Oxford Veterans Home updates & pictures
UPDATE Mothers day 2013
Twice recovered from pneumonia once mid winter, once early April. We were sure we would lose him. he became very frail, losing much weight and strength. It has been an emotional roller coaster and physically exausting.
Through it all, in spite of everything, Phil has managed to fight hard to regain much of his strength and even retain his sense of humor pulling the family closer together than ever before. Even though he has much of his language gone, he still knows who we all are, shows us his love and appreciation for spending so much time with him. He still likes to be a tease. and one evening I went to kiss him goodnight and he turned his head away. I managed to steal a real kiss directly on his lips
and I said" I gotcha" He laughed and said "You son of a gun".
He seems reasonably contented and to have accepted his life as it is and I often wonder just how much he does understand and just has no way to communicate. There is no way of knowing for sure. Even though they are not too often, He will still surprise us with some of his remarks. We make sure he still has his music , in house concerts, dvds and CDs which he really enjoys as well as his TV his short walks and time outdoors when the weather co-operates. He and our German Shepherd Pan have developed a close bond and he looks forward to Pan's visits with me. Will have new pictures soon.
April 24th 2011 82nd birthday
April 24 2012 83rd birthday
and many other times.
Phil & Letisha Derrick and Phil
Four generations Dane, Jenna, Phil & Jess Smiling at each other
May 2012 Phil in the fresh air and sunshine
2013 Derrick and Phil
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