A rather uneventful day. I did not get up until after 8AM this morning.
I felt very lazy this morning so really did not do much of anything except for the usual morning things and loving the kitty.
I got to Rocky Knoll at about 11:30AM. Dick had a good night again. He is still looking good and has the weekend off from therapy. He is using the motorized chair which makes it easy to get around in. It is not as roomy as the other one so he has to work his muscles to shift around. Therapy will be able to help him with that.
We had lunch together. I bought the lunch they provided this noon because it sounded good AND the dessert was Schaum torte. After lunch Dick rested so I read and did some crossword puzzles. Then a bit later in the afternoon, we played some Rummy. I brought cards and a cribbage board so we can do things like that to pass the time for him and keep him stimulated. (And keep me from getting bored.)
Again I left after accompanying him down to the dining room for his supper.
It is always nice to get home, the days are long. Roxie is so glad to see me and I try to do some project or cleanup both in the morning and the evening. Tonight I am SO tired, that I don't know how far I will get.
I fixed a grilled cheese and basil sandwich for my supper. Boy is that good. I baked some strawberry almond bread for the tea. Soda breads freeze well, so I can concentrate on other more perishable tea foods next Saturday.
Tomorrow I will go to JMKAC to see A Rising Wind, The Lady Elgin Story with Nancy Coenen.
I am really excited about that. I think I told you that Phillip King, a boy orphaned by the sinking of the Lady Elgin, was raised by relatives in the Clifford family. When he grew up he married Charlotte (Lottie) Bowser, my great grandfather Joseph's sister.
So soon to bed. I really miss my naps.
God love you
Mary
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Friday, July 08, 2011
I really waited til too late to post this blog.
With so much to do at home, I kept putting it off until now.
This was a wonderful day. We went to see Dr. Fehrman at 11:00AM and he is very pleased with the healing on Dick's leg. He will see him in two weeks and take out the stitches.
We go the motorized chair back today which is a relief for Dick as he can get himself around so much easier. They are supposed to put hm through a "driving test", but the people who do this are gone until Monday so he should be really good at driving the thing by then.
As I said, a red letter day. So now I am going to bed after calling most of the people that should hear about this beautiful turn of events, his children.
God Love You
Mary
With so much to do at home, I kept putting it off until now.
This was a wonderful day. We went to see Dr. Fehrman at 11:00AM and he is very pleased with the healing on Dick's leg. He will see him in two weeks and take out the stitches.
We go the motorized chair back today which is a relief for Dick as he can get himself around so much easier. They are supposed to put hm through a "driving test", but the people who do this are gone until Monday so he should be really good at driving the thing by then.
As I said, a red letter day. So now I am going to bed after calling most of the people that should hear about this beautiful turn of events, his children.
God Love You
Mary
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Today the schedule was tweaked a bit.
I made phone calls and worked on cleaning out obsolete medical supplies this morning.
Then I joined Kate and Debbie at Antoinette's for lunch and discussion of our tea which Kate is hosting for the Sheboygan Branch of CWI. I have to get the invitation ready tonight and tomorrow morning so that it can be emailed and sent. People have been told to mark their calendars but the time is now set and we need people to RSVP so that we can prepare enough food, tables and place settings.
After lunch, I drove over to pick up a prescription. As it was at Walmart, I looked for clothes for Dick and found a pair of shoes for $10 for myself. I will have to go to Fleet and Kmart for Dick's shorts. They have a much better Big Man selection.
I stopped at home to check on the mail and then went to spend the afternoon with Dick. He was in therapy when I got there. Then back to the room where we visited until time for supper. I ate with him tonight. As I only ate half of my lunch at Antoinette's, I had the rest with with Dick, then came home for the night.
So a full day. Tomorrow we will have a report from Dr. Fehrman.
God Love you
Mary
I made phone calls and worked on cleaning out obsolete medical supplies this morning.
Then I joined Kate and Debbie at Antoinette's for lunch and discussion of our tea which Kate is hosting for the Sheboygan Branch of CWI. I have to get the invitation ready tonight and tomorrow morning so that it can be emailed and sent. People have been told to mark their calendars but the time is now set and we need people to RSVP so that we can prepare enough food, tables and place settings.
After lunch, I drove over to pick up a prescription. As it was at Walmart, I looked for clothes for Dick and found a pair of shoes for $10 for myself. I will have to go to Fleet and Kmart for Dick's shorts. They have a much better Big Man selection.
I stopped at home to check on the mail and then went to spend the afternoon with Dick. He was in therapy when I got there. Then back to the room where we visited until time for supper. I ate with him tonight. As I only ate half of my lunch at Antoinette's, I had the rest with with Dick, then came home for the night.
So a full day. Tomorrow we will have a report from Dr. Fehrman.
God Love you
Mary
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Another successful day. I did our grocery shopping today. Berries were on sale. I got blueberries to preserve and raspberries and blackberries to snack on.
This morning I watered the berms and the pots on the deck. The promised rain from yesterday did not arrive, so it was necessary. It was trash day too. The holiday delayed the pickup a day.
So. I left to have lunch with and spend the afternoon with Dick shortly after 11AM. He was in therapy when I got there so I went to there to watch and be with. He was done just before noon and lunch. I brought mine along so that we could eat together. Dick had turkey, mashed potatoes and coconut cream pie. I had a nice pork sandwich and a salad.
Dick had his other therapy session a little after 1PM. He was pretty tired when that was done but we both know that the activity is good for him and we cannot let his muscles get all stiff and atrophied. On Wednesdays they have a social in the "On the Rocks Saloon" which is at the end of the hall going into the other part of the building. From 3:PM to 4PM they serve drinks and a snack. We went down and enjoyed a glass of white wine together and met a couple of people. Ken and Lucy. Lucy is also in rehab so Ken was visiting with her. It is very pleasant. They have jukebox music and everything.
I left after I took Dick down to the dining room for his supper. He was having chili and looking forward to that. I came home, fixed a hamburger and settled in. I am washing and drying his shorts and shirts to I can restock him tomorrow.
I will be up a bit later tonight, because there is a special on ABC about the Virgin Mary appearances around the world. I am really looking forward to it and hope I won't be too tired to enjoy it.
Tomorrow the schedule will be a bit different as I am going to lunch with Kate and Debbie at Antoinette's. We are going to plan the tea goodies for our mid July Tea party.
The weather has been wonderful, though a bit dry and I have blossoms on my tomato plants. So all is coming along.
God love you
Mary
P. S. I have received the following before, but this time it was copied and pasted into an email, so I thought I would share it with you all.
Interesting concept.
.
This morning I watered the berms and the pots on the deck. The promised rain from yesterday did not arrive, so it was necessary. It was trash day too. The holiday delayed the pickup a day.
So. I left to have lunch with and spend the afternoon with Dick shortly after 11AM. He was in therapy when I got there so I went to there to watch and be with. He was done just before noon and lunch. I brought mine along so that we could eat together. Dick had turkey, mashed potatoes and coconut cream pie. I had a nice pork sandwich and a salad.
Dick had his other therapy session a little after 1PM. He was pretty tired when that was done but we both know that the activity is good for him and we cannot let his muscles get all stiff and atrophied. On Wednesdays they have a social in the "On the Rocks Saloon" which is at the end of the hall going into the other part of the building. From 3:PM to 4PM they serve drinks and a snack. We went down and enjoyed a glass of white wine together and met a couple of people. Ken and Lucy. Lucy is also in rehab so Ken was visiting with her. It is very pleasant. They have jukebox music and everything.
I left after I took Dick down to the dining room for his supper. He was having chili and looking forward to that. I came home, fixed a hamburger and settled in. I am washing and drying his shorts and shirts to I can restock him tomorrow.
I will be up a bit later tonight, because there is a special on ABC about the Virgin Mary appearances around the world. I am really looking forward to it and hope I won't be too tired to enjoy it.
Tomorrow the schedule will be a bit different as I am going to lunch with Kate and Debbie at Antoinette's. We are going to plan the tea goodies for our mid July Tea party.
The weather has been wonderful, though a bit dry and I have blossoms on my tomato plants. So all is coming along.
God love you
Mary
P. S. I have received the following before, but this time it was copied and pasted into an email, so I thought I would share it with you all.
Interesting concept.
Subject: Change
I have totally cleaned this e-mail from all other names, sending it to you in hopes you will keep it going and keep it clean. This is something I will fight for and I hope you all read it all the way through. You will be glad you did.
The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971...before computers, before e-mail, before cell phones, etc.
Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land...all because of public pressure.
I'm asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.
In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.
Congressional Reform Act of 2011
1. No Tenure / No Pension.
A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.
3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12.
The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.
If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take three days for most people (in the U.S. ) to receive the message. It is time.
THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!!!!!
The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971...before computers, before e-mail, before cell phones, etc.
Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land...all because of public pressure.
I'm asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.
In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.
Congressional Reform Act of 2011
1. No Tenure / No Pension.
A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.
3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12.
The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.
If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take three days for most people (in the U.S. ) to receive the message. It is time.
THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!!!!!
.
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Here we are, finally the beginning of the week. And the month. With the whole weekend, including Friday, July 1st, being the holiday, life was very disjointed and it seemed that we were not really into the swing of rehab.
But today, Dick has been put on a pretty good schedule, I think. He will have PT in the morning, OT in the afternoons.
I have been staying home until about 11AM in the mornings, then going to Rocky Knoll to have lunch with Dick and spend the afternoon with him, coming home at about 5PM. This seems to work pretty well for both of us.
Today he was in occupational therapy when I got there, so I sat and watched while he finished and then we went together for lunch.
They got him at about 12:45PM for the PT so some could be done before Tim from Wisconsin Prosthetics came to check out the current prosthesis and get a look and measurement on the new amputation. I got to see the incision and it seems to be healing pretty well. The other leg has been swollen too but the compression sox are bringing it down. A day or two and he will be able to wear the prosthesis without discomfort and Tim can finish the adjustments. We have dry skin and a sore on that too.
Dr. Sharon stopped by to see him this afternoon. I was SO glad to see him. I was able to express my concerns to him. He is always ready to explain treatment and so understanding.
So that was our day. We played some rummy in the late afternoon. We decided that we are going to start playing games to pass the time. The days are so long for him. AND for me is I am just sitting there. I do read but just can't do that all day.
Time to settle in for the night. Both Dick and I slept well last night. Hope this is a repeat.
God love you all
Mary
But today, Dick has been put on a pretty good schedule, I think. He will have PT in the morning, OT in the afternoons.
I have been staying home until about 11AM in the mornings, then going to Rocky Knoll to have lunch with Dick and spend the afternoon with him, coming home at about 5PM. This seems to work pretty well for both of us.
Today he was in occupational therapy when I got there, so I sat and watched while he finished and then we went together for lunch.
They got him at about 12:45PM for the PT so some could be done before Tim from Wisconsin Prosthetics came to check out the current prosthesis and get a look and measurement on the new amputation. I got to see the incision and it seems to be healing pretty well. The other leg has been swollen too but the compression sox are bringing it down. A day or two and he will be able to wear the prosthesis without discomfort and Tim can finish the adjustments. We have dry skin and a sore on that too.
Dr. Sharon stopped by to see him this afternoon. I was SO glad to see him. I was able to express my concerns to him. He is always ready to explain treatment and so understanding.
So that was our day. We played some rummy in the late afternoon. We decided that we are going to start playing games to pass the time. The days are so long for him. AND for me is I am just sitting there. I do read but just can't do that all day.
Time to settle in for the night. Both Dick and I slept well last night. Hope this is a repeat.
God love you all
Mary
Monday, July 04, 2011
Roxie is very happy to have me home again. Today, I again came back from visiting with Dick at 5PM. I went over there at about 11AM so I could have lunch with him and then spend the afternoon.
When I got there he was in the therapy department. I think he thought, perhaps, I would get him out a bit early. Not that he is not working hard, but he does get tired. I am not help to him because I wait until they finish his time and routines.
We had lunch together. I brought my own today and will do so most of the time. Then we went back to the room.
I get really restless sitting there. I have three books that I am alternating reading. Two for knowledge, one for fun. But the afternoons get long. I brought the cribbage board and cards and we are planning on a tournement soon, after he reviews the rules as we have not played in years.
We are also going to go over the budget together. I will be gathering up the information we need tonight and tomorrow morning so we can do it together. Things have been a bit loose lately, as Dick was our budget maker and has been so unmotivated. He plans things and just can't get to it. I know and understand but have been trying to push him without nagging. Together we can do anything.
So my day is home and the Rehab center.
Thursday I am going to lunch with friends. That will be a welcome break.
Take care and know that I love you all.
Mary
When I got there he was in the therapy department. I think he thought, perhaps, I would get him out a bit early. Not that he is not working hard, but he does get tired. I am not help to him because I wait until they finish his time and routines.
We had lunch together. I brought my own today and will do so most of the time. Then we went back to the room.
I get really restless sitting there. I have three books that I am alternating reading. Two for knowledge, one for fun. But the afternoons get long. I brought the cribbage board and cards and we are planning on a tournement soon, after he reviews the rules as we have not played in years.
We are also going to go over the budget together. I will be gathering up the information we need tonight and tomorrow morning so we can do it together. Things have been a bit loose lately, as Dick was our budget maker and has been so unmotivated. He plans things and just can't get to it. I know and understand but have been trying to push him without nagging. Together we can do anything.
So my day is home and the Rehab center.
Thursday I am going to lunch with friends. That will be a welcome break.
Take care and know that I love you all.
Mary
Sunday, July 03, 2011
A lovely day and I had to spend it mostly inside again. But that is OK since Dick looked so much better today. His color was good and he was better rested as he did get some sleep last night. They have figured out how to change his position in bed ever so slightly to relieve pressure on his back and bottom and it is helping the discomfort in his back and helping rashes to heal.
He is experiencing more pain in he newly amputated leg, but I would imagine that is normal with the healing going on and the fact that the morphine is moving out of his system.
We lunched together, Dick and I. They served meatballs, noodles and Caesar Salad and chocolate cake. The noodles and cake were really good. The meatballs were nondescript the the salad was nice and crisp with just OK Caesar dressing. But we were together and that is all that matters.
Bobbie and Bill came to visit this afternoon. A welcome sight. We all enjoyed a nice visit in one of the gathering areas. His room is rather cramped and not too good for visiting.
I went to 10AM Mass at Rocky Knoll. I had planned on going to that Mass after I saw it on the schedule. Then Alice, the wife of one of the other residents, Claude, who was at Plymouth Care the same time that Dick was three years ago, asked if I wanted to go and if I knew how to get there. So we went together this morning.
It is a nice intimate mass with residents and volunteers. I have decided to volunteer to bring patients down to the mass as long as Dick is there. I should be able to help for four to 8 weeks which would make me feel useful.
I left there at 3PM so that I could take a drive over to Falls to visit with Mother for a bit. She is looking good too. She says she feels weak but does not have any real aches or pains and is just grateful that she can be in her own home and still has her wits about her. We had such a good talk. I figure that next Monday I will be able to start back to Bible Study and to our visits. Then she will get weekly updates on Dick.
So. Home again, I fixed a bit of supper and have been doing this blog and answering phone calls. My friend Katherine from Ireland called. We had a grand visit. She and her son Tony were so gracious to this Yankee Girl when I was in Ireland last.
God bless you all continued thanks for your prayers. They are keeping us lifted up, I know.
Mary
He is experiencing more pain in he newly amputated leg, but I would imagine that is normal with the healing going on and the fact that the morphine is moving out of his system.
We lunched together, Dick and I. They served meatballs, noodles and Caesar Salad and chocolate cake. The noodles and cake were really good. The meatballs were nondescript the the salad was nice and crisp with just OK Caesar dressing. But we were together and that is all that matters.
Bobbie and Bill came to visit this afternoon. A welcome sight. We all enjoyed a nice visit in one of the gathering areas. His room is rather cramped and not too good for visiting.
I went to 10AM Mass at Rocky Knoll. I had planned on going to that Mass after I saw it on the schedule. Then Alice, the wife of one of the other residents, Claude, who was at Plymouth Care the same time that Dick was three years ago, asked if I wanted to go and if I knew how to get there. So we went together this morning.
It is a nice intimate mass with residents and volunteers. I have decided to volunteer to bring patients down to the mass as long as Dick is there. I should be able to help for four to 8 weeks which would make me feel useful.
I left there at 3PM so that I could take a drive over to Falls to visit with Mother for a bit. She is looking good too. She says she feels weak but does not have any real aches or pains and is just grateful that she can be in her own home and still has her wits about her. We had such a good talk. I figure that next Monday I will be able to start back to Bible Study and to our visits. Then she will get weekly updates on Dick.
So. Home again, I fixed a bit of supper and have been doing this blog and answering phone calls. My friend Katherine from Ireland called. We had a grand visit. She and her son Tony were so gracious to this Yankee Girl when I was in Ireland last.
God bless you all continued thanks for your prayers. They are keeping us lifted up, I know.
Mary
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