller: What?

2nd caller on other end: We're just wondering if Bobby is home now. We heard he was in the hospital.

Nat: Oh, OK...who is this? 

2nd caller: Leonard DeCoste is my dad.

1st caller:  Is Bobby home?

2nd caller to 1st caller: Yes Dad, she said he's home.

Nat: He's home now and he is feeling better.

1st caller: Oh!! That's good!!

Nat: I'll tell him you called.

1st caller: OK! *hangs up*

When Mom came home and heard the story she told me that Leonard was the yodeller. Then I remembered him from the old variety shows in Havre Boucher. He always sang the same song about how hard it is get into heaven. I mostly remember that you can't get to heaven on a piece of glass because you'll fall right down and skin your ass. Good to know. Apparently Leonard underwent treatment for prostate cancer a few years ago too, and sometimes checks in with Dad to see how he is doing. He's deaf now but I wonder if he still yodels, or does singing about skinning his ass remind him of his prostate cancer.

Wednesday

It rained all day. Dad caught up on some napping and we all ate Mom's delicious cooking.

Dessert waffles

Tuesday

*** A giant shout out to my bro for Wi-Fi assistance today!! ***
                                               Thank you!!

                                 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

We heard the door bell ring twice today!

Can I get one of those red pillows?

Doug: Robert, I'm so happy to see you standing there.

Dad: I'm happy to see you there, too.

Hugs and jovial energy filled the sun porch. Doug was checking in to see if the Kings really were home ("noticed some lights on on the house last night - it's been quiet on this end of the road") and to see how Dad is feeling. Apparently Dad has been the talk of the town lately. Good to know the community has been pulling for him. 

Convalescence presents!

Later Jimmy Greencorn and his son Alex came by to say hello and drop off a walker for Dad that he doesn't look too thrilled about. Dad and I decided that the walker is handy to have here just in case, but it's not necessary.  Jimmy told Mom to not be afraid to call on him for any reason. He said, You were there for my mother and I'm here for you. No shortage of caring neighbors around here for sure.

Otherwise, the day centred around getting Dad his pills and glasses of water, Mom, Dad and I trading complaints about the rainy weather, Nat pulling out her hair over Wi-Fi connection issues, and of course eating!

Warm croissant with strawberries & ice cream

How it's done: salad first


Forecast for tomorrow: more of the same, plus dessert waffles for Dad.

Dad took one sleeping pill to ensure he rests tonight so he can continue fighting the good fight tomorrow. Beaux reves!

Mexican Jailbreak Monday

Dad slept well again last night, his third satisfying snooze in a row!

Mom and I checked out of the lodge this morning and grabbed  some cafeteria breakfast. I also introduced Mom to the delights of cold pizza via a slice of olive-laden veggie za from last night.

We dropped in to Dad's hospital room around 9:30. A nurse came by soon after to change the dressings on his chest and arm, and reassure him that he will indeed be released today. Dad has clearly been managing his hope. Anyway he was very happy with that news.

Nurse Sarah sits down to review Dad's list of meds with us.

The nurse gave us a list of drug prescriptions so mom and I visted the drugstore downstairs to get them filled. The list is quite long and includes a sleeping pill which dad is not comfortable with but the nurse says it's discretionary and includes no refills. Dad knows he feels better now because he's finally been sleeping at night. We are filling it in case he needs it for his first days at home.

Dad's legs and feet are returning to normal size after a few days of compression socks. They are really doing the trick!

Dressed and ready for the wine tour!

The drive home was long but Dad kept his cool

Watching TV with familiar comforts: rocker and quilt

Dad's "supplements" metered out for tomorrow

Sunday

Mom and I arrived at Dad's hospital room around 10:30 and found him napping. He soon woke up and told us he had been cold and had crawled into bed to warm up.

When Dad got out of bed he and I did his physio exercises together:

• Arms overhead
• Touch the back of the neck 
• Lean to the side 
• Shoulder circles forward & backward
• Shoulder shrugs
• Leg extensions with flexed foot
• Ankle circles
• Standing hamstring stretches with a chair

We'll do these again this afternoon. Dad's hamstrings were tight, as would anyone's be after lying in bed for over a month. He will probably feel a difference in a few days.

On the phone with Amy while the squash bisque cools

Lunch

Chicken a la king, tomato soup, OJ, pears, chocolate pudding. 

We're all getting excited for the move. Mom bought Dad a celebratory pair of pants for the trip home. Nurse Karen dropped by this evening to say goodbye just as he was demonstrating the use of his plastic breathing machine to me. The nurse was suitably impressed with his lungs. He has made a lot of progress. She told him he was ready to go home, and he smiled as wide as the Cheshire cat. 🐱

Halifax Pride

While Dad had a snooze on Saturday afternoon, Mom and I walked to South Park Avenue along the Public Gardens and watched the Pride Parade with interest. I snapped about a hundred photos. Here are the sassiest:

Saturday

Dad!

Dad slept well last night for the first time.

First attempt with Dad's compression socks as nurse Leah coaches.

Let me try from this angle.

Moving the tray table so Dad cam dig in.

Updating the family with free hospital Wi-Fi

Sketty! Dad's lunch. The tangerine mousse intrigues me. Dad let the fake whipped cream alone.

Milker! Haven't heard that word since the Big Stop.

Time to catch up on the news.