After the Doctor Appointment.

My parents are snowbirds who have been going to Naples Florida for the last 25 years. They had a rough end to  their winter this year when my Dad was rushed to the hospital by ambulance with what appeared to be a heart attack.  It turned out his pacemaker battery needed replacing, and his dementia has ramped up to a new level.   Another sign that age is taking it’s toll on both of my parents. His pacemaker is good for 10 years so that seems to be a lifetime guarantee for him.

Louie and Darlene are a unit.  I can’t imagine one without the other.  What is clear is they need to accept more help.  A difficult thing especially for my father.  My pop learned to be independent from a very young age when his mom died shortly after his 4th birthday.  Louie and his two older brothers spent 5 years living at the orphanage in Northfield and his memory is searingly sharp about how much he hated being doted on by everyone as the youngest child.  At a time when he needed mothering most he got tough and learned to take care of himself.  He was a tough little guy and still is.

Today the doctor told my Dad that he should no longer be driving.  Needless to say this was nothing he wanted to hear.  It’s all very sad.  There is nothing fun about losing independence.  His birthday is this Friday April 12th.   He will be 88 years old.