Mike's Typical Day

Since moving to Blanding, Mike has provide the majority of care for his parents. I have been so impressed with him. He is such a kind and gentle man and that carries over to the care of his parents. Here's his typical day - no pictures - just a timeline.

7:30ish - Wake up, read scriptures, gets ready for the day and turn the heat up to 80 degrees for his parents (luckily we have the swamp cooler going on our side and the heat vents covered) and waits for the first "GONG" of the day. (The 'gong' is a battery operated doorbell that we bought shortly after moving here. Whenever his dad or mom need anything, they ring the doorbell and we can hear it on our side of the house. It is a much better way to notify us that they are in need.)

9:00ish - His dad wakes up. GONG. Mike does several things for him at this time: wheels him into the front room, gives him a washcloth to wipe off his face, brings him his pills, fixes him the SAME breakfast every morning (a waffle with LOTS of syrup!), opens the drapes, etc.

11:00am on the dot! Mike's dad takes additional medication. Doug is a little particular about some things, eating at a certain time and medications at a certain time. So, these things never vary!

Between 11:00am and Noon the Senior Center delivers lunches. Mike takes them and puts them out on the table and puts the items that are hot in the oven to warm.

1:00pm - We eat lunch! Mike wheels his dad into the dining area for lunch. Medication is prepared and given to his dad.

2:00pm - Mike gives his dad additional medication

3:00pm - Another medicaiton is given to both parents

6:00pm - Dinner is served! Mike wheels his dad into the kitchen, more medication is prepared and given. We clean up and his parents head back into the front room.

8:00pm - Mike usually goes in and sits with his parents for the last hour of the day. The front room isn't as hot!

9:00pm - The final medication of the day is given to his dad. Mike gets him more water and his med pass, organizes things and helps him into bed.

9:30ish - Mike is finally 'off' for the day. He comes into our bedroom, turns on the TV, and relaxes, family prayer and scriptures.

10:30pm - We always end the day watching Perry Mason on KBYU. I fall asleep around 10:43pm and at 11:16, as the show is ending, I wake up and ask, "Who did it?" Mike answers and I fall back to sleep!

What I haven't included is the many times a day that the GONG is run. It isn't often but probably 5-6 times each day. Mike is always willing to assist his parents with anything they need.

I have such a respect and deepened love and appreciation for him as I have watched him serve his parents. There are things that I do for both Mike and his parents, but they are limited compared to what Mike does on a daily basis. He follows this schedule and then does their wash - and ours too - works outside in the yard, piddles in the shed, runs errands with me, etc. He is constantly going. In some ways, I'm on 'vacation' compared to what he does on a daily basis.

NOTE: This post is meant ONLY to show what a great man Mike is as he serves his parents. Anything else you take away from it, I didn't intend for that to be.