The biggest thing is that right when we were driving into town, Sarah got a call from her dad's hometeacher. He told us that her dad was taken to the hospital on his own accord. This happened before we drove in, so we went to see him on our drive in, and he was so so. He was talking like he was on ship and the boat was sinking. Then he said that he heard a wedding outside. He heard that the couple was LDS but that they had champagne at their wedding, and a roulette board as well. Wow-o-wow.
We went the following day and it was not good. He had been sedated because he had been leaving his bed. He was also strapped down so he would not do it. He was going to other people's rooms asking for their electronics saying they were not good things. Enoch was around when he was first strapped down. He gave his dad a blessing and felt like he shouldn't bless him in a certain way.
Danny went to visit him as well. It was hard on him to see his dad refuse some medication that they were providing. This was the day before Christmas, in that we wouldn't be able to see him at their breakfast party because of Jacob's phone call.
Since then, the family had a chat about the condition of their father and what they should do about him. It was decided that he needs to go to a home, somewhere in the South Bay, so he isn't by himself far away. It was also decided that he needs constant care, one that the family on their own can't provide and that someone needs to be his power of attorney (looking at Danny). This was done on Christmas day after the Jacob's phone call on my computer.
Today was especially hard on Sarah. First of all, two social workers from his insurance? came to tell us that he needs to be kept locally. And when we said we didn't want that and that we wanted him in the South Bay, one of them was rude immediately and was like, no! It was a bit unsettling. Sarah than called the primary social worker that had spoken with us and was relieved to hear that that was wrong.
Another hard thing for Sarah was that the family asked us to clean up his apartment...which in itself was a daunting task that they had no idea about. I did all the heavy lifting, as Sarah was very sad and couldn't really handle the task on her own. We had to go through all the drawers and plastic bins and consolidate everything so that it fit in his gold Toyota Corolla. Fortunately, we did get it done, at least for the most part. We still need to clean the floors and things that are still in there but was not taken to the trash.
It was honestly my pleasure to do this, even if it was hard on my back or took me away from my family. I mean, I don't really know what Sarah is going through, really. To see a parent go through what Arno is going through is crazy. The diagnosis that we think he is experiencing is dementia.
Fortunately for Sarah and I, we met Enoch, Lisa and Helen at the hospital and passed on the car to Enoch to drive to Torrance. That was a huge weight off my shoulders in that otherwise, when we left for home tomorrow, it would have tacked on another couple of hours to our overall trip, not to mention we are going to be making several different stops, before we leave town.
Life can get so crazy. It is crazy, though. The visitors tonight only got to experience a mild Arno. He was very much himself tonight, which is good, but not telling of what he has been going through. It is very fortunate that Enoch and Danny saw him firsthand in his craziness.
I felt that Sarah needed a break, so I took her to the temple for a little bit.
The Christmas holiday has been great though, despite what we have gone through. I got to spend time at home with Sarah A and mom and dad. And we got to talk to Jacob Christmas morning. Mom didn't even get emotional this call at the end like she usually has. I guess she sees the light at the end of the tunnel for him, as he only has about six months left. He's doing and looking good.
Sarah and I went to Athena's to surprise her for Christmas as a family. Christina put it together and we provided the chips and dip. Christina, Jonathan, and the two girls were there, as well as Enoch, Sonia, and their three girls, Helen, Athena and Ashish and Noah were all there. It was the first time I have met Jonathan, but he's pretty awesome.
Otherwise, good week.
Sarah got me a camcorder, and I have dreams to make vloggish videos like my man Jonathan Carling, or Adam Goldberg. We'll see if I'll become as good as him. Really it is all for familial events that I want to do this. To capture my children's first steps, or note something of greatness that has happened to me and Sarah, etc.
Jonathan Carlin is my favorite family vlogger.
I got Sarah a hand mixer, spatulas, scissors, and hair ties. Mom and Dad provided Sarah and I with $300 worth of cash and $100 in gift cards to Amazon and AirBnb. We are so grateful. We assume they gave us so much because they bought Sarah a KitchenAid mixer, and provided Tony and Briana with an equal amount of money as well. We're happy with what we got.
Life is good.
Yep.
