Let me entertain you

Well I returned from holiday, and saw a huge difference in my dad. Confusion beyond confusion. As we entered the home he was asleep, apparently he now sleeps most of the time. On waking he looked ill and disorientated. He came round slowly and we started to chat. At 3pm he couldn't remember his lunch. I used my safety fall back talk of his son and grandchildren, he has daughters???? Don't be silly! Was the reply. My next attempt was the photos I keep to show him on my phone. After 30 minutes I ascertained he can't remember the last 19 years. He knew my husband from his wedding photo But not from recent ones, he didn't know my children at all, or my dogs. He was one of their buddies. The next challenge will be his diamond wedding. I know from his personality that he will say hello to everyone. But he will not know who they are. And sadly won't remember the meal by the time he gets to bed. However he still continues to be a source of entertainment where he lives. Apparently he entertained the residents to a strip in the lounge, they all sang for him. He would have loved that, he did once do a " turn" on the Christmas concert as the three degrees! He has always been an entertainer, I have cringed so many times at him dressed up as Frank Spencer, Shirley Bassey, a man with no back in his suit, and as a man riding an emu!!! All costumes home made and fab. He swore all through his speech at my wedding, telling risky tales, which for a man I never heard swear before or after the event was odd, but he was on stage, he had an audience. Well I don't think he will be turning up for the do in drag!!!not this time.

Back to life, back to reality

I have been on holiday for the past two and a half weeks and am now getting ready to return. It's been a really peaceful time away from reality. However part of me is dreading it. Not only will i miss the sunny days spent in the pool with my family, or trundling round on my bike but I have to go back to being the carer of a carer. I stopped phoning my mum after the first week when she asked, how much longer are you away? This guilt I can do without. I have put plans in place whilst I am away for her to visit dad, for someone to take her shopping and she even has a to do list to keep her busy. But when I phoned the people did not take her shopping, well it's not fair to take up their time, you will be back soon. But enough of that! The holiday has brought back happy memories of childhood holidays where I would spend all day in the pool with my dad. My mum didn't do water. However, my dad thought, as the youngest child in the group of families who we went on holiday with, I would make an ideal topper for the human pyramids we built in the pool. I could often be found on top of a five person high structure. No fear! I had no choice built I loved it. I may remind him of this when I see him him at the weekend. Well my three weeks of peace come to an end but it does make you realise what it has been like for my mum for ten past ten years having to care for a stroke victim who then developed dementia. The physical side was hard work, but dementia is something else! So I will go home, take her shopping, listen to her moans and complaints, pay her bills, organise her life and simply look forward to their diamond wedding anniversary party in three weeks. Now that will be a source of entertainment, how many people will he offend in one night, then normally look and wink because he knows he can get away with it.