My gramps the Pill Pocketer + 88th Birthday Party

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You know, my grandfather is very smart. Almost too smart. However, he has reverted back to being a kid in some sense. I kiddingly call him, “gramps the pill pocketer.” If you follow us on social media media, you know he turned 88 years old this past weekend and he has been hiding his pills in his pocket after the nurse leaves. This is according to my grandmother. SO, we did a little investigating. 

Gramps the pill pocketer and 88th birthday party

My grandmother ratted him out a couple weeks ago telling my aunt that he has been putting his pills in his pocket and pretending to swallow them. Now, I have been there when the nurses give meds and they literally watch him swallow so at first, I thought he was just being difficult with my gram and trying to aggravate her, by saying he wasn’t taking them. BUT he got caught while my other aunt was there and he claimed, the pill was burning his tongue and that’s why he took it out of his mouth. Hmmmm, clearly he had thought that through prior in case he got caught. The nurse was like, “what do you mean, the pill burns your tongue?” His response was, “I am not taking those pills anymore. I never had to take them before and I’m not going to start now.” Now he is known as the pill pocketer. I am sure he isn’t the first resident to pocket his pills! -ha. 

You see, my grandfather thinks that once his meds are adjusted, he can come home. Like, live at home….for good. I am partially to blame for that thinking because the only way we could get him to go to the nursing home voluntarily 4 months ago, was to convince him that his medications needed to be adjusted for his dementia and diabetes.

Prior to putting him in the Nursing Home full time, the doctors recommended that we explain to him that the medications needed to be monitored 24/7 by professionals at the nursing home and until they could figure out his med dosage, he would need to stay there. Each day that passes, he gets a little worse with confusion and sometimes, he thinks he’s in his 30’s doing push ups in the military. He asked me again yesterday, to bring him his knee pads because his knees hurt from doing pushups. He is NOT doing pushups, he just thinks he is. Man, I hope I don’t end up as mixed up as he is at his age. While it’s funny sometimes, it’s pretty sad. 

Updated to add video:

 

He turned 88 years old this past Sunday and we had a big family gathering at the nursing home to celebrate. He was on his best behavior and was happy and chatty. The day was all about him, so of course he was well behaved! -ha 

Gramps the pill pocketer and 88th birthday party

My aunt got him a pair of headphones so he could wear them in his room as his roommate has his TV and radio very loud all the time. My grandfather decided to have a talk with his roommate about it and I’m guessing it didn’t go so well as every time I am there, the radio is blaring. He told my aunt the headphones were going to pop his brain out they were so tight.- ha.

Gramps the pill pocketer and 88th birthday party

So that’s the pill pocketer story for the week. -ha. I often wonder how many more birthday’s he will have. How many more Christmas’s he will have. It’s a pretty strange feeling watching my grandparents age and deteriorate. I mean, we are all aging and deteriorating but they are just doing it more visibly I guess. It’s hard to explain. My grandmother has her follow up oncology appointment tomorrow which hopefully goes well. They will determine if the radiation she completed last month, helped stop the tumors from squeezing her esophagus and if she will be able to come home for short visits. She is so depressed at the Nursing Home and I don’t blame her. More on that later this week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About The Author

What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.

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10 Comments

  1. Toni O Connor says:

    My prayers are with you and your family. Your grandpa is so full of spunk and I think it’s adorable! Stay strong Jessica and thank you for writing and letting us know about your family.

  2. Vickey Walker says:

    Hi Jessica,

    Sending prayers your way. Your grandfather is a sly fox and looks likes he’s having a good time. It is wonderful to see a family so close and dedicated to their family. I wish you all well and many more years with your grandparents.

  3. Juanita in OH says:

    I was in a physical rehabilitation two years ago. I do not have dementia (at least I don’t think so . The staff watches you like a hawk when it comes to medication time! I find it amazing that your Grandpa had the ability to think of a scheme like that, he is a character for sure. I know how difficult this must be for the entire family. He and your Grandma still look the same to me. I pray that the radiation did something to help ease her pain. Wishing you all the best and a lot of peace. Sending Cyber HUGS.

  4. Juanita in OH says:

    P.S. Please tell your Grandpa I said, “Happy Belated Birthday, from one of his biggest fans”.

      1. Debra Ruffing says:

        Happy Birthday from me too Jessica! I wish they were well and at home with you! Hugs!

  5. Happy Birthday to your Grandfather! That’s funny he thinks his knees hurt from doing pushups. I guess that’s better than thinking they hurt because he’s getting older! Too bad he’s pocketing the pills. That’s funny your grandma “told on him.” I hope her appointment goes well tomorrow.

  6. Jessica, so sweet, emotional and yet light the way you talk about all. I know it’s a pretty heavy subject and situation, but it’s life and we all know it’s gonna end one day. So, it’s amazing the way you write and share your family stories. And probably it will always make you feel better and your family too! Keep on doing your best lemonade with just a half lemon! kisses ML