Ok Everyone. Here we are - all worrying and fretting over poor sickly Dennis-Dad-Grandpa.
I stayed by his side for over 2 weeks because I feared to leave him alone. I've been helping him up and down stairs, dressing him, etc....
Well - worry-no-more Dear Ones! The gig is up; the patient lives!
On Monday I had made plans to meet a friend for lunch and Den was "safely" tucked in. I told him I'd only be away for 2 hours.
Yesterday as we were going to the local doctor I noticed that Den had his keys and his wallet already in his pants - ??? whatever...
Today, Wednesday, we had to go to City of Hope, a journey of 53 miles one way. This requires the comforts of the truck! I get in the truck but the mirror is moved, the seat is in the wrong place and - there is not enough gas to make the journey - what???? When we got to CofH I needed to pay the valet service and asked where would I find an ATM - Den says "I have cash." hmmmm He hands me his wallet and there is a wad of 20s - ok - he's been sneakin' out when I thought he could barely make it to the bathroom.
Poor Den - he forgets about my "seeing eyes". I came home and checked the banking - sure enough he had managed to get out while I was at lunch and make a withdrawal.
So there you have it - the man has a will! You're climbing the stairs on your own, now, Buddy!
Dad
in his backyard haven
Wednesday 9 May 2012
Four Poster Bed
I'll always remember the day I bought our four poster queen bed in Little Rock, AR. The side rails measure 24 inches from floor to the top of the rail. The mattress raised the bed height to over 32 inches. We needed step stools to get into bed. Joe came home and declared: HAVE A BED!
Over the years the bed has become a bit challenging but when it was time to replace the mattress we discovered new mattresses are 16 inches thick. When the installers put the new mattress and box springs on the already high bed the top measured 40 inches from the floor. On two occasions Den managed to tangle his feet in the sheets and fell while trying to get out - once hanging until I could release him.
With his recent illness I couldn't put Den into the "high bed" so he's been camping in the guest room with a standard 24 inch mattress height. I decided to try to accommodate his return to OUR bed. I ran to the nearest mattress shop and ordered a "bunkie-board". This 1 1/2 in. padded board originated as a foundation for bunkbeds. I guess with the advent of newer thick mattresses the bunkie-board is now made in all sizes.
Yesterday two kind gentlemen arrived with our bunkie-board. It IS a fete to get such things up the curved staircase so it was a celebration that nothing was destroyed on the journey.
I explained our dilemma. The height problem was still an issue because the side rails and slats are still so high that even replacing the box spring with a bunkie-board would lower the height sufficiently for anyone to just sit on the edge of the bed. The older gent scratched his beard - then proclaimed "what you really need is a metal bed frame". Dialogue about time, etc. We had a medical appointment in 75 minutes. They said we can do it and off they ran. They were back in 20 minutes and assembled the bed with original box spring - but it still looked too high. So, says I with tape measure in hand - no - we'll use the bunkie-board and that will bring the bed to exactly 24 inches. They did it and I tipped them handsomely and off they went - off we went....
After the med visit I came home to make the bed. The mattress was so snug inside the bed-frame that I couldn't get the fitted sheet in place @#%**!!. Finally the battle was over - but - when I sat on the edge of the bed the side rails slapped me in the thighs and I tumbled back into the feathers with legs dangling over the rails!!! Talk about a "hanging"...
What to do - -
By now dear Mariann had arrived to help me put the mess together. We decided to high-tail it back to the mattress shop and retrieve the original box spring. I'm sure the mattress dealer is thinkin' this lady needs a trip to Patton (State hospital). Negotiations ensued and tomorrow we get the rescued box spring back. I get to return the bunkie-board for store credit - hurray, new pillows!
If that doesn't work - does anyone want a four poster bed?
Over the years the bed has become a bit challenging but when it was time to replace the mattress we discovered new mattresses are 16 inches thick. When the installers put the new mattress and box springs on the already high bed the top measured 40 inches from the floor. On two occasions Den managed to tangle his feet in the sheets and fell while trying to get out - once hanging until I could release him.
With his recent illness I couldn't put Den into the "high bed" so he's been camping in the guest room with a standard 24 inch mattress height. I decided to try to accommodate his return to OUR bed. I ran to the nearest mattress shop and ordered a "bunkie-board". This 1 1/2 in. padded board originated as a foundation for bunkbeds. I guess with the advent of newer thick mattresses the bunkie-board is now made in all sizes.
Yesterday two kind gentlemen arrived with our bunkie-board. It IS a fete to get such things up the curved staircase so it was a celebration that nothing was destroyed on the journey.
I explained our dilemma. The height problem was still an issue because the side rails and slats are still so high that even replacing the box spring with a bunkie-board would lower the height sufficiently for anyone to just sit on the edge of the bed. The older gent scratched his beard - then proclaimed "what you really need is a metal bed frame". Dialogue about time, etc. We had a medical appointment in 75 minutes. They said we can do it and off they ran. They were back in 20 minutes and assembled the bed with original box spring - but it still looked too high. So, says I with tape measure in hand - no - we'll use the bunkie-board and that will bring the bed to exactly 24 inches. They did it and I tipped them handsomely and off they went - off we went....
After the med visit I came home to make the bed. The mattress was so snug inside the bed-frame that I couldn't get the fitted sheet in place @#%**!!. Finally the battle was over - but - when I sat on the edge of the bed the side rails slapped me in the thighs and I tumbled back into the feathers with legs dangling over the rails!!! Talk about a "hanging"...
What to do - -
By now dear Mariann had arrived to help me put the mess together. We decided to high-tail it back to the mattress shop and retrieve the original box spring. I'm sure the mattress dealer is thinkin' this lady needs a trip to Patton (State hospital). Negotiations ensued and tomorrow we get the rescued box spring back. I get to return the bunkie-board for store credit - hurray, new pillows!
If that doesn't work - does anyone want a four poster bed?
Tuesday 1 May 2012
Belated Anniversary Greetings!
This past weekend Mom and Dad celebrated 45 years of marital bliss. According to mom, the last 44 and 11/12ths were great. The past month was hell.
If anyone can make it to 50, its you Mom and Dad!
Thank you for the role modeling, patience, discipline, sacrifice and love you have given all of us and many more. We are forever grateful for the legacy you have left us!
Love, Liz, Joe, Molly, Amy and Katie.
If anyone can make it to 50, its you Mom and Dad!
Thank you for the role modeling, patience, discipline, sacrifice and love you have given all of us and many more. We are forever grateful for the legacy you have left us!
Love, Liz, Joe, Molly, Amy and Katie.
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