Being Valentine’s Day I decided to give Al, my brother a few goodies. I stopped at the grocery store and picked up these items for him. I bought myself a Cadbury egg also. I just had to do something to spoil me also.
When I arrived at his facility he was napping. I hated to do it but I woke him up letting him know I was there. He looked at me and gave me that famous smile of his. Eventually he sat up with my help and looked at his gifts. He was more excited about the creme horns than the candy. I knew he would be. It is his favorite junk food. I got him some diet soda as he has been drinking so much diet coke. It is hard on his stomach ulcers drinking too much dark pop.
I bought him some heart-shaped sugar cookies with red sugar sprinkles on top. I bought him a Cadbury egg also and his box of candy. He seemed happy with it. He laid back down and we watched television together.
When it was time to get up for lunch I saw he had his shirt on backwards so together we changed it. I walked with him down to the dining room. I learned today that for $3.50 I could purchase a meal. I asked Al if he wanted me to dine with him and he said that would be fine. He normally is the only one sitting at his table. This upsets me because he is such a social person.
After we both ordered I observed that every CNA and nurse or any staff that went by he said hi to them. There were a few that didn’t say anything but most of them did respond back to him with a comment. I explained to Al that his voice is so soft that the others could not hear him. I do believe this is the truth too. Al’s voice is very soft.
We each had chicken for lunch. Al had scalloped potatoes and green beans with vanilla ice-cream. I cheated because of the day and I had a baked potato half, butternut squash and a piece of cherry pie with coffee.
Al was definitely struggling today. I just can’t seem to get anything to work with getting those cups to his lips and then being able to tip them enough more to get the liquid in his mouth. I talked to the dietary supervisor and she suggested weighted cups. She was going to dig a few up for him.
I also noticed that a portion of his food went to the floor instead of his mouth from those nasty tremors. He struggled getting food on his plate. I went to the kitchen and asked for a plate guard. I clipped it on my brother’s plate and it made a huge difference. I told the kitchen to please make sure to attach a guard to each meal plate and they said alright.
The sighing and the tears left as he was able to finally get food on his spoon easier. I don’t see him eat with a fork much anymore. I don’t care. He would have more problems with a fork I think.
He was going on an outing today. He and his driver were going to go get his glasses tightened and get a strap for his glasses. They keep rolling down his nose as it is very difficult for Al to look at a level direction. Just for his photo today, I had to help get his head up far enough for him to look at the camera.
All in all we had a nice time. I told him unless we get that big snow storm I would be back on Sunday. Happy Valentine’s Day bud. Your sister loves you bunches.
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So happy for you both .. that the day turned out good and that you got some quality time together. Great photo too. I’m pleased that you could return home .. and feeling good about the day. Love this post.
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I did leave him feeling good. I so cherish the good days
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… so glad for you.
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You have so much love for your brother, it is wonderful and then I feel the same: I love my sister to bits too. The best sister in the world! Hope you are well Terry, I haven’t been around for a while, With a hug from Ute x
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I finished the last of my antibiotic today. I don’t want this back so I don’t go out unless I am going to see Al or the grocery store. Giving it time since it is winter, and I still have a small cough
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Take care of yourself and be good to yourself! xx
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thank you. i am trying
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that is so sweet. Happy love’s day for you and your brother.
Regards, with love and kisses,
Vivien
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Thank you so much Vivien! Hope you have a wonderful day!
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What a great afternoon you had together. I know Al is grateful to have such a caring sister. But…cadbury eggs on Valentines Day? Noooo, that’s mixing up holidays. That’s like having Santa Claus show up during the Thanksgiving Day parade. Oh, wait…
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I know what you mean, but they were just put out and I thought, wow these are fresh, and on sale, so why not??? LOL Getting close to Easter I assume. I don’t even know when Easter is
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Good for you for going and carrying him goodies for the day! One day you will have no regrets, and that’s a good feeling.
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all of you thought it was a good idea and I am so glad I did it. he liked it!!! thanks Sheila for helping me to decide
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Thank you for sharing Terry, what a wonderful story of love for your brother and he is such a handsome man! I am glad you were able to visit and see the struggles he has had and were able to fix them. My Dad had his larnyx removed due to cancer and with his shaking was unable to write so I purchased a cookie sheet and magnetic alpha letters and numbers so that he could communicate with the staff and it was surprising how sucha little thing had never occured to the ‘professional caretakers’…just takes those with love in their hearts I guess. God Bless you and Al!
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what an awesome idea you had! I will keep this in mind for down the road. I hate seeing him struggle eating because i know what is next, someone feeding him, and his memory is really suffering. he rarely remembers the week prior
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Thank you for sharing Terry, what a wonderful story of love for your brother and he is such a handsome man! I am glad you were able to visit and see the struggles he has had and were able to fix them. My Dad had his larnyx removed due to cancer and with his shaking was unable to write so I purchased a cookie sheet and magnetic alpha letters and numbers so that he could communicate with the staff and it was surprising how sucha little thing had never occured to the ‘professional caretakers’…just takes those with love in their hearts I guess. God Bless you and Al! MY GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!
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god is an awesome God. I am so glad Al believes strongly in him
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Such a heart felt story of love. Thank you so much for sharing. Stories like these makes me wish that God had the plan for brothers and sisters for me. However, it never came about. Cherish each moment you have good or bad. That is what memories are made from. Each day is new and a new adventure in life. Happy Valentines Day.
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thank you so much Tammy. I used to take so much for granted but now I try to see each tiny miracle of the day. I have no idea what it is to be an only child but I can imagine some of it. There was a reason for it, this I am sure of. You have a great Valentine’s Day Tammy
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🙂
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Tammy, I have no siblings either and I used to wish for them. But sometimes it works out for the best especially when you see brothers and sisters who fight all the time or who don’t speak to each other. I’d rather be on my own than that.
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I’m glad you were able to enjoy the day together. It sounds like, everything considered, Al is doing pretty well. May the Lord continue to bless you both.
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I agree. He is doing fair for what he is dealing with. walking and eating are the challenges. he rambles all his words together now so it is hard to understand him, but i still can so hanging on to all that is good
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I’m so glad you both had a great time. I love the photo of Al, he looks like he’s going to do something very naughtily… 😀
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he does doesn’t he? I had just woke him up……..
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What a lovely day you had. He is so lucky to have you for a sister. Happy Valentine’s Day to you both!
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I am so glad he was feeling well enough for me to visit. it was a great day and i will always treasure this valentine’s day
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Looks like you both had a lovely day, Terry! How about a shallower cup? Do you think that might help with the tilting problem? Just a thought…xoxoM
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i don’t know Margarita. I wish I knew the answer. It is like I just want to take the bottom of the cup and tip it for him instead of watching him shed a tear out of frustration. i wish i had the answers. i have never seen shallow cups with the sippy lids. have you?
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I haven’t either. However, a little look online brought me to this website from Target http://www.target.com/p/the-first-years-take-and-toss-feeding-variety-pack-28-pc/-/A-10752889#prodSlot=medium_4_7&term=wine+sippy+cups
Apparently the set is not available online, so you’d have to have a Target store near you. The point is that the little bowls with lids look like they’re the same circumference as the sippy cups, so perhaps switch lids?
Just a thought…xoxoM
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I see what you are talking about now. I will look for them. it does look by the photo that they are much taller. thanks so much
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I’m a cream horn fan also…I bet he was in them as soon as you left…Glad you both had a good visit…They should have someone sitting with him…we all like someone to chit chat with when we’re eating…
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I think they should have someone sitting with him also. How lonely would that be every meal to eat alone
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is it because he was moved to another area to eat???
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yes partially, and partially because his tremors shake the entire table. there was an elderly lady sitting across from him but she is no longer there. i think it is wrong. take someone from a table with three or four patients and move on to his table. even i do not enjoy eating alone. they have a television playing but no sound. they have a stereo but never plays. i think improvement can be made in this area
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It sounds like things are definitely on the upswing now – love the twinkle in Al’s eyes!
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although he has struggles I love it when he has good days as you do with Ants also
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Now, aren’t you glad you bought him candy?
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John, I am so glad that you said go for it. I wish I could give u a big hug, because I think my brother really liked his treats!!!
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Terry, I’m so glad your day went so well. I used to love those eggs, but now I find them way too sweet. It’s good you discovered you can choose to eat with Al. Makes it a little nicer for him to have someone share a meal with him at least once in a while. And I’m glad you discovered a way to help Al keep his meals off the floor so more gets inside of him. Good for you.
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there are 3 dining room sections. one is independent, one is where they watch you for choking and issues, and the other is for feeders. Al is in the watch room. I am surprised that staff had not done this already and I had to point it out. I am sure aside from the food being on the floor it is also Al’s nutrition involved. The guard worked wonders. Sometimes my big mouth does help!! LOL. I have not had one of those eggs for years and still have it on my dresser. I know that I will at one point get such an urge for sweets and there it will be waiting for my mouth. LOL
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Gosh, Al hit the Valentines Day motherlode! You are a great sister to Al. Glad you had a pleasant day!
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i love him and enjoy spoiling him. thank you Vickie!
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So glad Al has you! love and hugs!
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I am glad I have him as my brother. I love him very much
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I’m so glad you got to visit him. I’m sure it made his day. Poor thing between the cups and the food… I’m glad you’re there to check on him and get somethings adjusted so he can eat and drink.
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me too because there are always too many patients and too little help which comes down to too little eyes watching
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Loveliest Valentine’s Day I’ve read about today! You are both very special and lucky to have one another. Happy Love Day every day! xo
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ohh thank you so much Aurora!!! what a kind comment you have given to me. thank you
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Terry, you rock. So sweet and sincere you are. Love the way you roll xo
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thank you my friend
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So glad you two had such a wonderful day! Bud looks like such a sweetie (reminds me of my brother) and he has a fantastic sister! Love this story and look forward to seeing more of your posts!
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thank you so much Becky. I love my brother so much and hate seeing him now in a nursing home. I visit him quite often. He is suffering from Parkinson’s Disease and mentally challenged. feel free to stop by and chat at anytime
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You hang in there, Al! You have the best sister ever! Keep these stories coming!
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thank you so much Enigma!!!! I love to write. Thanks for the sister comment. I do love my brother so much. He suffers from being mentally challenged and Parkinson’s Disease…………feel free to stop by and chat anytime my friend
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You are welcome! I definitely will drop by and check up on you. 🙂
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