Hello From Rockville

This was a challenging day. Gene from the VA called me before 9 and wanted to know if I could come in as Harlan was having a hard time. Today (without any forewarning) it was decided that several of the rooms on Harlan's floor were to have the floors stripped and waxed, and when Harlan got back from having breakfast everything in his room was sitting in the hall way and he was very upset. (I had told them to let me know when this was to happen and I would make plans to take him away from the VA for the duration of the cleaning as I knew this would be very stressful for him.) When I got there they were ready to give him his bath and that went well, he got dressed and we took off for McD as I left home without breakfast, we then headed to Walmart for a few things followed by lunch at Applebees then back to the VA, guess what? His furniture was still in the hallway but it was ready to be put back in his room, we sat in the TV room watched TV for about 15 minuets then went in and things were mostly back in place. I stayed with him until about 1:30 and he was still upset over the whole and told me to go home and not come back, he would not give me a good bye kiss nor walk me to the elevator. I told him if he changed his mind about not wanting to see me to call me and I'd be back tomorrow.

I had to get back here as DeeAnn was meeting me to get my taxes done to send in (she did an e-file) and some how he thought I was going to Rick and DeeAnn's for this and he felt I was just not taking him with me to see them. I just could not make him understand that I was going home and she would meet me here. He called me several times tonight and each time he was not as upset as the phone call before but not back to being happy. It is so hard to see him so up set that he cries, he just does not know how to express himself and tell me what is bothering him. I find that his days have to follow a routine, the same everyday except Sunday and that change is okay.

Now you have heard my story and tomorrow will be better..........Fran