Mom went to visit Dad today. She found him in the TV room, basketball game blaring, asleep in his wheelchair... Mom woke him with a kiss, and he happily greeted her, but seemed more interested in the game. He asked her how my brother K____ was, and she told him he and his daughter had just returned from Vegas, playing in a Texas Hold Em tournament. Mom told Dad my brother's daughter held out longer than my brother did. Dad laughed...
"I've been worried K____ was on the other side and had to take the train back..." Dad told her, looking very pensive. Then he broke into a fit of coughing with that lousy cough he has.
Mom knew better than to question what he meant... She asked his caretaker for the day about Dad's cough and he assured Mom Dad was getting breathing treatments and medication three times a day.
I will be curious to see, if Dad gets transferred back to the hospital for some reason... January 24th he was discharged from the hospital back to the nursing home. He generally stays a week, then the nursing home starts a new chart. This April 24th, he will have been back to the nursing home 3 months...we will see...
Dad's lunch of diced beets, cucumbers, some fish, and scalloped potatoes arrived with two glasses of milk, his coffee and gingerbread dessert. While Mom was feeding him, she dropped a couple of beets in his lap (covered in a towel bib), and put the spoon down to pick it up with her fingers. In the process, she brushed Dad's left hand and she noticed he flinched. She asked him if his hand hurt and he told her it was sore and did hurt. Dad has arthritic hands and fingers and some times his hand and/or fingers swell and cause him pain.
Again, Mom double checked with his caretaker and he told Mom they knew about it. After Dad finished his lunch, Mom could tell he was ready for a nap. "Pickles", one of Dad's favorites, offered to take Dad to his room and tuck him in. Mom told him to have sweet dreams and blew him a kiss good-bye...
Mom leaves tomorrow for a weekend retreat in Carlsbad with her friends from church. She is looking forward to it and I know she will have a great time...
After reading Mom's email, I called the charge nurse to inquire about Dad's cough. I wanted to know if they have checked to rule out pneumonia. She told me they had done a chest x-ray. OH REALLY? I let her know no one had called to let me know. I have keeping notes and I plan on letting them know all about this at his Care Conference.
I asked if I could talk with Dad and luckily, he was sitting right in front of the nursing station. Right away I could hear Dad's voice in pain, complaining about his sore hand, making it difficult to hold the phone. We only spoke for a few minutes, because when I explained to Dad AFTER we talked I would ask the nurse to put an ice pack or something on his hand... Dad immediately gave the phone to the nurse...
She told me she could not do anything until she got doctor's orders. She said they were awaiting a phone call from the doctor. Again, I asked why I was not called about Dad...and she told me Mom had been in earlier... I had to remind her I keep notes. I am the first contact and should be called, regardless if Mom is there or not.
The nurse just called me. It is 10:45pm. She let me know the doctor finally returned their call and he will come to see Dad tomorrow. He did not want the nurses doing anything until he sees Dad...
Please Lord, keep me strong in faith and hold Dad close....Amen...
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Always A Silver Lining...
I finally was able to reach Dad. I checked with the nurse first, and he still does have his cough, but when I spoke with him, his voice sounded real good. Only problem, he didn't make much sense when he talked with me. I felt like he could not hear me well either.
He knew right away who I was, and of course, remembered to ask about my husband, but he kept using the word Ensure, which is a drink he drinks with each meal... He spoke of it as if it were his medicine, curing all his problems...
He was non-stop chatting about the ladies...one of them was combing his hair...but he had limited space for the women because he only had a twin bed...
I asked if he enjoyed his lunch and he very enthusiastically told me how much he looks forward to his fruit plates. When I told him my brother E____ had sent me a picture and how good it looked, he did not understand what I was talking about, so I changed the subject...
He wanted to take a nap, so I told him to enjoy his sleep and to have sweet dreams...he told me there is always a silver lining when he is up in age and is thankful to the Lord...
Dad sounded better, which is a relief. His attitude was upbeat and happy and he knew who I was. I am grateful and feel more comfortable now.
He knew right away who I was, and of course, remembered to ask about my husband, but he kept using the word Ensure, which is a drink he drinks with each meal... He spoke of it as if it were his medicine, curing all his problems...
He was non-stop chatting about the ladies...one of them was combing his hair...but he had limited space for the women because he only had a twin bed...
I asked if he enjoyed his lunch and he very enthusiastically told me how much he looks forward to his fruit plates. When I told him my brother E____ had sent me a picture and how good it looked, he did not understand what I was talking about, so I changed the subject...
He wanted to take a nap, so I told him to enjoy his sleep and to have sweet dreams...he told me there is always a silver lining when he is up in age and is thankful to the Lord...
Dad sounded better, which is a relief. His attitude was upbeat and happy and he knew who I was. I am grateful and feel more comfortable now.
Monday, April 25, 2011
What A Wonderful Weekend To Remember...
I called yesterday and today, checking on Dad. So far, no more temperature. Yesterday afternoon, it was 99.2 but back down to 98 this morning. Sunday morning he was at 97. He just finished antibiotics for his UTI, now, they have him on some antibiotics for the cough, temp and wheezing. They are also giving him expectorant medication and breathing treatments.
He has his great appetite, so he must not feel too badly. Personally, I need to hear his voice so I can judge for myself how he is doing...but I seem to have a knack for calling when the nursing station is dispensing medication, despite what time I call.
I called several times today to speak with him, but my last call, the nurse told me Dad was eating his dinner and enjoying a movie. So far, he seems to be doing well.
"Grandma and Grandpa, I'm coming to see you....Yippeeeeee!"
When they pulled up in front of the house, I immediately went outside to greet them and (let's be honest) grab my precious baby grand son... We were all surprised when Jacob waved to me! Both Jodee and Jeff told me this is the first time they have ever seen him wave!
We put Jacob in his activity spinner and introduced him to Izzy. He was quite mesmerized with her and Izzy was very gentle and respectful with him...
Jacob's tee shirt says, "This is what HANDSOME looks like..." So true, so true...
Jeff, Jacob's Daddy is a major animal lover and outdoors man, so we decided to go to the Springs Preserve (I wrote about it Saturday here on my other blog). The weather was warm, so after several hours of walking all over this huge preserve, we were all ready for a nap.
After our naps, we went to the two for one buffet at Green Valley Ranch. We had a nice, leisurely, enjoyable dinner and stretched it out to over two hours. The men left to gamble, Jacob slept, and my daughter savored some precious alone time. Jacob woke when we got back home; Jodee fed him and he went back to sleep. I listened for him on his monitor while Jodee and Jeff enjoyed the spa in the back patio.
Easter morning I awoke early to the delicious sound of Jacob's high squeal and jibber jabber. My daughter had Jacob in my rose chair in the living room, attempting to take an Easter morning picture. Together, with a little help from Izzy, we were able to get these shots...
He has his great appetite, so he must not feel too badly. Personally, I need to hear his voice so I can judge for myself how he is doing...but I seem to have a knack for calling when the nursing station is dispensing medication, despite what time I call.
I called several times today to speak with him, but my last call, the nurse told me Dad was eating his dinner and enjoying a movie. So far, he seems to be doing well.
Early Saturday morning I received the following photo/text via my cell, from my daughter Jodee, which read...
When they pulled up in front of the house, I immediately went outside to greet them and (let's be honest) grab my precious baby grand son... We were all surprised when Jacob waved to me! Both Jodee and Jeff told me this is the first time they have ever seen him wave!
We put Jacob in his activity spinner and introduced him to Izzy. He was quite mesmerized with her and Izzy was very gentle and respectful with him...
Jeff, Jacob's Daddy is a major animal lover and outdoors man, so we decided to go to the Springs Preserve (I wrote about it Saturday here on my other blog). The weather was warm, so after several hours of walking all over this huge preserve, we were all ready for a nap.
After our naps, we went to the two for one buffet at Green Valley Ranch. We had a nice, leisurely, enjoyable dinner and stretched it out to over two hours. The men left to gamble, Jacob slept, and my daughter savored some precious alone time. Jacob woke when we got back home; Jodee fed him and he went back to sleep. I listened for him on his monitor while Jodee and Jeff enjoyed the spa in the back patio.
Easter morning I awoke early to the delicious sound of Jacob's high squeal and jibber jabber. My daughter had Jacob in my rose chair in the living room, attempting to take an Easter morning picture. Together, with a little help from Izzy, we were able to get these shots...
This was his reaction to Izzy "sitting pretty' standing on her hind legs...
Here, she had just licked his cute little toes...
Unfortunately, she barked and startled him, making him sob big crocodile tears...Grandma went to his rescue and held him until he calmed down. Izzy did not bark around him the rest of the weekend. I was so impressed with Izzy's sensitivity. This is the first time she has ever been around a baby.
We called my oldest daughter Holly in California to wish the 8 year old and the six year old Happy Easter. Holly had them grading cheese and cutting string beans for their holiday dinner. The 8 year old is a DVR hog, (it being 95% full) recording so many of his shows, his Mom can't record hers... So as a special Easter gift to his Mother, he told his Mom he had cleared several of his shows. "I wanted to clear it to 75% Mom, but I went a little crazy and stopped at 68%." We got a kick out of his big sacrifice...
I fixed a big breakfast of sausage patties, bacon, scrambled eggs and my famous french toast...AFTER I cleaned up all the broken glass from dropping my big glass Pyrex lid...shattering into a million pieces, shooting out into the dining room, the front hall way, and all over the tile floor of my kitchen! What a mess!! I caught the side of my finger on the hot lid and when I set it down upon the counter, it was not all the way on it and fell...
We spent several hours being immensely entertained with baby Jacob...
He loves his Grandpa...
Oh my gosh...do you see those cute dimples on each side of his sweet little face?? Just like Daddy...
It just doesn't get much better than this...
While Jacob napped snuggled next to Jodee, we enjoyed the weather on the back patio and played a fun game called Table Topics. Basically, it is a box of questions which prompt some pretty fascinating conversations. My husband worked his magic on the BBQ grilling his legendary steaks, while Jodee and I made a salad and some fresh, white corn on the cob.
After dinner, Jeff, Jacob, Jodee, Izzy and I decided to take a "nature hike" above the canyon where we live, out on the hiking trails which lead out to the open desert. Jeff used to own a pet store and owned many snakes he kept as pets. He carried one of those crooked metal snake stick tools to lift rocks so he could look for critters. We had an agreement I had absolutely ZERO interest in seeing or getting near any snakes...
My daughter bundled up Jacob and strapped him to her chest in a papoose carrier. Once we reached the bluff above the canyon, the view was spectacular and I wished I had not forgotten my camera...It was pretty windy up there so we had a crystal clear view of the valley below....
Jacob had passed out and fell into a deep sleep, all snuggled and covered with blankets. Out on the trails, the hills are quite steep going up and going down. We saw a couple other families pushing strollers up and down the hills. I marveled at my daughter carrying the baby the entire walk. Jeff offered to carry Jacob, but she said she loved holding him.
Once we reached the open desert, we stood on the path and talked, while Jeff went down into a riverbed and snooped...He shrank into the distance as he happily explored. When we saw up curving back around to the trail up ahead, we walked down to meet him. Always wary of coyotes, we made sure we were well on our way back before sunset.
Jeff could not stop talking about how much he enjoyed the walk. He supported Jodee's back and pushed her up the hills, helping her climb the hills with the baby. Thankfully, I had Izzy pulling me up the hill...but I could not talk, I was too busy huffing and puffing...
Ironically, we saw a couple bunnies and some Quail once we reached my neighborhood, and never saw anything on the trails or when Jeff was in the desert.
My husband was still sitting on the patio when we returned, enjoying a cocktail. He had been visiting with various neighbors who normally walk their dogs past our house so their dogs can visit with Izzy... I was exhausted, so before I could announce I was tired, I had fallen asleep on the couch. My husband did too.
Jeff had to be at an important meeting at 10:00 AM this morning, so they planned on driving back at 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM Sunday night. They woke us up before they left. Jacob was sound asleep in his carrier, so we all hugged and kissed good-bye. I will see them next month over Mother's Day...so it is not too far away. They promised to call us when they got home, which they did. I stayed awake watching TV until their text at 3:30 AM. They had to make a couple stops so Jodee could feed the baby, then he went right back to sleep.
What a good, happy baby he is...what a wonderful weekend to remember...the only way it would have been better, is if the rest of the family had been there with us....
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Dad Has A Temperature...
Got a call from the nursing home a little before midnight. Dad has a temperature of 103 with his cough. The nurse said he had eaten well today and she gave him some Tylenol. She also called Dad's doctor. I asked her to call me if it spikes more during the night. I will call in the morning to check on him...
God, please don't let it be pneumonia...he did have the pneumonia shot...so maybe since it is night time, his body is trying to fight off the cough...
God, please don't let it be pneumonia...he did have the pneumonia shot...so maybe since it is night time, his body is trying to fight off the cough...
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Dad Said He Was Chased By The Police...
Mom went to visit Dad today and found him snoozing in his wheelchair, waiting in the dining room for his lunch. Doctor-Doctor came in to catch Mom. She told her Dad had gotten himself out of bed and went through the bathroom into the adjoining room. She had asked Dad why he got out of bed himself and Dad told her,
"Because the Police were after me!. I yelled yesterday because they challenged my authority..."
Doctor-Doctor had told Dad she would not allow anyone to get him. She would protect him. Mom was relieved Dad did not fall and hit his head or anything... She also noticed his left foot was freshly bandaged. When Mom mentioned it, Dad told her it was healing nicely and it did not hurt...
Dad still has his cough, but no temperature or sore throat. When I checked on him yesterday, I was surprised to learn Dad has been on Mucinex expectorant since his hospital stay in January...yet another thing I did not know.... When I mentioned his cough the other day after my conversation with Dad, the nurse told me she would give Dad "breathing treatments" and see if it helped. In any case, she would notify Dad's doctor...
As Mom sat with Dad as his lunch was served, she suddenly felt some one's hands on her shoulders, giving her a neck and shoulder massage....she turned to see it was my youngest brother, E_____. Dad gave Mom a huge grin, asking her, "Can you guess who this is?" My brother joined them and visited with Mom and Dad as Dad ate his lunch...
Dad is concentrating on his lunch...Both Mom and Dad thought Dad seemed "subdued and more mellow than usual" this afternoon...
Before Dad has cleaned his plate, he asked his server for a fruit plate. Shortly he returned with this...my brother was so impressed he took a pic...
Dad gave my brother a blank stare...
Giving Dad a hint, E____ suggested to Dad, "It involves the cross..."
"Oh, I like those cars...."
Laughing, my brother tried again..."When Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again..."
"Oh yeah...yeah...a very important time..."
Both Mom and my brother realized Dad was tired, so when Mom asked if he would like to take a nap, Dad was very agreeable and looked relieved. We all think he does not feel very well... I will be calling tomorrow to make sure the doctor is checking on him...
Walking down the hallway, on their way out to have lunch together, they met the Administrator and the new Director of Nursing (who called me about Dad being diabetic). They both told Mom they had both spoken with me...and hoped I was satisfied with their explanations about Dad's diabetes... Mom told them,
"Oh don't worry, if she isn't happy, you will know about it!"
The Administrator remembers only to well when Dad has his fall, I had all my siblings and my Mother in his office for a family conference...with a walk through of where Dad was found and us all viewing the security tape together...
"Because the Police were after me!. I yelled yesterday because they challenged my authority..."
Doctor-Doctor had told Dad she would not allow anyone to get him. She would protect him. Mom was relieved Dad did not fall and hit his head or anything... She also noticed his left foot was freshly bandaged. When Mom mentioned it, Dad told her it was healing nicely and it did not hurt...
Dad still has his cough, but no temperature or sore throat. When I checked on him yesterday, I was surprised to learn Dad has been on Mucinex expectorant since his hospital stay in January...yet another thing I did not know.... When I mentioned his cough the other day after my conversation with Dad, the nurse told me she would give Dad "breathing treatments" and see if it helped. In any case, she would notify Dad's doctor...
As Mom sat with Dad as his lunch was served, she suddenly felt some one's hands on her shoulders, giving her a neck and shoulder massage....she turned to see it was my youngest brother, E_____. Dad gave Mom a huge grin, asking her, "Can you guess who this is?" My brother joined them and visited with Mom and Dad as Dad ate his lunch...
Before Dad has cleaned his plate, he asked his server for a fruit plate. Shortly he returned with this...my brother was so impressed he took a pic...
Dad's lunch fruit plate...
After Dad polished off his fruit plate, they all went out onto the patio to enjoy some sunshine, chatting for awhile. My brother asked Dad if he knew what Sunday was...
Giving Dad a hint, E____ suggested to Dad, "It involves the cross..."
"Oh, I like those cars...."
Laughing, my brother tried again..."When Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again..."
"Oh yeah...yeah...a very important time..."
Both Mom and my brother realized Dad was tired, so when Mom asked if he would like to take a nap, Dad was very agreeable and looked relieved. We all think he does not feel very well... I will be calling tomorrow to make sure the doctor is checking on him...
Walking down the hallway, on their way out to have lunch together, they met the Administrator and the new Director of Nursing (who called me about Dad being diabetic). They both told Mom they had both spoken with me...and hoped I was satisfied with their explanations about Dad's diabetes... Mom told them,
"Oh don't worry, if she isn't happy, you will know about it!"
The Administrator remembers only to well when Dad has his fall, I had all my siblings and my Mother in his office for a family conference...with a walk through of where Dad was found and us all viewing the security tape together...
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
7 Months Old Today...and A BIG Shout Out/Thank You To Diane of Blue Ridge Gal...
Jacob, all stylin' with his cute self in jeans...
One of my blogging friends, Sandie at Chatty Crone had some blogging buttons made by Diane at The Blue Ridge Gal. I complimented her on it and she suggested I contact Diane. I did, and she made me a button for each of my blogs! She is so kind and generous to do this for free! Visit her blog and check out her work... She also designs headers for blogs! Very creative and nice lady, you will love her!
Check out my blog buttons...and feel free to take one of each: (See my side bar for ones with html to install )
Thank you so much Diane! I really appreciate these!Tuesday, April 19, 2011
SURVEY: I Would Appreciate Your Opinion...(2nd post today)
What do you prefer when commenting on blogs... Would you rather have a reply back by email or would you rather go back to the post where you left your comment for an answer?
Generally, when one of you leave me a comment after my post, I email back to you, rather than answering in the comment section...unless we are having a discussion...but I noticed lately, I have almost exclusively been emailing back directly. I also have noticed my comments have slacked off...maybe not seeing my comments after every one's comment, gives the impression I don't respond.? Or is everyone just busy?
I am interested in your opinions and input... thanks!
Generally, when one of you leave me a comment after my post, I email back to you, rather than answering in the comment section...unless we are having a discussion...but I noticed lately, I have almost exclusively been emailing back directly. I also have noticed my comments have slacked off...maybe not seeing my comments after every one's comment, gives the impression I don't respond.? Or is everyone just busy?
I am interested in your opinions and input... thanks!
A Walk On The Weird Side...
After two weeks, I finally reached Dad. I have been getting all the excuses, which happens some times... but I have been so irritated not being able to spend some time with him. I prefer to talk with him in the morning, and tonight was a perfect example why...
Often, later in the day, Dad gets sun downers, which makes him contrary or more "out there" than he is during the day...then again, I did wake him....In the evenings, we never know what reaction we will get...
The nurse told me to hold on while she transfers the call to the nurse assisting Dad on the phone...
"I want to talk to him, I want him to come visit me right now, this minute!"
"Hi Papa-doots, it's me, Donna Dee your firstborn..."
He began coughing and held the phone away from his mouth, but I could still hear him coughing...His voice was very deep...
"Ahhhhhhh.... ooooooooo Oh Donna dear, what a wonderful dream to wake up to... thank you for washing my face..."
"Did I wake you up?"
"Yes, I was having the most beautiful dream, but I can't remember what it was..."
"I love you and miss you. I am going to come and see you in a couple of weeks..."
"When are you coming?"
"In May, just a couple of weeks from now...I want to see your handsome face and give you kisses..."
More coughing...then his voice sounded more "normal"...
"De Da, de da, toosh, toosh, de ta, de ta....(laughs)"
Uncertain what he is doing or trying to say...I repeated myself, " I love you Dad... How are you feeling?"
"I love you too my dear.."
More coughing...
"Dad? Are you sick? Do you have a cold?"
"Yes, but they are giving me some medicine..."
"How do you feel?"
"I feel GREAT! I'm just fine.... I'm watching the traffic control and I know I am on my way to the last paradise...You tell your dear husband how much I love him. It is so good he takes such good care of himself and of you..."
"We both love you so much Dad."
" Yes, I love you too ..."
"I bet you are looking forward to a good dinner, huh?"
"I am going to say good bye now...I have to get control of these people here..."
"OK...I'll let you get ready for dinner...I will see you in a couple of weeks..."
"Thank you for calling dear...good bye." (Click)
I feel frustrated...talk about a walk on the weird side!
Often, later in the day, Dad gets sun downers, which makes him contrary or more "out there" than he is during the day...then again, I did wake him....In the evenings, we never know what reaction we will get...
The nurse told me to hold on while she transfers the call to the nurse assisting Dad on the phone...
"I want to talk to him, I want him to come visit me right now, this minute!"
"Hi Papa-doots, it's me, Donna Dee your firstborn..."
He began coughing and held the phone away from his mouth, but I could still hear him coughing...His voice was very deep...
"Ahhhhhhh.... ooooooooo Oh Donna dear, what a wonderful dream to wake up to... thank you for washing my face..."
"Did I wake you up?"
"Yes, I was having the most beautiful dream, but I can't remember what it was..."
"I love you and miss you. I am going to come and see you in a couple of weeks..."
"When are you coming?"
"In May, just a couple of weeks from now...I want to see your handsome face and give you kisses..."
More coughing...then his voice sounded more "normal"...
"De Da, de da, toosh, toosh, de ta, de ta....(laughs)"
Uncertain what he is doing or trying to say...I repeated myself, " I love you Dad... How are you feeling?"
"I love you too my dear.."
More coughing...
"Dad? Are you sick? Do you have a cold?"
"Yes, but they are giving me some medicine..."
"How do you feel?"
"I feel GREAT! I'm just fine.... I'm watching the traffic control and I know I am on my way to the last paradise...You tell your dear husband how much I love him. It is so good he takes such good care of himself and of you..."
"We both love you so much Dad."
" Yes, I love you too ..."
"I bet you are looking forward to a good dinner, huh?"
"I am going to say good bye now...I have to get control of these people here..."
"OK...I'll let you get ready for dinner...I will see you in a couple of weeks..."
"Thank you for calling dear...good bye." (Click)
I feel frustrated...talk about a walk on the weird side!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Our Prayers Were Answered and Laughter IS The Best Medicine...
Thank you so much everyone for your prayers. THEY WORKED!
My brother passed the treadmill test with dye. The radiologist said he did not have any blockage in his arteries! He was discharged from the hospital today and no doubt is home in his bed getting some good sleep because he DID NOT get any at the hospital...
It looks like it was stress.
I spoke with him this morning and he sounded WONDERFUL! He said they put a Nitroglycerin patch on him and it gave him a horrible headache and made him nauseated. The doctor removed it today. Last night, they told him if he had a clogged artery, they would have to put in a stint. Thank God he is OK.
When we talked this morning, we laughed and made jokes. It is typical for our family when we are are on the other side of something terrible. We definitely believe, laughter IS the best medicine...
I asked how the food was and he told me it was horrible because he didn't have anything to eat since 7am yesterday...that patch made him too sick to eat...and he is never too sick to eat... I asked how the coffee was...because my brother LOVES HIS JOE (aka coffee).
"I'm holding a cup in my hand right now...".
I laughed. A cup of coffee in his hand is as much him as are his dimples. He had just finished his stress test and it was his first request! His wife made sure he got his wish...
I told him I had chest pains when I worked for the federal courts... I asked he was under any stress...
"Well, yeah...I have to work..."
After my brother graduated high school, I let him live with me in my little beach bungalow in Belmont Shores. He slept on the couch and I slept in the Murphy bed. We had a great time, philosophizing and listening to Rod McKuen poetry on an album called, THE SEA...
I got him his first job at Big Johns Pizza in nearby Long Beach...and his second job at Charley Browns restaurant, where I worked as a cocktail server. We would stay up late after we got off work, walk down to 2nd street and have dinner at Hamburger Henry's. We have lots of fun and memorable memories, but this particular one is my favorite...
One late night not too long after he first moved in, he awoke from the couch and stumbled in a drowsy haze to use the bathroom. I had an old wooden Coca Cola crate on the wall, as a shelf to hold my lotion and bath powder. It was a tiny bathroom. We had to shut the door, not only for privacy but to get to the toilet.
Living at the beach, there were cockroaches. BIG ONES... So huge you could throw a saddle on one!
As he finished what he went in to do, still in the dark, (can someone please explain to me why men pee in the dark?) he felt something on his foot and naturally jumped.... only to feel a disgusting "crunch" under his bare feet.
He immediately made a growling yell of repulsion and began to flail his arm in search of the light switch. Instead, his arm banged into the crate on the wall. The shelf fell and spilled my bath powder all over him and the bathroom in a cloud of sweet smelling chalkiness. He began to sneeze uncontrollably...crashing and banging, attempting to open the bathroom door...
The loud ruckus woke me from my peaceful slumber. Heart pounding, I turned on the light to see my 6'2" brother, covered in my favorite perfumed White Shoulders bath powder... Sneezing one giant, boisterous sneeze after another, attempting to tell me what had happened...
I had to laugh. You would have too. So did he. I wet a dish towel and shoved it at his nose. He finally stopped sneezing and cleaned himself up. He showed me the smashed cockroach as we laughed hysterically. In our giddiness, we decided to put the "deceased" into a shoe box and deliver it to our landlord. My brother wrote the note..."I thought you said the policy was, NO PETS?"
In those days, he was like the North Wind...he would blow in awhile, feel restless, and then off again, toward his next adventure. He didn't stay at one job very long, but with his personality and Tom Selleck good looks, he never had any difficulty in finding one.
He and a friend decided to go on a road trip. We had seen the movie, Blume In Love, where Kris Kristofferson takes off on an adventure and then sends Susan Anspach a postcard which read, "Nothin' to it". That's what my brother did. Sent me a post card saying, "Nothin' To It".
He eventually came home, got another job, then quit suddenly one night and decided to go to Hawaii. Came back and on his way home on the bus, which was too slow; got off, walked into some ho-dunk car dealership and bought a car.
Of course the car was a lemon, so he worked on it with his friend, who was mechanically inclined...unlike my brother. One day, while following the manual to rebuild the engine, the wind blew the page and he ended up with a cardboard box full of extra parts....His friend saved him and fixed it up fine...
He drove it until he was tired of feeding it oil and it breaking down. One night he stopped at a gas station and when he got back in the car, it wouldn't start. So he left it and hitch hiked home. The gas station called the next day to tell him how much it would cost to fix it. Without regret, he told them to just keep it...
He liked to golf, much better than he liked keeping a job, so he decided to be a professional golf caddy. We gave him a big family send off, complete with a singing telegram, at some fancy restaurant in Orange County...I don't remember which one right now...but his dimples were deep and happy. He smiled a lot that night...
So off he went to figure out how to be a caddy... First he worked on the men's tour, which didn't last long...and then for the Ladie's Tour, where he eventually met his wife. He was her caddy. She ended up giving up golf, he became a born again Christian, they married, settling in Ohio and had three sons and a daughter. All the boys are grown up now, their daughter will graduate next year..
He has slowed down to a light, napping breeze these days...he is happy and content living in a 100 year old house with his wife, daughter, three dogs and a couple cats.
I love you my brother...we are all so glad you are well....
My brother passed the treadmill test with dye. The radiologist said he did not have any blockage in his arteries! He was discharged from the hospital today and no doubt is home in his bed getting some good sleep because he DID NOT get any at the hospital...
It looks like it was stress.
I spoke with him this morning and he sounded WONDERFUL! He said they put a Nitroglycerin patch on him and it gave him a horrible headache and made him nauseated. The doctor removed it today. Last night, they told him if he had a clogged artery, they would have to put in a stint. Thank God he is OK.
When we talked this morning, we laughed and made jokes. It is typical for our family when we are are on the other side of something terrible. We definitely believe, laughter IS the best medicine...
I asked how the food was and he told me it was horrible because he didn't have anything to eat since 7am yesterday...that patch made him too sick to eat...and he is never too sick to eat... I asked how the coffee was...because my brother LOVES HIS JOE (aka coffee).
"I'm holding a cup in my hand right now...".
I laughed. A cup of coffee in his hand is as much him as are his dimples. He had just finished his stress test and it was his first request! His wife made sure he got his wish...
I told him I had chest pains when I worked for the federal courts... I asked he was under any stress...
"Well, yeah...I have to work..."
After my brother graduated high school, I let him live with me in my little beach bungalow in Belmont Shores. He slept on the couch and I slept in the Murphy bed. We had a great time, philosophizing and listening to Rod McKuen poetry on an album called, THE SEA...
I got him his first job at Big Johns Pizza in nearby Long Beach...and his second job at Charley Browns restaurant, where I worked as a cocktail server. We would stay up late after we got off work, walk down to 2nd street and have dinner at Hamburger Henry's. We have lots of fun and memorable memories, but this particular one is my favorite...
One late night not too long after he first moved in, he awoke from the couch and stumbled in a drowsy haze to use the bathroom. I had an old wooden Coca Cola crate on the wall, as a shelf to hold my lotion and bath powder. It was a tiny bathroom. We had to shut the door, not only for privacy but to get to the toilet.
Living at the beach, there were cockroaches. BIG ONES... So huge you could throw a saddle on one!
As he finished what he went in to do, still in the dark, (can someone please explain to me why men pee in the dark?) he felt something on his foot and naturally jumped.... only to feel a disgusting "crunch" under his bare feet.
He immediately made a growling yell of repulsion and began to flail his arm in search of the light switch. Instead, his arm banged into the crate on the wall. The shelf fell and spilled my bath powder all over him and the bathroom in a cloud of sweet smelling chalkiness. He began to sneeze uncontrollably...crashing and banging, attempting to open the bathroom door...
The loud ruckus woke me from my peaceful slumber. Heart pounding, I turned on the light to see my 6'2" brother, covered in my favorite perfumed White Shoulders bath powder... Sneezing one giant, boisterous sneeze after another, attempting to tell me what had happened...
I had to laugh. You would have too. So did he. I wet a dish towel and shoved it at his nose. He finally stopped sneezing and cleaned himself up. He showed me the smashed cockroach as we laughed hysterically. In our giddiness, we decided to put the "deceased" into a shoe box and deliver it to our landlord. My brother wrote the note..."I thought you said the policy was, NO PETS?"
In those days, he was like the North Wind...he would blow in awhile, feel restless, and then off again, toward his next adventure. He didn't stay at one job very long, but with his personality and Tom Selleck good looks, he never had any difficulty in finding one.
He and a friend decided to go on a road trip. We had seen the movie, Blume In Love, where Kris Kristofferson takes off on an adventure and then sends Susan Anspach a postcard which read, "Nothin' to it". That's what my brother did. Sent me a post card saying, "Nothin' To It".
He eventually came home, got another job, then quit suddenly one night and decided to go to Hawaii. Came back and on his way home on the bus, which was too slow; got off, walked into some ho-dunk car dealership and bought a car.
Of course the car was a lemon, so he worked on it with his friend, who was mechanically inclined...unlike my brother. One day, while following the manual to rebuild the engine, the wind blew the page and he ended up with a cardboard box full of extra parts....His friend saved him and fixed it up fine...
He drove it until he was tired of feeding it oil and it breaking down. One night he stopped at a gas station and when he got back in the car, it wouldn't start. So he left it and hitch hiked home. The gas station called the next day to tell him how much it would cost to fix it. Without regret, he told them to just keep it...
He liked to golf, much better than he liked keeping a job, so he decided to be a professional golf caddy. We gave him a big family send off, complete with a singing telegram, at some fancy restaurant in Orange County...I don't remember which one right now...but his dimples were deep and happy. He smiled a lot that night...
So off he went to figure out how to be a caddy... First he worked on the men's tour, which didn't last long...and then for the Ladie's Tour, where he eventually met his wife. He was her caddy. She ended up giving up golf, he became a born again Christian, they married, settling in Ohio and had three sons and a daughter. All the boys are grown up now, their daughter will graduate next year..
He has slowed down to a light, napping breeze these days...he is happy and content living in a 100 year old house with his wife, daughter, three dogs and a couple cats.
I love you my brother...we are all so glad you are well....
Thursday, April 14, 2011
PRAYERS NEEDED...PLEASE!
My husband and I just returned home from Sam's Town Casino. We had gone to the Stephen's Press Reception for the Las Vegas Writer's Conference, to listen to my blogging friend, Linda Lou, author of Bastard Husband, A Love Story.... She spoke about the writer's life, mixed in with her wonderful humor... We also saw my other blogging friend, Lisa Gioia-Acres. We sat at a table with Judy McFadden, author of Life With Mc Duff.
Mom had sent me two emails... one about her visit with Dad today, and one about my oldest brother (he is the next sibling after me, as I am the eldest), who lives in Ohio. He was admitted to the hospital today with chest pains. Apparently, he is not having a heart attack, but he may have a clogged artery. Would everyone please pray for him and for the doctors treating him. Thank you so much...
Mom walked into Dad's room this morning, just as he was waking up. He immediately became animated, telling Mom about Rock Marciano, Joe Lewis, and other fighters, he had apparently dreamed about. Mom told her how much he enjoys boxing. (When I was little, living with my parents with our cousins in my grand parents huge Craftsman style home in Pasadena, my grandma and I used to tuck ourselves in the library and watch boxing together. Here was this shy, quiet, prim and proper lady, punching and swinging air punches as we rooted for whoever we wanted to win....)
Dad flirted with Mom, telling her how thrilled he was she was there. She brought some pictures of my grand sons, (the eight year old and the six year old) which my oldest daughter had sent her. She let him take his pick and then she put them in frames by his bed on the wall. He was DELIGHTED!
Mom had noticed my second oldest brother had signed in as a visitor with Dad, so Mom asked how their visit had been. Dad smiled a huge, bright smile and told her what a huge, wonderful hug he had given Dad. He told her it meant the world to him...
He told her my oldest brother (the one in Ohio) had come to see him too... (She wrote this email before finding out my brother went into the hospital. She jokingly asked if he had flown out to visit without telling us... It makes me wonder if my brother was in pain and thinking of Dad and Dad caught his thought process while sleeping?....)
Mom shared with Dad she had been to a funeral with her friend at Riverside Veteran's Cemetery... Dad interrupted her and told her he wanted to be cremated if it was OK with her. Mom told him it was fine, and she wanted to be cremated too. She told him she might go first, so she would make sure to write it down as last wishes in their Family Trust.
Mom explained there was a section there for ashes if he wanted to be buried there. Dad either did not hear her or was still contemplating. He never answered her...
He told her he talks to the Lord allowing him to be absolutely pain free. Taking a deep breath and with full voice, he told her, "I feel GREAT!" Mom of course, told him how happy it made her to hear that..
"I have no worries anymore and I never have to worry when I am lying in my own bed, " he smiled. (Thank God the night sedative is helping him sleep without the kidnapping nightmares anymore!)
More conversation from Dad....
"I like to do the 'shimmy shake' and sing for the gals. I am very popular with them..."
"The girls know me and put people I want to talk to on the TV so I can talk to them personally. I own the TV company, you know..."
"I can yell like a Banshee and asked if she wanted to hear...." (Mom thanked him, but told her to please not yell right now...)
"There is a bag of poppy seeds in the cupboard above his bed. They give me some at night to help me sleep..."
Dad told her of someone, he refers to as the "hummer", who has a lovely voice. Apparently, Dad told this person he could sing for the opera and make lots of money...
"I love to play the game TEN with dice." (Mom asked us all in the email if any of us knew this game. No doubt Dad is talking about throwing the dice and trying to make a total of TEN with the dice...or maybe he is remembering when we used to play Bunco or Yahtzee...)
"Holl Doll keeps my nails trimmed." (my sister)
"I scratch my legs, but not too hard...they told me to do it to help my blood circulation..."
"I spent the day in the truck with my friend and he is going to introduce me to a special woman named, Jill..." (who knows what he meant here...maybe a dream?)
The charge nurse came in to tell Mom, the wound care nurse will be treating Dad's pinkie toe wound as usual, but they had a visiting wound care physician come look at Dad's wound to collaborate on her treatment. She will let us know when he has some results.
Mom wheeled Dad to the lunchroom, talking with several staff members on her way. Doctor-Doctor appeared, gave Mom a big hug, and walked with them to dining room. Mom said Dad sits like a baby bird with his mouth open so Mom will feed him. He enjoys it. He nods his head when he has finished chewing and is ready for her to shovel another bite into his mouth...
He enjoyed a delicious lunch of Mexican casserole (which looked and smelled divine) with meat, cheese, black beans, tortillas etc in it, some tasty looking Spanish rice with a big green salad. Dad loved every bite. When Mom showed him the butterscotch pudding for dessert, he smacked his lips with gusto! He polished it off and drained a glass of milk and two cups of "the best coffee in the world" (per Dad)...
Another great visit. Mom wheeled him back to his room and allowed the care takers to get him changed and ready for his afternoon nap. She kissed him good-bye and he thanked her with a kiss for coming to visit.
*** Update on Dad's Diabetes: The doctor has decided to wait until May to do another HBA1C. Until then, there will be no further finger pricks or changes to his diet. I will be attending Dad's Care Conference in person, while visiting in May. We also have the option of waiving a diabetic diet if Dad appears to be unhappy with it. ****
Thank you so much everyone for your support and concern for Dad. A special thank you to the nurses and diabetics who shared valuable information with me so I would not panic....
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you all....you are all the very best!
Mom had sent me two emails... one about her visit with Dad today, and one about my oldest brother (he is the next sibling after me, as I am the eldest), who lives in Ohio. He was admitted to the hospital today with chest pains. Apparently, he is not having a heart attack, but he may have a clogged artery. Would everyone please pray for him and for the doctors treating him. Thank you so much...
Mom walked into Dad's room this morning, just as he was waking up. He immediately became animated, telling Mom about Rock Marciano, Joe Lewis, and other fighters, he had apparently dreamed about. Mom told her how much he enjoys boxing. (When I was little, living with my parents with our cousins in my grand parents huge Craftsman style home in Pasadena, my grandma and I used to tuck ourselves in the library and watch boxing together. Here was this shy, quiet, prim and proper lady, punching and swinging air punches as we rooted for whoever we wanted to win....)
Dad flirted with Mom, telling her how thrilled he was she was there. She brought some pictures of my grand sons, (the eight year old and the six year old) which my oldest daughter had sent her. She let him take his pick and then she put them in frames by his bed on the wall. He was DELIGHTED!
Mom had noticed my second oldest brother had signed in as a visitor with Dad, so Mom asked how their visit had been. Dad smiled a huge, bright smile and told her what a huge, wonderful hug he had given Dad. He told her it meant the world to him...
He told her my oldest brother (the one in Ohio) had come to see him too... (She wrote this email before finding out my brother went into the hospital. She jokingly asked if he had flown out to visit without telling us... It makes me wonder if my brother was in pain and thinking of Dad and Dad caught his thought process while sleeping?....)
Mom shared with Dad she had been to a funeral with her friend at Riverside Veteran's Cemetery... Dad interrupted her and told her he wanted to be cremated if it was OK with her. Mom told him it was fine, and she wanted to be cremated too. She told him she might go first, so she would make sure to write it down as last wishes in their Family Trust.
Mom explained there was a section there for ashes if he wanted to be buried there. Dad either did not hear her or was still contemplating. He never answered her...
He told her he talks to the Lord allowing him to be absolutely pain free. Taking a deep breath and with full voice, he told her, "I feel GREAT!" Mom of course, told him how happy it made her to hear that..
"I have no worries anymore and I never have to worry when I am lying in my own bed, " he smiled. (Thank God the night sedative is helping him sleep without the kidnapping nightmares anymore!)
More conversation from Dad....
"I like to do the 'shimmy shake' and sing for the gals. I am very popular with them..."
"The girls know me and put people I want to talk to on the TV so I can talk to them personally. I own the TV company, you know..."
"I can yell like a Banshee and asked if she wanted to hear...." (Mom thanked him, but told her to please not yell right now...)
"There is a bag of poppy seeds in the cupboard above his bed. They give me some at night to help me sleep..."
Dad told her of someone, he refers to as the "hummer", who has a lovely voice. Apparently, Dad told this person he could sing for the opera and make lots of money...
"I love to play the game TEN with dice." (Mom asked us all in the email if any of us knew this game. No doubt Dad is talking about throwing the dice and trying to make a total of TEN with the dice...or maybe he is remembering when we used to play Bunco or Yahtzee...)
"Holl Doll keeps my nails trimmed." (my sister)
"I scratch my legs, but not too hard...they told me to do it to help my blood circulation..."
"I spent the day in the truck with my friend and he is going to introduce me to a special woman named, Jill..." (who knows what he meant here...maybe a dream?)
The charge nurse came in to tell Mom, the wound care nurse will be treating Dad's pinkie toe wound as usual, but they had a visiting wound care physician come look at Dad's wound to collaborate on her treatment. She will let us know when he has some results.
Mom wheeled Dad to the lunchroom, talking with several staff members on her way. Doctor-Doctor appeared, gave Mom a big hug, and walked with them to dining room. Mom said Dad sits like a baby bird with his mouth open so Mom will feed him. He enjoys it. He nods his head when he has finished chewing and is ready for her to shovel another bite into his mouth...
He enjoyed a delicious lunch of Mexican casserole (which looked and smelled divine) with meat, cheese, black beans, tortillas etc in it, some tasty looking Spanish rice with a big green salad. Dad loved every bite. When Mom showed him the butterscotch pudding for dessert, he smacked his lips with gusto! He polished it off and drained a glass of milk and two cups of "the best coffee in the world" (per Dad)...
Another great visit. Mom wheeled him back to his room and allowed the care takers to get him changed and ready for his afternoon nap. She kissed him good-bye and he thanked her with a kiss for coming to visit.
*** Update on Dad's Diabetes: The doctor has decided to wait until May to do another HBA1C. Until then, there will be no further finger pricks or changes to his diet. I will be attending Dad's Care Conference in person, while visiting in May. We also have the option of waiving a diabetic diet if Dad appears to be unhappy with it. ****
Thank you so much everyone for your support and concern for Dad. A special thank you to the nurses and diabetics who shared valuable information with me so I would not panic....
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you all....you are all the very best!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Updates On Dad, Celebrating and Company...
I called this morning to talk with Dad...again, but he was in Rehab doing his exercises. I spoke with the nurse and she told me Dad's doctor does not want to diagnose Dad as diabetic. He plans on doing another Hemoglobin A1C in May. He does not want them to monitor his blood with the finger pricks, nor does he want them to change his diet...
I have been trying to contact the Director of Nursing, but she has been "unavailable"...so I have left messages. She and I had discussed I would be in town in May (for Mother's Day and my sister's birthday) so I would like to attend Dad's next Care Conference IN PERSON instead of over the phone. So we have scheduled it for May 9th at 9:30am. I will email Dad's doctor and let him know, so hopefully, we can co-ordinate appropriately...
The nurse suggested I call back just before 1pm when they put him down for a nap...so I will try again later on...
We had planned to take Izzy with us for a road trip to Tucson, Arizona to visit friends...but with all the projects and chaos lately, knowing we have company every weekend until mid May when my husband's cousin and his wife may come for a visit...we decided to stay home and pace ourselves...
My youngest daughter Jodee, baby Jacob and her boyfriend Jeff are coming Easter weekend, then my sister and girlfriend arrive the next weekend for our annual Scrappin' and Creative weekend...then the first week in May, I go to California for a week. I come home on the 10th and his cousin should arrive somewhere around the 13th or 15th... then we have his 6 year old grand daughter's birthday on the 21st and 13 year old grand son's birthday the end of May...
I have been trying to contact the Director of Nursing, but she has been "unavailable"...so I have left messages. She and I had discussed I would be in town in May (for Mother's Day and my sister's birthday) so I would like to attend Dad's next Care Conference IN PERSON instead of over the phone. So we have scheduled it for May 9th at 9:30am. I will email Dad's doctor and let him know, so hopefully, we can co-ordinate appropriately...
The nurse suggested I call back just before 1pm when they put him down for a nap...so I will try again later on...
Yesterday, my hubby and I celebrated the day we met eleven years ago. I had placed a singles ad and he answered my ad. After talking several times, we met in person at an Italian restaurant after work. We sat and talked for three hours on April 12, 2000. By August we wanted to be exclusive and the following April, at the same restaurant, we celebrated our engagement. We married, October 14, 2001.
We went to Carrabas Italian restaurant last night and enjoyed a romantic dinner...Since we had some "free play" at one of the local casinos, we went to play our $7 each. I put in $20, my limit to play, in addition to the $7 free play, and cashed out an hour later with $50. I could not believe I was ready to go home at 9:30pm, but my honey was very understanding...
We had planned to take Izzy with us for a road trip to Tucson, Arizona to visit friends...but with all the projects and chaos lately, knowing we have company every weekend until mid May when my husband's cousin and his wife may come for a visit...we decided to stay home and pace ourselves...
My youngest daughter Jodee, baby Jacob and her boyfriend Jeff are coming Easter weekend, then my sister and girlfriend arrive the next weekend for our annual Scrappin' and Creative weekend...then the first week in May, I go to California for a week. I come home on the 10th and his cousin should arrive somewhere around the 13th or 15th... then we have his 6 year old grand daughter's birthday on the 21st and 13 year old grand son's birthday the end of May...
Saturday, April 9, 2011
WT?...Is He, Or Isn't He?
After all the back and forth with Dad's doctor telling me Dad is NOT DIABETIC....I get a call from the Director of Nursing yesterday (just I had laid down for a nice nap).... She told me Dad had a HBA1C (which is a 90 day look back on his blood sugar) on February 1, 2011. He tested 7.2, which is considered diabetic. He had two fasting blood tests, one February 3rd and one March 1st. February was 119 and March was 127.
Being a nurse, she cannot diagnose, so told me she would contact Dad's doctor and discuss these tests with him... She told me she had extensive experience with Diabetes, so she felt confident, Dad was a diabetic and his diet would have to be changed accordingly. California has strict regulations for diabetic diets in nursing homes.
I warned her to be prepared, because if anyone messes with Dad's food, he will NOT be a happy camper! I told her how fond he is of his ice cream, shakes and fruit plates. I think if they give him fake sugar ice cream, he might taste the difference. Regardless, as usual, we must go with it and see what happens...
So now I wait to hear back from her about what the doctor said...My head feels like a ping pong ball in a world tournament, with all this indecision...Hoping to find out...is Dad diabetic or not....
Being a nurse, she cannot diagnose, so told me she would contact Dad's doctor and discuss these tests with him... She told me she had extensive experience with Diabetes, so she felt confident, Dad was a diabetic and his diet would have to be changed accordingly. California has strict regulations for diabetic diets in nursing homes.
I warned her to be prepared, because if anyone messes with Dad's food, he will NOT be a happy camper! I told her how fond he is of his ice cream, shakes and fruit plates. I think if they give him fake sugar ice cream, he might taste the difference. Regardless, as usual, we must go with it and see what happens...
So now I wait to hear back from her about what the doctor said...My head feels like a ping pong ball in a world tournament, with all this indecision...Hoping to find out...is Dad diabetic or not....
Friday, April 8, 2011
Searching For Gold...
Mom went to visit Dad yesterday. He was asleep in bed when she arrived. She gently woke him from his slumber. He seemed pretty groggy. Dad told her he had been searching for gold, that is why he was so tired.... but he was happy to wake up in his own bed...
Mom asked him how he slept last night, and he replied, "GREAT!", then promptly closed his eyes and began to snore...
Mom busied herself talking to the nurses at the nurses station while she let Dad sleep more before lunch. She asked why they make new charts each time Dad returns from a hospital stay. She was told it is a government regulation if the stay is over 3 days. Every nursing home does it. (May I ask the nurses out there to please respond to verify this statement?)
Mom also noticed, the note asking staff to call me first, was still hung above his bed...
One of the Aides went into Dad's room and got him ready for lunch, wheeling him into the dining room. It was still a bit early for lunch, so she sat with Dad and talked...
Mom asked if Dad enjoyed his visit with my sister and second to the youngest brother. Dad looked back at her with a blank stare. Mom reminded him about playing Dominoes and my sister clipping his fingernails. Dad told her he remembered. He told her my sister wanted to put something fancy on his nails and he told her to do that for the women, rather than for him. (My sister had buffed his nails...)
Mom asked if he was watching any of the basketball. Dad confirmed he was. He told her he goes early because the players play better when they know he is there...
He kept closing his eyes... Mom would ask a question and Dad would ignore her or mumble and answer. Clearly, he was still very tired.
Doctor-Doctor stopped in to see Mom. She asked Dad to sing for them. Dad began to sing Ava Maria in a higher range than he normally does, and his voice cracked. They all began to chuckle, Dad loudest of all.
The Activities Director came in to say hello to Mom. Mom complimented her on how wonderful the decorations were for St. Patrick's Day, and now for Easter. The Director thanked Mom profusely. She complimented Mom on how nice it is to always hear the positive comments from her. After she left, Dad gave Mom a smile and told her how much he admired her remembering every one's names. He told her everyone liked her because she always calls them by name.
Lunch arrived and Mom said she was so jealous... They served Dad, barbecued pork bun sandwich, fresh peas, corn, green Jello with pears, cake with sprinkled icing, mile, a can of Ensure and two cups of coffee, with cream and sugar, just the way Dad likes it.
Mom could tell Dad was getting those heavy, sleepy, lids, so she wheeled him back to his room, so his Caregiver could get him comfortable in bed. She kissed him good-bye and left grateful for another good visit...
Mom asked him how he slept last night, and he replied, "GREAT!", then promptly closed his eyes and began to snore...
Mom busied herself talking to the nurses at the nurses station while she let Dad sleep more before lunch. She asked why they make new charts each time Dad returns from a hospital stay. She was told it is a government regulation if the stay is over 3 days. Every nursing home does it. (May I ask the nurses out there to please respond to verify this statement?)
Mom also noticed, the note asking staff to call me first, was still hung above his bed...
One of the Aides went into Dad's room and got him ready for lunch, wheeling him into the dining room. It was still a bit early for lunch, so she sat with Dad and talked...
Mom asked if Dad enjoyed his visit with my sister and second to the youngest brother. Dad looked back at her with a blank stare. Mom reminded him about playing Dominoes and my sister clipping his fingernails. Dad told her he remembered. He told her my sister wanted to put something fancy on his nails and he told her to do that for the women, rather than for him. (My sister had buffed his nails...)
Mom asked if he was watching any of the basketball. Dad confirmed he was. He told her he goes early because the players play better when they know he is there...
He kept closing his eyes... Mom would ask a question and Dad would ignore her or mumble and answer. Clearly, he was still very tired.
Doctor-Doctor stopped in to see Mom. She asked Dad to sing for them. Dad began to sing Ava Maria in a higher range than he normally does, and his voice cracked. They all began to chuckle, Dad loudest of all.
The Activities Director came in to say hello to Mom. Mom complimented her on how wonderful the decorations were for St. Patrick's Day, and now for Easter. The Director thanked Mom profusely. She complimented Mom on how nice it is to always hear the positive comments from her. After she left, Dad gave Mom a smile and told her how much he admired her remembering every one's names. He told her everyone liked her because she always calls them by name.
Lunch arrived and Mom said she was so jealous... They served Dad, barbecued pork bun sandwich, fresh peas, corn, green Jello with pears, cake with sprinkled icing, mile, a can of Ensure and two cups of coffee, with cream and sugar, just the way Dad likes it.
Mom could tell Dad was getting those heavy, sleepy, lids, so she wheeled him back to his room, so his Caregiver could get him comfortable in bed. She kissed him good-bye and left grateful for another good visit...
Thursday, April 7, 2011
What I Have Been Up To....With Some Cute Grand Son Stuff Too...
Yesterday, I posted the update on Dad... today, I want to share what has been keeping me from visiting all of my wonderful blogging friends and regular posting...
I had started on my annual SPRING CLEANING some months ago, but it was temporarily postponed with my husband's sudden retirement in late October. Since then, we have been on a non-stop mission to get our financial ducks in a row, and adjust to being home during the day, together...
Amidst all of this chaos, we also have an ongoing, annual challenge of securing some privacy in our back patio, which borders the side street and sidewalk. For the past five years, after each winter, due to frost or heavy winds, we have lost all three of the plants we have had to plant each year. Part of the problem, was the over pour of cement on the footing wall of our six foot wrought iron fence. The roots get root bound from not being able to spread out due to the cement.
I have this dream, of enjoying our spa, and lying around enjoying the sunshine, or just sitting and reading. We may even want to dine outside, without every passer by stopping to comment or visit because they see us outside. I like our neighbors and all, but heck, a little privacy would be nice, on occasion...
Since summer will soon be here, I had to finish my garage cleaning before it gets too hot. Also, if we are to do any planting, spring time is the optimum time to do so...
First, I suggested to my husband we get a privacy/wind barrier made from Alumawood for the south end of our patio. This solution would prevent us from planting for our privacy, because the Alumawood would give us 80% more privacy and block the gap in our fence. In doing so, we would have to walk around the pillar of our back patio, to get to our side gate or the hose. Since I do all the gardening and watering, it would only be an inconvenience for me. We have a meandering sidewalk on that side of the house leading to our back patio, also connecting to our front patio. I figured we could just do stepping stones from the sidewalk around the pillar, leading to the patio. I thought it was a good work around solution...
My husband was not enthused. He wanted a door. So when one of the construction guys came to give us the estimate for the Alumawood privacy slats, my husband wanted a separate estimate for his idea of what we should do... Of course, his was more expensive, so that idea was scrapped.
I got another guy to give me an estimate and his price was half as expensive as the first guy's. We were all excited and told him to proceed. He calls us back and tells us he is unable to get the 3" slats in beige as we had requested. He announced it would have to be a dark brown color and only 1.5" slats for the lower price, otherwise, for the beige color and size slats we wanted, it would be twice as much. So that plan was tossed...
I came up with an idea to transplant the two remaining Xylosma bushes, to another part of the backyard, and plant White Bank Roses in three pots, instead of planting them in the ground. These roses will take over the fence, IF they survive the heavy winds so prevalent in the foothills where we live...and give us the privacy we are striving for.
Here is the before and after pictures:
This is how it looked one year ago after the three Xylosma bushes were planted. See that big open space? That is the privacy we are hoping to gain... See where the sidewalk joins the back patio? This is where the Alumawood would be, from the pillar to the side of our house, blocking access to the patio from the sidewalk. After removing the bushes, we would have room to put down stepping stones to walk around the pillar to get to the back patio.
Won't it look nice on our fence? It will definitely give us the privacy we want.
The nice gardener man suggested we use large redwood bark chips to keep the plants moist and help with better drainage. The bark would also help keep the plants warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. I had my reservations as I was concerned Izzy would be attracted to the bark. We compromised and did not put the bark around the base of the plant, instead, we buried it in layers under the planting soil....
In case you can't read the writing on his shirt, it says, "What happens at Grandma's, stays at Grandma's" They are preparing to come visit us Easter weekend...I can't wait!!!
I had started on my annual SPRING CLEANING some months ago, but it was temporarily postponed with my husband's sudden retirement in late October. Since then, we have been on a non-stop mission to get our financial ducks in a row, and adjust to being home during the day, together...
Amidst all of this chaos, we also have an ongoing, annual challenge of securing some privacy in our back patio, which borders the side street and sidewalk. For the past five years, after each winter, due to frost or heavy winds, we have lost all three of the plants we have had to plant each year. Part of the problem, was the over pour of cement on the footing wall of our six foot wrought iron fence. The roots get root bound from not being able to spread out due to the cement.
I have this dream, of enjoying our spa, and lying around enjoying the sunshine, or just sitting and reading. We may even want to dine outside, without every passer by stopping to comment or visit because they see us outside. I like our neighbors and all, but heck, a little privacy would be nice, on occasion...
Since summer will soon be here, I had to finish my garage cleaning before it gets too hot. Also, if we are to do any planting, spring time is the optimum time to do so...
First, I suggested to my husband we get a privacy/wind barrier made from Alumawood for the south end of our patio. This solution would prevent us from planting for our privacy, because the Alumawood would give us 80% more privacy and block the gap in our fence. In doing so, we would have to walk around the pillar of our back patio, to get to our side gate or the hose. Since I do all the gardening and watering, it would only be an inconvenience for me. We have a meandering sidewalk on that side of the house leading to our back patio, also connecting to our front patio. I figured we could just do stepping stones from the sidewalk around the pillar, leading to the patio. I thought it was a good work around solution...
My husband was not enthused. He wanted a door. So when one of the construction guys came to give us the estimate for the Alumawood privacy slats, my husband wanted a separate estimate for his idea of what we should do... Of course, his was more expensive, so that idea was scrapped.
I got another guy to give me an estimate and his price was half as expensive as the first guy's. We were all excited and told him to proceed. He calls us back and tells us he is unable to get the 3" slats in beige as we had requested. He announced it would have to be a dark brown color and only 1.5" slats for the lower price, otherwise, for the beige color and size slats we wanted, it would be twice as much. So that plan was tossed...
I came up with an idea to transplant the two remaining Xylosma bushes, to another part of the backyard, and plant White Bank Roses in three pots, instead of planting them in the ground. These roses will take over the fence, IF they survive the heavy winds so prevalent in the foothills where we live...and give us the privacy we are striving for.
Here is the before and after pictures:
This is the two bushes remaining one year later...the third one died. See how wispy the bushes are? Way smaller than they were a year prior.
These are 24" pots... each with three 5 gallon White Bank Roses. This particular type is a climbing, miniature rose with a soft, sweet scent and tiny thorns. I am doing extra watering each day since it is so windy this past week, to prevent them from getting dried out. I have prayed and blessed them, so hopefully, they will survive....It will be so beautiful and private if my plan works...and weather permits...
The area to the right of the pillar would be where the Alumawood slats would have been, blocking people from seeing into our house, but still leaving the area to the left of the pillar open, which would need to be dealt with by planting the climbing roses....
I have neighbors who have the same roses covering the length of their fence. The roses grow thick and are green all year around.
The area to the right of the pillar would be where the Alumawood slats would have been, blocking people from seeing into our house, but still leaving the area to the left of the pillar open, which would need to be dealt with by planting the climbing roses....
I have neighbors who have the same roses covering the length of their fence. The roses grow thick and are green all year around.
The nice gardener man suggested we use large redwood bark chips to keep the plants moist and help with better drainage. The bark would also help keep the plants warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. I had my reservations as I was concerned Izzy would be attracted to the bark. We compromised and did not put the bark around the base of the plant, instead, we buried it in layers under the planting soil....
Last night I discovered Izzy had dug up several bark chips from two of the pots... So now, I must either get chicken wire to put around the pots to protect them...or implement the "LEAVE IT" command is short order!
I let her know I did not like what she did and she got a major time out. After an hour, I opened her crate and she showed me she felt so badly, she stayed in her crate all night long... Today, I have been watching her like a hawk. If I hear her go out the doggy door, I am right behind her. When she shows an interest in the pot, I firmly say, "LEAVE IT!"....and she leaves the area immediately. I still think chicken wire might give me more peace of mind...but she needs to learn to leave it alone.... ANY SUGGESTIONS???
The gardener relocated the remaining Xylosma bushes to two separate locations in the back patio..
hopefully, they will acclimate and be happy where they were planted...The winds have been fierce the past couple of days...He told me to give it an extra watering by hand and to spray it with Miracle Grow a week apart. (Try spraying anything during strong winds!) He filled our fertilizer unit with liquid fertilizer to give everything a jump start... Really nice guy with reasonable prices. I think I have found myself a new Gardener.
I am still in pursuit of lowering our monthly utility bills. We reached a solution with our DISH network, to return one our DVRs which is capable of programing with two separate televisions. We have three TV sets. The one we are returning is the old one, which was replaced with a new HD DVR. They gave us a free sports channel and some free pay channels to stay with them and not go with DIRECT TV. They were to send us the replacement (one-TV DVR) and we would call when we received it, they would schedule a tech to hook up the new one and box up the two-TV DVR receiver and return it to DISH.
We received the replacement one TV DVR, called, the tech came out, only to discover they had sent the wrong receiver. It was not a DVR. So we had to send it back and wait for DISH to receive it and then they would send out the correct one-TV DVR receiver. Hopefully we get it soon so we won't be charged the higher price.
Our Internet/land line provider offers a price lock to new customers for five years for both Internet and land line. It would save us over $30 a month, but because we are current customers, we don't qualify for the deal. I find that ludicrous! They should also reward and take care of their current customers, so they keep their customers! I have been calling talking to various managers, trying to convince them to give us this deal...wish me luck...
All this phone calling, besides giving me cauliflower ear lobes, takes up a big chunk of my day and is extremely frustrating!
On a happier, cuter note, allow me to share some recent photos of my grand son Jacob...
Jacob's first trip to the beach with Mommy and Daddy...I just LOVE that smile on his little face!
Since sprouting his two bottom teeth, he may be preparing for the top ones...he loves to chew on the hard side of his Binky...
He is a travelin' little man running errands with his Mom and Dad...so he grabs some "shut eye" whenever possible... By the way, check that big 'ol "bear paw" of his in the lower left hand corner!
Cute story about my six year old grand son...the other morning, while folding laundry in her bedroom, he comes in and announces to his Mom, "We have a problem!". She asked what it is and he tells her he wrote her a note about it, but she was not allowed to read it until he left the room. She thought to herself, he must be mad at her or with his brother as she took the note from him. "Don't look 'til I leave Mom", he warned her... As she opened the note, it read, "We are out of hot dogs."
As she told me, we both laughed because turkey hot dogs are a main staple of his preferred foods. She called to him, announcing she had read the note. She informed me they did have hot dogs.... "No we don't Mom, I checked". She asked if he looked under the cheese...when he did, there were the hot dogs. With a huge smile, "Thanks Mom! Our problem is solved!" What a character he is!
Today I spoke with my 8 year old grand son. He was creating "bad guys" with his Lego blocks. He invented a really bad guy, he called, Project DB (for death bomber). He described how his head was a gun and and his arm was " very extensional" . For Christmas, we gave each of the boys a $25 gift card, so together they could purchase LEGO STAR WARS for Wii, so they both could play the game. It just came out last month, so they were able to go buy it the day it went on sale. My daughter says they have been playing it every single day...after homework of course....
I asked the 8 year old, "Now you realize it is OK to want to be the "bad guy" for pretend, but not in real life, right?"
"Yes Grandma, I know all about that... Mom and Dad already told me."
Just checkin'...
Cute story about my six year old grand son...the other morning, while folding laundry in her bedroom, he comes in and announces to his Mom, "We have a problem!". She asked what it is and he tells her he wrote her a note about it, but she was not allowed to read it until he left the room. She thought to herself, he must be mad at her or with his brother as she took the note from him. "Don't look 'til I leave Mom", he warned her... As she opened the note, it read, "We are out of hot dogs."
As she told me, we both laughed because turkey hot dogs are a main staple of his preferred foods. She called to him, announcing she had read the note. She informed me they did have hot dogs.... "No we don't Mom, I checked". She asked if he looked under the cheese...when he did, there were the hot dogs. With a huge smile, "Thanks Mom! Our problem is solved!" What a character he is!
Today I spoke with my 8 year old grand son. He was creating "bad guys" with his Lego blocks. He invented a really bad guy, he called, Project DB (for death bomber). He described how his head was a gun and and his arm was " very extensional" . For Christmas, we gave each of the boys a $25 gift card, so together they could purchase LEGO STAR WARS for Wii, so they both could play the game. It just came out last month, so they were able to go buy it the day it went on sale. My daughter says they have been playing it every single day...after homework of course....
I asked the 8 year old, "Now you realize it is OK to want to be the "bad guy" for pretend, but not in real life, right?"
"Yes Grandma, I know all about that... Mom and Dad already told me."
Just checkin'...
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Why Being Hyper-Vigilant Can Be A Good Thing...
After sending a second email and a phone call each day, I finally heard from Dad's primary physician. I was surprised to discover, he does not have a chart on Dad at his office. He uses the one the nursing home provides. He too is frustrated by their policy to start a new chart if the patient stays longer than 3 days in a hospital. I still intend to get hold of the Administrator and find out why they have this policy...I have left him a phone message and an email.
Dad's doctor determined Dad had been given some medication (which one was not mentioned) at the hospital this past January. Apparently, this medication made his blood sugar go up. He was given insulin at least twice to lower it. The hospital labeled Dad a diabetic and that history was forwarded with him to the nursing home with his current orders for care. So based on the hospital's orders, Dad's primary physician ordered Dad's blood sugar to be routinely checked.
As of today, those orders have been canceled and it was clarified Dad is not a diabetic.
I am in a whirlwind of activity these days, keeping me from my blogging friends and writing... All creative pursuits have come to a temporary halt. It has taken much longer than I originally anticipated...
Tomorrow I hope to post some cute pics of baby Jacob and some of the projects around the house, which have been taking up so much of my time...
It's late, I gotta' hit the sack....
Dad's doctor determined Dad had been given some medication (which one was not mentioned) at the hospital this past January. Apparently, this medication made his blood sugar go up. He was given insulin at least twice to lower it. The hospital labeled Dad a diabetic and that history was forwarded with him to the nursing home with his current orders for care. So based on the hospital's orders, Dad's primary physician ordered Dad's blood sugar to be routinely checked.
As of today, those orders have been canceled and it was clarified Dad is not a diabetic.
I am in a whirlwind of activity these days, keeping me from my blogging friends and writing... All creative pursuits have come to a temporary halt. It has taken much longer than I originally anticipated...
Tomorrow I hope to post some cute pics of baby Jacob and some of the projects around the house, which have been taking up so much of my time...
It's late, I gotta' hit the sack....
Sunday, April 3, 2011
I Am At A Total Loss For Words...
My second to the youngest brother and my sister went to visit Dad yesterday. They found him in his room, asleep in his wheel chair. Apparently, the nurses had placed him in his room for privacy because they were going to check his blood sugar. My sister reported it was 157.
I went to sleep early last night and did not read her email until today. When I first read the email, I thought it read, "checked his blood pressure". Reading it again today, I realized what it said and became concerned. Why would they be checking Dad's blood sugar? He is not a diabetic....
I called the nursing home and spoke with the charge nurse. She confirmed it was me, then she verified Dad was listed as a diabetic on his chart! How did this happen and neither Mom nor I knew about this? Mom was as shocked as I was. Nothing was said about this in February, at his last Care Conference. Mom told me the last time Dad was in hospital, in January, one of the doctors in the ER had asked her if Dad was diabetic, and she told him NO.
This is a prime example why I don't like the "new chart" each time he comes back from the hospital. I sent an email to Dad's primary care physician. If I don't hear from him by tomorrow, I will call his office. When I spoke with the nurse, she said the doctor wanted him monitored regularly before and after meals and had him on sliding scale..."0-200 no insulin, 201-250 insulin". I am blown away to know he has been given a couple shots of insulin!
I mean, I AM THE ONE THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO CALL WITH ANY CHANGES!!! And....(get this), my sister said the note (to call me first) was back above his bed! Remember just a couple days ago, the nurse told me they had to take it down???
Anyway....back to their visit...
After his blood test, they put his red cap on his head to protect him from the sun and wheeled Dad out to the patio for some dominoes. Dad did remarkably well, having no problems matching the dots. In fact, he won most of the games. My sister trimmed his nails in between games...
I had been having trouble reaching Dad. There is some new nurse who, for all intent and purposes, lies to me...always with an excuse as to why I can't talk with Dad. She told me Dad was eating, when in fact he was being bathed. (As you can tell, I am not too happy with the nursing home right now...). My sister knew I had been trying to reach Dad, so she called me so I could talk with Dad. It was a brief conversation, but I could hear how happy he was being with my brother and sister. I could tell he was anxious to visit with them...
Dad did tell me he wanted me to come visit or he would come see me...He also told my sister and brother he did not want them to leave when lunch was served... It is always tough, when he doesn't want us to leave...
They wheeled him back into the lunch room and set him with a table full of ladies. Dad told them he would play "footsies" with them under the table... They had a good chuckle and kissed him good bye.
Basically, they had a good visit. Dad told them how happy he was and what good care they give him...
I am at a total loss for words. I just cannot believe this shocking news of Dad being diabetic and me not knowing! I will get to the bottom of this. I want a date when this diabetic diagnosis was placed on his chart. I want some answers, and I WILL GET THEM!!
I went to sleep early last night and did not read her email until today. When I first read the email, I thought it read, "checked his blood pressure". Reading it again today, I realized what it said and became concerned. Why would they be checking Dad's blood sugar? He is not a diabetic....
I called the nursing home and spoke with the charge nurse. She confirmed it was me, then she verified Dad was listed as a diabetic on his chart! How did this happen and neither Mom nor I knew about this? Mom was as shocked as I was. Nothing was said about this in February, at his last Care Conference. Mom told me the last time Dad was in hospital, in January, one of the doctors in the ER had asked her if Dad was diabetic, and she told him NO.
This is a prime example why I don't like the "new chart" each time he comes back from the hospital. I sent an email to Dad's primary care physician. If I don't hear from him by tomorrow, I will call his office. When I spoke with the nurse, she said the doctor wanted him monitored regularly before and after meals and had him on sliding scale..."0-200 no insulin, 201-250 insulin". I am blown away to know he has been given a couple shots of insulin!
I mean, I AM THE ONE THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO CALL WITH ANY CHANGES!!! And....(get this), my sister said the note (to call me first) was back above his bed! Remember just a couple days ago, the nurse told me they had to take it down???
Anyway....back to their visit...
After his blood test, they put his red cap on his head to protect him from the sun and wheeled Dad out to the patio for some dominoes. Dad did remarkably well, having no problems matching the dots. In fact, he won most of the games. My sister trimmed his nails in between games...
I had been having trouble reaching Dad. There is some new nurse who, for all intent and purposes, lies to me...always with an excuse as to why I can't talk with Dad. She told me Dad was eating, when in fact he was being bathed. (As you can tell, I am not too happy with the nursing home right now...). My sister knew I had been trying to reach Dad, so she called me so I could talk with Dad. It was a brief conversation, but I could hear how happy he was being with my brother and sister. I could tell he was anxious to visit with them...
Dad talking with me on my sister's cell...
Dad did tell me he wanted me to come visit or he would come see me...He also told my sister and brother he did not want them to leave when lunch was served... It is always tough, when he doesn't want us to leave...
Dad and my sister Holly
They wheeled him back into the lunch room and set him with a table full of ladies. Dad told them he would play "footsies" with them under the table... They had a good chuckle and kissed him good bye.
Basically, they had a good visit. Dad told them how happy he was and what good care they give him...
I am at a total loss for words. I just cannot believe this shocking news of Dad being diabetic and me not knowing! I will get to the bottom of this. I want a date when this diabetic diagnosis was placed on his chart. I want some answers, and I WILL GET THEM!!
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