Richard visited Nelson on Tuesday and Nelson told me how good it had been to see him.
On Thursday I took Nelson to the speech pathologist to finally complete the assessment started a couple of months ago. He did well enough that he will be starting a trial of fortnightly speech therapy sessions. It will be interesting to see what improvement that brings.
Today was polling day for the federal election and Nelson insisted on voting. He could have been exempted on medical grounds, but was insistent. He actually got the nurse at the home to phone me so he could ask me when I was coming to get him, "to do that home thing" (vote). Good on him!
When we got to the polling booth he had no idea at all on what to do, so the official handing out the papers and I explained it between us. I think Nelson thought it was all a bit of a strange process.
When I got Nelson back to the home Brenda and Rhonda were waiting for him there, and they had a lovely time out on the balcony with him.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Visit home
I brought Nelson home for a visit today. He said he needed a new book to read and I assured him he'd find one at home. When he looked through the book shelves he was amazed, and asked me why all these books were here. I told them they were his, and when he looked puzzled I realised that he couldn't remember living here.
After I explained it all, he then remembered on his own that he had also lived here before going to Switzerland.
He then wondered around the main room looking at things, recognising his own computer. He found a lovely backpack in the corner and picked it up, saying, "That's nice!" Naturally it was his. He opened it and was fascinated to find all his work things in there. He had to ask me what the papers were and didn't recognise the name of a company he'd done work for. He then found a folder with information in it, including a list of professional skills. He read down the list exclaiming at how brilliant this person sounded and eventually worked out they happened to have the same name as him. I then told him it was a list of his own skills that he'd written about himself. "Really?! Do I really do all these things? Wow!! Really?"
He danced to some of his favourite music loud on the stereo.
Brenda and Elaine arrived to visit and cooked gluten free pasta for lunch which Nelson ate with gusto.
After I explained it all, he then remembered on his own that he had also lived here before going to Switzerland.
He then wondered around the main room looking at things, recognising his own computer. He found a lovely backpack in the corner and picked it up, saying, "That's nice!" Naturally it was his. He opened it and was fascinated to find all his work things in there. He had to ask me what the papers were and didn't recognise the name of a company he'd done work for. He then found a folder with information in it, including a list of professional skills. He read down the list exclaiming at how brilliant this person sounded and eventually worked out they happened to have the same name as him. I then told him it was a list of his own skills that he'd written about himself. "Really?! Do I really do all these things? Wow!! Really?"
He danced to some of his favourite music loud on the stereo.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Lunch with twins to be
Today we had yum cha with James, Russell and Callista. Nelson hadn't seen Callista for several years and was just delighted to find she is pregnant with twins - "one of each".
We had a wonderful chat and Nelson lasted longer in the increasing noise than anyone thought he might.
Of course he very much enjoyed the food too! He and Callista took great delight in sharing chickens' feet.
James was nice enough to bring a proper camera along and take this shot.
We had a wonderful chat and Nelson lasted longer in the increasing noise than anyone thought he might.
Of course he very much enjoyed the food too! He and Callista took great delight in sharing chickens' feet.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Sunday roast
Nelson visited Isobelle and the children at their house for the first time.Given a choice of food for lunch, Isobelle says "he opted for Australian Baked dinner so that's what we had! We all sat round in the short thunder storm and Nel ate a large lunch."
He told me the next day that he'd had good chats with all the children and really enjoyed his time with them.
He told me the next day that he'd had good chats with all the children and really enjoyed his time with them.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Zen and the art of seeing
Today was another visit to the eye specialist. While we were in the waiting room, Nelson found a book in the pile of reading material - "Way of Zen". He picked it up and turned it over and over in his hands, looking at it in amazement.
"This is just an incredible book", he said. He wondered whether he'd read it in the past, or at least had it in his collection of books. "What's this doing here? They don't know what it is - it's never been read - just look at it - remarkable!" He asked me to note the details of it and said he'd like to get a copy and read it.
When we went in to see the doctor, Nelson said how remarkable he thought the book was and that it was too interesting a book to have in the waiting room. He was obviously so interested in it, that the doctor said he'd better have a look at it. He came back in after a couple of minutes with the book, lending it to Nelson to read. How lovely!
And Nelson's eyesight is pretty good - not requiring any treatment. It only took Nelson 2 weeks to get through the whole book!
"This is just an incredible book", he said. He wondered whether he'd read it in the past, or at least had it in his collection of books. "What's this doing here? They don't know what it is - it's never been read - just look at it - remarkable!" He asked me to note the details of it and said he'd like to get a copy and read it.
When we went in to see the doctor, Nelson said how remarkable he thought the book was and that it was too interesting a book to have in the waiting room. He was obviously so interested in it, that the doctor said he'd better have a look at it. He came back in after a couple of minutes with the book, lending it to Nelson to read. How lovely!
And Nelson's eyesight is pretty good - not requiring any treatment. It only took Nelson 2 weeks to get through the whole book!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Chinese Sunday
Today Darius and I met Kuen with Nelson. Brenda and Rhonda also turned up, so we all walked to the park. Nelson can cover this distance easily now!
I didn't take any pictures of everyone in the park ... Kuen was amazed at how much improved Nelson is now, compared with his visits in March!
For the first time, Nelson felt happy to walk alongside Darius happily walking on top of one of the garden walls. In the past he has been afraid that he would be unable to catch Darius if he missed his footing, and even almost afraid to watch me guiding him.
I didn't take any pictures of everyone in the park ... Kuen was amazed at how much improved Nelson is now, compared with his visits in March!
For the first time, Nelson felt happy to walk alongside Darius happily walking on top of one of the garden walls. In the past he has been afraid that he would be unable to catch Darius if he missed his footing, and even almost afraid to watch me guiding him.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Happy 18th!!
Avalon turned 18 yesterday - woohoo!
A lovely party was held at MaryAnne and Peter's lovely house to celebrate that, as well as the July birthdays of Lyndon and Marlon, who turned 16.
And of course a cake for Avalon. She gave a short speech thanking all those she'd invited for helping her in her life so far.
Nelson made a show of pouring Avalon a glass of wine and even had his first little taste of champagne since he's been ill.
And a good time was had by all.
A lovely party was held at MaryAnne and Peter's lovely house to celebrate that, as well as the July birthdays of Lyndon and Marlon, who turned 16.
The party started at 4pm and Nelson managed to stay until after 6 before he felt he really had to go home. He coped surprisingly well with the number of people and the general party noise - he obviously made a big effort. Early in the evening he told MaryAnne he couldn't hear what anyone was saying and thought it a great joke and seemed quite surprised and relieved when she confided that actually nobody can hear what's being said unless they get quite close to the person they are talking to in that environment.
There was a lovely cake for the boys.
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| Peter spent some lovely time with Darius. |
And a good time was had by all.
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| Nelson and MaryAnne |
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| Yummy food to eat! |
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| Darius presented MaryAnne's big bear with flower candles and gave him cuddles |
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| Nelson and Jacqui, showing off her new engagement ring - CONGRATULATIONS Jac and Garry! |
Friday, August 6, 2010
Shopping day
Today Nelson and I went shopping together to get birthday gifts for the children. We had a lovely time wondering around Balmain. It was really great to just spend some relaxed time together doing something useful and fun.
We stopped to get something to eat - my lunch and Nelson's second lunch. As usual, Nelson enjoyed the pappadums!
Today I also phoned Saeed to thank him for the lovely book he gave to Nelson last Saturday. Nelson has finished reading the whole thing already! Interestingly, Saeed told me that Nelson had suggested he have a look at this blog. He has only seen it a couple of times. Clearly things are sharpening up !!
We stopped to get something to eat - my lunch and Nelson's second lunch. As usual, Nelson enjoyed the pappadums!
Today I also phoned Saeed to thank him for the lovely book he gave to Nelson last Saturday. Nelson has finished reading the whole thing already! Interestingly, Saeed told me that Nelson had suggested he have a look at this blog. He has only seen it a couple of times. Clearly things are sharpening up !!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Cheesy lunch
On Monday Nelson and I had a lovely Chinese meal with John "the Cheeseman". Nelson got quite agitated when it took more than a few minutes to get served - 12 o'clock is lunchtime! Once we'd ordered he was fine again.
He enjoyed the food and was delighted to have left-overs which he organised into takeaway containers himself, some for himself and then a bit for Darius.
I noticed Nelson had some lovely flowers and had started to read a novel brought to him by his friend Saeed - thank you. When I visited again today he was actually quite a way through the book and said he was really enjoying it, although he said it was a bit of a strain to read. I expect it is quite a good exercise for the language part of his brain!
Today Nelson's brother Robert visited and we were both surprised when Nelson started a conversation with him on a subject that we hadn't spoken about for several weeks. His memory has obviously improved!
Together we walked all the way from the home to the park. Darius had a climb around in the playground and we all walked back. The distance was a stretch for Nelson, but he made it without too much difficulty and only a few complaints. Although we've driven to the park a few times, it was the first time Nelson has walked there so I was surprised to find he was directing us on which way to get back.
This afternoon Brenda and Rhonda visited and Elaine also dropped in. Nelson enjoyed the sunshine on the front balcony with them.
He enjoyed the food and was delighted to have left-overs which he organised into takeaway containers himself, some for himself and then a bit for Darius.
I noticed Nelson had some lovely flowers and had started to read a novel brought to him by his friend Saeed - thank you. When I visited again today he was actually quite a way through the book and said he was really enjoying it, although he said it was a bit of a strain to read. I expect it is quite a good exercise for the language part of his brain!
Today Nelson's brother Robert visited and we were both surprised when Nelson started a conversation with him on a subject that we hadn't spoken about for several weeks. His memory has obviously improved!
Together we walked all the way from the home to the park. Darius had a climb around in the playground and we all walked back. The distance was a stretch for Nelson, but he made it without too much difficulty and only a few complaints. Although we've driven to the park a few times, it was the first time Nelson has walked there so I was surprised to find he was directing us on which way to get back.
This afternoon Brenda and Rhonda visited and Elaine also dropped in. Nelson enjoyed the sunshine on the front balcony with them.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Fabulous lunch
Today Nelson was treated to a lovely lunch at friends Mary Anne and Peter, with the children and Isobelle.
When he related it to me the next day he said how wonderful Peter's cooking had been, "and I tasted it and I thought gee, this is a shop one but then I realised he'd cooked it and it was just wonderful; astounding!".
Nelson said what a lovely time he'd had and I'm told he was in very good form, participating in conversations the whole time he was there.
Isobelle told me that he was able to talk to her about his reflecting on his life during the times that he's resting at the home.
When he related it to me the next day he said how wonderful Peter's cooking had been, "and I tasted it and I thought gee, this is a shop one but then I realised he'd cooked it and it was just wonderful; astounding!".
Nelson said what a lovely time he'd had and I'm told he was in very good form, participating in conversations the whole time he was there.
Isobelle told me that he was able to talk to her about his reflecting on his life during the times that he's resting at the home.
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