Another big week.
First of all: showers. She's only had "bed baths" since March. They put her in a chair and rolled her into the shower. She got to wash her hair and everything. Needless to say, it was a big day! They are starting to work in showers into her routine.
They removed her catheter and PIC line earlier this week. The catheter has been there since the surgery (late March); the PIC line (which is used to take blood samples and give medicine- sort of a port) has been in one arm or another (they changed it sometimes) for a long, long time- definitely since she's been in this area.
So- we're still making miraculous progress! She still can't get in and out of bed by herself, but when that comes, I think we'll really be able to see a real light at the end of the tunnel.
She is able to turn herself in bed now (for the most part) and is not always so uncomfortable. Her attitude continues to be upbeat.
Pam brought her some "thumbprint cookies" from Magnolia Bakery, and that was a real treat!
She got a cold this weekend, so was a little hoarse this morning, but was running no fever. The Cowboys losing didn't help any, either!!!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Let's remember Dad
I haven't spoken about Dad in a while, so let me catch you up on his "routines."
He gets to the nursing home each day about 9:00 a.m. or so and stays until early afternoon, when he comes home and rests. He goes back up in the afternoon and stays through the evening, coming in around 9:00 p.m.
Dad's pretty much made himself at home in the back room of the house. We've got a TV back there, so he can watch whatever for as long as he wants (he still likes the Rangers). He stays through the week and leaves for Big Spring on Fridays to get the mail, check on the house, etc. He returns on Saturday, and the whole routine starts again.
With our jobs so inconsistent (we're both putting in 10-12+ hours per day), meals are "catch as catch can" around here, so Dad has his own stash of food he keeps around- snacks, candy, coffee, and cokes. When we do eat, we always invite him, and sometimes he comes home and sometimes not. He's always ready to go out- and has several favorite Mexican food spots marked out!
His patience is immense, and as Mom continues to improve, he continues to be the cheerleader. He still takes some reading to the nursing home, but they watch a lot of TV together up there (when Mom's not in therapy) and talk about all the going's on around the world. He rubs Mom's back with an old washrag (she loves it!) and puts lotion on her to soothe her down after a hard day at rehab.
You know it's got to get old fast, but he hangs in there. He had a bout with allergies a few weeks ago, and looked really bad (especially around the eyes) and tired, but seems to be doing better now.
It's hard on him, but he doesn't complain. He's tired of the travelling, but would not have it any other way. He is living his vows to the fullest; if you were to look up"in sickness and in health" in the dictionary, his picture would be there; he lives that vow superbly (and the rest of those vows, for that matter!).
I know he continues to worry and misses his friends and routines back at Big Spring, but he staunchly continues on each day without complaint. He's made himself at home as much as he can (being a guest in some one's house is never easy- I know because I did it for three months or so when I first got my job at Grand Prairie), so it's just different.
He's a real champ. A great man and a Godly husband.
A hero and a real role model. Keep him in your prayers.
Thanks, Dad.
He gets to the nursing home each day about 9:00 a.m. or so and stays until early afternoon, when he comes home and rests. He goes back up in the afternoon and stays through the evening, coming in around 9:00 p.m.
Dad's pretty much made himself at home in the back room of the house. We've got a TV back there, so he can watch whatever for as long as he wants (he still likes the Rangers). He stays through the week and leaves for Big Spring on Fridays to get the mail, check on the house, etc. He returns on Saturday, and the whole routine starts again.
With our jobs so inconsistent (we're both putting in 10-12+ hours per day), meals are "catch as catch can" around here, so Dad has his own stash of food he keeps around- snacks, candy, coffee, and cokes. When we do eat, we always invite him, and sometimes he comes home and sometimes not. He's always ready to go out- and has several favorite Mexican food spots marked out!
His patience is immense, and as Mom continues to improve, he continues to be the cheerleader. He still takes some reading to the nursing home, but they watch a lot of TV together up there (when Mom's not in therapy) and talk about all the going's on around the world. He rubs Mom's back with an old washrag (she loves it!) and puts lotion on her to soothe her down after a hard day at rehab.
You know it's got to get old fast, but he hangs in there. He had a bout with allergies a few weeks ago, and looked really bad (especially around the eyes) and tired, but seems to be doing better now.
It's hard on him, but he doesn't complain. He's tired of the travelling, but would not have it any other way. He is living his vows to the fullest; if you were to look up"in sickness and in health" in the dictionary, his picture would be there; he lives that vow superbly (and the rest of those vows, for that matter!).
I know he continues to worry and misses his friends and routines back at Big Spring, but he staunchly continues on each day without complaint. He's made himself at home as much as he can (being a guest in some one's house is never easy- I know because I did it for three months or so when I first got my job at Grand Prairie), so it's just different.
He's a real champ. A great man and a Godly husband.
A hero and a real role model. Keep him in your prayers.
Thanks, Dad.
Getting Stronger Every Day...
Mom continues to make improvements. She has been outside a little with therapy and with Dad, wheeling her around in the sunshine and cool breezes that we have experienced lately as fall comes in.
She gains a little every day, and they work her harder and harder as much as they can. Her doctor came in last week and really complimented her, saying she had gotten much further than he anticipated.
Nothing really new- she is standing several times each day for about 1 minute at a time. They worked on her abs of steel last week, but it threw her back out a little, so they have slowed on that!
Otherwise, we are just making good strides!
She gains a little every day, and they work her harder and harder as much as they can. Her doctor came in last week and really complimented her, saying she had gotten much further than he anticipated.
Nothing really new- she is standing several times each day for about 1 minute at a time. They worked on her abs of steel last week, but it threw her back out a little, so they have slowed on that!
Otherwise, we are just making good strides!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Wedges, not wedgies...
Mom's stylin'. She has bought some relatively low-heeled (about 2 inch) wedges to stand in during therapy.
Yep, standing.
Still not walking, and not standing up on her on, but standing nonetheless. She goes to therapy daily and they have stand her up 3 or 4 times a day for 30 seconds or more. Her hips (including the new one) seem to work OK, but the knees are not coming around quite so fast. She still wears the boots to correct the drop foot while not in therapy, and is starting to be able to move around in the bed a little more without as much help as earlier, so she is still making progress.
All the food is much better at Vista Ridge now that it is-- well, food and not pureed. She continues to enjoy visitors and her depression seems more at bay, particularly now that she is eating. Still working hard in therapy, but no other real "breakthroughs" on that end; just continued hard work.
By the way, we did take her that Blizzard last Friday. I figured she'd eat about 5 bites. Instead, she ate about 1/3 of it and dug out all the chunks of banana and other stuff. This was after she had eaten supper (1/2 barbeque sandwich and french fries)!
This was a busy week for us, with meetings Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, so we didn't get to see her much. Next week should be a little slower...
Yep, standing.
Still not walking, and not standing up on her on, but standing nonetheless. She goes to therapy daily and they have stand her up 3 or 4 times a day for 30 seconds or more. Her hips (including the new one) seem to work OK, but the knees are not coming around quite so fast. She still wears the boots to correct the drop foot while not in therapy, and is starting to be able to move around in the bed a little more without as much help as earlier, so she is still making progress.
All the food is much better at Vista Ridge now that it is-- well, food and not pureed. She continues to enjoy visitors and her depression seems more at bay, particularly now that she is eating. Still working hard in therapy, but no other real "breakthroughs" on that end; just continued hard work.
By the way, we did take her that Blizzard last Friday. I figured she'd eat about 5 bites. Instead, she ate about 1/3 of it and dug out all the chunks of banana and other stuff. This was after she had eaten supper (1/2 barbeque sandwich and french fries)!
This was a busy week for us, with meetings Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, so we didn't get to see her much. Next week should be a little slower...
Friday, September 5, 2008
Food, Glorious Food!!!
Guess who passed the swallow test yesterday?
Her first "real" food? Supper consisted of cabbage, cornbread, and navy beans with some ham. (Doesn't sound good to me, but...) She loved it! She ate every bite, she said! She's drinking "real" water, not thickened. She was so excited!!
Later, when my wife went to see her, she asked Mom "what would you like most to eat that you have really missed?" It took her a while, but she finally said, "A banana split Blizzard." We will be going to DQ this afternoon to get her one!
How do you top that? How about actually standing up? Three times for about 30 seconds each time, according to both her and Dad. Dad said she is actually standing on tiptoes because of the "drop foot" situation on both feet, but it is a start. They continue to try to stretch her feet out, but this may really do the trick.
One more... since day 20 and until day 100, Medicare/Medicaid would only pay 80% of the daily rate of the skilled nursing care, and supplemental insurance they had also would not pay. However, Mom mentioned that they did have another policy... Dad found the policy and took it in (he's been paying $128 per day). Turns out that policy will pay $80 per day, so that made for more good news!
Dad will be going back to Big Spring today for his weekly visit, and gas here (at Walmart) is $3.36/gallon, so that's some good news, too!
And today (September 5) is her grandson's birthday! (Happy Birthday, Christopher!)
So, the roller coaster is up! Let's hope and pray we continue to have good days like yesterday!
Her first "real" food? Supper consisted of cabbage, cornbread, and navy beans with some ham. (Doesn't sound good to me, but...) She loved it! She ate every bite, she said! She's drinking "real" water, not thickened. She was so excited!!
Later, when my wife went to see her, she asked Mom "what would you like most to eat that you have really missed?" It took her a while, but she finally said, "A banana split Blizzard." We will be going to DQ this afternoon to get her one!
How do you top that? How about actually standing up? Three times for about 30 seconds each time, according to both her and Dad. Dad said she is actually standing on tiptoes because of the "drop foot" situation on both feet, but it is a start. They continue to try to stretch her feet out, but this may really do the trick.
One more... since day 20 and until day 100, Medicare/Medicaid would only pay 80% of the daily rate of the skilled nursing care, and supplemental insurance they had also would not pay. However, Mom mentioned that they did have another policy... Dad found the policy and took it in (he's been paying $128 per day). Turns out that policy will pay $80 per day, so that made for more good news!
Dad will be going back to Big Spring today for his weekly visit, and gas here (at Walmart) is $3.36/gallon, so that's some good news, too!
And today (September 5) is her grandson's birthday! (Happy Birthday, Christopher!)
So, the roller coaster is up! Let's hope and pray we continue to have good days like yesterday!
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