I took Mom to the PCP today. She was hard to keep up with. She is really getting around well, maybe too well. She did get winded by the time we got to the second floor waiting room. We got there 15 minutes early and got in 20 minutes late. Mom had her questions at the ready and the PCP took her off 3 medications and altered another. I could tell he was not happy about the surgeon prescribing an antibiotic as a precautionary treatment. Hopefully the changes will make Mom feel better and less nauseated.
Dad continues to work hard on his exercise program but his legs are not responding and he is losing muscle mass. It is very discouraging especially to him. Chanetta takes him on daily walks but has a wheelchair at the ready. Otherwise he looks healthy and his heart is still in sinus rhythm. His short term memory is suffering more than in the past and he repeats stories more often but engaged in conversation on current events, he is still sharp and lucid.
Cindy and Mike are here and after driving around a while, finally found Mill Creek. They are not the first to get acquainted with Springdale trying to find 126 Rhodes Ave.
God is good.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Wednesday
Mom was packed and ready when I went to pick her up on Sunday. Jamie drove her to Mill Creek while I had the 15 prescriptions filled. Nancy and Madeline dropped in, and Charlotte and Rachel picked up Chanetta (Dad's nurse) in Pine Bluff on their way back from Dumas, so by 8pm the apartment was hummin. It is amazing to me how instant the change in their countenance and energy level once out of the institutional setting. Even in the new and unfamiliar environs of the apartment, it quickly became a family retreat with Mom and Dad back together again.
Mom went to see the surgeon today to get the staples removed. He xrayed her hip and told her that all but one of the hip restrictions were lifted. She can sleep on her side again and do anything that doesn't hurt. She will have to have the wound dressed everyday until it completely heals and he gave her another antibiotic as a precaution. We see her GP on Friday. Mom has PT, a nurse, and an aide coming in 3 or 4 times a week.
Chanetta is getting the place organized and setting up a routine for Dad so he doesn't feel left out. She treated them to purple hull peas and cornbread today (I didn't get the okra to them on time maybe tomorrow).
I think Cindy and Mike are planning to come this weekend I don't know if they are coming to see Mom and Dad or to ride in the Bikes Blues and BBQ parade.
Charlotte's Mom continues to have health issues and the distance apart makes it difficult and stressful. We would appreciate your prayer for her.
I appreciate your patience and faithfulness in checking the blog. I apologize for not being diligent in making daily entries. I will try to do better.
Thanks to all who continue to call and send cards, as well as your devotion to intercession on our behalf. God continues to bless us through the valley of affliction.
God is good.
Mom went to see the surgeon today to get the staples removed. He xrayed her hip and told her that all but one of the hip restrictions were lifted. She can sleep on her side again and do anything that doesn't hurt. She will have to have the wound dressed everyday until it completely heals and he gave her another antibiotic as a precaution. We see her GP on Friday. Mom has PT, a nurse, and an aide coming in 3 or 4 times a week.
Chanetta is getting the place organized and setting up a routine for Dad so he doesn't feel left out. She treated them to purple hull peas and cornbread today (I didn't get the okra to them on time maybe tomorrow).
I think Cindy and Mike are planning to come this weekend I don't know if they are coming to see Mom and Dad or to ride in the Bikes Blues and BBQ parade.
Charlotte's Mom continues to have health issues and the distance apart makes it difficult and stressful. We would appreciate your prayer for her.
I appreciate your patience and faithfulness in checking the blog. I apologize for not being diligent in making daily entries. I will try to do better.
Thanks to all who continue to call and send cards, as well as your devotion to intercession on our behalf. God continues to bless us through the valley of affliction.
God is good.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Tuesday
Mom had a good day today and felt much better. I guess the antibiotic kicked in and she was able to do PT and OT in her room. Target date to get out of rehab is Sunday. We are hoping that the incision heals enough to allow her rejoin Dad in a non-institutional setting. They will be living in a 55 and above community apartment complex in Springdale called Mill Creek for the time being. The address is 126 Rhodes Ave. #69 Springdale, AR 72764, you can send cards and letters to this address or at their old address. We will have a land line installed tomorrow and I will pass that along when I get the number. We have also found a terrific place in Fayetteville that is totally handicapped accessible but have no vacancy at the moment. We have filled out the application and are #1 on the waiting list. This will put them within 5 minutes of both Nancy and me and only 2 minutes from the hospital. We are praying that we can move them into this apartment soon.
Dad did not sleep well last night. The adjustment without Mom around is very difficult. Mom has been Dad's anchor for so long he is adrift without her. His thoughts lean toward the worse cases. Today he called a couple of nursing facilities to inquire about admission and then made an appointment with his GP. I met Jamie and Dad at the office and Dad asked about his recommendation for a nursing facility. The GP was very gracious and told Dad about a couple of places and I told Dad I had already done the research and assured him that we were not at that point yet.
Dad's ankles are a little swollen and I asked if it was a CHF issue and the doc listened to his heart and lungs and said that his heart was in perfect rhythm and his lungs were clear. His blood pressure is perfect and he did not recommend a diuretic at this point. The swelling is due to sitting more than usual so he recommended the dreaded knee high elastic stockings in the morning and walking more. He got his Flu shot while we were there.
Charlotte and I ate dinner with Dad and Jamie tonight and I encouraged him to count his blessings instead of sheep tonight. Mom will be home soon.
We covet your prayers and friendship as we continue to adapt to life's challenges.
God is good.
Dad did not sleep well last night. The adjustment without Mom around is very difficult. Mom has been Dad's anchor for so long he is adrift without her. His thoughts lean toward the worse cases. Today he called a couple of nursing facilities to inquire about admission and then made an appointment with his GP. I met Jamie and Dad at the office and Dad asked about his recommendation for a nursing facility. The GP was very gracious and told Dad about a couple of places and I told Dad I had already done the research and assured him that we were not at that point yet.
Dad's ankles are a little swollen and I asked if it was a CHF issue and the doc listened to his heart and lungs and said that his heart was in perfect rhythm and his lungs were clear. His blood pressure is perfect and he did not recommend a diuretic at this point. The swelling is due to sitting more than usual so he recommended the dreaded knee high elastic stockings in the morning and walking more. He got his Flu shot while we were there.
Charlotte and I ate dinner with Dad and Jamie tonight and I encouraged him to count his blessings instead of sheep tonight. Mom will be home soon.
We covet your prayers and friendship as we continue to adapt to life's challenges.
God is good.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Monday 9/14
Mom and Dad had a great weekend. Dad was able to attend Frank and Joy Huckaba's 50th anniversary celebration and visit with several long time friends. I will try to catch up on the where's and what fors some time this week.
From Nancy:
Just got a call from Health South. Doctor examined Mom this morning and found that her hip was swollen. They are taking precautions and transporting her to Wash Regional at 2:30 pm today for a venus doppler to make sure that she does not have a blood clot in her hip. They also did labs this morning and discovered that mom has VRE in her urine. They are treating that with antibiotics but she is now in "isolation" like Dad was. You have to put on gowns and gloves to visit her.
I dropped by to see Mom and Dad was there along with Jamie III. She looked a little down and the mood was low. Dad was holding her hand sans gloves so he is breaking the isolation rules. Probably the best medicine though. Hope he doesn't get VRE again.
Pray for them in this latest set back.
God is good.
From Nancy:
Just got a call from Health South. Doctor examined Mom this morning and found that her hip was swollen. They are taking precautions and transporting her to Wash Regional at 2:30 pm today for a venus doppler to make sure that she does not have a blood clot in her hip. They also did labs this morning and discovered that mom has VRE in her urine. They are treating that with antibiotics but she is now in "isolation" like Dad was. You have to put on gowns and gloves to visit her.
I dropped by to see Mom and Dad was there along with Jamie III. She looked a little down and the mood was low. Dad was holding her hand sans gloves so he is breaking the isolation rules. Probably the best medicine though. Hope he doesn't get VRE again.
Pray for them in this latest set back.
God is good.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Thursday
Short answer, twice as long as a girl on her first date.
I have been trying to carve out some time to give yall a detailed update but running 3 households and 1 hospital ward has worn me out. Work was a relief!
Mom is improving each day and I think Dad has met his match in his 24/7 nurse.
We make another move this weekend to new environment...hope they can make do for a while. I happened across a perfect true handicapped accessible apartment today but there are none available at the moment. We are next in line on the waiting list.
Thanks to all of my siblings again and for all of your prayers and well wishes.
God is good.
I have been trying to carve out some time to give yall a detailed update but running 3 households and 1 hospital ward has worn me out. Work was a relief!
Mom is improving each day and I think Dad has met his match in his 24/7 nurse.
We make another move this weekend to new environment...hope they can make do for a while. I happened across a perfect true handicapped accessible apartment today but there are none available at the moment. We are next in line on the waiting list.
Thanks to all of my siblings again and for all of your prayers and well wishes.
God is good.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Monday (Laborious Day)
How long does it take for an 86 year old man to get ready for a date?
Stay tuned...I am so tired right now I can't wright good.
God is good.
Stay tuned...I am so tired right now I can't wright good.
God is good.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Saturday 9/5
Short update because I have to get back to the homestead.
Mom had to have a unit of blood yesterday (Hemoglobin low). Waited and waited, in the mean time could not do any PT or OT, blood arrived at 9PM and it took until 4 AM for the transfusion to be complete. Dad did not want to disturb her yesterday so we did not get to see her. We went by briefly this after noon and will go back this evening.
Dad is having a very difficult time dealing with the changes that we are trying to arrange. Please pray for his peace of mind.
Thanks for your emails, comments and prayers.
God is good.
Mom had to have a unit of blood yesterday (Hemoglobin low). Waited and waited, in the mean time could not do any PT or OT, blood arrived at 9PM and it took until 4 AM for the transfusion to be complete. Dad did not want to disturb her yesterday so we did not get to see her. We went by briefly this after noon and will go back this evening.
Dad is having a very difficult time dealing with the changes that we are trying to arrange. Please pray for his peace of mind.
Thanks for your emails, comments and prayers.
God is good.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Thursday 9/3
We are glad to get out of WRMC today and into HealthSouth Rehab. Our experience with this "facility" was even worse this time around. The only chart that everybody reads is the one with $$$$$ signs on it. My advice for anyone who has to go there is make sure you have someone with you 24/7 for your own safety. Shame on the administrators and the pressure they put on those who have to follow their money grubbing policies.
Tirade over. Mom had a good transfer and has already walked a couple of times. She said that the pain is less each time and it is getting easier for her. I had a long talk with the admitting doctor to emphasize some points up front so that hopefully Mom won't have to go through what Dad did. I think she will do well and won't have to be there longer than two weeks at the most.
I have been staying with Dad this week and have not had access to the internet so Nancy let me escape for a few minutes to check email and update you.
We are looking into several options for the future for Mom and Dad and have some good leads. Please pray for us as we try to keep the highest quality of life and that they will be able to adapt. We hope to get them (Dad) into a senior wheelchair accessible apartment this weekend. We have a 24/7 aide coming to stay with Dad next week and if things work out maybe indefinitely. Pray for her as well as Mom and Dad.
It seems that I am paying for the sins of all my siblings (just kidding girls not kidding Jamie). I had taken Dad to the doc this afternoon and was taking him to see Mom in her new digs and was about to pull into a parking space when a pick-up with a big trailer hitch back into us on the rear passenger side and jammed the sliding door so that I couldn't open it to get Dad's wheelchair out. I managed to take a piece off the door stop and can at least get the door open and shut. Normally I would have come unglued but with everything else going on it just seemed humorous and trivial.
I better get back to the country and relieve Nancy, who by the way brought us shrimp and steak with all the fixins tonight for dinner. Thanks Nan.
Thanks for all the expressed and unexpressed prayer and concern once again. We cherish all of you!
God is good.
Tirade over. Mom had a good transfer and has already walked a couple of times. She said that the pain is less each time and it is getting easier for her. I had a long talk with the admitting doctor to emphasize some points up front so that hopefully Mom won't have to go through what Dad did. I think she will do well and won't have to be there longer than two weeks at the most.
I have been staying with Dad this week and have not had access to the internet so Nancy let me escape for a few minutes to check email and update you.
We are looking into several options for the future for Mom and Dad and have some good leads. Please pray for us as we try to keep the highest quality of life and that they will be able to adapt. We hope to get them (Dad) into a senior wheelchair accessible apartment this weekend. We have a 24/7 aide coming to stay with Dad next week and if things work out maybe indefinitely. Pray for her as well as Mom and Dad.
It seems that I am paying for the sins of all my siblings (just kidding girls not kidding Jamie). I had taken Dad to the doc this afternoon and was taking him to see Mom in her new digs and was about to pull into a parking space when a pick-up with a big trailer hitch back into us on the rear passenger side and jammed the sliding door so that I couldn't open it to get Dad's wheelchair out. I managed to take a piece off the door stop and can at least get the door open and shut. Normally I would have come unglued but with everything else going on it just seemed humorous and trivial.
I better get back to the country and relieve Nancy, who by the way brought us shrimp and steak with all the fixins tonight for dinner. Thanks Nan.
Thanks for all the expressed and unexpressed prayer and concern once again. We cherish all of you!
God is good.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Tuesday 9/1
Mom stood and took a couple of steps to the chair yesterday. Lot of pain but the more she does it the better it will get. Her arthritic knee is more painful than the hip.
I am about to go by the hospital on my way to stay with Dad for the rest of the week.
Jamie has been staying with him the past 3 days but needs to get back to NLR.
Continue to pray for them and all of us as we deal with quality of life issues. We are looking into a live in aide which will be quite an adjustment for all.
A few pics from the weekend.
God is good.
I am about to go by the hospital on my way to stay with Dad for the rest of the week.
Jamie has been staying with him the past 3 days but needs to get back to NLR.
Continue to pray for them and all of us as we deal with quality of life issues. We are looking into a live in aide which will be quite an adjustment for all.
A few pics from the weekend.
God is good.
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