TRIP REPORT

Honey is in her bedroom cat bed watching the birds at the feeder. I've finished another Swiffer Saturday and made a quick trip to the grocery store for a rotissarie chicken and Powerball ticket (280 million). It's the first weekend home after my trip and I finally feel fine.  

The workweek was the typical post-vacation killer but I managed to make it through by shifting into overdrive for a few maxed-out days. The wise just got out of my way and left me alone; the stupid got the death stare as I blasted past their spinning bodies on another run to the copier. Although not totally caught up, by Friday I was able to feel and act more human.  

How was Arizona?  The State was very accomodating with beautiful dry 90s days and 60s nights and I was only slightly irritated by the pollen-de-jour. For the first time while visiting my family I chose to stay in a nearby hotel; it was the right choice, greatly appreciated for it's solitude and comforts. Each morning I had breakfast at IHOP to start the day with a nice breakfast, John Steinbeck's East of Eden and a few me-minutes before heading to my dad and sister's house for the day.  

My dad, who is 82, suffers from conjestive heart problems and diabetes and has been in the hospital three times this spring. A week before I visited he had an auto accident which totalled his car. No one was hurt in the accident, but he is naturally depressed about the loss and the possibility that he may never drive again. It may indeed be time to hang up the car keys.  

He is frail and tires very easily. The week was spent giving him light-duty care....making frequent small meals for him, getting him ice water, going on short trips to stores, and helping him around the house. I made calls to inquire about various services that he might need down the line and left the information for my sister. At this time he is only agreeing to sign up for the Meals on Wheels program.  

My sister has an unusual work schedule, leaving about 9:30 am and getting home about 7:30 or later. This alone makes it difficult for her to provide meals and do many of the errands that need to be done. She is very stressed with the unending caregiver role she has had to assume these past 3 years. It's not that she needs to give a lot of care, but it is unrelenting and she does not get the little breaks that could help her have the 'me-time' she needs to recharge her strength. I wanted him to accept some support from an elderly companion service for such things as rides to the store, but he said, "Not yet." In the end I told my sister that she might have to insist upon it.  

At the end of the week he went to the doctor and was prescribed to be on oxygen so the medical technician arrived and set him up for that. This should help with some of his confusion and energy problems. Even after a short time of use I thought he was doing better.  

Most nights the 3 of us played poker, had dinner, and conversed. My dad seemed to gain strength and be less depressed as the week went on, and the oxygen and some new medications he began at the end of the week seem promising. Of course the good-byes were weighed by his obviously poor health. Perhaps it is the last visit. It was sad at times, but I felt at peace with our time togther and the visit.