Your dad should be checked for a possible subdural hematoma (bleeding between the skull and the brain). Any fall hard enough to break a tooth in an elderly person could cause a concussion or a subdural. They just did a story recently on nPR about how even pretty mild bumps to the head, like hitting your head on a kitchen cabinet, can cause subdurals in the elderly. If they're quite large, they can be drained to relieve pressure on the brain.
Barb, How is your father doing? Has everything settled down w/Joan?
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.
Thanks for asking. I'm at my Dads today, heading home in a bit. He is doing ok. Just uncomfortable with the Shingles but it is getting better. Got to see all my siblings and a friend last night but didn't get too much time alone with Dad as a realist though he is not chatty and sleeping way too much. We've been trying to get him up earlier each day.
Joan announced she was coming this weekend and driving herself! Ugh! Now she can pop in whenever. My sister was here for the weekend and was quite stressed by this. She did let a few "zingers" go but in general - she has settled down. She called a couple of times while I was here yesterday but wasn't bad. I'm the only one who hasn't seen her since it all went down and just as glad.
Life goes on. Getting dad a new lift chair and dentures. We've been at that for weeks but seems they will both be here next week.
Celebrated Brandon's birthday in Toronto on Sun which was so nice. The kids have not heard from their Dad since Christmas. He messaged Ryan in Easter but not the other 2. Strange... They are worried about him. He has not seen them since Dec 26 and he has not seen Ryan since early Nov. No idea what is going on. For me it is a relief. For them it is concerning.
That's my update. Long drive home today in ththe rain. But I will be glad to be there.
Glad to hear that your dad is okay. Shingles is just awful! My mother experienced that 2 years ago and it's painful and just plain ugly. I hope he feels better soon.
Your dad may be at an age where he sleeps more. I know that my father started sleeping a bit more as he neared the age of 85. I guess it's just a sign of getting older, but there could be an underlying issue...depression? meds?
As for Joan, she sounds like a pistol and I hope she doesn't drive your dad nuts and allows him to rest comfortably w/o a lot of drama.
Happy Belated Birthday to Brandon! I'm sure the celebration was a really nice one and I'm sorry that their dad has been MIA. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise, but I do understand the kids being worried. I'm sure if he wants to know something, he'll contact them in due time. Such a shame...he's got great kids and can't see what he's lost.
Drive safely and I'm sure you'll be glad to return home for a bit.
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.
I'm so sorry to hear that your dad has shingles. I really hope he's feeling better soon. It affects elderly people so much worse than the rest of us. I've met a few folks who said it took months to get over after 70.
You may have read I've had it twice - the first time was simply awful beyond belief. The blisters hurt and my skin just hurt all the time. My breakout was on my left side, mid section at the pants line. I spent the first few days crying on and off. Then I got them about 6 weeks ago on the exact opposite side, same place. The breakout was much milder, thank goodness.
All I can say is the fantasy of fleece outfits sounded ideal to me. (They do anyway, but out of necessity here.) Ibuprofen did help take the edge off of it, but I don't know if your dad can take it. Sleep is the only thing that helped - probably because I didn't consciously sit around and comment to myself that I was in such pain.
Happy birthday to you and Brandon! I'd love to spend mine in Toronto. Unfortunately, when we make the trip to/from NY next week we won't be swinging through.
Hang in there. And hugs for you.
Bets
"There are only 2 ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
So nice to come here and share. Some things I don't put on FB.
Not late on Brandon's birthday - it's Tommorrow - I was early!
I feel better hearing from both of you about the shingles. Makes me feel better about Dad sleeping so much and I do think that some of it is depression too.
I'm back in Muskoka. So glad to be home on my couch. Some days I just love to sit around in fleece too!
The nurse today mentioned that if you have had milder cases of chicken pox you are less likely to get Shingles. Not sure if that is true and I'm glad I had a really bad case of chicken pox as did Ryan. Unfortunately my other 2 had mild cases. I must look this up.
Way up north here it was actually warmer than in NIagara. I discovered I have a heated steering wheel! I forgot about that. Oh what a joy that is!
I really need to read the manual but I do love this SUV!
Barb, You may want to check w/your physician about the shingles shot. After my mother's bout w/the nasty stuff, I got a prescription from my physician and went to my nearest Target pharmacy and got the shot.
My mother's case was from being stressed out and she now worries that she'll have another round of the nasty stuff. It's no picnic and I've never seen her so nasty and short tempered for a few weeks. She wore nothing be very soft fleece clothing since it was near where her bra line would be on her back.
I'm glad you made it home and are relaxing a bit. It's always nice to return home and know that you can sit around in fleece when you want to.
I'm also glad you are enjoying your new SUV. Definitely get the manual out and read up on it. You might discover some other new gadgets that you forgot about!
Please take care of yourself!
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.
Yes, Dad was very short with everyone but no wonder. I had asked my dr about the Shingles vaccin but he said he didn't recommend it. My sister had them a few years ago and went on the medication early on so it wasn't so bad for her.
I woke up with abdominal pain today. If it were on the right side I'd be sure it was appendics but it's on the left. Thinking Diverticulitis, Pancreatitis or Kidney stone. Or just a pulled muscle. Who knows. I've taken Advil and taken to the couch. Feeling better now. Eggs and tea. Might have to go to the ER if it persists.
I don't know if what the nurse told you was 100% true. I had a horrible case of chicken pox at the age of 8 (it ruined my summer) and my XH says his was mild. Yet our first outbreak of shingles was horrible in both cases.
I had been talking to my doctor about getting the vaccine, which they won't administer until the age of 50. BTW, I understood that it was a crap shoot and an expensive shot. And I broke out with it the weekend I turned 50. Once you get it, the vaccine is useless.
One thing for you, since you've not had shingles. If you are able (and IF you come down with them), once the outbreak happens get to the doctor post haste and ask for antivirals. They lessen the severity of the outbreak, but are only good if you get them early into the process. I have horrible reactions to them (they consider an allergy or a resistance), so I can't take them. God help me if I get ebola or the like.
I insisted on spending the first week at home to hang around in fleece. I happen to love it too. Only it wasn't fun, and it came at a horrible time at work.
Here's to a shingle free life for all of us!
And Job... I was horribly cranky myself with both cases. It is, bar none, the most painful condition. It feels like a severe case of rug burn on the inside of your skin and the outside. You can't get even comfortable, let alone neutral. Sleep was my only escape, if temporary. I'm just grateful the entire episode lasted 6 weeks. My XH's lasted 3 months. And a former late priest friend had it for more than 6 months (on his face, no less). UGH!!!
Good luck, and happy birthday for real today!
Betsey
p.s. There really is no place like home, eh?
"There are only 2 ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
