Moving on

And so it goes on...

Dad is currently in hospital, after having an operation. We thought it would be a long wait, but a cancellation allowed them to bring him forward to today. At the moment he is still asleep, but the initial reports are that the operation was a success.

And my next step is being taken. My notice has been handed in, and now I am working out the time until I leave (6pm Saturday). The leaving do is on Friday, so I may have to go into work with a hangover on Saturday - one must keep up appearances, mustn't one? I have managed to get a a few things organized today, and with tomorrow being my last day off in the week for now, I am getting the boiler serviced and an electrician is coming round to give me a quote for some work I want to get done (outside lights in the back yard). I also want to make a marmalade cake and go and buy some bread. So I will have a busy morning, but I hope I can sew in the afternoon.

Settled

It sounds like the matter is settled. Dad is going to be in full time residential care from Wednesday, and it is almost certain that he will be in the place he is in now. This is really good news, as according to mum, he is settled there. He is quite happy to talk to his new friends in the lounge, though it does mean that he does not really welcome visitors, which is hard on mum particularly.

Other than that, though, it has made such a difference to mum. She is picking up her sewing again, and is able to go out to WI. And the fact that she is happier is making me much easier in my mind, and I am sure it is the same for the rest of the family.

Another thing is settled as well. I am going to move on from my current job. I have given them 18 months, and it has done what it needed to do. I am back on my feet, and have regained some of my confidence. It has also revealed some talents and skills I did not know I had, such as dealing with people. However, there are parts of it that I don't like - such as the way the staff are treated. So I will move on - I have a 3 month trial of a post at the hospital, and if that works out then I will be working there full time permanently. More of that anon...

Rumours, rumours

I hope that what mum heard will be confirmed this week. Dad is still in respite, but according to various sources (as yet unconfirmed), dad will be offered a permanent place where he is now, quite possibly staying in the same room.

If that turns out to be true, then it will be a real answer to prayer. Mum went to visit him last week. The room he is in is light, with plenty of space for his own things (furniture, pictures, etc), and the residents are encouraged to bring their own items with them. There is a large window at one side, with both opening panes and a door into the garden outside, so dad will have be able to get out in the fresh air if he wants to. All in all, it sounds like a good place for him to be. Mum said that one of the staff spent some time with him, looking at a book he had taken in, and reported that it was 'nice to talk to someone with a bit of class'. So that is something that has not changed!

But according to mum, he is getting worse. He had no idea who mum was when she visited. He could not relate to anyone in the family, although when Carol (my sister-in-law) went to visit, he told her that he had two sons who were going to come and take him home. Carol had to explain that they could not come straight away - and anyway, home to him now is Birmingham where he grew up. It is as if the whole of his married life and his family no longer appear in his memory - 49 years of married life has gone. he also seems to have lost all idea of time and distance.

And as for mum - she sounds more cheerful now that the decision has been made. She is now able to please herself, which I think is a great relief. She spent some time tidying the front garden, which now looks very good she says. I will go over when I can...