Yesterday Dad celebrated his 87th Birthday!! In the morning I took him round to the allotment hut and all his friends were there - they had made a lovely banner for him and I took a birthday cake round and we all sang Happy Birthday. We then went home had some lunch, while we were out neighbours and friends had called round with cards and presents and he opened these. No time for a sleep today, my Mums sister, brother & his wife came with my cousin from Kent to see Dad as we couldn't manage to get down before Xmas due to the weather and Dad not feeling up to it. Then my sisters and their children all arrived and we had a lovely afternoon together. He got tearful when he said goodbye to my relatives from Kent as he doesn't think he will be seeing them again.
Today Dad was exhausted and all he wanted to do was snooze in his chair and watch a bit of TV. He said that he enjoyed his birthday and was so pleased everyone was there to help him celebrate it.
Xmas has come and gone too, Mum & Dad just had a quiet one on there own and we went over Boxing Day with my sister and again in the week with my other sister and her family.
Now its back into the routine. Mum had her week up the hospital last week and was late home each night as there were only the four days to fit her treatment into instead of the normal five due to the Bank Holiday. Stayed over a couple of nights to help out. The District Nurse is coming every fortnight now to keep a eye on Dad and he feels happier if they check on him - the cushion they got him is helping a lot. Our hospice nurse fell on the ice and broke her arm just before Xmas, poor thing -she is off work as she cannot drive - will be lovely to see her again. Her replacement is very nice but Dad likes to see a familiar face.
I am trying to get Dad to look forward to Wednesdays and Sundays - his allotment days (something to aim for) and the Spring and all the flowers coming out again. Otherwise he gets very low now and just wants to sit and watch TV all day - I think he was watching all 5 antique programs every day last week!!
We are due to go back to see the consultant in a couple of weeks.
Hope the New Year is being kind to you all xxx
