First and foremost, Happy Fathers Day to all he Dad's here. I hope as many of you that can, have a great day, and to those who can't, know that I am thinking of you and sending up love and support. Having said that, may I vent for a moment? We had a beautiful day planned. DH and I were going to youngest son and family for a bbq. I was soooo looking forward to not having to do a thing but try and enjoy the day. DIL does everything, bless her heart. Well, an hour ago, DH announces that he isn't comfortable going out of the house today as he AGAIN has diarrhea. I am really perplexed by this. If anyone knows about the side affects of meds, he's on Namenda, blood pressure and cholesterol meds. That's it. I've searched and don't see that as a side effect. This has gotten in the way of so many things lately. I know he can't help it, but sheesh! So now everyone is coming to our house, DIL will still do everything, but I had to "tidy up" a bit before they get here. One more thing. Hubby's new trick is falling out of bed. This is a recent behavior. I'm afraid he's going to hurt himself. I've moved his nightstand so he doesn't strike his head, any thing else I can do? (I also moved his dogs bed as he sleeps on the floor next to him and is tired of being flattened by dad :) Thanks guys!
I purchased a wonderful device at our local drug store (I believe CVS Pharmacy) that is a very substantial bed rail that is fully adjustable. It will keep your hubby from fallling out of bed and is a good way for him to get a grip on something that will help him in sitting up, etc. Hope you have a good day after all. (hope the "runs" stop so he can enjoy himself) Jen
Diane V, of course you may. So sorry your day isn't going as planned. I'm really not up on the drug side effects, but someone knowledgeable will no doubt see this soon. He hasn't recently started on coconut oil or MCT oil, has he? I don't suppose you're anxious to remove the mattress from the frame so he can sleep lower to the floor. Inconvenient, for sure, but safer if this is going to be a regular habit. I hope you get a chance to enjoy your son and family.
i would rearrange the bedroom furniture so the bed is against a wall. one side may be better than another depending which way he rolls. i try to tuck in the overtop covers once DH is in bed to keep him from rolling too. if hes a sound sleeper this works til a potty run. not sure about diarreaha. have you witnessed this as true, or is he using it as excuse to not leave the house? you can give immodium to help until you get to dr and ask about what to do. and depends are the next step you can try when you are out to have him wear one under his reg underwear so hes safe if it happens in public. divvi ps just looke up namenda, side effects can include diarrhea. check with his doctor. he can dehydrate if its significant.
I recently had a problem with my wife falling out of bed - 3 times in one night. Fortunately, not hurt. I got the side rails my daughter used for her sons when they were little and put one on her side of the bed. It only goes half way so she can get in and out to go to the bathroom. I only needed to put the rail on one side since I sleep on the other side (and so far I haven't fallen out of bed!!!!! :-)
Regarding the diarrhea, none of the medicines listed would cause it. I agree with the question on MCT oil or Coconut oil. They can cause diarrhea. Divvi's suggestion of Immodium in order to get him to the doctor is a good one.
Oh someone forgot to tell Jim's evil daughters that today is FATHER'S DAY. Someone want to call them for me????? I'd like to send them some nice Ex-lax Brownies. Anyone want to help me?
Me, I'm waiting for the SLAPFEST to begin later this evening. I'D call Jim's kids if I knew the number....I'd call from a pay phone and really blast them out of the water! They couldn't trace the call I'm hoping.
Thanks for all the great suggestions. I forgot to mention that he is on Calexa as well. No MCT or coconut oil. I will add 1 Immodium to his morning meds. That make good sense. He sees his PCP in July. I'll discuss. He actually does have the diarrhea, I have the toilet bowl to prove it (GROSS!) I'm not sure if he will go for the bed rails just yet, but moving the bed against the wall is something I can probably do without his noticing. Susan, I have a great recipe for Ex-lax laced brownies! Thanks again, I knew someone here could help! :)
Youngest son brought his two lovely boys and their little white dog (maltese/poodle mix). He is just about the cutest thing you ever saw. Son asked if it was ok and I said "sure". Well that dog went out in the back yard, spied Noche and the war was on. He barked and chased. Noche hissed and spit. His fur grew 3 sizes and he was up a tree and over a fence. That's been 3 hours ago and haven't seen our cat since. DH is almost to the grieving stage. I've called and called (Our son, the boys and the dog) have been one for almost an hour. I was sure Noche would come back by now. Please say a little prayer that he comes back soon. I know it's ok. God is concerned about all aspects of our life. Thank you.
Joining in on the "HERE, KITTY, KITTY, KITTY!"... Our barn cats are gone for DAYS sometimes. I've missed a house cat for a couple of days, too. They have their little inborn instincts. Don't worry Mawzy.....Noche will come home when she's ready. Just keep the faith and we'll all pray for her safe return. I'm a cat LOVER too.
oh Mawzy I`m sorry your kitty ran away but cats have a way of finding there way home, our cat did that once and she found here way back, please don`t worry , hugs
Oh, Mawzy, I hope by the time I post, Noche is back. They scare the heck out of us when they pull something like this. I'm guessing he just needs a little more time to be sure his home turf is safe before returning. I'm keeping a good thought.
Nice visit today from our #2 son and 19 year old grandson -- they picked up takeout BBQ so we had a feast, drank beer, and talked man-talk while DW napped -- company wears her out pretty quickly. Grandson is trying to get into the Navy, which evidently isn't as easy as it was when I joined to avoid being drafted 63 years ago. He took an exam on Wednesday and should find out tomorrow if he passed -- and if he did, it could still be months before he's notified to report to Great Lakes for boot camp. So a good day, all in all, but BOY WAS IT HOT OUTSIDE!
Yes, as with the Marine Corp, it depends on what you want to do as to how soon you can go in. My son was waiting on the Marine Corp but got tired of waiting and went into infantry - worse mistake he ever made but that is history now.
We had a nice visit at my parents with my daughter, sister and her kids. My son called his dad from S. Korea today to wish him a happy fathers day. All my husband kept saying was I can't believe he called me from Korea with a big smile on his face. Made me proud of our son :)
My son was a navy nuke. Got most of his training in Orlando Fl. They couldn't wait to get their hands on him. His only comment on this stint is that it isn't much fun being shot at. Ths while he was on a carrier.
Dear Mawzy, I pray Noche finds his way back! Ended up having a very nice day with my son & dil and grandkids at my house. As I suspected, dil took care of everything. DH slept almost the entire time that they were here (at least he didn't fall out of bed!) Great food, great family, they're all gone now and here I sit all by myself, feeling overwhelming lonliness. As a family, we have suffered a tragic loss in the past couple of weeks, so we are all feeling pretty raw. This is the first time we have been together as a family, and it was extremely hard. I am greatful that I have these boards and this website to help me cope. I am just so greatful for a pleasant day with my family. DH is progressing fairly steadily, so I'm just bracing myself for the storm that so many of you have and are enduring. I know it's all down hill from here. Take good care, all of you, and I wish us all peace ~Di
Thanks for asking, Doneit. Our grand daughter, whom I have been privileged to name, is due around the 10th if November. My son's only requirement for her name was that it be Celtic, after my DH's Scottish heritage. Her name will be Teagan Rose, and although she doesn't have a clue how important and special she will be to us, she will be much loved and anticipated.
Thanks for all your prayers and kind words. Noche came home about 6 o'clock. He'd been gone about 5 hours. We were so glad to see him. He was really skittish about coming in. I think he could smell that dog. He has been pretty wierd acting but he's ok. Thanks again. Mawzy.
Mawzy, I just posted a note about Noche on the OT - Daily check in. Wanted everybody to see it first thing Monday morning. Soooo glad you've got him home. Prayers answered.
this was the first father's day that we had our visitor "AL" with us. My DH has some rough times with crowds but insist that we have the kids over. He does not want to stop our family gatherings and give in to "AL". Well we had two son's, one DIL and their three kids, and a neighbor couple and their 2yr. old over. A little more than I expected, but DH handled it well. when the noise got to him he picked up our 10 month old granddaughter and went outside. A little while later they came back in and joined the fun. I really appreciate how he has learned to handle the noise so far. Sure sometimes it gets the best of him and he simply looks lost and just turns inward, but father's day was great. One son bbqed for his dad and the DIL and I cooked the rest. It was a pleasant beautiful noisey day. One day I will wish for all the ruckus and my life as it is now, good, bad, and evil. God Bless all the father's we have here and the women that love them.......
We had a wonderful day with a BBQ at DH's parents home. DH's sister, hig brother and his wife, our son and his ladyfriend and her 14 mo-old son. and six dogs. and....it was great. no fighting from anyone. lots of giggling. this hasn'ts happened in a long time. DH was so calm last night, did I say it was wonderful.
We went over at 10:00 and cleaned up dog poop, cut the lawn, helped mom plant flowers, and moved junk off of the deck. came home and got cleaned up. I made a large potato salad. Then went back at 3:30 and got grill out and cleaned.
I sure treasure days like these. They don't happen very often.
I meant to post this earlier. We had the most wonderful day yesterday, best I can remember in at least a year. DH and I drove up to the Buffalo River National Park, about an hour from here, saw the most awesome limestone bluffs looking like they had been dramatically painted with the various minerals over the years and the clearest water, gorgeous wildflowers. A perfect day. I was holding my breath until he went to sleep because usually a good time will be followed by some sort of tantrum or attack. It was close last night when he couldn't find the little box he keeps his hearing aid batteries in (sheezzzz....don't hearing problems just compound everything!), but yippee for me I knew where they were and so he managed to get to sleep before a tantrum. Whew!
But this afternoon he complained of not feeling well. I didn't pay much attention as he says that a lot usually just if he's tired or doesn't want to do something. But he went to bed early complaining of nausea (not that he could remember the word but I figured out what he meant). I tried to get him to drink as he doesn't take in enough water and I felt he might be dehydrated but he didn't want to or just said he already did and then that he couldn't swallow when what he meant was that he didn't think he could keep it down. (My sister's a nurse and said it could also have been the heat - it's awful here this week.)
Still feeling the effects of yesterday, I was really sympathetic to him and offered to get him whatever he wanted, etc. Then he started to cry. (haven't seen much of that since the early days) And the sweetest/saddest thing was one of our Bichons Charlie was sitting at the foot of his bed and when he started to cry, Charlie rushed up to his face and started licking him (he's not a licker usually). Oh, that got to me. So, I don't know what it was. He immediately said, "Do you think it's the Exelon?" No matter what his symptom of the moment is he blames it on a drug. "No, I said, but why don't you take off the patch just in case." So, I'm so grateful for yesterday, but sometimes when things feel really good (which is rare so not a frequent problem) I get very worried about how bad I'm going to feel when those moments are not at all possible anymore. When he's acting like a jerk a lot of the time I sometimes think it might be easier later, but yesterday I was really dreading the inevitable decline.
Oldest son came to visit Friday. He's been a chef and he fixed us the most wonderful dinner. Third son came on Saturday and we had the best fisit. Youngest (fourth son) and kids came on Sunday. (It was his dog that scared poor Noche). Our daughter came Sunday. And 2nd son just returned from Brazil and he and all 3 of his kids talked to DH for quite a while. All 5 of' 'em. What a treat! Great day.
Terry, one thing to note - when they have been "up" for an event with a lot of others around or just out of their comfort zone, they have to come back "down" to their reality. Sometimes they can last two days before crashing. It sounds like that is what your husband did. Tomorrow should be better and by the end of the week, he should be back as he was prior to last weekend.
Mawzy, I'm glad that they came! I agree with Folly too!
DH doesn't seem to do well with crowds much any more. And, you gotta admit, this family is a crowd. :) That's one reason they all came separately. Even Sunday. #4 son came with his boys and that dog (grr). he left after supper and a couple of hours later, daughter showed up. She was only able to spend a couple of hours with her dad but that was ok because he was geting pretty tired by then.
Yes, they are all good kids and very helpful to DH and me. Thanks. :)
Diane, I've read that coconut macaroon cookies are great for diarrhea. Hope you got that problem resolved.
Terry, so glad you got a chance to have a wonderful day! It sounded glorious. I don't think any stage is any easier really, just different. Just try to stay in the present, wishing you more of those good days. It don't envy you the torturous heat, it's sort of mild here, for now. Animals are the best. I got my first dog kiss this week, from the dog I've been sitting. On the mouth! Guess we've bonded.