tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75799960578593573142024-03-14T05:25:02.057-07:00The Trouble with JesusNo not that Jesus; this is a blog about living with my father, Jesus (pronounced: heh-sus). The trouble with Jesus is that he has to live with Alzheimer's Disease; I have to live with Jesus, he's my pop and my new roommate.
This blog is about both the frustration and the happiness of living with a man on a daily basis in a sort of role-reversal of sorts. My name is Ricardo and I take care of my pop; what lays ahead - GOD only knows. So let the adventure begin...Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-74669394769062685682011-09-13T16:17:00.001-07:002011-09-13T16:17:29.575-07:00CHANGESTrying to face the changes. Dad is no longer my care, but is now in a nursing home. That is why posts have been few and far between. Nevertheless I will update with any changes in his condition.Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-18406017018130986612010-05-22T10:38:00.001-07:002010-05-22T10:38:14.535-07:00My Grandmother Turned 105 Yesterday!It was my grandmother's 105th birthday yesterday. She is as feisty as ever, very talkative and she still has a beer now and then. In fact, she gave up smoking when she turned 93. She still lives in her own home a leads a pretty normal life.<br />On the other hand my dad, Jesus, who is 82, led a very healthy lifestyle. Nevertheless, my father has Alzheimer's and my grandmother is sharper than ever. What gives?Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-10407789277228451352010-05-20T10:23:00.000-07:002010-05-20T10:23:06.828-07:00By the Time I Sneak Outta PhoenixNo Matter Your'e Poltics, this parody is very funny!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aMkX_-39BYE&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aMkX_-39BYE&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-24151757835746378532010-05-11T13:20:00.000-07:002010-05-11T13:23:38.850-07:00OMGMy Dad had a serious fall last night. I was so sound asleep, but I awoke to see him fall in the hallway that abutts my bedroom. He had just gone to the bathroom and slipped and fell. He has diapers but still insists on going to the bathroom. YIKES!!! it was a real nasty fall, but no damage (thank GOD). Anyway, the bed rails are due to arrive today and that will control (hopefully) his late night romps.Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-23499384138926944442010-05-09T09:25:00.000-07:002010-05-09T09:25:02.203-07:00"Q&A" from StoryCorps<object style="background-image:url(http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/eO7sKVKMO2s/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eO7sKVKMO2s&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eO7sKVKMO2s&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-22712602196574242632010-05-09T09:12:00.001-07:002010-05-09T09:12:10.549-07:00Petitions<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.petitionspot.com/fwidget.js?petition=faroeislands&width=280&height=250"></script><noscript>Please sign the petition STOP DOLPHINS SLAUGHTER IN FAROE ISLANDS by clicking <a href="http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/faroeislands">here</a> - <a href="http://www.petitionspot.com/">Start a Petition</a> or <a href="http://www.petitionspot.com/">online petition</a></noscript>Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-76747232943032825762010-05-07T10:38:00.000-07:002010-05-07T10:38:46.260-07:00'NiLP FYI: Increasing Language Diversity in the United States'<a href="http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs057/1101040629095/archive/1103372343521.html">'NiLP FYI: Increasing Language Diversity in the United States'</a>Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-48511080251963003832010-04-28T13:59:00.001-07:002010-04-28T13:59:33.361-07:00Apparently - GOD has a Sense of HumorTaking care of my father has become quite a formidable task. Every day has new challenges as his Alzheimer’s continues to advance. It will now be three years in May since I started to take care of him. In the beginning he was still able to walk by himself and tend to his garden among other things. Unfortunately, I have seen first-hand both his mental and physical decline. Mentally, he appears to be in a constant state of confusion, not knowing the difference between a spoon or fork, his bedroom and the bathroom and whether I am his son or brother or, at times, his father (he has referred to me as all those names). Physically, his ability to walk has degenerated to the point that he needs a cane, moreover, he will probably need a wheelchair soon, very soon.<br /><br />Surprisingly he has some wonderful moments of lucidity where he appears to be pretty normal. Unfortunately those moments appear when we have guests who thereby think that I am crazy for claiming that my father is ill. Of course those visits are generally brief so that our guests may go away with mistaken impressions. On the other hand I am with my father 24-7; and his behavior varies hour from hour.<br /><br />Like the time I heard a splashing sound at about three in the morning when apparently my father thought the hallway was the bathroom and he proceeded to urinate in a planter (the plant though bewildered survived that encounter). Or the time my father decided to hide in a closet while I went crazy trying to find him. Or my father’s daily extensive conversations on politics and society… with our parrot (named Henry). I am expecting Henry to answer him back any day now.<br /><br />In the last couple of weeks a new pattern of sleeplessness had emerged in my father; consequently leading to a constant pattern of sleeplessness in yours truly. I contacted my father’s doctor who then prescribed some very strong sleeping pills. Well now he sleeps so deeply that he actually begins singing very loud at about three in the morning sound asleep. Actually, I’ve gotten rather used to his early morning serenades.<br /><br />Speaking of doctors, It has become quite apparent that their attitude (when dealing with seniors) is somewhat patronizing. It is as though they would rather deal with younger patients. Almost as if they do not really care. I mean my father’s health program does not even have a geriatric’s department. Everything is geared to the younger components of our society; even medical care. <br /><br />Suffice to say that GOD has placed me in my current situation and I gladly (though at times quite tiredly) accept this challenge. I have lost many job opportunities, I have lost some supposed friends, but I have gained so much more than I have lost. My perspective on taking care of my father is that I am exactly where I am supposed to be; doing the right thing for the right reasons. Moreover, if I have contributed in making my father’s life a bit more comfortable because of his situation, then in turn his situation has enriched me in a way that I would never have imagined. I would never trade my current situation for any other “job” or circumstance. <br /><br />At the end of the day the pure good spirit that was my dad still emerges from time to time; and he let’s me know that he appreciates my efforts. That is reward enough. Though I still can’t get used to changing his diapers; oh well no one is perfect I imagine.<br />Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-25521263074629563142010-02-04T11:56:00.001-08:002010-02-04T11:56:15.439-08:00A Little Boy's Explanation of GODTHIS IS FABULOUS!!!<br /><br />It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista , CA . He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to 'explain God.' I wonder if any of us could have done as well? <br />[ ... And he had such an assignment, in California , and someone published it, <br />I guess miracles do happen ! ... ]<br /><br />EXPLANATION OF GOD:<br />'One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.'<br /><br />'God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.'<br /><br />'God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.'<br /><br />'Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista . At least there aren't any who come to our church.'<br /><br />'Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.'<br /><br />'His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.'<br /><br />'You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.'<br /><br />'You should always go to church on Sabbath because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!<br /><br />Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.'<br /><br />'If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.'<br /><br />'But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure <br />God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.<br /><br />And...that's why I believe in God.'Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-22661805724133365132010-01-02T13:14:00.001-08:002010-01-02T13:14:17.060-08:0012 Cascabeles Llevan Mis CaballosDance to this; my DAD does: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADTcQUeBTDY&feature=related Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-58129310104194773822010-01-01T15:31:00.001-08:002010-01-01T15:31:14.752-08:00Happy New Year To All!May all your dreams come true; and you all be blessed with a solid income, good health and much love. GOD bless you all now and always. Happy 2010!Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-86476890252408661072009-11-22T06:46:00.001-08:002009-11-22T06:46:43.173-08:00Love Thy EnemiesMatthew 5:38-48, 6:1-4<br />38) " You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39) But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40) and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; 41) and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42) Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you. 43) You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45) so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46) For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47) And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48) You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 6:1) Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2) Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3) But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4) so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-87525980697146597912009-11-08T07:41:00.001-08:002009-11-08T07:41:05.440-08:00The Way to GoLife's journey is not to <br />arrive at the grave safely <br />in a well preserved body, <br />but rather to skid in sideways, <br />totally worn out, shouting <br />'...holy shit ...what a ride!'<br /><br />George CarlinRicardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-22868668895800722372009-10-28T10:22:00.001-07:002009-10-28T10:22:23.504-07:00A Passage from the BibleBlessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4) Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5) Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7) Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 8) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11) Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you."Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-59845119975829987902009-10-07T16:45:00.001-07:002009-10-07T16:45:03.184-07:00Hay CarambaDad took out the dirty dishes from the dishwasher and put them away with the clean ones. Turn your back for one minute... Oh well, he mean't well, now we have to wash ALL the dishes.Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-46116300719854468142009-10-01T11:14:00.000-07:002009-10-01T11:15:14.401-07:00A Thought from the other Jesus:4) And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house."Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-21575346696526361042009-09-30T16:49:00.001-07:002009-09-30T16:49:15.006-07:00<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI1NDM1NDQ2ODM5OSZwdD*xMjU*MzU*NTM5NzUxJnA9NzQ4ODEmZD*mbj1ibG9nZ2VyJmc9MSZvPTA3MjQxYzczZTU5ZDRiOWViYzgxZWU*YWE2YzgxOTFlJm9mPTA=.gif" /><div style="background-color:#e9e9e9; width: 425px;"><object id="A874994" quality="high" data="http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=yJIRwJMZAPjjwGxx&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=JibJab" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="340" width="425"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="movie" value="http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=yJIRwJMZAPjjwGxx&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=JibJab"></param><param name="scaleMode" value="showAll"></param><param name="quality" value="high"></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="FlashVars" value="external_make_id=yJIRwJMZAPjjwGxx&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=JibJab"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param></object><div style="text-align:center; width:435px; margin-top:6px;">Try JibJab Sendables® <a href="sendables.jibjab.com/ecards">eCards</a> today!</div></div>Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-26232222344020678252009-09-30T14:45:00.001-07:002009-09-30T14:45:42.238-07:00C. S Lewis Quote"It now seemed that...the deepest thirst within him was not adapted to the deepest nature of the world."Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-52001258363124534482009-09-30T14:43:00.001-07:002009-09-30T14:43:57.410-07:00George Carlin's Views on AgingDo you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions. <br /><br />'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key. <br /><br />You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead. <br /><br />'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life! You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony.YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!! <br /><br />But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling.. What's wrong? What's changed? <br /><br />You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH <br />50 and your dreams are gone...<br /><br />But! wait!! ! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would! <br /><br />So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and make it to 60.<br /><br />You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday! <br /><br />You get into ! your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'<br /><br />Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!' <br />May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!! <br /><br />HOW TO STAY YOUNG <br />1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them. <br /><br />2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.<br /><br />3.Keep learning. ! Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever, even ham radio. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's family name is Alzheimer's. <br /><br />4. Enjoy the simple things. <br /><br />5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.<br /><br />6... The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive. <br /><br />7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.<br /><br />8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. <br /><br />9. Don't take guilt trips.. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.<br /><br />10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. <br />AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:<br />Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-7137558073070396682009-09-11T10:21:00.001-07:002009-09-11T10:21:46.303-07:00Very InterestingIn the past week or two, my father has started following me throughout the house. He used to sit in the patio after a bit of gardening -but now he follows me (without saying anything), he sits in a nearby chair to my office, the kitchen, the living room, etc. Yesterday I gave him a coloring book to distract him, but he just picked up the book and followed me into the next room and continued coloring. I hope that it is just a phase. We will soon see. The trouble is that most of his past hobbies do NOT interest him. He has stopped playing dominoes,TV is not for him (except at night). He does enjoy his daily walks, yet he can't walk the dog anymore and he can't walk alone since last year when he kept walking and almost got lost. He does enjoy his pet birds or should I say bird, since the female parrot flew away this past Saturday. I need to get a replacement bird.Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-49689257298897153462009-09-02T12:17:00.001-07:002009-09-02T12:17:56.584-07:00Toilet TroublesOur main bathroom's toilets got really plugged up last week, so I went to work at fixing it. It took me a few hours - but I was able to dislodge whatever had plugged it up. So I was really surprised yesterday when again, it was plugged up. <br />"Dad, what have you been dumping in the toilet?", I asked - and immediately he responded, "Why, nothing, it must be someone else." - he replied.<br />But, my Dad also added: "Unless you mean the trash from the trash can in the bathroom." -<br />Needless to say, after sending a drill pipe down into the deepest part of our primary toilet and fishing out a sock - among other, needless to mention items, once again our toilet was functioning properly.<br />Such is the world of a caretaker in the terrible world of Alzheimer's. I would cry, but I prefer to laugh.Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-33713015710610738192009-08-15T17:48:00.000-07:002009-08-15T18:25:29.776-07:00Kindergarten for DadAfter almost two weeks, I am almost finished with the re-painting of Dad's room and a second room (which was mine when I was a teenager). In its most recent incarnation it was used as a guest room that looked straight out of the 1970's.<br /><br />My thought after the painting and clearing out of accumulated "stuff" was that I was going to use the second room as either a newer, finer looking guest room or as a small family room (but come on, it is just pop (Jesus) and me (for the most part). So last night (3AM to be exact), I had what can only be defined as a DIVINE INTERVENTION! Why not face this debilitating disease HEAD-ON, yes folks, why not convert the extra bedroom into what will amount as a one-room classroom for Dad, a kindergarten for a senior citizen! I mean actually set it up as a modern classroom.<br />Homeschooling for seniors!<br /><br />Why not? The medications that his doctors have been prescribing to him (within what can only be described as an assembly line attitude) have apparently not been working as well as anticipated.<br /><br />Add to that, that we receive no additional support from our local, state or federal governments; even though my father is a veteran of the Korean War. Most recently, our California governor, stopped most assistance to California seniors. I mean, the paperwork, the red-tape puts me in a mindset that outside of placing him in a nursing home (no way!)I have no other options but to take things into my own hands and be more proactive in fighting the onslaught of this terrible disease HEAD-ON.<br /><br />My father is in the fickle position that his retirement pension is too high to qualify for any minor assistance programs, but really too low to solicit other options. Adult day care is beyond our capabilities; moreover, even the medical insurance companies do not see us as a family unit (as a household - go figure), because I am the son living with his father, therefore they would charge us two fees as if we were two families living under on roof. <br /><br />For as much as we pride ourselves about our country, after living this experience first-hand, I say that we do not care about our seniors the way most civilized nations tend to.<br /><br />Therefore, hopefully I shall be finished with my little home-schooling project later this week, and I am going to read my dad more children's' stories, the alphabet, play games with him that remind him of his name, of family members, remind him of the day of the week (or the current year for that matter), but I do not intend to give up on my father - until I have tried everything humanly possible.<br /><br />He deserves that in the very least.Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-19752501701550494362009-08-13T11:46:00.000-07:002009-08-13T11:49:20.842-07:00A Brief Note to MY DaughterRoxana:<br /><br />Thank you for your words and congratulations on being so busy with essentially fun stuff and activities. This has been a tough week for Tito and me, as we essentially said goodbye to my Uncle Tony (Tia Bertha's husband). The service was this past Monday at the Catholic Church in Bonita. My first job was as a dishwasher at his Casa Don Diego Restaurant when I was only 16. He was a very great guy, he knew your Tito and Tita when they were teenagers. Anyway,I just got dropped off by a tow-truck since my pickup blew it's rear tire (and the tire was relatively new). So I panicked because I never leave Tito alone for more than a few minutes, but I dropped off a friend at the border this morning (after lending him my truck) - I was in shorts, had not yet shaved or bathed it was supposed to be a quick drop off - I ended up borrowing a Border Patrol officers's cell phone to call the tow company and my aunt Elsa to check on my dad. All turned out okay, but I was soooooo desperate about my Pop being alone for that brief moment. Somehow I felt like I messed up. I should NEVER leave my dad alone. NEVER! Anyway, more to tell ya, but I will save it for that next SPECIAL day that I get to see you and Jessica.<br /><br />Love,<br /><br />Dad<br /><br />P.S. "Tito" and "Tita" are terms of endearment for "Grandfather" and "Grandmother" ---- respectively.Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-496770315009357662009-08-01T17:16:00.000-07:002009-08-01T17:31:29.655-07:00The Balancing ActMy Pop and I just got back from the Home Depot. This particular store was my father's regular hang-out; what with having been a carpenter in the past, he loved to go there and check out the new merchandise. Unfortunately, today I had my share of surprises when my Dad almost fell down twice in the store. He walks with a cane, but he is having increased difficulty in maintaining his balance. His doctor told me that this was to be expected, as a lack of depth perception is another symptom of Alzheimer's Disease, in addition to the very expected memory loss.<br />Outside of putting him in a wheelchair, which I would like to delay for as long as possible, I do not really know what to do. <br />I am curious as to what percentage of Dementia and Alzheimer's patients develop serious problems in keeping their balance, when walking from point A - to point B. I have not heard of too many complaints regarding this (balance) issue, so I am very dismayed that my father is having such a hard time (just in walking). <br />I took him to Denny's for a late lunch afterwards, and I had to fish out a conversation, as he sat there nibbling on his sandwich; apparently, lost in thought in a word faraway from my world. His symptoms are getting worse. Moreover, I am getting tired and anxious at the same time. I miss not having my Dad with me like in the old days. The man I have living with me is, unfortunately, a shadow of the man I knew before.<br />Sometimes, I ask myself if I am doing worse in taking care of him in his own home, rather than placing him in a nursing home. But, I think that action would contribute to a worsening (even more) of his condition.<br />Sometimes, I just do NOT have the answers. I wonder if this is normal?Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579996057859357314.post-2388503130758804882009-07-21T11:12:00.000-07:002009-07-21T11:19:26.091-07:00Please Go FIGURE!Today I received an e-mail from one of my friends (who happens to be a doctor in Spain); where he highlighted some very interesting worldwide facts on the global use of medicine:<br /><br /><em>'En el mundo actual, se está invirtiendo cinco veces más en medicamentos para la virilidad masculina y silicona para mujeres, que en la cura del Alzheimer. De aquí a algunos años, tendremos viejas de tetas grandes y viejos con pene duro, pero ninguno de ellos se acordará para que sirven'.</em><br /><br />TRANSLATION:<br /><em>'In today's world, there is an investment of five times greater funding in medicines that are for erectile dysfunction and breast augmentation than in searching for the cure for Alzheimer's Disease. Therefore, in a few years we shall have older women with large sexy breasts and older guys with hard penuses and neither of them shall remember what these elements are good for...'</em><br /><br />Go FIGURE!!!Ricardo Gomez-Rojihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946926885240972040noreply@blogger.com0