On The Other Side, Taking The Train Back...

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...

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.

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. 

Early Saturday morning I received the following photo/text via my cell, from my daughter Jodee, which read...                                                                   

"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...

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....

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...

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'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...

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...

7 Months Old Today...and A BIG Shout Out/Thank You To Diane of Blue Ridge Gal...

Kind of blurry...but this little guy is always on the move and wants to explore. 7 months old today!

Jacob, all stylin' with his cute self in jeans...

This was taken a few days ago.  I call him 'Mr. Bright Eyes"...  Jacob, his Mom and Dad are coming this weekend for his first Easter!  Can't wait to get my hands on him... Just look at that cute little face!

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!

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!