How I spent my vacation

On miserable Monday, Lois spent time puking and puking and puking and puking. Sleep flashes like fireflies' light. Gurgle, sputter, nasal flutter; in all, Monday was miserable. Spent spent her vacation being ill, followed by a Tuesday for recovery, cleverly postponing her appointments that day.

Thomas and Marcus installed, what should be, the last support bar in the shower/tub. Cutting through the tile was a bit of a chore, but worst of all ... expansion nuts and Thomas' overuse of glue. Hammering in posts while supporting the rod was a pain in the rear. It was all worth it, now ... the bar, "the Hulk couldn't pull it down", attested Lois.

It was a mostly, then, unremarkable day. The weather -- hinting at fall was pleasant with flecks of browns, golds, and reds in early changing trees.

Time well spent

Joining the world of -- missing puppies and he was ...

Goodbye dear friend, Thunderheart. Your last months were unattractive, arthritis and little joy. Oh, but the joy you brought to others. You went camping, cooking, with girlscouts, boyscouts -- walking with others, defending them too. Your Halloween costume was never the same year to year. You put up with being used as a pillow, dress up doll ... makeup and nails painted. You got treats and handfed when a puppy and as an old man. You up and left to wander home -- walking at least 60 miles, foolish boy!

You were as much family as any, though Mom intermittantly let you have control of furniture. You barked at dogs, never acknowledging yourself as one. You let birds fly around you and ate spiders. Sweet boy, I'm sorry you died alone. You shouldn't and couldn't have lived forever, but you broke hearts when you died.

Bark in heaven ... your new home!
...
From Debbie:
"We are sad today. My baby Thunder left us yesterday night. Peacefully , perhaps, as it was in the middle of the kiechen wit all of us nearby klistening to the bronco game.

Tony and I took him to be cremated today. I think I am in a bit of shock s I find myslef doin htings for the two dogs. I grab enough biscuits for two dogs, two leashes, two waters, two

p opsickels. I can hear him barking and breathing. I miss him lots. We keep talking about all the manny, many good times he gave us, joined with us. He helped me raise the 5 children, climbed mountatins, swam in maintain streams and slept in hotel rooms. Pretty special german shepherd."

Social Climber

What seems like ages, she does step, by painful step, sometimes faster the next day. Today, Lois had physical therapy out-patient and came home sore, but with good attitude. She is making little strides ... here and toward success and independance. She is doing better with diabetes, treating her disease with greater respect. She is still on injected insulin up to four times daily, plus once at night. The insulin isn't nearly as expensive as the bloomin' syringes. I can see why, money-crunched persons needing them would re-use them. The needles, as small as there are, are thankfully not well-suited for IV drug users.

Thomas, as secretary of an engineers' club has been trying to get speakers for them, with some success and some hopes dashed. Wouldn't you know it, Comcast was, by far, the most difficult to find a person. Father talked with four people on the phone, then went to local branch and talked with two others, only to get a business card for yet another. Methinks, it's a wasteful beauracracy -- you're comcast dollars going to thick middle management and paperwork.

Marcus has reached restful states. For two days in a row, woke rested and not so grouchy and stupid. Scratch that -- I'm always stupid, but now to a lesser degree. I've no win on the job search, but I'm not crying yet. Keep up the good spirits, I think we are!

Mum enters

Mum enters
Originally uploaded by MDH, II.

On Wednesday, Mum enters happy to be home. She wept, having not been home for 3 weeks. She wasn't "out of the woods" yet, in that she has appointments after appointments for physical therapy, coumadin testing, and more.

Her medicine list increased and may shift after some time. She is back on injected insulin, but with weight management, exerceise, meal management, that too might fade.

She is adjusting to life at home. Thomas put together parts in bathroom so that she could properly use them and get out of them. Her knees are stronger than they have been, but she is perpetually sore and in pain at other times. She's happy to be home and might try to go to church this weekend.

Home

After 3 weeks and lots of pain and suffering, mother has returned; somewhat victoriously home. The appointments are done though. There are diabetic appointments, coumadin appointments and PT appointments, none of which are in the same builidng. She's gone from walker to rider.

uplifting

Mother's doctor and personnel here meet today to discuss progress and likely discharge date. The word is that it might be in a couple of days. That is, well, fantastic! She walks on her own, picked up something on the floor and is pretty much indepedant.

There is a penny bet between Thomas and Marcus RE: discharge date. I bet on Friday, Thomas on Thursday, and a nurse who heard of the penny bet went in for Wednesday. I hope the nurse wins!

Standing ovation!

Today in mother’s workout, I got to see her stand for periods of time – perhaps ten minutes standing, then five minutes sitting. She played cards while standing. I don’t know the therapy accomplished with that. She got back to room in pain, and I read to her. She had some “throbbing” pain and requested me to rub her legs for moments only. I read some to her and later, she stopped. She fell asleep on her on accord. Shortly before her 11:39 PT she had pain meds and the nurse then requested at-home med sheet. Thankfully I brought this today. The nurse added this to the bundle/file folder of her mess. She predicted that Mom would be out by the weekend. I mentioned to her the penny bet that Father and I had on her discharge date, I bet on Friday, he on Thursday. Though, I don’t know how close she might have come, the nurse guessed Wednesday. Hey, wouldn’t that be grand!

She is in good spirits and is obviously growing strong. Her late morning PT was a little late, as there were some more critical need patients that took longer than expected. In lieu of this, mother spun around and got to be better on her wheelchair. She’s the new NASCAR wheeler, perhaps.

Curse it! I have to finish early … my battery low and no plug in sight in the therapy room. Blast!

She stood -- a great, momentous day!

She walked

Lois normally goes to and from therapies with wheelchair, but ... today, done today without smoke and mirrors, but rather walker. Kick butt! She goes stronger and more confident. She might even be toning down on pain meds and dealing with it fantastically. I'm very proud of her accomplishments -- she should be.

She got visited this weekend by Beth and Tom who ate cafeteria food -- a dangerous gamble. They seemed to work out okay. They didn't call to confirm their safe return home.

Tokens of Concern

Bird centerpiece

Birds of a feather ornament

And I should mention ... cards, books, guests, calls ... they all mean something
prayers, hopes, love -- nothing is wasted.

shout in the dark

While under the veil of pain meds and pain my mother was repeatedly asked her DOB for verification -- right med for right patient; she grew tired of being continually asked. "You'd think you'd right it down" -- fairly funny.


Having a perpetually dry mouth, mother drinks lots of liquid -- generally water and has such found and identified each and every restroom on the premises. Her meds contribute to this.

Experiences

The schedule for therapies changes, as do the therapists. There is a job board and each patient is given a daily roster of whom they see and when. The patients, by the third day, are expected to come on their own accord to the designated areas for therapy. They are each, also, responsible for their own pain management and requesting of pain meds.

Mom seems satsified with the place presently. Today was assessment, where the therapists determine her weak areas for study and improvement. She is tired and sore, but I think will work through it just okay. She was not as good in the regular hospital with the thearapists, but I feel here, she will be better.

They have meals always at the same time and she likes the meals there much better than at hospital (main). She used a wheeled walker today and likely will have that upon completion of therapy. Overall, I'm happy with what I have seen, in that they push her to successfully complete in a reasonable amount of days (2-14; average 10).

Father and I returned in the afternoon and Mother was happy that she learned how to use a shower bench to enter the tub for a shower. She did a lot of moving today and was tired early. She found that a walker with wheels worked much better. She still has much to learn and strength to gain.

Good news for her, I found the AC, for her room was, well ... hot.

Entered rehab (first full day)

Her left knee. Her staples were removed today. She had two remining ones until a nurse came in and removed the last two around 10 20.

One view of her room (115). You can see one of two leg slings for bed exercises here.
There is another bed in this room. Her roommate left today.

This is a picture of the rehab therapy room. It doesn't show how very large it is and the varied instruments and impliments in the room. This place has many therapists.

Another move

long day ... Mom is in rehab hospital finally. She is in room 115, bed 1. I have a local number, but miffed it and missed the 888 number. I'm not too sure she's up to calls yet, but will give you the number that I have. She has a roommate today, but her roommate leaves tomorrow. The room is small, but I feel that she'll be moving around with therapies enough that won't much matter.

Thursday

Lois has blood in her urnine, which may be yeast infection, maybe because of her blood thinners, or something else. An orthopedic PCA (patient care assistant) found this, but made no call on it at all -- not his area. So, there's a mystery, I guess. She is growing stronger and stood on her own to bid farewell to neighbor who came in today to wish her well. This old neighbor didn't know at all that Lois was in hospital. She felt shameful for that, whereas she shouldn't.

Lois got calls from two daughters in Indy. Bethy said that it, "made her week" to hear from Mom and that she was doing so well.

There isn't any more word of when she'll get out of that area and then to rehab, but supposedly she might get her staples out tomorrow. After that, she stands a good chance of leaving hospital for rehab (24 hours or less) depending on all circumstances and heart rate/arhythmmia, etc.

Lois started in a bad mood from last night -- though waning. This morning she was attempting to use the bathroom when she was intruded upon twice. Her snide attitude toward the nurses may backfire on her eventually. She was unfriendly to all but three.

Pastor Keith came into hospital about the middle of her PT time, by the time he got up there, she might have been close to finishing -- it was unclear if he was going there immediately. He did say that he was there to say hi to her and check on her. He's a good man!

Stronger

Lois did something wonderful today, she stood up on her own with a lot of pain. She hadn't the strength a while ago, but now she does. She was delighted to know that she could shower, just not soak her incissions. She was going to shower with the help of Gaylene (PCA also secetary), opted for sponge bath. She hadn't had a real bath since admitting. She feels human again!

One of the doctors from the orthopedic group stopped by and later the cardiologist, both of whom felt she would likely leave hospital in two days for rehab hospital. That was more good news. Still, further, her heart arhythmmia might be controlled by coumadin, so she might not have any further procedures for that. The other option might have been for paddles to jump-start her heart into correct rhyme.

It was good she was moved only when she was, as regular rooms weren't available last week, for whatever reason. There is just good news after good news.

I understand that Uncle Karl will undergo hand surgery soon, a fairly quick surgery, and that Aunt Dorothy who has untreatable shingles will either respond to new pain meds or undergo surgery to eliminate the pain. I hope that the meds work.

She's walkin', yes indeed

Mother is making greater strides. She felt urgency and walked, painfully, to the bathroom. Who you don't see in the picture is Thomas pushing the pole, for Lois cannot use a walker and pull the pole.

Earlier with the physical therapist, she walked to the nurses' desk and then into the hallway, erecting a flag to mark her achievement. The orthopedic PCA (patient care assistant; aka nurse's aide, aka; tech -- who might very well have a masters) came to see Lois today and was pleased with her range of motion. Her also wants her now to work on straightening her legs/knees, very imporant for standing.

The good news is, she might be moved yet again tomorrow or Wednesday -- to rehab, but nothing is certain.

Being fed

Lois can feed herself, but here, Thomas is feeding her some breakfast. She got a little pissy and ordered little for breakfast. She was better later on because the physical therapist fixed the Continuous Passive Motion (PCM) machine. This bends her legs up and down, like walking or pedaling. It ensures that through progress, that she gets to a full range of around 120 degrees of full bending. She has had some difficulty before, but when she's grumpy -- no one can well talk with her.

She was good around 11:45, but quickly fell asleep. She has good care, but the pharmacy is late in getting drugs always. They were every time I've been there with family and self. Lois has a host of meds that she can and does take for pain. Virtually, all of it can sedate her and help her complete her physical therapy. The lack of a mabel is a problem still -- 24 hours after seeking one, still no mabel (bedside toilet).

Her heart, according to father, looks as good as it has in hospital this trip. Let's hope that whatever the heart doctors are going to do, they do it, and she can move on to the next place -- physical rehab.

She's moved!

Here, she's looking at a wrong menu to order her dinner. She chose her dinner; father called it in. The person taking the order said that since she's on a diabetic diet and on cardiac floor -- the number are actually different on the menus. She wasn't allowed to order what she ordered, but he said -- skip it, go ahead.

Moments later, the man came up to the room and talked again about it. Later still, 5:30 a dinner was brought to her -- nothing that she ordered. How could a guy who personally visited the room error -- I don't know. After that, she was moved to a room that would hold some of her orthopedic apparatus. She was "happier" in the new room.

The nurses in the ICU made her so mad that she fumed for half the day. She's in telemetry now and possibly/likely to be there until she's sent to rehab hospital.

full of

While in hospital, Mum drinks quite a bit of water.  The nurses must "account" and record the volume of her urine output.  They were all amazed at the patient Niagra.  One nurse had to drump two full containers from the catheter bag.  In the end, I can summarize that she's full of **is and vinegar.

 

I believe that she'll have extrafamiliar guests this weekend, but times and persons are really -- well, a mystery.

Much written about nothing

Lois would like to thank everyone for all the great well-wishing and love and prayers. Thomas and Marcus also appreciate it.

New News: it might be that Lois will be sent to a cardiac telemetry unit for study. What they will do there, I haven't the faintest idea. I have no concrete information when she will get there, or if indeed that she will be there, let alone the room and phone availability.

Holloway Health News

Father and I went to see Mom last night. She was yet, even better stronger (bionic, though not working for the government). I was mislead or presumed too much in thinking that she would be directly moved from ICU to rehab. The orthopedic doctor (intern, approved by lead doctor) stated that she would move back to the orthopedic floor for a few days, then to the rehab hospital.

Hey ... more days at the hospital, joy of joys. The good news there, is realistic visiting hours. It's likely a 7-9 or 8-8 schedule with less strict guidelines. It isn't clear when that will happen, but guesses and rumors are within a couple of days.

I sleep but don't rest, and father rests but doesn't sleep. I'm mentally okay, but sore and he's physically okay (though weakened by poor sleep) but groggy.

Also good, is that Mother has a good rapport with the nursing staff. They are all wonderful!

Step Workout

Mother was working a bit this morning on her PT, self-guided, with wincing. The physical therapist was due to come in later on this morning. She is working a little harder.

She is still in ICU for high blood pressure, which seems -- at the moment, to be lowered. She also has arterial fibrillation a type of heart arrhythmia. It is not serious and is common. She has a history of heart arrhythmia and heart problems. The cardiologist hasn't yet come in today, but will assess her yet again. It is with high hopes that she is sent to the rehab soon.

The surgeon seems pleased with the knees and pops in, for maybe moments, then leaves. Mum's not sure on him, as he looks very short at her knees to make an assessment.

She has had a few surprise guests, including Pastor Keith from the church and Don, from the Sunday school class. There are many prayers for her. Pastor Keith mentioned that there are four people from church in hospital this week.

Mom seems in good spirits, all things considered, but is still a bit confused at times, though clearer. She has a devil of a time sleeping, so takes meds (some low to mid level narcotics) to rest well and lessen pain. These, I feel, are a cause of her confusions, delusions, hallucinations. Her fears and hallucinations are much, much less than before.

She is lucid and talks freely and is seeking more home and creature comforts for her room in ICU. I hope and pray that she gets out of there soon. She is only one drop that keeps her there, and that can be an oral medicine. She is off the nitro drip that kept her there.