Unbearable Heat.

Yesterday we reached 45.1 degrees Celsius (113.18 degrees Fahrenheit) it's official, it's the hottest-known three-day heatwave we have had. Today's forecast is 39 then the low-mid 30's for 7 days, such a relief. Our state has a few bush fires raging and one in the suburbs in a National Park is threatening major transmission power lines which feeds 2/3 of the metropolitan area. Train tracks have buckled and power blackouts meant cancellation of a lot of train services, for a couple of hours all train services were cancelled, leaving 1000's stranded in the heat.
But OHMG Adelaide has had days and days of unbelievable heat (in the 40's) and has more to come of it, the next 7 days above 38. A headline reads '22 deaths in sweltering Adelaide', mostly elderly people.

Needless to say we've cancelled our ferry trip.

Dad is faring well. There are 3 air-conditioners in the house, 2 work and 1 doesn't, so I keep one room closed off with the air-conditioner on for Dad.

The other day when we pulled up out the front Dad said he saw a black dog, without an owner, go around the corner. I wasn't looking that way but I wanted to drive around and see if there was a black dog, I didn't. There may have been one...and maybe there wasn't but my stomach turned over.
Also Dad is becoming more hunched over and has a lean to the side. When I was helping him shower I said 'get your head under the water' and he couldn't straighten up or manoeuvre himself under the spray. So I moved the shower head.
He still remains in good spirits, never complains and wants to participate in life...I'm the one complaining about the heat.

The Heat Wave Continues.

Yesterday was 43.4 degrees Celsius (110.12 degrees Fahrenheit), today 43 again. Poor Adelaide reached 46 degrees! And they have had days and days of heat. Our power went out Wednesday evening. There was an enormous explosion and a power pole, just around the corner burst into flames. I went outside and could see flames above the adjacent houses. The fire brigade arrived before the fire spread to any of the houses, thank goodness! Needless to say on Thursday, we couldn't remain in the house with no air-conditioning. So I took Dad to the library and to a shopping centre. It was like Xmas in the centre, so many people trying to escape the heat. When we returned home I sat Dad in the only bit of breeze I could find and put a wet towel on him. Later he had a cool shower and in bed I laid a wet towel on him and every hour re-wet the towel. Luckily the power came on again Thursday evening. How did people ever survive without air-conditioners? My cousin invited us to her house and if the power had have remained out, I would have taken up her kind offer.

This morning my younger Brother invited Dad to spend the day with him. Oh dear! My brother does a form of couriering. In and out of the car. It was difficult trying to explain to them both that he couldn't leave Dad in the car...43 degrees! Nor could he take Dad in and out of places in the heat. It's been about 3-4 months since my brother has taken an interest in Dad...why today, of all days! That's an example of the guidance my brother needs, he means well but...oh dear!

Dad's two special books.

Dad has gone to his day care which he calls 'the old boys'. He asks me each day, 'is it today I go', 'when do I go', 'I haven't been in ages', he can ask up to 15 times a day. He worries about being woken up in time to go, whether he will have clothes to wear. I can only reassure him that I will help him and that he will go on Tuesday. Last week, when I picked him up, the carers told me how they had watched the movie 'Mama Mia' and how Dad had got up and did a dance and a jig. On the way home I said 'you have had a good day and you had a dance' and Dad said 'yes, I was happy my granddaughter got into Law'. That was the morning we found out about my daughter's Law placement. Whilst growing up, Dad would often do this funny dance, jig and kick both legs out to side, clicking his feet together. How we all used to laugh and he would have his grandchildren in stitches...'do it again Pa'. So it's wonderful that Dad still has some terrific days.

I have noticed a little cognitive decline. Some days Dad says more sentences which don't make sense. Showering, he may get out with the shampoo still in his hair but overall he still has great days. One day he was worried that he couldn't find his 2 very special books (I have given the whole top shelf of the book case for these 2 books, because they deserve it and so Dad can find them). He was awarded them for being apprentice of the year in 1949 and they were presented to him in a ceremony at the Town Hall. They were still on the bookshelf but I noticed after Dad had come home from my Brothers that he had gone and found the booklets of my Brothers Degree ceremony and put them in between them. It was like 'that's my boy a chip off the old block'.

We are having a heat wave, 5 days to come in the 40's. I don't like it that hot and I find that Dad needs to have an afternoon lay down. He usually will have a nap in his chair and I have said why don't you have a lay down but he won't. But on hot days he will. I'm hoping the week of hot weather doesn't tire him too much because on Saturday we have a family outing with my cousins planned. We are going to drive to Queenscliff and catch the ferry (put the car on too) to Portsea, have lunch in the beautiful Portsea Hotel, on the cliff overlooking the bay and perhaps go to a rose garden maze. Dad loves being on the water, he used to have a boat and his Father did too. My Grandfather built his own boat and also his house. I can remember my Granddad's boat, this big wooden fishing boat. As a family we spent many hours fishing or water skiing.

All in all, everything is good.

President Barack Obama and my two daughters.

My daughter and I sat up till 5.30 am Wednesday morning and watched the inauguration of President Barack Obama and I recorded it for Dad to watch, which he did yesterday.

What a wonderful, momentous event.

And on a personal level, my two daughters, who I'm so proud of have had lots of life changing things occur recently. My eldest daughter's career is taking off, she studied photography at VCA and is now freelancing for a few published and on-line Australian and International magazines. They're sending her to the various fashion weeks around Asia and New Zealand. She also has begun an internship/writing for an Australian magazine. She also has some fashion styling projects for fashion shoots coming up. Recently one of our main newspapers did a two page article about her. It's so amazing all the offers she is getting...and she started out with a blog.

And my youngest just finished an Arts degree and got offered Law at Monash University and also a Masters of Education at Melbourne University. She is going to do Law...I cried when she found out...it's been an amazing week for us.

And Dad continues to have great days. No new things to report which makes me very happy.

And thankyou Ian, the DVD about Alzheimers arrived, which I will watch when Dad goes to bed.

Dad is having some great days.

Yesterday morning Dad was the closest to being as I remember him. He sounded like my old Dad. Since he has been home he has had great days. His Parkinson's symptoms, the freezing has stopped, which is wonderful. But I have noticed he is having trouble, when dressing with his balance. Thinking of what he was like before the New Year, he really is having a good spell. I think the break at my Brothers did him the world of good.

Holidays are over.

I returned Sunday from my holiday in Tasmania and feel revitalised and ready for whatever Lewy throws at us. In Tasmania I went on a day cruise across Macquarie Harbour and along the Gordon river. This area is World Heritage listed, it's so beautiful, serene, pristine; total wilderness country. I also did a few other day journeys through wilderness/rainforest areas, soaking up the peace and beauty.

I picked Dad up from the airport yesterday, Tuesday. He had a terrific time at my Brothers. I think he didn't want to come home because he enjoys doing guy things with my Brother and Nephews. I have to thank my Sister-in-Law because I'm sure there may have been times when it would have been difficult for her. It's easier to help with personal things when it's your parent. Monday I got in touch with Dad's Dr's and case assessor. I will be pleased to speak to his Geriatrician about Dad's bowel movements. Dad's case assessor said she recommends for Parkinson patients to eat a Kiwi fruit a day as this helps to soften the stool. So I'm going to cut back on the Senna tablets and give him a Kiwi Fruit a day, plus his prunes and other fruit.
She is also going to bring around a bed stick and drop sheet and show me how to roll Dad in bed, physio moves. She also told me that Dad may be disoriented when he came home. No, thank goodness Dad has settled back in really well. I'm certain that going to my Brothers, a familiar place instead of respite was best for the stage Dad is at. I need to clarify my position regarding respite. If a carer needs to use respite then I'm 100% for it.

Dad has had a good day so far, watching the Australian Open (tennis) with the air conditioner on. Yesterday was 37 and it feels just as hot today. Hopefully a cool change is on its way.