It has been a few months since our last posting. I think we all just needed a chance to breathe.
It is now September.
Katie is back in school, now in 9th grade and Milpitas High School. She seems to be adjusting okay, and time will tell. She is taking the bus to and from school, and is delighted that her friends are on the bus as well. She's learning having a bus pass is a little bit of freedom.
Kevin is working diligently as the executor for his dad's estate. We have the hard physical parts behind us, and now hopefully we can rely on the attorneys and realtors to get us through the rest. We spent 6 weekends in a row up at the house getting ready for the estate sale, having the estate sale, and then clean up work after the estate sale. We were saddened that much of the great furniture was not bought, but we donated as much as we could afterwards. It is just nice to have the physical part behind us.
One good piece of news - the court has granted our request to change the beneficiaries of Howard's will. Howard had promised Bruce that Laure would get his portion of the estate, but Howard neglected to change his will. Therefore, legally, it would go to Chris and Ben. Chris and Ben graciously requested to give it to their mom, and with all the beneficiaries signing off, the court approved the request. And now that the beneficiaries are resolved, the rest of the estate can move forward.
Kevin has now been with Perforce Software in Alameda for 2-1/2 years. He enjoys the work and the flexibility the company offers.
As for me, Margaret, I started work as an Executive Assistant at Hewlett Packard Enterprise in May of this year (2019). I love the job and have great flexibility as well. If my boss is traveling I can work at home. I work in the Global Operations group, and am constantly talking with people all over the world. It is fascinating.
We are consciously looking to change up some traditions this year to make the holiday season smoother. We are starting by heading to Disneyland for Thanksgiving week. Mom having a new job and a bit more money is making things a bit cushier.
Would love to know if you are reading our blog. If so, please let a comment.
With love to all.
Kevin, Margaret and Katie
Monday, September 16, 2019
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Howard has passed
Our beloved Howard passed away on Monday, April 15, 2019, at 12:50pm.
Kevin, Margaret and Katie were with him when he passed. He knew that we were there, and also that Kevin was holding his hand.
We will be having a memorial for him in the future. Please check back here for details.
Much love.
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Howard Update 3/23
By Kevin
Though I was sick with a cold during the week, I was well enough to visit Dad on Saturday. Katie also had a bad cold, so Margaret took her to urgent care Saturday morning since she had a high temperature, and kept complaining about her throat being sore. So far it doesn't look like strep throat. So it was just me visiting Dad.
I arrived around noon, and Dad wasn't in the room, so most likely at lunch. I dropped off some hearing aid batteries and other supplies. I watched a little TV to make sure it was working, since Pat saw problems with it, and it wasn't on when I arrived. The TV was working fine.
Dad arrived around 1:00 in his wheelchair with the help of a caregiver. When he saw me he said, "Well, about time one of you came to visit." He is much thinner than the last time I saw him, with his face looking thin. His hair had been cut, but also looked thinner. He wanted to take a nap, and was able to stand up from his wheelchair and sit on the bed. As he was getting onto the bed he said, "You know, it's terrible." And I said, "Being so tired?" And he said, "Yes." I'm still learning that I should ask him what he means rather than proposing an answer.
I told him I would take his hearing aids to be cleaned. He said that they work sometimes, and sometimes not. The caregiver and I removed his hearing aids. He said, "I wish there was some way we could communicate." I held up my phone that has an app I can use to show the text of what I speak. He said, "Okay." And laid back on the bed.
I took his hearing aids to a hearing aid center at El Cerrito Plaza, where they quickly cleaned them for free, and warned me about some minor damage for Costco to repair. I had lunch at Chipotle across the street, a coffee at Peet's across the street from Chipotle, then back to a See's Candies near the hearing aid center for a pound of soft center candies for Dad. But first I stopped off at the house to pick up Dad's mail that Connie (the tenant) left out for me, and check to see how the house is.
Back at Royale at 3:45, Dad was still sleeping. I put batteries in his hearing aids so they would be ready when he woke up. He woke up at 4:15 and after i put his hearing aids in he asked what time it was. He was surprised he slept so long. After a visit to the bathroom, he sat in his lounge chair and I opened the See's. He had one, and enjoyed it. His hearing aids seemed to be working well.
He started asking me a lot of questions. "What is this place? What are those (wheelchair and walker) for? Who's taking care of the house? Who is paying all the girls (the caregivers)?" I answered all his questions, and he seemed satisfied with the answers. He asked about Margaret and Katie and I told him about Katie being sick and Margaret taking her to the hospital. He didn't comment, but later asked if Katie was getting better. I told him things like the next Pelican race being in Stockton, but he didn't comment.
He said, "the days keep coming and going." He also commented that he often finds himself in unfamiliar places, but has gotten used to that. I asked him if he had been watching any TV, and he said he hasn't, though he used to watch a lot. I asked about his appetite, and he said he doesn't have much of an appetite, and he doesn't "feel the lack" (hunger) between meals.
He asked how big his balcony is, and whether he could sit out there. I told him it was large enough for him to sit on, and that I had an outdoor chair from home in his room that he could use. He decided to get up, and started to get up without the walker handy, so I moved it for him to use. He used the walker to go to the sliding door to the balcony, bu then decided to sit inside. I got a chair for him, and we sat and looked outside at the hills.
At about 5:15 a caregiver came to take him to dinner. For about a week he has been having meals in the "memory center" where they feed him, since the hospice nurse was concerned that he's not eating enough. I decided it would be a good time to leave so I said goodbye, and that I would see him again (most likely Thursday after work).
Though I was sick with a cold during the week, I was well enough to visit Dad on Saturday. Katie also had a bad cold, so Margaret took her to urgent care Saturday morning since she had a high temperature, and kept complaining about her throat being sore. So far it doesn't look like strep throat. So it was just me visiting Dad.
I arrived around noon, and Dad wasn't in the room, so most likely at lunch. I dropped off some hearing aid batteries and other supplies. I watched a little TV to make sure it was working, since Pat saw problems with it, and it wasn't on when I arrived. The TV was working fine.
Dad arrived around 1:00 in his wheelchair with the help of a caregiver. When he saw me he said, "Well, about time one of you came to visit." He is much thinner than the last time I saw him, with his face looking thin. His hair had been cut, but also looked thinner. He wanted to take a nap, and was able to stand up from his wheelchair and sit on the bed. As he was getting onto the bed he said, "You know, it's terrible." And I said, "Being so tired?" And he said, "Yes." I'm still learning that I should ask him what he means rather than proposing an answer.
I told him I would take his hearing aids to be cleaned. He said that they work sometimes, and sometimes not. The caregiver and I removed his hearing aids. He said, "I wish there was some way we could communicate." I held up my phone that has an app I can use to show the text of what I speak. He said, "Okay." And laid back on the bed.
I took his hearing aids to a hearing aid center at El Cerrito Plaza, where they quickly cleaned them for free, and warned me about some minor damage for Costco to repair. I had lunch at Chipotle across the street, a coffee at Peet's across the street from Chipotle, then back to a See's Candies near the hearing aid center for a pound of soft center candies for Dad. But first I stopped off at the house to pick up Dad's mail that Connie (the tenant) left out for me, and check to see how the house is.
Back at Royale at 3:45, Dad was still sleeping. I put batteries in his hearing aids so they would be ready when he woke up. He woke up at 4:15 and after i put his hearing aids in he asked what time it was. He was surprised he slept so long. After a visit to the bathroom, he sat in his lounge chair and I opened the See's. He had one, and enjoyed it. His hearing aids seemed to be working well.
He started asking me a lot of questions. "What is this place? What are those (wheelchair and walker) for? Who's taking care of the house? Who is paying all the girls (the caregivers)?" I answered all his questions, and he seemed satisfied with the answers. He asked about Margaret and Katie and I told him about Katie being sick and Margaret taking her to the hospital. He didn't comment, but later asked if Katie was getting better. I told him things like the next Pelican race being in Stockton, but he didn't comment.
He said, "the days keep coming and going." He also commented that he often finds himself in unfamiliar places, but has gotten used to that. I asked him if he had been watching any TV, and he said he hasn't, though he used to watch a lot. I asked about his appetite, and he said he doesn't have much of an appetite, and he doesn't "feel the lack" (hunger) between meals.
He asked how big his balcony is, and whether he could sit out there. I told him it was large enough for him to sit on, and that I had an outdoor chair from home in his room that he could use. He decided to get up, and started to get up without the walker handy, so I moved it for him to use. He used the walker to go to the sliding door to the balcony, bu then decided to sit inside. I got a chair for him, and we sat and looked outside at the hills.
At about 5:15 a caregiver came to take him to dinner. For about a week he has been having meals in the "memory center" where they feed him, since the hospice nurse was concerned that he's not eating enough. I decided it would be a good time to leave so I said goodbye, and that I would see him again (most likely Thursday after work).
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Howard Update 3/17
By Kevin, based on conversation with Pat (any errors are mine)
Friday night (3/15) about 9 pm Pat had a call from Dad's assisted living center (El Cerrito Royale) that Dad had fallen. He was found on the floor on his hands and knees during a regular check (about every 2 hours). He had been put to bed earlier. Royale called the hospice nurse center, and a hospice nurse would be visiting Saturday morning. Pat, Karen, and Fiona planned to visit Dad around noon on Saturday and take Dad to lunch.
Pat and company arrived around 11:30 to find Dad having lunch sitting in his wheelchair, though Pat had called to say he was taking Dad to lunch. Dad was using his left hand to eat, and complained about his right shoulder hurting, so he must have fallen on his right shoulder. The hospice nurse hadn't arrived.
They asked him if he wanted to go out to lunch at the nearby Mexican restaurant, and Dad said why not. They told Royale they would be gone for about an hour. They asked Dad if he wanted the walker or wheelchair, and he said the wheelchair. But when they tried to get Dad from the wheelchair to the car, Dad couldn't get up and pull himself into the car. When Pat and Karen tried to help, Dad said his shoulder was hurting. They all agreed to walk to the restaurant with Dad in his wheelchair.
At the restaurant, Dad couldn't decide what to order so Pat ordered nachos for him. Before the nachos arrived, Dad said to Fiona, "You know, this is Japanese food." Pat was able to get Dad to eat a couple of bites of nachos, but Dad said that he just didn't have any appetite. Fiona told Dad about school and the family's upcoming trip to Japan. Dad didn't ask any questions. He couldn't hold a conversation though they all tried to talk with him.
When they got back to Dad's room, Dad asked Pat if this was his home. Pat said yes, this is where is staying. Dad said that was good to know, as though it was something he had been thinking about, and just remembered to ask. Pat asked Dad if he wanted to go to the house, and Dad said no.
Back at Dad's room, Pat fixed the TV which wasn't playing sound, and had frozen images. After more work, he was able to get subtitles working, so Dad could watch a movie while they took his hearing aids to Costco to be cleaned. Pat was able to get one working, but not the other. I had called Costco earlier in the week and was told we could bring the hearing aids in for cleaning any time without an appointment, and that Dad didn't need to be there. But when Pat, Karen, and Fiona arrived at Costco, they were asked if they had an appointment, and told they couldn't have the hearing aids cleaned. I will try to have them cleaned next weekend.
Back at Dad's room, the hospice nurse arrived (not Dad's regular hospice nurse), and examined Dad. She couldn't find any broken bones on his hands or arms or bruises on his arm or shoulder or cuts or bruises on his knees, but did notice that his right shoulder was painful. She recommended just anti-inflammatory medication. Her records showed that Dad was only getting one dose of morphine, but the regular hospice nurse had told us he was getting a second dose. She didn't recommend him getting more since it would make him groggy.
Pat, Karen, and Fiona needed to leave, so they said goodbye to Dad.
Friday night (3/15) about 9 pm Pat had a call from Dad's assisted living center (El Cerrito Royale) that Dad had fallen. He was found on the floor on his hands and knees during a regular check (about every 2 hours). He had been put to bed earlier. Royale called the hospice nurse center, and a hospice nurse would be visiting Saturday morning. Pat, Karen, and Fiona planned to visit Dad around noon on Saturday and take Dad to lunch.
Pat and company arrived around 11:30 to find Dad having lunch sitting in his wheelchair, though Pat had called to say he was taking Dad to lunch. Dad was using his left hand to eat, and complained about his right shoulder hurting, so he must have fallen on his right shoulder. The hospice nurse hadn't arrived.
They asked him if he wanted to go out to lunch at the nearby Mexican restaurant, and Dad said why not. They told Royale they would be gone for about an hour. They asked Dad if he wanted the walker or wheelchair, and he said the wheelchair. But when they tried to get Dad from the wheelchair to the car, Dad couldn't get up and pull himself into the car. When Pat and Karen tried to help, Dad said his shoulder was hurting. They all agreed to walk to the restaurant with Dad in his wheelchair.
At the restaurant, Dad couldn't decide what to order so Pat ordered nachos for him. Before the nachos arrived, Dad said to Fiona, "You know, this is Japanese food." Pat was able to get Dad to eat a couple of bites of nachos, but Dad said that he just didn't have any appetite. Fiona told Dad about school and the family's upcoming trip to Japan. Dad didn't ask any questions. He couldn't hold a conversation though they all tried to talk with him.
When they got back to Dad's room, Dad asked Pat if this was his home. Pat said yes, this is where is staying. Dad said that was good to know, as though it was something he had been thinking about, and just remembered to ask. Pat asked Dad if he wanted to go to the house, and Dad said no.
Back at Dad's room, Pat fixed the TV which wasn't playing sound, and had frozen images. After more work, he was able to get subtitles working, so Dad could watch a movie while they took his hearing aids to Costco to be cleaned. Pat was able to get one working, but not the other. I had called Costco earlier in the week and was told we could bring the hearing aids in for cleaning any time without an appointment, and that Dad didn't need to be there. But when Pat, Karen, and Fiona arrived at Costco, they were asked if they had an appointment, and told they couldn't have the hearing aids cleaned. I will try to have them cleaned next weekend.
Back at Dad's room, the hospice nurse arrived (not Dad's regular hospice nurse), and examined Dad. She couldn't find any broken bones on his hands or arms or bruises on his arm or shoulder or cuts or bruises on his knees, but did notice that his right shoulder was painful. She recommended just anti-inflammatory medication. Her records showed that Dad was only getting one dose of morphine, but the regular hospice nurse had told us he was getting a second dose. She didn't recommend him getting more since it would make him groggy.
Pat, Karen, and Fiona needed to leave, so they said goodbye to Dad.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Howard Contact Info - Update!
Howard has moved to a nicer apartment at the El Royale. He now has a view of the hills instead of his former view of watching BART trains go by. ;) He is now in unit 333.
Howard Mackey
El Cerrito Royale
6510 Gladys Avenue #333
El Cerrito, CA 94530
510.233.4954.
The phone number for the Royale is 510.234.5200. elcerritoroyale.com
Howard Mackey
El Cerrito Royale
6510 Gladys Avenue #333
El Cerrito, CA 94530
510.233.4954.
The phone number for the Royale is 510.234.5200. elcerritoroyale.com
Monday, February 18, 2019
Howard Update 2/18
~~ post by Margaret ~~
Howard is doing a little better this week, and is currently not needing a wheelchair. He still is rapidly declining, which we can observe from one visit to the next.
Joseph and Carla Orlando came down this weekend to spend the day with Howard and with us. The came down from Seattle Saturday evening, and returned on Monday morning. They were able to spend a full day with us.
Kevin, Katie and I arrived at Howard's apartment around 11am, and Joseph and Carla arrived there around 11:30am. We had reservations at Assemble restaurant at Point Richmond for noon, and we met Pat, Karen and Fiona there at the restaurant. We had a fun, long, leisurely meal.
After lunch we went back to the house and just relaxed and had a nice visit. The weather was clear and cool, and we enjoyed the view of San Francisco, the bay, and the surrounding area. Howard was not engaged with the conversation and things going on, but would give his attention when requested.
Karen and Fiona had to leave mid afternoon to get Fiona to a practice. At around 5:30pm Pat, Joe, Carla and Howard went out to one of the family's favorite pizza places - Zachary's in Albany. After pizza they were going to take Howard back to his apartment at the El Royale. Kevin, Katie and I left for home.
Howard is becoming more frail, and he is not eating much these days. We have the staff at the El Royale checking in on him every two hours.
Later this week there will be more family visiting - Aileen will arrive on Thursday, and Bernadette will arrive on Friday, and I believe they are staying until Tuesday.
Howard is doing a little better this week, and is currently not needing a wheelchair. He still is rapidly declining, which we can observe from one visit to the next.
Joseph and Carla Orlando came down this weekend to spend the day with Howard and with us. The came down from Seattle Saturday evening, and returned on Monday morning. They were able to spend a full day with us.
Kevin, Katie and I arrived at Howard's apartment around 11am, and Joseph and Carla arrived there around 11:30am. We had reservations at Assemble restaurant at Point Richmond for noon, and we met Pat, Karen and Fiona there at the restaurant. We had a fun, long, leisurely meal.
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| Joseph, Kevin, Katie, Pat, Howard and Fiona |
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| Howard and the cousins |
After lunch we went back to the house and just relaxed and had a nice visit. The weather was clear and cool, and we enjoyed the view of San Francisco, the bay, and the surrounding area. Howard was not engaged with the conversation and things going on, but would give his attention when requested.
Karen and Fiona had to leave mid afternoon to get Fiona to a practice. At around 5:30pm Pat, Joe, Carla and Howard went out to one of the family's favorite pizza places - Zachary's in Albany. After pizza they were going to take Howard back to his apartment at the El Royale. Kevin, Katie and I left for home.
Howard is becoming more frail, and he is not eating much these days. We have the staff at the El Royale checking in on him every two hours.
Later this week there will be more family visiting - Aileen will arrive on Thursday, and Bernadette will arrive on Friday, and I believe they are staying until Tuesday.
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Howard Update 2/9
By Kevin
Dad had a couple of falls on Friday, but he is okay.
When the hospice nurse arrived around 8am, she knocked on Dad’s door and he asked her to come in. The door was locked, which she thought was unusual, and it seemed that Dad couldn’t unlock it, so she called to have the door unlocked. She found Dad on the floor in the middle of the room, with a cut on his right elbow, and carpet burns on both knees.
He said he spent half the night trying to stand up. It’s not clear if he fell out of bed, or if he fell while walking to or from the bathroom. He is supposed to be checked every 2 hours, so 2 hrs may have seemed like half the night to him. There is an alarm box near the bed, with a pull cord, but it wasn’t clear if he had tried to use it. The hospice nurse tried using the alarm box to get help, but nobody came, so she had to call the staff for help.
Dad was able to stand, but he couldn’t walk due to the carpet burns on his knees. She said he would get a wheelchair from Royale (which they charge for), and that she could provide one as part of his hospice care. I asked her if the low railings on his bed could be put up, in case he’s falling out of bed, and she asked the staff if they could do that.
When she left, Dad was eating breakfast, but was shaken up, which was to be expected.
The hospice nurse called both Pat and me and left messages describing the incident. The hospice nurse recommended that Dad get a pendant to signal for help. I called Dad and asked how he was. He said he was okay, but he sounded more horse than usual, and seemed out of breath. I told him that he would be getting a pendant to get help, and that the assisted living facility would look into whether or not he was getting 2 hour checks.
I called Royale and spoke with Kesha, one of the directors. She had just arrived, and was reading through the incident report. I asked that Dad get a pendant, and she said he would, and that they would investigate what had happened with his 2hr checks, and she would have maintenance check the alarm box.
At about 4pm, Royale called Pat to let him know that Dad fell again, but he was okay. Dad said his leg gave out coming from the bathroom. Royale said they would take him to dinner in a wheelchair.
I had driven to work, so I drove to see Dad, after waiting for the traffic to get better. It still took me 40 minutes to drive from Alameda to Royale, which usually takes 20 minutes. I had forgotten that visiting hours end at 8pm or I would have left sooner, even with the bad traffic.
I arrived just after 7, knocked on Dad’s door, then found it unlocked so opened it and said I was there. Dad was in the bathroom, and said he was glad I came by. I asked him if he needed any help and he didn’t answer. I said it sounded like he had a rough day. He asked if I knew that he fell a second time, and I said I did. There was a wheelchair near the room door.
He came out of the bathroom using his walker, and he was wearing the pendant. He was unsteady, and seemed more stooped over than usual. He said he wanted to get undressed and go to bed (he was wearing slacks and a shirt), but wasn’t sure how to do it. I suggested he use the walker to go to the bed, sit on the bed, then I could help him. I noticed the bandages on his right elbow. He sat on the bed, but then said he needed to go to the bathroom. I helped him to get up to use his walker to get to the bathroom.
After being in the bathroom a few minutes, the caregiver came to get him ready for bed. She told me that the people who eat with Dad told her that Dad isn’t eating much. He had told me that he doesn’t have much appetite. He has said the food is good, but isn’t as flavorful as he likes it, probably because they are giving him low-salt meals. She had Dad try using the pendant to test it, and it was working, though he had to press hard. She pointed out the red light that goes on, and then showed him how his room number appears (on her pager?).
The caregiver helped him get undressed while he was in the bathroom and put a robe on, and helped him as he used his walker to go to the bed and sit down. She had taken Dad’s hearing aids out, so I had to communicate with a phone app that turns my speech to text. He asked when he would see me again, and I told him that Pat would see him this weekend. We said goodbye and I left, then called Pat with an update.
I arrived just after 7, knocked on Dad’s door, then found it unlocked so opened it and said I was there. Dad was in the bathroom, and said he was glad I came by. I asked him if he needed any help and he didn’t answer. I said it sounded like he had a rough day. He asked if I knew that he fell a second time, and I said I did. There was a wheelchair near the room door.
He came out of the bathroom using his walker, and he was wearing the pendant. He was unsteady, and seemed more stooped over than usual. He said he wanted to get undressed and go to bed (he was wearing slacks and a shirt), but wasn’t sure how to do it. I suggested he use the walker to go to the bed, sit on the bed, then I could help him. I noticed the bandages on his right elbow. He sat on the bed, but then said he needed to go to the bathroom. I helped him to get up to use his walker to get to the bathroom.
After being in the bathroom a few minutes, the caregiver came to get him ready for bed. She told me that the people who eat with Dad told her that Dad isn’t eating much. He had told me that he doesn’t have much appetite. He has said the food is good, but isn’t as flavorful as he likes it, probably because they are giving him low-salt meals. She had Dad try using the pendant to test it, and it was working, though he had to press hard. She pointed out the red light that goes on, and then showed him how his room number appears (on her pager?).
The caregiver helped him get undressed while he was in the bathroom and put a robe on, and helped him as he used his walker to go to the bed and sit down. She had taken Dad’s hearing aids out, so I had to communicate with a phone app that turns my speech to text. He asked when he would see me again, and I told him that Pat would see him this weekend. We said goodbye and I left, then called Pat with an update.
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Howard Update 2/3
~~ post by Margaret ~~
Kevin, Katie and I went up to spend the day with Howard today. We arrived at his apartment at 11:30am, and he was up, cheery, clean shaven and looking in pretty good shape. His hearing was good as well, which we appreciated because it takes daily work to have his hearing aids cleaned and fresh batteries installed. Made me feel they are taking good care of him. His nurse said that he had gained some weight from her last visit. We think because he is getting regular meals provided he is eating better.
We took him out to lunch at one of his favorite places, Fatapples in El Cerrito. It was a pleasant place and very busy as this was right before the Super Bowl. We had a nice lunch then headed back to his apartment. We watched the pregame show in his unit, and then Pat arrived to watch the game with us. The Royale was having a game watching event, so we all went to that. It was in their "TV" room and during the event there were about 20 people attending. We all got free snacks and drinks. I looked over at Pat at one point and he was eating one of the soft pretzels and was making a face. I mouthed the words "no salt" to him, and he smiled an nodded. :)
The game was not too exciting, and into the 4th quarter the score was 3-3. Howard was getting tired, so we took him back to his room and Pat left to go home. We came back to watch the rest, and then went home.
All in all, he was doing well, in good spirits, and cognizent and coherent. He is now using his walker without being prompted, and therefore is much more steady.
On a humorous note, it was interesting watching a football game when half the room is asleep. In their defense, tho, it wasn't an exciting game until the end.
Kevin, Katie and I went up to spend the day with Howard today. We arrived at his apartment at 11:30am, and he was up, cheery, clean shaven and looking in pretty good shape. His hearing was good as well, which we appreciated because it takes daily work to have his hearing aids cleaned and fresh batteries installed. Made me feel they are taking good care of him. His nurse said that he had gained some weight from her last visit. We think because he is getting regular meals provided he is eating better.
We took him out to lunch at one of his favorite places, Fatapples in El Cerrito. It was a pleasant place and very busy as this was right before the Super Bowl. We had a nice lunch then headed back to his apartment. We watched the pregame show in his unit, and then Pat arrived to watch the game with us. The Royale was having a game watching event, so we all went to that. It was in their "TV" room and during the event there were about 20 people attending. We all got free snacks and drinks. I looked over at Pat at one point and he was eating one of the soft pretzels and was making a face. I mouthed the words "no salt" to him, and he smiled an nodded. :)
The game was not too exciting, and into the 4th quarter the score was 3-3. Howard was getting tired, so we took him back to his room and Pat left to go home. We came back to watch the rest, and then went home.
All in all, he was doing well, in good spirits, and cognizent and coherent. He is now using his walker without being prompted, and therefore is much more steady.
On a humorous note, it was interesting watching a football game when half the room is asleep. In their defense, tho, it wasn't an exciting game until the end.
Howard's Contact Info
Here's how to contact Howard:
Howard Mackey
El Cerrito Royale
6510 Gladys Avenue #353
El Cerrito, CA 94530
We have had his telephone transferred to his new apartment, so the number is the same as his house: 510.233.4954.
The phone number for the Royale is 510.234.5200. elcerritoroyale.com
We are expecting Howard to move to unit #333 after it has been renovated. We will post an update when he has moved.
Howard Mackey
El Cerrito Royale
6510 Gladys Avenue #353
El Cerrito, CA 94530
We have had his telephone transferred to his new apartment, so the number is the same as his house: 510.233.4954.
The phone number for the Royale is 510.234.5200. elcerritoroyale.com
We are expecting Howard to move to unit #333 after it has been renovated. We will post an update when he has moved.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Howard Update 1/16
by Kevin
Yesterday (Tuesday), Pat, Karen, and I moved things from the house to Dad's temporary room at El Cerrito Royale ("Royale") in the morning. Dad's 3rd floor room with a view of the hills, balcony, and close to the elevator, will be ready later this month after remodeling. Dad chose to have a hospital bed, so Kaiser delivered on Monday night.
We moved his dresser, and all the framed photos on top (Pat took a picture of them so we had them arranged the same way at Royale). We also moved his recliner, TV, side table, table for the TV, a folding table for reading or snacks (or breakfast of cereal), a dining room chair for the table, a chair to use on the balcony, etc. I'm glad Karen was with us since she remembered things like a table cloth, and a set of dishes and utensils.
Pat and I picked up Dad at Kaiser Richmond in the late morning, and drove him to Royale. Kaiser lost his shoes and medical alert pendant, so we're going to follow-up on that.
He was glad to leave Kaiser, but instead of wanting lunch, he decided to take a nap in his room after putting on a fresh set of clothes.
While he napped we went for lunch, Starbucks, and Pat bought a cable to connect his TV (when that didn't work, Pat bought a digital antenna for the TV, and set it up with several channels). Dad asked if there were any football games on, and we told him there weren't that day. Karen took his medication to the dispensary at Royale, so they will make sure he's getting his medication.
We haven't heard when the palliative care person from Kaiser will visit, but we hope that goes well.
Dad said he thought we did a great job setting up is room, and that he thinks he can hire us out!
Since it was about dinner time, Dad decided to go down to the dining room to have dinner. He was a little unsteady after getting up from his recliner, so I suggested he take his walker. On the way there, he saw several other people with walkers, so hopefully he won't feel strange using a walker, and will use it more. In the dining room he saw a friend from church, who was happy to see him. We left shortly after.
Yesterday (Tuesday), Pat, Karen, and I moved things from the house to Dad's temporary room at El Cerrito Royale ("Royale") in the morning. Dad's 3rd floor room with a view of the hills, balcony, and close to the elevator, will be ready later this month after remodeling. Dad chose to have a hospital bed, so Kaiser delivered on Monday night.
We moved his dresser, and all the framed photos on top (Pat took a picture of them so we had them arranged the same way at Royale). We also moved his recliner, TV, side table, table for the TV, a folding table for reading or snacks (or breakfast of cereal), a dining room chair for the table, a chair to use on the balcony, etc. I'm glad Karen was with us since she remembered things like a table cloth, and a set of dishes and utensils.
Pat and I picked up Dad at Kaiser Richmond in the late morning, and drove him to Royale. Kaiser lost his shoes and medical alert pendant, so we're going to follow-up on that.
He was glad to leave Kaiser, but instead of wanting lunch, he decided to take a nap in his room after putting on a fresh set of clothes.
While he napped we went for lunch, Starbucks, and Pat bought a cable to connect his TV (when that didn't work, Pat bought a digital antenna for the TV, and set it up with several channels). Dad asked if there were any football games on, and we told him there weren't that day. Karen took his medication to the dispensary at Royale, so they will make sure he's getting his medication.
We haven't heard when the palliative care person from Kaiser will visit, but we hope that goes well.
Dad said he thought we did a great job setting up is room, and that he thinks he can hire us out!
Since it was about dinner time, Dad decided to go down to the dining room to have dinner. He was a little unsteady after getting up from his recliner, so I suggested he take his walker. On the way there, he saw several other people with walkers, so hopefully he won't feel strange using a walker, and will use it more. In the dining room he saw a friend from church, who was happy to see him. We left shortly after.
Sunday, January 13, 2019
Howard Update 1/13
By Kevin
I took Dad to Kaiser emergency Thursday afternoon since he had mentioned back pain that started on Tuesday, but he hadn't gone to Kaiser. When he was asked at emergency why he was there, he said he had chest pain, which is not what he had described before. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
Due to the chest pain, he had a chest x-ray which showed a possible tumor in his lungs. Dad decided not to have any more tests or procedures. If it is a tumor, he has 6 months to a year. He may be able to leave the hospital on Monday, after learning about palliative care that Kaiser will provide. But since he will need someone around 24 hours a day, and we're still working on getting him into El Cerrito Royale, he may be discharged on Tuesday. He said he wanted to go to El Cerrito Royale, and we thought it would be a very good place for him. Pat and I will move his important furniture (bed, dresser, lounge chair, and TV) to a temporary room reserved for him before the staff will move him to a remodeled 3rd floor room not far from the elevator, and with a view of the El Cerrito hills.
Dad said he wanted a place that would cook meals for him, and that could take care of him if he fell. We are looking forward to Dad being at a place where he can get the care he needs, and at a place he likes. We will let you know his new phone number when we have it.
I took Dad to Kaiser emergency Thursday afternoon since he had mentioned back pain that started on Tuesday, but he hadn't gone to Kaiser. When he was asked at emergency why he was there, he said he had chest pain, which is not what he had described before. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
Due to the chest pain, he had a chest x-ray which showed a possible tumor in his lungs. Dad decided not to have any more tests or procedures. If it is a tumor, he has 6 months to a year. He may be able to leave the hospital on Monday, after learning about palliative care that Kaiser will provide. But since he will need someone around 24 hours a day, and we're still working on getting him into El Cerrito Royale, he may be discharged on Tuesday. He said he wanted to go to El Cerrito Royale, and we thought it would be a very good place for him. Pat and I will move his important furniture (bed, dresser, lounge chair, and TV) to a temporary room reserved for him before the staff will move him to a remodeled 3rd floor room not far from the elevator, and with a view of the El Cerrito hills.
Dad said he wanted a place that would cook meals for him, and that could take care of him if he fell. We are looking forward to Dad being at a place where he can get the care he needs, and at a place he likes. We will let you know his new phone number when we have it.
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