Called in again. He wants to see me - he thinks he only has 1 day left to live

 

Photo is of a tree at Roath Park lake, not looking too healthy. No real significance but blogs look better with a header photo and I guess it signifies nothing is here forever...

7th January 2026

11.32am I was in work when I had a call.

'Hello, it's The ward where your dad's staying. Nothing to worry about, but...' (why does that phrase always worry me?) 'dad  has become very confused again. He wanted to see you because he's run out of clothes as there's porridge on his pyjamas. He's also convinced he only has one day left to live... Any chance you can nip in?'

I asked why he thought he only had a day to live. The nurse said she didn't know, he was very confused, however if I could go in it'd be very helpful.

Now I had a worry. As far as I was aware, and the nurse, and the doctors I had spoken to hadn't mentioned life expectancy being that short. Of course I know he's 95 with terminal cancer, a kidney function issue, a chest infection and three broken ribs. The doctor also told me today his heart doesn't appear to be pumping as well as it should.

However, on the other hand I've read many accounts of people just knowing these things without cause or reason. Should it be true in this case and I didn't go in, I'd feel bad for a very long time.

But I was in work. I sat at my desk and the tears flowed out - again. I hate it when that happens - trying to keep it all together when your face is leaking. I snook out to call Ant, who was home. still clearing his bedroom.

Ant said the neighbour had offered him a lift in and he would take the clothes. I was feeling a bit under the weather so I went home to bed.

8th January 2026

As far as I was aware dad was still alive so I went to visit for 2pm. After 30 minutes following about 50 other cars also looking for a parking space in the University Hospital of Wales car park, I gave up and drove to the nearest residential parking street and walked 20 minutes ti the hospital - in the howling rain of storm Goretti. I took up the suggestion of hand sanitiser and a mask when going into the ward. This made it impossible to communicate with dad who vaguely relies on facial expression rather than lip reading. Luckily, on the suggestion of a nurse, I'd bought him a small whiteboard so I could communicate.

We did well with it to be fair. He still thinks the nurses are going to kill him - it's only a matter of time. He still thinks the two elderly gents in his ward are conspiring something terrible and going to report him to the police.

I asked had he had many visitors. He was drifting to sleep as I asked. He looked at me annoyed. 'You talking to me?' He said. 

I repeated the question.

'Some woman came to see me this morning.' He said. 'And Ant came with some other woman. I dont remember the name... Was it his old teacher?' I said that was unlikely. Ant is 59. I knew who it was anyway.

He then asked me to write down the name of the chap in the opposite bed as he was sure he was plotting to sell his story about him to a TV company. I asked what story. He said 'About the damn lake!' I reminded him that wasn't a true story so what story exactly did he think the man wanted to sell to the television. He told me it was all partly true but didn't want to tell me which parts.

Then he said, 'That man had a woman in bed with him last night!' Again I looked at the wizened old Santa-like man in the bed opposite. 'I don't think so dad' I said; but fair play to him if he managed that on a 4- bed hospital ward.

'I know what I saw,' he said. Subject closed.