After a wonderful trip to England and Paris, I have returned to a new stage in my life's journey.
My husband of 49 years, Peter, was officially assessed while I was away as having a moderate level of dementia, possibly caused by the raft of physical conditions he has battled for the last few years and exacerbated by complications from the chest/lung infections and diabetic complications of the last few months. He was briefly hospitalised while I was away as well, with a mild heart attack. As a consequence the family recommended and the GP adamantly affirmed that I should not bring Peter home from the Care home where he had been staying while I was away. As a consequence I have registered Peter as a permanent resident at the Wattle Downs Care Home, a very new Bupa facility not very far from where I live at 120 Wattle Farm Drive, Wattle Downs. He appears to be reasonably settled and comfortable there although I am not really sure if he realises he is not coming home again.
I knew before I left that the situation had become extremely challenging, particularly around issues such as his desire to drive. He was becoming increasingly dependent and obsessive around a number of issues. I felt I could not leave him alone in the house. The family insisted I did not cancel the proposed trip. In many ways, the wonderful support the family gave and their close view of him without me being around as a buffer meant that I had the opportunity to come to terms with the situation ( from afar as it were). I did enjoy my holiday, as did Dianne (Catherine's mother in law) and we tried to make the most of every day.
So a huge thank you to Karen Dobric, Jonathan, Catherine, Robyn and Peter Sommerhalder - and Margaret who looked after my little dog Tui. I have never felt so supported and loved in my life.
I am gradually working through a a list of things To Do... and as things settle down new routines will evolve and new goals will be set.
Peter definitely can enjoy visitors - we are not encouraging people to take him out as yet, there were initially some unusual requests eg I want to go to the Police station.... But he is quite rational to chat to about most topics, especially as we laugh and joke about shared memories. I have been playing Rummikub ( sort of Gin rummy except with tiles not cards) and he is starting to join in the activities. Photos of shared activities are also great conversation starters.
If you would like to visit - please feel welcome - just contact me if you want clarification or to let me know when you might be coming or I can go with you. We are thinking of putting a visitors book in his room so that people can note when they came and any messages we
might need to look at.
So my blog, will start afresh, with this next phase of my life,...
Plenty of spare beds in the house now - visitors welcome!
