Weekend Saturday - Sunday 15th - Forever Family Day Dinner

Saturday: No plans as AA is still recovering from her knee surgery.
We did not go to our usual River House Happy Hour. Spoke on phone with Leaa, she's having a rough time, driving to Jacksonville alot - taking Dylan to DASA; got a flat tire, her bestie Amanda's divorce, husband Josh (addicted) is ugly with threats, so kids spent the night at Leaa's plus Justin's roof is getting worse while he waits for the insurance money, approval of a contractor, etc. After 12 days of rain, I guess his roof collapse got worse (originally for a storm, tree fell on roof). I sent text to family about taking Ford's phone away, after making two false 911 calls (one nighttime, one daytime), needed to take it away from him.

I took Ford for a drive, to get him out of the house, change of scenery. We ended up buying vanilla ice cream from Dreamette in OP. He still sees people, usually men around our truck when I leave him alone (while I run into stores/errands). I made a meatloaf, mashed potatoes and roasted carrots for dinner (lunch was leftovers). 

A quiet day. Ford took his 2md pill - new prescription Quetiapine Fumarate 25 mg.

Sunday 09/15/24: Day before Forever Family Day - had an early dinner at P.F. Chang as the 16th is a school day/night.

I slept a little better last night, maybe got three hours sleep total. Ford still sees people, plus last night kept wanting to help someone charge their car battery and then got mad at me for not helping him close the truck door, it goes on and on.

We had a slow day until we drove to PF Chang. Food there is just okay, no longer a special, fancy meal for us. This may have been our last time together celebrating as AA will be at college next Fall.

Outside, it has been raining for 12 days, so the sun was welcome but bright in AA's eyes without her sunglasses.

Inside the restaurant:

AA's beef and pepper dinner:

Ford's Pad Thai:

I tried their "New" Teriyaki Chicken:

The lemonade with pomegranate:

Our appetizer of chicken lettuce wraps, the lettuce was not iceberg, more small romaine leaves:

Sunday evening was watching NFL football (Jaguars lost), AA reviewing her college essay on the phone with Ms. Penny and eating our PF Chang leftovers.

Monday 09/09/24

Monday: After AA went to school, I stripped our bed, did laundry, showered, etc, then drove to Ford's Parkinson exercises. It was another bad night, last night, with people hallucinations. Ford gets aggressive wanting to "take them out". Hoping tonight is better, if not will call the doctor. I walked 4900 steps while chatting with Mom; had a good visit yesterday and due to having Andrew and Chris there, they took out the Sea-Doo after giving everyone rides.

We ran a few errands, then had lunch at Sweet Sensations, brought back a BLT and pasta salad for AA. AA stayed after school with Siyan, helping a teacher with technology.

Mia came over for dinner, I made meatless Monday - ravioli with asparagus and cherry tomatoes. Ford wasn't feeling well (partly constipation), so he didn't visit much. Mia told us about the current issues with Madison, the roommates are causing drama, Madison has a new 3-year-old cat, Spencer, they seem to be jealous, making digs at her. Plus she missed a couple of school assignments; just not sure what to do. Mia gave her lots of advice. hope it improves for her (Sophomore year).

We are very tired, went to our bedroom at 8:30 while AA studies for her calculus class. The hallucinations have been minor today, during daylight - Ford said people have been in our home since noon today.

Tuesday: Another rough night, I got about three hours sleep, waking up to Ford saying he couldn't get out of the bedroom, like he is in a prison. From the last three nights, know that he will try to find a weapon to "get rid of the people breaking in", and if I let him wander throughout the house, he could find other objects (like knives) so keep him locked in our room at night. He had visions of dogs alot lately too.

Donna came to clean our home. We cancelled our lunch with the Chilton's at Whitey's Fish camp due to Ford being very tired and the hallucinations are pretty much 24/7 now. 

I went to the River House Happy Hour alone, Ford is not up to visiting. I took the crostini with fig jam and blue cheese with almonds, always delicious. 

We heated leftover frozen chili for dinner.

AA stayed after school to volunteer for tutoring. We went to our bedroom at 8:00 p.m. to begin the routine of trying to get Ford to sleep. He wanted to watch the Trump/Harris debate, but thankfully he fell asleep on and off fitfully, woke up several times, up and down constantly (as has been past four nights, then talks about the people out to get him. 

Wednesday 9/11 Anniversary: Lots more RAIN! Ditches are full. When my alarm went off at 5:55 a.m. - Ford was standing at the foot of the bed, saying the bedroom door was locked so all the people couldn't leave. We cancelled our breakfast/brunch with Charlie and Donna Perry and his afternoon PT due to Ford's ongoing hallucinations. He wanted to get out of the house so we got lunch. I called Dr. Legacy to ask for help/what to do. 

I wrapped AA's birthday gifts and gave myself a pedicure in between watching Ford talk to his imaginary people (two young girls that he wanted to find their parents). Ford told his hallucinations many times to please leave our house, he is agitated, usually naps but will hardly sit down. He thinks he can get rid of them. no convincing, talking or reasoning with him works.

Cooked a new dish - Chicken Stroganoff with mushrooms. I invited Mia as she was available, and she cheers us up! Unfortunately, all of were not in love with this recipe, so I shall never make it again!

Thursday: Read separate post on AA's Left knee surgery.

Looking forward to a new Downton Abbey movie:

Friday: AA woke up feeling much better and can walk decently. 

I made blueberry waffles for breakfast, did dishes and started laundry. 

Spoke to Dr. Legacy's office, left all the details - hoping for a call back with solutions to Ford's hallucinations.

Ford had hallucinations all last night, we were awake every hour. And he was dizzy this morning, staring at imaginary people working outside. He needed to reset the VyStar account on-line PW and wouldn't tell me his SS number out loud, had to write it down as "people" in our house would hear it, he got mad at me for speaking out loud the account information. I am in tears, I am so tired. I did go to Publix and while gone the doctor did call, so chatted with him in the parking lot. He prescribed a new pill, hoping it will help. Once we were notified that the Walmart Pharmacy had it, and was ready for pick up, I went and picked it up. As I was driving home, AA texted me that Ford had called 911. Once the firemen/truck left (they really wanted to take him to the hospital, but with much explaining, they left), Ford explained it was the first time he physically touched a man in our home, felt threatened. If I was home, I may have avoided. Poor AA, she was so upset, with her leg elevated, she didn't know he called 911 until she heard him talking to the dispatcher. After calming down, we had Tropical Smoothies for dinner. So ends our week of no sleep, extreme hallucinations and hopeful the new drug will help.

AA Left Knee Surgery 09/12/24

Thursday: Woke up after a few hours sleep to more of Ford's hallucinations. During the night he thought the ceiling fan was flying apart, that he had trash in the bed and on him (trying to get rid of it at least 20 times), plus bugs on his legs and pillows, etc. I can't write about each one. It is constant. AA finished her government assignment; I drove Ford to the Parkinson exercises even though he was having these hallucinations. Funny how he didn't have any at the exercises. I walked and chatted with my mom, she has her own list of issues, we hate to dump bad news on each other. 

I drove AA to the St. Vincent's/Ascension Clay County Hospital on 1670 St. Vincents Way, Middleburg. Arrived at 11:45 for her 12:15 check-in time for her left knee surgery appointment. 

After paying the amount due, she was taken back to the pre-op area and was made ready - knee cleaned, "johnny" put on (all clothes off except undies the nurse gave her a disposable pair - as she is on her period), IV inserted, compression sock on right leg, non-skid socks on both feet, swallowed six pills (Tylenol, Gabapentin, Oxycodone and one other pill) and a warm blanket. 

Dr. Partick Jones came in and looked over her knee, explained what he was doing (using two existing scars plus opening the one to remove the screws) and then "initialed" her knee. 

I texted with family to let them know how things were going.

The surgical team was very nice, rolled her away at 2:35 p.m. 

Consultation with Dr. Jones, said cartilage was in worse shape, will move forward with MACI surgery, possibly early December. The recovery for this surgery is to be careful with shin bone skin, dissolvable stitched and steri-strips, cleaned up old scar a little. 

The MACI surgery should be less pain, he does not like the pain pump, will give a shot in leg if needed for pain that wears off gradually. Opening kneecap without disturbing her other repairs will be a challenge. Very successful, said that she is too young not to have a functioning knee.

And we left for home at 5:15 p.m. and she was nauseous. She didn't want anything to eat but did try some ravioli but up chucked it. She has a good night and woke up feeling much better. She did eat some grapes and apple slices. She is walking, moving well with the stiff knee (can't bend it). Keeping ice on it for 24 hours. She worked on her homework, and all is progressing for her recovery.

Tuesday 09/03/24 - Sunday 09/08/24

Tuesday: We enjoyed a slow morning (Ford had a short nap), planned our day and drove to his PT at 10:15 (walked for 15 minutes, already over 90 degrees, then put gas in the truck - a reasonable $3.09/gal,). Then to get a buzz cut, Ford decided it was time to make all his hair very short. Steve did a fine job in less than 10 minutes.

We picked up chicken salad sandwiches (Time Out Deli), then home. I walked Ginger, started laundry and shopped at Publix to buy dinner (Panzanella) and more of the BOGO champagne. I took two to Leaa's yesterday and it was good; we still like the flavor of Freixenet best (also a Cava).

I prepared the bread, red onion, tomatoes, garlic for dinner. AA stayed after school for her NHS meeting. Off to our RH happy hour, took more of the same - cantaloupe, mozzarella cheese and prosciutto - Hugh and Maureen were in Pittsburgh, at his brother's funeral.

Wednesday: No appointments - thankfully as during the morning hours, a heavy thunderstorm woke us up and continued through the morning - AA drove to school right before the worst hit. I set up a breakfast meet up with Charlie and Donna, completed the Social Security papers to ensure AA gets benefits through her graduation date. We were called to move AA's surgery up a week but declined. Walked Ginger, nice windy but hot day. AA doing homework. Leftover BBQ (from freezer) and BBQ beans for dinner. We dropped AA's green Subaru at Suburban to be fixed - hopefully the electronics can be reprogrammed, and we don't have to replace the electronic box.

Thursday: I drove AA to school. Ford saw his neurologist, Dr. Legacy at the North office. Tried to address his insomnia - so now will reduce the strength of the Neupro patch and add melatonin at bedtime, will track his hallucinations to see if reduced and if sleeping improves. 

We enjoyed lunch at Hawkers and brought home half our meal (Pad Thai and CKT) for AA's after school snack. 

AA's car was ready, all fixed except on the drive home the windshield began to leak during a downpour. Another reason to call it a lemon. Hope Larry doesn't mind if we trade it in for something a little newer for AA. Ford had another queasy spell, we are assuming is from the antibiotic, which he still has another week left of the pills. Dinner was leftover BBQ and I had hummus.

Friday: Another restless night sleeping, hallucinations and Ford thought he saw people outside, inside and a dog with a litter of puppies. We need to keep working on this problem/change.

Drove to Ford's PT, chatted with Mom while I walked. She is still having issue with her skin graft healing, plus she still has the lung/cough/asthma. Ford and I took new flowers to LB's grave and then got take out from Cracker Barrel for lunch. Ford is still having nausea issues, so eating small meals, then laying down.

Lunch - Chicken and dumplings plus sides.

AA had her English teacher review her college essay after school.

She came home very sad/crying, as the pep rally was today and she couldn't sit with the athletes, it is so sad about her knee, a huge change in her whole life's outlook and expectation.

I did talk her into shopping for a HOCO dress. She was successful finding a dress (City Vibe, color: Iris), bra and shoes (on order) at Dillard's. Nice story about Dillard employees: the ladies dress/assistant rung up the dress and thankfully I mentioned needing a bra to wear under it. She obliged and took us over to lingerie where we had two sweet, attentive ladies helping AA. She was fitted in size 32DD (we thought she was a 34D) and found the right strapless (convertible) bra. AA found some shoes, but no one carried size 5.5 so ordered online. Also, ordered her dress in a smaller size and in-store didn't have it and wanted to compare to the one we already purchased. Happy shopping trip - rare to have us both happy!

Saturday: During the night, Ford had hallucinations hourly, we didn't get any sleep, at one point he wanted to get our gun to shoot intruders (he saw visions of people), so I stayed awake all night until I could get to the guns in the morning, unloaded the pistol. Horrible night.

Justin's 52nd birthday, called him and he was feeling poorly so staying home. Leaa and family went to the UCF football game. 

I made Nana Joy's chocolate sheet cake just in case we did see JK.

Ford and I drove to Walmart, picked up his prescriptions including the Neuro patch at the lower dose (6 mg).

Happy Hour at the River house: Nice weather, sat outside covered deck (about 85 degrees). Karrie joined us. We talked but Ford wasn't feeling up to it so sat in truck for about 15 minutes, then rejoined us. We picked up Chipotle's for dinner. Watched an episode of Downton. We were so tired, went to bed. Ford was hallucinating and I thought he "knew" that, but somehow, I did doze off about 11:00 p.m. and 30 minutes later woke to the police at our door. Ford thought people were breaking in, said he couldn't find me, woke up AA, then dialed 911, telling them that he had Parkinson and has hallucinations but thought the people were real. Another bad night, I took away his phone and will somehow lock our bedroom door, so he stays in our room. 

Sunday: I served communion at church, I have been good about going each week. Maybe will get involved in some other way.

We had Nancy Coates over to chat about her experiences with David; she never gave him the carb/levo because of the hallucinations; in the end we decided to drop the night carb/levo pill to see it anything got better. Ford was pretty good during the day but once dusk came, her was seeing lots of people across the pond.

AA met with Carolyn (in pouring rain) at the Avenues Mall, didn't not have a successful shopping trip, so had lunch and came home.

Another bad night, with Ford trying to fight off the "people" with a large metal flashlight. He finally dozed off about 1:30 a.m. and I fell asleep about 2:00 a.m. - back up at 5:55 a.m.

Leaa and family had a good weekend at UCF - fun and football!

Family photos from LSL: Andrew, Chloe plus Chris, Autumn, Anthony and Terri had a last day with the Sea-Doo before hauling it out for the winter. Plus Andrew swept off Mom's roof.

Labor Day Weekend 2024

Saturday: Slow morning, and again, repeating so often, Ford is not sleeping much at night. His legs keep him awake, plus anxiety attacks, visions of people in the room, etc. I did some grocery shopping, bought sushi for dinner. I went through a box of old papers - lots to shred. I am finally starting to sort through old boxes, if I can't bear to throw it away, will at least consolidate and repack and label better. Leaa texted about a last-minute invite as she was cooking pasta for Pearl's birthday (change due to Travis feeling sick), We declined, AA still has a runny nose, didn't want to be exposed to more germs, it is a long drive over there, already had our sushi dinner that we don't like to eat after a it is day old..... Maybe lame reasons, best to stay home.

My Mom sent me a box of goodies - One Pie cans and Bakewell. Supplies I should have bought while in Maine and forgot!

With Joan's surgery yesterday, saw this on Facebook - great photo from Libby's bridal shower:

River House Happy Hour: I took my easy cantaloup, prosciutto ham with fresh mini-mozzarella balls as appetizer (on toothpick). Kathy, Karrie, usual group - there was a birthday "Celebration of Life" for Scott Anderson today (picture of food). Very hot day (92 degrees) but the river breeze was great, cooled us enough to sit out on the lower deck (next to the River Suites). Hugh and Maureen are leaving Monday morning to attend Hugh's brother, Robert funeral. 

Snacks we brought for our little group: shrimp cocktail, hummus and my cantaloupe/prosciutto/mozzarella cheese.

At home, we enjoyed the sushi, watched another episode of Downton. Off to bed fairly early.
Sunday: A quiet morning, I went to church then made plans to meet with Carolyn at Five Guy Burgers on San Jose (no pictures). AA and I met her, enjoyed the burger (decided to get her out of the house while Kayla and Mike were both there - he just arrived back from work trip yesterday), then drove to Barnes and Noble. Since we had a burger to take back to Ford, didn't shop for very long. Carolyn headed to Trader Joe's and we went home. 

I went to Publix to buy groceries for the Cheeseburger Dip (Food TV The Kitchen Show - Sunny Anderson). I cooked the hamburger and chopped most of the ingredients. Later I walked Ginger, we watched bits of several movies, never decided on just one to watch. AA did some studying and working on her common app college applications.

We were not hungry so snacked on hummus, AA ate ice cream and Ford finished his remaining half burger from lunch.

Terri and I chatted about all the genealogy stuff from Mike Whyte - Marilyn's boxes. Terri doesn't think she will find anything new, many duplicates. After 9:00 p.m. - so off to bed!

Monday: Labor Day. Missed out on the Parkinson exercises today. Photo is from Facebook - Last week:

Finished the preparations for the Cheeseburger Dip trifle. We drove to Leaa's at 8:50 a.m. then went to the antique shop at corner of Route 1/CR206 (across from Smokin D's BBQ). Cheeseburger Trifle, I think it was good, would make it again for a gathering/pot-luck. I also brought two bottles of champagne (BOGO at Publix) some chicken tenders, and my cantaloupe mozzarella prosciutto ham appetizers.

Antiquing local - across from the Smokin D's BBQ:

Marsha liked the formed glass in a driftwood base:

Jesse being silly, then Carl joined in!

Last photo: Jesse's caveman look (I think!).

We bought a Mexican pottery turtle as a Christmas gift for Carolyn, hopefully she will like it by her pool.

Local shop:

We enjoyed the food and shopping, maybe Leaa will plan another shop local family time again.

AA drove us home since I had some champagne; we ate leftovers for dinner and watched a Harry Potter movie, then showers and to bed!