My Family

[Sundae]

The two Johns came today. For one of the John's 70th birthday last weekend.
Then and now.

[Sundae]

I've been so worried about Daddy's weight loss.
Then I looked at John-on-the-right and he is like pipe-cleaner man. Tiny little arms and legs. So I'm relieved on that front at least.

Some pics from the faux-bbq today.

Tiny, tiny little grill (to be sung to the tune of twinkle, twinkle little star)
But it was only for seven of us, and none of the men eat much. Intended to be more of a snack than a proper dinner.

Dads being grill-master.

[Sundae]

Mum taking charge.
I offered and offered and did end up "manning" the grill, so now I smell of beef fat. Lick me.

And the two Johns.
John closest is hard of hearing but not 70 until November. Because he won't wear hearing aids he feels like the oldest!
John with glasses was the birthday boy last week. He is canny, sarcastic and has a super-smart wife. I'd love to spar with him properly (verbally) but I'd also like a decent one-on-one chat with Mrs John.

[Sundae]

John pontificating.
Mrs John with her magic "this will make John behave" device. Also known as a camera.

[Sundae]

Dads and John. And the terracotta planter I bought Mum a few years back, which Dad & I absolutely love and he has planted with fuschia this year. Mum doesn't hate it, I just don't think she holds it in the same regard we do.

And the desserts.
As I say, not supposed to be a full meal. So only two desserts.
And 70th birthday John got to take home the cake. I did suggest Mrs John made cake-pops if she didn't think it would be eaten. Stopped short of bringing out recipes and diagrams and photos.

[Sundae]

And finally...
70th birthday John bought Mum some flowers and a bottle of wine for all the trouble she's gone to.

Sweet.

[Sundae]

The boys in the caravan on their hols.

[BigV]

babies are so cute

[limey]

Crikey they're almost grown-up!
(And I have a weakness for those embroidered tablecloths in the pic above, too!)

[Sundae]

So. Dad is in hospital. It was a scheduled visit, although it was arranged very quickly.
They went for an appointment at the John Radcliffe (Oxford) and the Consultant said she wanted Dad in for moitoring "as soon as a bed was ready".

Five days later, one was.
He's supposed to be in for four days, but today is the fourth day and no news of a discharge yet.
We understood that he would be on a steroid drip, and that was why they wanted to observe him. But it seems they are more interested in the electrodes (?) attached to his head rather than the drip, because they are on 24/7 whereas the drip is only intermittent.

Also the left hand doesn't know what the right is doing because he was sent down for some sort of procedure and the Doctor there was appalled that he'd been sent to her; she said she couldn't possibly do anything while he was still hooked up to all the wires. This is all a little vague as poor old Dad is a little vague, and then it's filtered through Mum before it gets to me.

Non-beardy John from the photos above is coming to us today, with Mrs John.
We're giving them lunch, then they're taking Mum to the hospital. Given that they live in Dorset, this is very, very good of them.
Offered without any prompting - Mum regards a round trip from Aylesbury to Oxford as a serious undertaking, let alone adding on the extra miles to and from Dorchester.

I was going to go to see him with her today (on the bus) but I think I'll stay at home again.
I do miss him of course, and would like to see him, but you're only really supposed to have two people visit at once, and although I'm sure they'll wink at three, they probably wouldn't ignore four. Also, it'll be a big treat for him to see John & Linn. If he is in another day (highly likely) it would surely be better for me to go then. Mum is the ice-cream, John will be the whipped cream and Linn the sauce. Just adding a cherry won't make much difference to the sundae today.

[Sundae]

He's on a four bed ward, but as you can see it's not like in the Carry On Doctor days. There is plenty of space and you can draw the curtains for privacy. Not as nice as the room I had at Addenbrooke's, but I did luck out there.

[Sundae]

And a photo of the twins, because life is about being growing as well as growing old.
Their first birthday on 9 July.

[Chocolatl]

The twins are ADORABLE! What exactly are they monitoring your Dad for? Hope everything goes as smoothly as possible -- best wishes to you all.

[Sundae]

He's had multiple diagnosis which are all now being questioned.
Dementia, epilepsy, auto-immune disorder, physical brain damage from a past injury. All are welcome (said in a creepy Tangina voice)

They're hoping to get some answers is all.
Thanks for the wishes x

[glatt]

I'm sorry your dad's in the hospital Sundae. I hope they figure it all out soon.