Visit to Houston - A Good One

I missed visiting Bill last week because of the move, so I was anxious to get up to Houston to see him. My goal this visit was to take him to Fall Festival as his "escape out of the building," but I got the wrong time, again! Instead, I took him outside for a walk, got him a coke, and watched him do his exercises. Today's exercises were a bit different than I've seen before. He seems to enjoy doing them, and it keeps him moving some.

This is a kick the ball exercise.

This exercise involves throwing the ball at the paddle.

Physically, he's getting much weaker, especially in his lower extremities. In fact, they are getting him some kind of lift for getting in and out of bed, bathing, and toileting. He's a big man and trying to get him up and down is impossible for most people. It makes me sad he cannot walk anymore, especially as it indicates that he is most likely progressing towards another stage of the disease.

Bill's mood was good, which does make me happy. He has fully adjusted to being there, but he's still glad to see me when I come. And he still knows who I am! However, he is very confused about most everything else. Today, he told his lunch table mate that he has been at "this place" (the VA care home) for two months! In fact, it's been almost two years. I'm glad he thinks it's only two months. He apparently has no concept of time, which makes me feel better when I don't get up to see him as often as I would like. 

After asking about the kids and Oreo, he asked about our "other daughter." When I acted confused, he explained that she's the one we got since he has been in the care home. I have no idea who he is talking about, but my guess is that someone there seems like a daughter to him. So I now have another daughter! I'll have to find out who she is! '

The other thing he said that is mind boggling is that he believes we "won" this "vacation" in a lottery or contest of some kind. He even asked me, "Would you do this again?" I said no and he agreed. But he's determined to finish it out. The food is not so good anymore, he says. I actually thought it was better today. He's beginning to lose some of his taste buds, and the only thing he really likes to eat now is ice cream and sweets. 

All in all, it was a good day. I came home content that he was happy and being cared for. What more could I ask?