Update and a Request

I just got back from Charlottetown. Dad is still comfortable. He is slowly deterioating but he still recognizes everyone. He has some moments when you are surprised with how sharp he is. He still is cracking jokes and making people laugh. The staff there is great and his doctor is terrific at helping him with everything that is going on. It was good to see the so many people helping out Dad and Pam with everything. Suzie and Pam are almost living at Prince Edward Home and giving Dad all the love and care that he needs. His friends are great in helping him and giving Pam a chance for a break. Suzie and Pam have been taking turns staying at night in case he wakes up. I was glad I was able to take a turn to spend the night with Dad and give them a break. Pam's niece is coming home this weekend and I think she will give the night crew a break. Thanks again to everyone who is helping out.

One thing we thought of while I was there and laughing at some of the Dad stories that people were telling was how great it would be to have a collection of stories to look at but also for the grandkids to learn about their grandfather down the road when they are older. I must say that I have learned a lot about Dad that I didn't know from all the posts on the blog. It would be interesting to see the stories from friends, classmates, patients, family, etc. I set up an email address for people to send the stories to as we did not want all of them on the blog-- we all know that many of the Dad stories are not appropriate for public consumption! Please email a story, recollection, etc. about Dad, or even favorite photo to barrylingfamily@yahoo.ca. I will get them to Pam so they can have a copy at the PE home to read to Dad.

Dad told me to send a hug to everyone and he appreciates all the hugs and prayers that he is getting.

Jamie

Rest Needed

Dad is comfortable at the Prince Edward Home. The care is great and everyone is comfortable. He is feeling all right, all things considered. He tends to be better when he has gotten enough rest and the amount of rest he needs has greatly increased over the last week. Beacuse of this, the staff has advised that his visitors be limited to immediate family and very close friends in order to allow him to be the best that he can be. Dad and Pam appreciate all the support and visits, but hope everyone understands that Dad needs his rest.

Thanks for checking in.

Jamie

Update from Jamie

Happy New Year, everyone. I know it's been a while since Dad posted, and I am sure many of you have been checking for an update. Last week Dad decided that he needed more help getting around and he moved to the palliative care unit at Prince Edward Home. He says the care is great and he is enjoying it . . .and still harassing nurses! Pam is also enjoying it, since it allows her to resume her role as wife, rather than primary caregiver. In addition to Suzie, who has spent a lot of time with Dad over the last few months, Dave and Jenn are visiting again this week and Grammy & Poppy and Dad's sister, Nancy, and her husband Gary are over from Parsboro today. He has had a lot of visitors and continues to tell his favorite jokes and stories. While he doesn't have a computer in his room, he sees all the posts on the blog from printed copies, so this is still a great way to send him a message or some words of encouragement. Thanks for checking in. We'll provide another update in a few days.