Hello From Rockville 

I left a little early to go see Harlan, he met me just outside his room.  His comment to me, "You are early".  Me, "Maybe ten minuets".  Harlan "You are early".  When I looked at the clock I guess I don't get there until about 2:15 and it was 2:00, so he was right.  Karon was about to take his lunch tray away, he had not eaten anything and decided to leave it in case he would eat something.  Well, when I took a good look at him his teeth were gone (again) only this time it was his upper not the lower so Karon and I began a search of his room, in his bed, under his bed, in his closet, in his night stand, Karon even "patted" him down checking his pockets, no luck.  We checked the bathroom and the room across the way (they were found there once before).  I got down on the floor next to him to do a good search under his bed (I have found teeth and hearing aids there) and when I got on my knees Harlan commented, "Are you praying?"  My response to that, "Yes, to find your teeth."  About that time Mary came in (she cleans) and she had seen them right next to the phone but they were not there now, I guess she knew where to look and found them behind his chair in the corner, another place to check next time.

I cleaned his teeth and returned to his mouth and decided he needed a hair cut after the hair cut I changed his t-shirt and sweater to get rid of any hair clippings that would make him itch and we went down to the dinning room for "Happy Hour" and a treat.  They were serving scones and juice which we partook of, after that we went back to his room for our afternoon naps.  We did a bit of napping but then he wanted to sit up on the bed and would fall asleep just sitting on his bed but I was not able to convince him to lie down so he wouldn't fall down, his understanding and being able to follow directions just don't work for him.  

At 5:30 I convinced him to go for supper and I went home, so was my day.....Fran

Hello From Rockville 

This morning I had a surprise, Harlan called me, it was breakfast time for him and he told me he was going to eat, this was good.  

When I went in they told me he did eat some of his breakfast but he didn't eat lunch.  I took him to play birthday bingo and have birthday cake and ice cream then we went out for a treat he had sliders at the Park Diner, then we went back to the VA and took naps and I guess I needed the rest because I "rested" beyond going home time this was okay as Harlan's supper was waiting for him when we got there and I went home.
I had a good day with him and we'll see what tomorrow brings..........Fran

Hello From Rockville
We just got home from the ladies meeting at church, a good meeting and a good meal.  

This is Tuesday and my day to help with reading at school always so rewarding, the children are great.  I came home for lunch then back to spend time with Harlan.  When I got there he was sitting in the eating area near the nurses station with no eye glasses or hearing aids, we went back to his room and retrieved them, he didn't me recognize until I got near to him but it's understandable with no glasses.  His lunch was brought to him but he hadn't eaten and I didn't have much luck at getting him to eat either.  The afternoon was quiet we both napped and at 5:30 I left for church and now I'm home.  

This was a good day.....Fran  

Hello From Rockville

I'll recap yesterday.  Denese and I went to Sunday School then Denese dropped me off to spend the morning with Harlan, I stayed until he went to lunch.  Denese picked me up at 12:30 then we went to the house to pick up my cell phone (forgetful me I forgot it) and we headed down to Wayzata for a baby shower for Heidi.  She got so many beautiful things she will have a girl and the stuff for little girls are absolutely adorable.  That will be the best dressed baby any where.  

We had not seen Paul and Megan's finished basement so that was out next stop before heading home.  Their basement really looks great, a fun place for friends and family to gather for TV, games and just conversation, a place they will enjoy for a very long time.
Now it was time to head back which we did - into nasty weather.  We were on the road close to two hours, a trip that should have been a little over an hour.  Not a good end for a really fun day.
On the way in to see Harlan today I stopped at Fleet Farm to pick up several pair of jeans for him.  He needed a smaller size and I picked up 32's, in just a short time he has gone from 36's down to 32's a big size change.  When I got there he was in the TV room in a recliner just resting.  We went back to his room and I helped him try on the jeans to make sure they fit, they were a good fit now his name will be put in them but I'll need to pick up another pair to make sure he has enough.  He did take a good nap (and so did I) and I left at 5:30 his supper time.  I had a good day with him, so until tomorrow good night.............Fran

Hello From Rockville 

Today is Saturday, I was tired last night so I neglected to write.  Yesterday was an interesting day.  When I got in to see Harlan and as I always do I headed right to his room but he wasn't there my next stop was the bathroom and he wasn't there.  So I headed down the hall way toward the nurses station and I spotted him asleep in a recliner by the fire place and he was so hard at sleep I didn't wake him but I noticed that his glasses were missing and headed back to his room.  Sure enough his glasses were right were he left them, on the floor between his bed and the wall, I rescued  them, cleaned them and returned them to his face all with out waking him.

My next stop was to see if I could locate some of his lost clothing, I checked with Gene, he made a phone call to the laundry facility and I headed down there and found several lost items, shirt, sweater and jeans.  I'm so thankful for the walk way at the VA as my walk took nearly as far as the auditorium, all under cover.  When I returned Harlan was still sleeping, I got him up and we went to his room for another nap.  

One of his meds have been taken away from him and we hope that will eliminate he drive to get up and walk all night and he will get some needed rest at night, only time will tell if this helps.  

I now stay with him until supper and take him down to eat I hope that helps stabilize his weight he is so thin.

Yesterday was a good day....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Sarah called me this AM, (I had just finished with decorating our community room for St. Patrick's Day) just to see if I wanted to meet her and Rick for lunch some where in St. Cloud and of course I never turn down a chance to eat out!  We met at Five Guys, Sarah and I had hot dogs and Rick a hamburger after a good time eating and chatting I headed to the VA and time with Harlan.  Harlan met me at the elevator we went back to his room got his coat and headed out for the Park Diner for a treat (he has eaten very little today).  He had a couple sliders and ate every bite.  Rick joined us, Harlan enjoyed seeing him.  When I had taken Harlan out he had a hard time walking the length of the basement from the elevator to the car, I picked him up at the door, on the way back I took him up to his room in a wheel chair.  He doesn't understand how important the nebulizer is and how much it helps with his breathing.  He complained that when he has problem with his breathing and asks for help they don't do anything for him and I then explained to him how important the breathing treatment is and how much it helps him, he just does not understand.  I don't think he likes the mask over his face and the treatment isn't instant help which is what he wants.   Lately he has been having problems with his breathing and I wish there was some easy way to help him.  I stay until 5:30 and take him to the dinning area for supper hoping he will stay and eat something and when I do they tell he does stay and eat.
I had a good time with Sarah, Rick and Harlan.........Fran

Hello From Rockville
Today, Wow, another COLD day!  I am looking for spring.

I spent the afternoon with Harlan and because of the cold I did not take him out side the VA.  I took him for a treat to the canteen at the VA.  He had not eaten, no breakfast or lunch and he did not eat much at the canteen.  I stayed with him until supper time, he was so tired when I took him down to eat I hope he ate supper.  He no longer calls me so I really don't have any contact with him when I leave there.  He is getting so thin his jeans are so big for him, it is so sad and hard to see what is happening to him.....Fran