Do you remember St. Henri? "No I don't remember? That question is usually answered in the affirmative by Mac, so I was surprised by his answer, I had taken out some pictures to while away the time while we were having tea yesterday, and I usually like to start on a positive note by showing and talking about his days growing up in St. Henri. But, it didn't dampen the day, as he loves to talk about his early days even if he doesn't quite understand or contribute eventually some things do click. When Debbie was with him on Friday, she was delighted to tell me how lucid and on-target he was, apparently he as able to remember my sister Ellen, my brother-in-law Chuck, and people in the past. She was so happy to inform me as well,that he was positive, in a good mood and a pleasure to be with that day. I must remember to tell her that this information should be given to me in such a way that includes Mac in the conversation, rather than to talk about him as if he is not there when he is right with us. This is a common occurrence I find with most of us when dealing with patients, children, and some elderly people. It's as if they are on another plane and can't hear.
This also happened last night when the Nurse informed me that I should try to be with Mac this morning at around seven a.m. as Mac had to have a blood test. With Mac right there he explained as if Mac was not there that the nurse had tried to get a blood test done earlier in the week but Mac put up too much of a fight and it was impossible. He suggested I be with him for this which would probably help. I turned to Mac and said - well tomorrow you will have a blood test. I'll be there I hope you will cooperate. Mac just laughed and said "maybe".. Well, that is a possibility but doesn't necessarily follow that my presence will help. In any case I spent last night tossing and turning to be awake - dressed and cheery for seven thirty this morning all to no avail. When I got down there Mac was still in bed, and the nurse on duty, Marie Annie, said "oh no he will not have the test today, I need to get a smaller needle, last time he was too agitated if I use the same type of needle he could break it, I must speak to Carolyn about this." Carolyn being the Head Nurse. So I said, well I'll go back to my apartment, I was told by the Assistant Head Nurse I should be here, so please let me know when you get the smaller needle". She apologized and so here I am blogging out my frustration.
There are many little frustrations to be dealt with and it's such a good thing that I have been away and am, hopefully, more able to deal with them in a good mood - ha. Seeing Mac had two med patches on his back when it clearly states on the information with the meds that this is dangerous and it must be absolutely clear that only one patch should be used at a time, was another problem last night, I duly told that nurse and he wrote it in the book...and apologized for whichever preposee was negligent in that case..and so it goes..the good thing is I am here and I really wonder about all the Alzheimer patients in all the facilities including this one who never have anyone on their case- it can be really depressing.
Changing the sad tale of woe to one on a happier note..Yesterday Valerie, Briana, Finley and our new great grandchild Lachlan came to visit. I put little Lachlan, now four weeks old, on Mac's knee, Mac was just delighted, he laughed and really it was adorable, the two of them, Lachlan and Mac stared at each other and it looked like Lachlan actually smiled back at Mac. What a pleasure and what a great memory, not perhaps for Mac, but for me, and that's the memory I'll keep as I start the day...bye for now.
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