Dream or reality?

Last night Tim dreamed that he was driving somewhere and his dad was riding along in the passenger seat talking and moving his arms.

Sometimes the bizarreness of the last 9 1/2 weeks (Can you believe it has been that long?!) feels like an awful dream that we just can't wake up from. This feels like an altered universe with time that moves slower and interactions that are scattershot. Even Dad has admitted that he is disoriented at times and struggling with hallucinations. Hallucinations during hospital stays are pretty normal - time is altered, sleep is upside down, medications make you groggy, and specifically in Dad's case - sensation input is minimal. He has been relying on his sense of hearing primarily with few schedules (seasonal, weekly, daily), different tastes or smells, or changing visual clues to orient him. Having visitors and Mom nearby to talk to him about things that are real keeps him tethered to reality. We all need that - I was sleepwalking last night and needed Tim to reorient me to where I was.

I plan on spending the afternoon rereading the CaringBridge page that Bob Pinney's nurse daughter, Stacey, kept for him while he was hospitalized with GBS. I want to write down the timeline of events that Bob and Sue encountered on his way to health. So much of Bob's story is similar so far that it will be nice to have a roadmap of sorts. I specifically remember the story of how Bob was acting strange and agitated and told them to "take the money." Weeks later he was able to tell them about a hallucination he had where he thought they were all in the middle of a bank robbery and he was trying to protect his family. We are so thrilled that Bob and Sue will be up from South Carolina visiting her daughter in Lebanon, OH, this weekend and are making time in their trip to visit with Mom and Dad. Having the hope of Dad traveling again one day is bringing lots of strength to his present situation.

Dad was able to try the sling chair yesterday, and lasted for 1/2 hour. I believe he got a chance to see out the window, providing a few more clues to his present circumstances - it is green and spring outside, he is inside a building on the third floor, etc.

Mom told me that when Dad asked about his phone and Becky gave it to him to hold, he was very adamant that it was not his phone. He kept insisting and telling them that his phone was light blue. I told Tim that story and he said, "His is! They only had blue iPhone 5c's when he upgraded!" Tim told Mom and she had already realized that and told Dad he was right. She took the cover off and showed him his blue phone inside that black case. Some things you just know, like your personal phone. ;)