losing my father
I had a free hour on Tuesday, around lunchtime, so I decided to visit my father in his nursing home. My father’s facility is within walking distance of the hospital that I work in. The proximity of the nursing home to my work, to me, is both a blessing and a curse. Some days I can’t decide which it is.
I stopped by my hospital’s gift shop on my way to visit Dad. I planned to bring him a gift, maybe some candy or a muffin. In years past, I might have selected a paperback, a newspaper, or a book of crossword puzzles and brainteasers. He still has his vision – with the help of bifocals – but he can no longer process the words that he reads. The man who once devoured several books a week – especially anything written by Ken Follett, John Jakes, or Louis L’Amour — can’t comprehend a restaurant menu, much less a newspaper or magazine. After searching the shelves in the small gift shop filled with flowers and balloons and knickknacks, I selected a stuffed animal – a cuddly spotted leopard — and a bag of salted peanuts.
When I entered his darkened room on the second floor of the nursing home, he was lying flat in his bed, wearing a hospital gown. His eyes were closed, and he wore a pained expression. He either sensed my presence or heard me pull up a chair, and he opened his eyes. He looked startled and panicked.
“I don’t know what’s happening,” he said. There was urgency in his voice and he reached a hand out to grab mine. I raised the head of his bed some, so he could be closer to me.
“What do you mean?” I asked. “What do you think has happened?”
“I was in an accident, a head on collision with someone,” he said. “But I don’t know what’s wrong. They won’t tell me. Something is wrong here.” He touched the right side of his forehead with his hand.
I reassured him that he was okay, that he had not been in an accident. That he must have been dreaming about an accident from the past or something he’d seen on television. He looked at me, then beyond me, and finally he shook his head as if to shake off the cobwebs coating his memories.
“Here, Dad, I’ve brought you a gift,” I showed him the stuffed animal and the peanuts. He took the leopard from me and hugged it, his eyes bright. I placed the peanuts on his tray table, but within his reach.
He petted the soft toy, running his fingers over the pink nose and glass eyes. He hugged it again, then set it next to the bag of peanuts. He turned to look at me.
“How long have I been here?” he asked.
“Almost three months, Dad.” But it seems like forever. It seems like it will be forever.
“Why? What’s wrong with me?” he asked, his voice filled with equal parts despair and confusion. “I just wish I knew what was wrong with me.”
“It’s your brain, Dad,” I explained gently. “It’s like Alzheimer’s. You have something like Alzheimer’s, like your mom had. Do you remember that she used to wander? And that’s why she was in a nursing home? It’s something like that, just like what she had.”
He looked at me in disbelief. He didn’t say anything right away. He turned away from me, and then turned back, his greenish-hazel eyes locking with mine.
“I hate that,” he said.
My eyes filled with tears. “Me too, Dad. I hate it too. We all hate it.”
We sat quietly for a few minutes. I stared at the television that sits on his dresser. The television is eternally tuned to the same channel since his remote control went missing a few weeks ago. I can’t tell you how many old reruns of Friends I have watched since May. That day it was on a cartoon – maybe King of the Hill or Family Guy? It was obnoxious and not something he ever would have watched.
“How old am I?” he asked.
This was the first he’d ever asked me that. Normally his memory for the past is very strong, even now. I told him that he was seventy-seven. That he will be seventy-eight in December.
“I’m not done yet,” he said, his voice cracking, full of emotion. He broke down in tears.
“I know, Dad,” I said. “I know you’re not.”
We held hands for a while. I watched the scenes from Family Guy – or maybe King of the Hill – scroll across the television screen. He didn’t say anything for a while, just stared at the television and at the open door to his room. I don’t think he was seeing either. He was in his head, remembering…or maybe forgetting.
He gave my hand a squeeze and then let go. He took the stuffed leopard in his hands and hugged it to his chest, stroking the animal’s back. He reached for the bag of peanuts.
“Let’s have a snack,” he said, a smile lighting up his face. “Want some?”
The tears are welling up in my eyes. What a painful post this must have been and a really powerful story to share to encourage continued dignified care for elderly people. They are not done yet and we need to support them are care for them with the dignity they deserve.
Thank you for sharing this.
I don’t know how you wrote this, but you did it beautifully.
Sending you love, MJ.
xoxo
I’m so sorry. I have been through alzheimers with a grandmother and an aunt. It is so hard and takes a lot of strength. I am thinking of you. *hugs*
No words. Just hugs for you and your dad. Xo
Oh, MJ. There really aren’t words. My grandpa had dementia and it was so hard to see happen to someone so vibrant. I am feeling it for you. You wrote this so beautifully.
I can definitely understand. My great-grandmother had Alzheimers and it was very difficult for the whole family. Hugs and prayers!
You are just amazing. I can only imagine how hard this must be for you. You are an amazing daughter and a wonderful role model to your children. Your love shines through in this post. Sending you hugs.
This post brought tears to my eyes, MJ… It is so beautifully written and so poignant. My heart breaks for you. Sending lots of love and hugs.
MJ… how hard this must be for you. I’m sure getting your thoughts down here has been a way for you to deal with all of this.
I could barely read the screen because of the tears in my eyes. I can’t imagine how hard this was to write, but it’s beautiful and heartbreaking. Your father is lucky to have you.
My eyes welled up as I read this post. The bond you have with your Dad is one to be very proud of. Hugs.
Tears streaming…..I can relate….unfortunately. My dad….60 years young, has early onset dementia and is in assisted living. It is so sad!! I never thought this would happen to us. My parents have always been the young ones, the healthy ones. I’m sad for you MJ….I’m sad for me…I’m sad for missed opportunities for my children over the next 20 years. It stinks 🙁
xoxo,
Denise
I am breathing deep calming breaths and can only imagine how you must calm yourself as your struggle with losing your dad in such a way. I admire your strength and am sure he does, too 🙂 Hugs.
Oh my gosh, so sad. I’m so sorry you are going through this.
Oh MJ, I remember these conversations with my grandmother. It’s so hard watching someone fade away before your eyes. Sending you much love xx
“I hate that”. What more is there to say? Thanks for sharing that sweetie. I know how hard it is. Just keep holding his hand.
The “I’m not done yet” is the saddest part to me.
In tears now. My heart goes out to you MJ. It’s so difficult watching those we love go through this. When my sweet Granny’s memory was failing years ago, my sister made her a memory book that we’d sit and go through with her to point out who was who. Sending hugs your way my friend.
So heart wrenching and so tenderly written. One of the last times I saw my father in the nursing home he shifted easily from some other world to the present, gently enough so that I could realize ” Oh – he’s in Gramercy Park with his sister Allie”, to answering his fatherly concern: “Yes, Daddy, I’m doing just fine” Much love to you as you navigate this new path. xxxxxoooo
This post is absolutely beautiful. I felt as though I was sitting beside you and your father.
My heart is breaking for you. This is such a hard thing to go through. There are no words. Just wish I could give you a hug.
And I hate it too. Writing through tears – it’s a blessing that you can visit – as hard as it is. But I am sure it is incredibly hard
Prayers for you and yours
Beautiful post. I am not sure how you put pen to paper to write it, both loving and difficult. Wish I was near by to give you a little squeeze.
MJ – I was so touched by your story about your father. My father has this terrible disease too though not to your father’s degree–yet. The saddest thing, as you know, is that he can’t do or enjoy the things he used to love. I’m so fearful of his future. Thank you for sharing.
OH Mj… beautiful way to remember this visit with your dad. You are one strong woman. Sending hugs and prayers to you.
Merry Jennifer,
This is such a beautiful post. Having lost my dad when he was fairly young, I often wonder what he would have been like today as a 70 year-old man. Life and loss are so intertwined, and these posts about your dad so beautifully illustrate that. I’m sorry for your suffering and your dad’s suffering but so grateful for your grace.
Lots of love,
Sabrina
Such a moving post. Sending love your way. Thanks for sharing it.
The leopard was a good choice. 🙂 What an unbelievably sweet and heart-wrenching story. Hugs to you and your dad.
Beyond words – thank you so much for sharing this.
My mother is 62 and has Alzheimer’s Dementia. There is no word to adequately describe the pain we as adult children feel seeing our parents so distressed. The only pain worse is their own, in those moments when they are able to grasp the reality of their fate. My mother’s brain is slowly dying, and with it her independence, dignity and cherished memories. I hate this blasted beast they call dementia. It’s cruel and indiscriminent and utterly unstoppable. For now. PRAYING for a cure…and the strength to be strong enough for my Mom, my Dad and myself in the meantime <3
Just sending love.
My heart breaks for you and your family! I’ll keep your family in my prayers. Stay strong! And thanks for sharing your heart with us.
This post has me in tears. 🙁
Your family is in my prayers right now. I can’t imagine how hard this is.
Wow, this is an exquisitely well-composed story. I felt like I was right there with you as you visited your father for the last time…My grandfather is also suffering a similar fate with Alzheimer’s, so I can relate to how hard it must be. Thank you for sharing your story, and I will keep you in my thoughts & prayers.
I hate that, too. My Mom has been spiraling down into dementia for the last 7 years, and she’s only 66. For her, it’s all tangled up with Parkinson’s Disease which her father had, as does her older brother. I don’t know you, but I know that awful helplessness and pain of being a bystander forced to watch as a loved one crumbles. And I want to thank you for sharing such a personal, powerful story that has brought me to tears. This is beautifully written.
And to think I came here to look at your ricotta recipe! (by the way, I’m glad you’re safe!)
I was here for your chess pie recipe and then I found your latest post. I’m sorry that life has dealt you this hand. It is so difficult and sad watching someone that you love become someone you never knew. When my mom got cancer I watched a strong woman who always took care of our family become a person that needed to be taken care of. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
God has not only blessed you with a wonderful father but with the gift to be able to write about him as eloquently as you do. Though you never once wrote the words love, cherish, respect, miss, etc., in this post, all of it and so much more is conveyed within every paragraph.
You know, call me crazy but I’m just wondering if your father thinking he was in an accident so close after your encounter with the lightening was somehow connected. Perhaps he was just having a sixth sense intuition about you and that Friday.
sending you lots of hugs
So sweetly said, so sweetly sad, so far from what you ever dreamed your reality would be. Turning the corners of life isn’t easy as so many of us know and/or come to realize. Thoughts and prayers to your Dad and you and your family.
I had to stop reading this a couple of times, crying too hard to see the screen. The love you both share shines bright behind every word you typed. My father-in-law is in the early stages, and knows it, and feels it deeply. As do we all, don’t we, who love them? My prayers for you, your Dad, and your family, and my thanks for this piece. Hugs.
Thank you ALL so very much for your sweet comments and the outpouring of support. xo
I miss my Mom, reading your post is heart wrenching, I have just spent 2 weeks with my Mom who is in about stage 3 Alzeihmer’s taking over the care to give my stepfather a break and let him go fishing. I think it’s just about time to find a nursing home for her and my heart is breaking thinking about it. I look at her and see the vibrant, stubborn, humorous, intelligent woman she used to be and I miss her so much. I want to give words of comfort to you but at this time I just don’t believe there are any. It’s painful and I guess the only thing we can do is remember the best of what our parents were and the wisdom and strength they tried to instill in us, but I still miss my Mom and I can imagine you miss your Dad.
Thank you for sharing your time shared with your dad…how lovely he has you to support him….there sounds like true trust between you both…..
May I suggest you tuen off the tv and buy him some talking books form his fav authors….
Oh how I well I know this painful place.
My mother had vascular dementia. Watching her decline from a vibrant, intelligent woman to her death at just 75 was the most wrenching thing I have ever experienced.
My heart goes out to you.
Sad but also a beautiful story about a daughter-father relationship. I’d give anything to have a few more words with my dad. Thank you for sharing.
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