First impressions

[Anthony Nelson]

After being away from Dad for about three weeks his improvement is dramatic.   When I arrived this morning he was sitting in his chair and looked and interacted pretty much the same manner that he did before surgery.

His breathing is a bit labored but not bad.  After his caregiver got him dressed and took him on a short walk his breathing is noticeably worse.  From what I can tell his caregiver, Meeshawn, is quite good, but Dad let me know with hand signals when she was out of the room that he does not like her.

Next week he will go from 6 hours of care down to 4.  

I must admit I am a bit annoyed with myself as I lost my temper a bit with him within twenty minutes of my arrival.  I'm redoubling my efforts to not repeat that.  My mantra is "what would Teresa or Shamim do in any given circumstance".  

Anyway, I don't mean to suggest he is better or any where near as good as he was before surgery.  Susan may be correct that that level of health and independence is not a reasonable expectation.  Even so, I don't understand why his edema continues or why his breathing is not normal.  The former, it seems to me, may be the result of non-optimally functioning heart.

Meeshawn lets Dad do things whenever possible, but she watches him closely.  As I write this he is in the kitchen fixing himself a drink of citrucel.  

More later,

Tony

[Emily Schuck]

Hi Uncle Ton,

Thanks for the update! While I agree with you that it is a lovely thing to think "what would t or shamim do?" I am afraid their level of kindness and incredible resolve for good is reserved for saints - and nearly impossible for us mere mortals.

Don't beat yourself up.

Lots of love,

-Emily