Today was another busy day but certainly much more manageable. We were up a couple of times in the morning from 4AM on but it was for minor things and for feeding Roxie. We finally got up at 7AM. I had to keep a move on as the blow up bed ( which works quite well, I thought,) had to be deflated and out of the bedroom by 9AM.
I knew my new twin was being delivered between 9 and noon and as we are so close to the store just figured it would be the first delivery or so. I was right. We got a call at 9AM and the bed was set up before 9:30 and they had the queen spring and mattress down in the basement before they left. The way it is set up, I have more room to walk around it than with the blow up bed. Thank heaven. And I am closer in height to Dick too. So it will feels like we are more in the same bed.
He walked two times today and the urinary tract infection seems to be showing improvement already. I took a nice long nap this afternoon after we had a Tbone steak and garlic bread for our dinner.
Then I went to the 4PM Mass. I got there at 3:30PM trying to beat the crowds. But that is impossible before this particular Mass as the Folk Choir does a pre mass concert and the place is packed from about 3PM on. I did finally manage a seat and the Mass and music were spectacular. Great tradiditonal songs including the Messiah. AND I was an assigned Eucharistic Minister and had the privilege of serving the wine to my fellow worshipers. I never get over that.
Home again Dick and I had a glass of Christmas wine together and ate leftovers for our supper. And I finally finished wrapping the presents. It is after 8PM and we are starting to get ready for bed. Our aim is always 9PM. This will be my first night in the new bed. I hope it is as nice as it seems. And I hope that Roxie likes it too.
Tomorrow is Christmas. I am so happy. The tree is as decorated as it is going to be. The presents are all decorated. Bobbie is bringing the meal. All I have to do is "neaten up" as they say so that we have places to eat and sit and set things down.
Merry Christmas - God bless us every one.
Mary
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
I felt pretty good this morning when I got up. Dick slept until 4AM then wanted to sit on the bed for an hour or so just relaxing, I guess, so I got some more sleep. As much as I could with Roxie being an absolute brat. After she was fed, she, of course, left me alone. but I helped Dick finish getting up at that time.
Jody got here to clean at 8:00AM and Bobbie arrived shortly after. Between the two of them and my looking like I was doing something (I hope), they got the queen sized bed disassembled and the mattress and springs leaned up against the wall for the Furniture people to take downstairs when they come with my twin sized bed tomorrow.
We managed to eat and get vitamins and nebulizer treatments in during that time. Josh from VNA came with the bed at about 10:30AM. He got it all together, except, the trapeze that he brought was not right so he had to go back to the shop to get the right on.
Rachel the nurse from VNA came at 11:30AM. She gave him a good going over. She will be back next week and I have instructions for his sores and dressings. There are more dressings and wound wash on the way. Dick has been showing signs of a urinary infection. I picked up a sample bottle yesterday and we were waiting for Dr. Sharon's OK. Rachel got that and took the sample to the lab.
Whew. That was the morning. I had put in a pizza for lunch so we snacked as we went.
Then, this afternoon, Michelle and Jim called for a Christmas call and a really good update on what and how they are doing. I was able to let them hear the lovely music box on the Kincaid Village music box floral arrangement and tell them that Roxie loves it too. Bobbie found that one of the roses has been lightly nibbled. And we know who the flower eater in this house is. We are all SO disappointed that their trip up here was thwarted and in such a miserable way for them. But at least they are safe at home and not stranded in some storm as some were.
While on the phone with them, Jean. my neighbor, dropped over with cookies and a request for me to pick up the mail. AND Josh came back with the trapeze for the bed and installed that.
When I hung up from talking to Jim and Michelle, there was a message from Dr. Sharon's office. Dick, indeed, does have and infection and I had to go over to Walgreens to get his antibiotics.
Home again, I put the sheets and all on Dick's bed and then fixed soup and grilled cheese for Supper. Then I blew up the inflatable twin that is going to be my bed just for tonight as tomorrow morning the new twin bed will arrive. After I get that in place and the delivery guys take the queen stuff downstairs, I can finally get our bedroom in order.
Now it is after 7:30PM. I am exhausted. I am hoping that all of this prep will gradually make the days easier because in between all these things, Dick needs help when there is walking or standing involved. Sometimes very little but I like to and feel that I need to be there for him.
So pray for us that our weary bodies get the rest they need tonight. We look forward to each day together, even when they are not perfect as we know how much more imperfect they are when we are apart.
Dia Dhuit
Mary
Enjoy these blessed days.
Jody got here to clean at 8:00AM and Bobbie arrived shortly after. Between the two of them and my looking like I was doing something (I hope), they got the queen sized bed disassembled and the mattress and springs leaned up against the wall for the Furniture people to take downstairs when they come with my twin sized bed tomorrow.
We managed to eat and get vitamins and nebulizer treatments in during that time. Josh from VNA came with the bed at about 10:30AM. He got it all together, except, the trapeze that he brought was not right so he had to go back to the shop to get the right on.
Rachel the nurse from VNA came at 11:30AM. She gave him a good going over. She will be back next week and I have instructions for his sores and dressings. There are more dressings and wound wash on the way. Dick has been showing signs of a urinary infection. I picked up a sample bottle yesterday and we were waiting for Dr. Sharon's OK. Rachel got that and took the sample to the lab.
Whew. That was the morning. I had put in a pizza for lunch so we snacked as we went.
Then, this afternoon, Michelle and Jim called for a Christmas call and a really good update on what and how they are doing. I was able to let them hear the lovely music box on the Kincaid Village music box floral arrangement and tell them that Roxie loves it too. Bobbie found that one of the roses has been lightly nibbled. And we know who the flower eater in this house is. We are all SO disappointed that their trip up here was thwarted and in such a miserable way for them. But at least they are safe at home and not stranded in some storm as some were.
While on the phone with them, Jean. my neighbor, dropped over with cookies and a request for me to pick up the mail. AND Josh came back with the trapeze for the bed and installed that.
When I hung up from talking to Jim and Michelle, there was a message from Dr. Sharon's office. Dick, indeed, does have and infection and I had to go over to Walgreens to get his antibiotics.
Home again, I put the sheets and all on Dick's bed and then fixed soup and grilled cheese for Supper. Then I blew up the inflatable twin that is going to be my bed just for tonight as tomorrow morning the new twin bed will arrive. After I get that in place and the delivery guys take the queen stuff downstairs, I can finally get our bedroom in order.
Now it is after 7:30PM. I am exhausted. I am hoping that all of this prep will gradually make the days easier because in between all these things, Dick needs help when there is walking or standing involved. Sometimes very little but I like to and feel that I need to be there for him.
So pray for us that our weary bodies get the rest they need tonight. We look forward to each day together, even when they are not perfect as we know how much more imperfect they are when we are apart.
Dia Dhuit
Mary
Enjoy these blessed days.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Dick is home. YEAAAAA!!!
It was not the smooth gentle homecoming that I had planned on but he did get her on the 20th, the day we had picked.
On Monday night, around midnight, I started getting sick. I ended up vomiting and with diarrhea for 6 hours. At 7:30AM, I dragged myself out to the car and drove to the Plymouth Clinic, hoping to be able to go to urgent care. I thought they opened at 7AM. They don't. But my angel was watching over me. Dr. Murthy comes in early on Tuesdays and he saw me. They even sent a nurse to bring me up in a wheel chair. You can imagine how exhausted I was. He was able to determine that I did not have anything contagious. He told me to go home, drink water, slowly all day long and gradually introduce food and to sleep. So I made arrangements to delay Dick's release from Rocky Knoll to between 4:30 and 5PM.
Roxie was quite glad to see Dick. When he sat at his desk, she went right over to be petted.
We both went to bed at around 8PM. He was content with chicken soup for supper as he had a big dinner at Rocky Knoll. I drank some of the broth from the soup and kept it down and things seemed OK. We both slept until almost 6AM Wednesday morning.
So, I ate some cereal and moved on with the day. I was still SO weak but we got through it. I did the grocery shopping and gassed up the car. Ellen from VNA came in the afternoon, ran through some tests and made several recommendations. She sent an OT person this afternoon and she came herself this morning. She also has an RN coming tomorrow. I am concerned about the blister on Dick's leg and will be happy to have someone who can show me what needs to be done.
So today was a real road race. Neil from Steger Heating came to give our furnace its winter check. Ellen came at 12:30PM. We have decided, on Ellen's recommendation, to get a hospital bed (which will be provided as long as needed, I understand). We have decided to store the queen downstairs, and buy a twin for me to use so that we won't have to be in different rooms. The only other way would have been to put him in the other bedroom with the hospital bed and leave our room as is. We want to be together.
The bed will have railings and a trapeze.
He woke up at 2AM this morning and we had a heck of a time getting him up. Without those railings and the trapeze, it is SO hard for him to turn and raise himself up. The hospital bed will come tomorrow and my bed on Saturday. Tomorrow, Bobbie will come to help me stack the queen up against the wall so that they can get the hospital bed set up. I will use the blow up bed I got for a spare for the one night.
Don't you love it when a plan comes together?
I was calling Bobbie to ask her if she could help, when the door bell rang and there were Bobbie and Bill at the door with two wooden dowel things that Bill made to help Dick get a solid base on the bed and make it easier to push up on.
Mat from Home Care Resources arrived at 4PM with tennis balls for the walker and a wheel chair cushion so that I can take back the one we seem to have borrowed from Rock Knoll. He has just been a wonder. He installed several grab bars for us too. He is so nice. He is a huge man and guarantees them for anything up to 400 lbs.
We also heard from Jim and Michelle, their trip up here got aborted by the weather and Greyhound. They were two hours late leaving Oklahoma City and were put on a bus with no heat and a hole in the floor and dirty to Tulsa. When they got there they found they would miss the connection to St. Louis and would not have gotten here for so long, it was no longer worth the trip. We are so disappointed and so are they. I will have to send their presents next week. They can celebrate us next week then. I am just glad, from the sound of things that,at least, they are home safe and sound.
So as you can see, it has been a busy busy busy day and we are both very tired. and will be heading "up the wooden hill to four corners" very soon.
At least you know why you did not hear from me for a couple of nights.
Dia Dhuit
Mary
It was not the smooth gentle homecoming that I had planned on but he did get her on the 20th, the day we had picked.
On Monday night, around midnight, I started getting sick. I ended up vomiting and with diarrhea for 6 hours. At 7:30AM, I dragged myself out to the car and drove to the Plymouth Clinic, hoping to be able to go to urgent care. I thought they opened at 7AM. They don't. But my angel was watching over me. Dr. Murthy comes in early on Tuesdays and he saw me. They even sent a nurse to bring me up in a wheel chair. You can imagine how exhausted I was. He was able to determine that I did not have anything contagious. He told me to go home, drink water, slowly all day long and gradually introduce food and to sleep. So I made arrangements to delay Dick's release from Rocky Knoll to between 4:30 and 5PM.
Roxie was quite glad to see Dick. When he sat at his desk, she went right over to be petted.
We both went to bed at around 8PM. He was content with chicken soup for supper as he had a big dinner at Rocky Knoll. I drank some of the broth from the soup and kept it down and things seemed OK. We both slept until almost 6AM Wednesday morning.
So, I ate some cereal and moved on with the day. I was still SO weak but we got through it. I did the grocery shopping and gassed up the car. Ellen from VNA came in the afternoon, ran through some tests and made several recommendations. She sent an OT person this afternoon and she came herself this morning. She also has an RN coming tomorrow. I am concerned about the blister on Dick's leg and will be happy to have someone who can show me what needs to be done.
So today was a real road race. Neil from Steger Heating came to give our furnace its winter check. Ellen came at 12:30PM. We have decided, on Ellen's recommendation, to get a hospital bed (which will be provided as long as needed, I understand). We have decided to store the queen downstairs, and buy a twin for me to use so that we won't have to be in different rooms. The only other way would have been to put him in the other bedroom with the hospital bed and leave our room as is. We want to be together.
The bed will have railings and a trapeze.
He woke up at 2AM this morning and we had a heck of a time getting him up. Without those railings and the trapeze, it is SO hard for him to turn and raise himself up. The hospital bed will come tomorrow and my bed on Saturday. Tomorrow, Bobbie will come to help me stack the queen up against the wall so that they can get the hospital bed set up. I will use the blow up bed I got for a spare for the one night.
Don't you love it when a plan comes together?
I was calling Bobbie to ask her if she could help, when the door bell rang and there were Bobbie and Bill at the door with two wooden dowel things that Bill made to help Dick get a solid base on the bed and make it easier to push up on.
Mat from Home Care Resources arrived at 4PM with tennis balls for the walker and a wheel chair cushion so that I can take back the one we seem to have borrowed from Rock Knoll. He has just been a wonder. He installed several grab bars for us too. He is so nice. He is a huge man and guarantees them for anything up to 400 lbs.
We also heard from Jim and Michelle, their trip up here got aborted by the weather and Greyhound. They were two hours late leaving Oklahoma City and were put on a bus with no heat and a hole in the floor and dirty to Tulsa. When they got there they found they would miss the connection to St. Louis and would not have gotten here for so long, it was no longer worth the trip. We are so disappointed and so are they. I will have to send their presents next week. They can celebrate us next week then. I am just glad, from the sound of things that,at least, they are home safe and sound.
So as you can see, it has been a busy busy busy day and we are both very tired. and will be heading "up the wooden hill to four corners" very soon.
At least you know why you did not hear from me for a couple of nights.
Dia Dhuit
Mary
Monday, December 19, 2011
A typical, non-typical busy Monday. I left the house at 9AM after making some phone calls and catching up on some general pickup and computer stuff. Went first to Bible Study. We had a pretty full crowd and a lovely discussion of the fact that baptism mad us "priests" as adopted sons of God and what responsibilities this carries.
Next I went over to Mother's house. She looks pretty good. A bit weak but she is back to her normal routine, except that she decided not to exercise for a day or two so her strength comes back. She moves around the house as needed anyway, that will be enough. While I was there, we talked to Meals on Wheels and they will start delivering her noon hot meal on Wednesday. They do not deliver on weekends and the day after Christmas is a day off too, but they will resume on Tuesday. After a week or so we will evaluate how it is working for her.
I stopped at home on my way to Kate's for our Cream City Writer's party, to pick up the present and the salad for the pot luck. I had intended to go right to her home to help but got a call from Jena asking that I pick her and her mother Lynn and her sister Hope up on my way. I knew that it would not be a help to have them there early, so timed it to get to Kate's at 12:30PM when it was scheduled for.
We had a lovely party. Don, Kate, Lynn and I read Christmas readings. I read my new Acrostic, I will put it at the end of this blog and a poem my brother Matt wrote.
Kate had made a ham and potato casserole. I brought the Broccoli Cauliflower salad and everybody else brought cookies or appetizers. Some people do have an odd idea of a pot luck. But we were well fed and entertained. Then we exchanged our gifts. I received a Gibbsville Cheese cup and instant cocoa to go with it.
Kate also gave me a present. A neat Tea for One, a book and a candle. How fun is that. She is a good friend.
Tomorrow Dick comes home!!!!!! He called tonight and seemed a bit distressed but I talked to the nurse and she said that she would keep an eye on him. I will shop early and then be there until we sign him out and Tim comes to pick him up. We had a new walker delivered today. Mat, my friend from Home Resource, brought it and he will drop the tennis balls to stablize the legs tomorrow. He will also measure for a cushion like Dick has been using at Rocky Knoll. I think we really need that too.
So. I am home. I have his tea ready and I have prepared the Spinach Casserole and have it ready to just pop into the oven. Special treat. Pray for us that all goes well.
Dia Dhuit
Mary
CHRISTMAS
Come to the stable.
Hurry to the light of the star.
Run to tell the shepherds.
It is joy and the promise kept.
Silent in the night
The Lord sent His Son.
Mary the gentle mother
Prepared a manger for his head.
Softly the Angels sang a lullaby.
Next I went over to Mother's house. She looks pretty good. A bit weak but she is back to her normal routine, except that she decided not to exercise for a day or two so her strength comes back. She moves around the house as needed anyway, that will be enough. While I was there, we talked to Meals on Wheels and they will start delivering her noon hot meal on Wednesday. They do not deliver on weekends and the day after Christmas is a day off too, but they will resume on Tuesday. After a week or so we will evaluate how it is working for her.
I stopped at home on my way to Kate's for our Cream City Writer's party, to pick up the present and the salad for the pot luck. I had intended to go right to her home to help but got a call from Jena asking that I pick her and her mother Lynn and her sister Hope up on my way. I knew that it would not be a help to have them there early, so timed it to get to Kate's at 12:30PM when it was scheduled for.
We had a lovely party. Don, Kate, Lynn and I read Christmas readings. I read my new Acrostic, I will put it at the end of this blog and a poem my brother Matt wrote.
Kate had made a ham and potato casserole. I brought the Broccoli Cauliflower salad and everybody else brought cookies or appetizers. Some people do have an odd idea of a pot luck. But we were well fed and entertained. Then we exchanged our gifts. I received a Gibbsville Cheese cup and instant cocoa to go with it.
Kate also gave me a present. A neat Tea for One, a book and a candle. How fun is that. She is a good friend.
Tomorrow Dick comes home!!!!!! He called tonight and seemed a bit distressed but I talked to the nurse and she said that she would keep an eye on him. I will shop early and then be there until we sign him out and Tim comes to pick him up. We had a new walker delivered today. Mat, my friend from Home Resource, brought it and he will drop the tennis balls to stablize the legs tomorrow. He will also measure for a cushion like Dick has been using at Rocky Knoll. I think we really need that too.
So. I am home. I have his tea ready and I have prepared the Spinach Casserole and have it ready to just pop into the oven. Special treat. Pray for us that all goes well.
Dia Dhuit
Mary
CHRISTMAS
Come to the stable.
Hurry to the light of the star.
Run to tell the shepherds.
It is joy and the promise kept.
Silent in the night
The Lord sent His Son.
Mary the gentle mother
Prepared a manger for his head.
Softly the Angels sang a lullaby.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Today did not go as planned, but it did, in the end, turn out OK.
I was just getting ready to leave for Rocky Knoll for Mass, when Alicia, Mom's caregiver, called and told me that Mother was semi conscious and sick. Should she call an ambulance. I, of course, said yes and that I would be there as soon as I could. On the way, I left a message for Jeff on his cell as I just had to push one button to call him and I called Dick to tell him that I would be late.
When I got the Mother's they were already wheeling her out of the house. I talked to her but she was in pretty bad shape at the time. As it turns out just trying to come out of the fainting spell. So I talked to Alicia and the policeman that was there and then went to Sheboygan Memorial to be there when she got there. Alicia had also called Dolores because she had her number also on her phone. I called Eileen when I got to the hospital.
By the time they got her to the hospital, she was already asking to go home, but they put her through the battery of tests that they always have to. She is just fine though a bit weak. Randy and Eileen took her home as soon as the tests were complete and she was able to walk the halls with a walker. I left to be with Dick this afternoon. Eileen is spending the night.
Dick was fine. I got there just in time to lunch with him. We watched a bit of the game together. Then Bobbie and Bill came to visit. I was so tired and Dick sent me home to rest. I was not able to sleep but did lie down for an hour and I am going to bed early tonight as I have a really big day tomorrow.
Please pray that Mother stays well for a long time now. I told her that she has to stop going to the hospital just before Christmas every year. It was just about this time last year that she dislocated her shoulder. She just laughed at me.
So that was the day, exept that the Packers lost. I have a really bad fantasy league this week. Lots of upsets and I scored high on some of them.
Tomorrow will be a better day. Though as Mom is OK now, I count this as a blessed day anyway.
Dia Dhuit
Mary
I was just getting ready to leave for Rocky Knoll for Mass, when Alicia, Mom's caregiver, called and told me that Mother was semi conscious and sick. Should she call an ambulance. I, of course, said yes and that I would be there as soon as I could. On the way, I left a message for Jeff on his cell as I just had to push one button to call him and I called Dick to tell him that I would be late.
When I got the Mother's they were already wheeling her out of the house. I talked to her but she was in pretty bad shape at the time. As it turns out just trying to come out of the fainting spell. So I talked to Alicia and the policeman that was there and then went to Sheboygan Memorial to be there when she got there. Alicia had also called Dolores because she had her number also on her phone. I called Eileen when I got to the hospital.
By the time they got her to the hospital, she was already asking to go home, but they put her through the battery of tests that they always have to. She is just fine though a bit weak. Randy and Eileen took her home as soon as the tests were complete and she was able to walk the halls with a walker. I left to be with Dick this afternoon. Eileen is spending the night.
Dick was fine. I got there just in time to lunch with him. We watched a bit of the game together. Then Bobbie and Bill came to visit. I was so tired and Dick sent me home to rest. I was not able to sleep but did lie down for an hour and I am going to bed early tonight as I have a really big day tomorrow.
Please pray that Mother stays well for a long time now. I told her that she has to stop going to the hospital just before Christmas every year. It was just about this time last year that she dislocated her shoulder. She just laughed at me.
So that was the day, exept that the Packers lost. I have a really bad fantasy league this week. Lots of upsets and I scored high on some of them.
Tomorrow will be a better day. Though as Mom is OK now, I count this as a blessed day anyway.
Dia Dhuit
Mary
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