|
Dear Henry
I am now back in Sydney after visiting Father Deane in Ireland for 2 weeks. I was quite distressed when I saw him for the first time since I departed Ireland a few months ago. In that few months he has lost 20 lbs in weight. I couldn't believe what I saw – he looked so skinny, his face unshaven and looking tired and tense. He was very happy to see me. I requested the nursing home to do a few blood test to rule out the possibility of cancer. Luckily the test showed that he is OK. I took him down to the Coffee Shop to have lunch everyday and after one week he regained about 10 lbs. He is much happier and relaxed and not confused. His memory got better and better each day.
He was transferred to a single room the day before my arrival in Ireland. I have decorated his room and bought a new orthopedic chair and a nest of tables. I also got him a corner stand for the bathroom and decorated the windows with some Christmas decorations. Everyone including the nursing home acknowledged that he looked so much better than before.
 I suspect that he was suffering from depression due to insecurity and loneliness for the last few months. It was not his Parkinson condition causing the deterioration. It was emotional and psychological problem.
The furniture that I bought was a gift from a family he knew for over 30 years in HK who has since migrated to Australia.
During my stay, we took him out three times for dinner and twice  shopping in the local supermarket on a wheelchair. He was so thrilled to be out and about. He looked so relaxed and hapy after a week or so with a clean shaven face and a fuller face, having gained 10 lb in weight.
It is his wish to come to Sydney instead of returning to HK as he is worried about the Chinese taking over HK. A lot of Old Boys in Sydney assured me that they will visit him regularly on a roster basis if he is to live in Sydney. .........
If the Salesian can make arrangement for him to come over, his happiness and well being will be much better served. He will have a much better quality of life. The weather in Sydney is also better for his condition and mobility. I sincerely hoped that he will have a few more years living happily before his Parkinson advanced even further.
Regards
Theresa Lee
c.c. Tony Wong
|
