So, mr. flea has been on the ground in China for about 30 hours now, and I have not heard from him. They have the internets in China, right? Is he likely to be having some communication issues, or should I be worrying?

I think he's likely to be having communications issues -- I think you need a proxy to get to like gmail and stuff.

Oh god, Suela. I'm sure the staff can help you guys through the transition. And the Alzheimer's Association hotline people might have strategies for you in the meantime. They are 24 hours! (Here, at least.)

Is there anything else you can do to make the apartment not an option? I'm assuming that confiscating the keys isn't enough? I think that trying to speed ahead to the point where they can't go back might be hard on your father in the interim. There are a million reasons for him to cave. So if you can give him an iron clad excuse (it doesn't have to be true, but I'm thinking it will be better for him if he does honestly believe it) that might clamp down on things.

I don't have any idea what that might be, though. But it looks like your father is going to be in an impossible place as soon as you guys aren't right there in front of them.

My ginger juice was a gift, actually. I never found a source myself, but after popping into Whole Foods recently, I do figure that's a good meatspace bet, otherwise it's the internet.

I'm assuming that confiscating the keys isn't enough?

What about confiscating the suitcases? That feels like something that could be done relatively quietly (not like taking away the car keys) and might at least slow things down long enough for you to react if he gives in again.

Or not. It's hard to think of anything that couldn't potentially escalate the hysteria since in her frame of mind that could be, well, anything.

I'm really sorry things are so hard and hope it settles down soon. If it helps, I think a year ago you probably wouldn't have believed you could get them to this stage at all.

Consuela, I'm sorry things continue to be difficult. Hopefully getting all her meds handled at the facility will start to help things.

Yeah. So disappointed. Those books are fun, and Tom Cruise is awful. Also NOT ANYTHING LIKE JACK REACHER.

I heard about the casting this summer. It pissed me off too - Reacher is a BIG GUY, his size plays a factor in almost every book. Just another reason not to like Tom Cruise.

Sprog picspam time-warp. From 2007: [link] and 2012: [link]

This is from way back, but Sox, I tried to see the sprog pics but they were marked as private! Want to add me on Flickr? I'm risingtide.

'Suela, what a nightmare. Ugh. How long are your siblings going to be in town? What did the folks at the facility have to say about last night's incident? I'm so sorry it's so hard.

flea, I would not be surprised if mr. flea is having communication difficulties in China, whether it's lack of access to the internet or trouble getting to his email or whatever. A friend of mine went to China a few years ago and got locked out of her gmail account; I don't remember why, but it took her ages to get it fixed. I'm sure he's fine. But I totally understand the worry, all the same.

Somewhat long article on cases of Munchausen by internet:

The Lying Disease

Why Would Someone Want to Fake a Serious Illness on the Internet?

Good morning, all. Why is it Monday again? Did I do something wrong?

tommyrot beat me to posting the article about MBI. So fascinating and awful.

So if you can give him an iron clad excuse (it doesn't have to be true, but I'm thinking it will be better for him if he does honestly believe it) that might clamp down on things.

Yeah, that's the plan. My sister tried to get the suitcases the other day and my dad said no, but it would be useful to get them away. We are also looking at selling the bedroom set in the old apartment, or at least telling them it's been sold.

I've already been on the phone with the staff today. They're still assuring me this is nothing they haven't seen before, and they've even got some psych interns they're going to send to talk to Mom.

They were going to see if Mom wanted to participate in Tai Chi, and I just laughed. The day my mother willingly goes to a Tai Chi class, I will ... I dunno. Do something ridiculous, because I just can't see it happening.

ION, I'm back at work, argh. However I have no voicemails, which is a bit of a relief.