Applied silence

Marcus had an interview these folks. It took around 6 hours start to finish, but still Marcus doesn't know if they want him.

As Marcus has had a "desk job" for such a long while, they seemed hesitant to hire anyone of the kind who wasn't a working man's man.

For the bulk of the time, Marcus spent waiting and waiting, talking a bit to the other applicants, but mostly just jotting down notes for his blog and reading an old, though roughly written book.

Marcus had never read Dracula by Bram Stoker and after a few chapters -- it was not for him. It was okay for an early 20th century novel, but has significant glitches in the 21st century.

After months of working to get a job it symbolizes the tracks of my tears.

Counted, recounted -- heck, just buy!

Thomas has a group with whom he meets montly, "KLUB". It's mostly comprised of engineers, Magnavox/Ratheon (other companies) who meet, eat, discuss. They also play poker, but Thomas bowed out of that a few years ago.
Thomas arranged a choral group to sing. As it is Christmas time, the tradition is to have poinsettias available -- one per table and they are given away or raffled away.

I advised Thomas to take a camera, but alas -- he did not. Lois went with him and hopefully enjoyed herself.

Yesterday, I know -- not chronological deal with it, Lois traveled with Diane and Jennifer to Purdue. When they got there, Jennifer's roomate was there and the four of them ate at Subway, West Lafayette. Her roommate has a car, however odd for a freshman, but is relegated to park it in Timbuk III (one and a half times as far as Timbuk Tu). I think the girls were happy to be out of the cold. Lois remarked how small the room was, but it is, after all a dorm.

So far as I can tell, Purdue is colder than here, but some degrees. Since freshmen don't have cars, I guess that they likely have the strongest legs. Jenny herself said that the first week in school, the elevators didn't work, so 8 flights up and down she made her first grueling week.

She doesn't seem to like a few of her teachers, but that's kind of like school. Anyway, Jenny lucked out and has a suitable roommate and she is excited about getting the blank out of there for Christmas and Winter break.

Thomas is due to have another scan of his back sometime soon. Lois' eye is weaker, but there's no emergency on it. Thankfully, despite the dark of winter, she and Diane made it home safely.

Happy 19th, Jennifer

Jenny celebrated her 19th birthday a day early on Saturday. Lacking a "9", she put together nine candles with a large "1".

She squealed with delight with her sister's generous gift, the gift from Grandma & Grandpa, and Diane's media gifts.

"Wicked" soundtrack and The Sound of Music on DVD. Jenny agreed that she had it memorized but loved the DVD. She couldn't help but pop in "Wicked" for her and Grandma's enjoyment.

She also got a Dave Matthews' CD, which is a band she grew to like by someone.

Despite the joy and love, there were and are challenges. One: the house, while warmer, might have been warmer with a fire. Jim and Marcus' attempt to make a fire sent smoke into the house. The damper (trap) did not fully open, sending smoke throughout the nearest three rooms. In cold, bitter winter, the windows and doors were opened. Thankfully for them, batteries were absent from their smoke alarm. I also glad that it wasn't a real fire.

Warm feelings, cold weather -- happy nineteenth, Jenny!

eye and strain

One of many exercises, Thomas works on his shoulder. Although Thomas originally led me to believe that he had only a few, perhaps three therapy sessions. The doctors and therapits suggested that he might need more. That isn't bad, just not as predicted. He seems to be doing okay with them. He has also developed knee pain. When it rains, it pours.

Lois had an appointment on Friday with the optomatrist who wanted to see her after taken photos of her eye. According to the doctor, she has problems, but he didn't feel that surgery was the right course of action right now. That was a relief. Thomas and Lois got there and had the "joy" of waiting around 90 mintues to see the doctor.

With the statements given, I thought -- why did they have to see him, especially if they had to wait, but ... I guess a phone call would have raised too many questions. So, while Lois' eye is not a surgical need, nor is Thomas' knee and shoulder.

All the while, Diane had some work to complete and Jennifer wanted to come home from Purdue. Marcus lent a hand or wheel and drove to pick up Jennifer. The trip there was fine, but getting out was less clear and they lost 30 minutes getting out.

Blessed they are in spirit

Thomas and Lois are adatpting to yet new challenges. Thomas has started physical therapy for his shoulder. According to the docotors and therapists, he had really let his arm become weak. His right shoulder was the point of injury and that is he favored arm (right-handed). In the months -- nearly a year, he has avoided using his should when he could. This was somewhat helpful to limiting pain, but the reprocussion was a great strength loss. Instead of being 10 percent stronger on his favored arm, he has 50 percent of the strength of his left arm. That's bad.

They remarked that it seems likely that he would never regain a balance of strength between the arms and shoulders, but Thomas might get 80 percent of his strength. He was only minorly disappointed. I would have been more peeved. Anyway, after a few more sessions, they will have taught him all they can for his home-therapy. He is tenatively content with what has been stated.

Continuing with his role in the Engineers Club (KLUB), he has found speakers and entertainers for them. This year, he got a school group to sing. Some year previous he got a group in to perform, which was quite enjoyed by the engineers.

Lois has, interestingly had days absent of doctors' appointments. On other days, she's done marathon appointments. By the end of the day, Thomas and Lois return, wiped out completely ... drive, wait, prod, poke, blood draw, then repeat. The continual observation of Lois' coumadin levels reveals that she's doing okay with that. Her injection pens are her sour point. One pen is glitchy and the other is maybe okay. The "dial a level" insulin pen is quite a novel idea. She has two different insulins, each used at different times. After some experience with them as they were new, she cleverly opted to use the nighttime insulin earlier, as it sometimes keeps her awake.

Yesterday marked a great day, in that Thomas and Lois returned to the YMCA after a near 12 month absence. Thomas worked on his shoulder and Lois worked on walking machines. Her knees were aching and criping, but she is better today. I hope, by February, that they return to normal life sans hospital. They cannot escape checks, therapies and appointments, but skipping out on hospital is better.

Thomas golfed this morning, then ate with friends. He was happy to leave and swing. "Hit away father, hit away."

amendment to Thanksgiving

Thomas and Lois took Angel out for a walk. The three liked it. When they got back, I saw a neat, "nifty" sight ... Angel wandering around and Thomas and Lois sitting in the sun, basking ... enjoying being out, in the sun, together.+ Though there were plenty of desserts, I doubt that much will be left on Monday, since Jenny goes back on Sunday as does Jim. Each, I think, having three more weeks of school. Jim loves snacking on desserts and generally makes meals of them. According to Diane -- he's a grazer, eating all day on little here and there.

The folks had a great deal of food and Diane sent home pounds of food. After two days of cold turkey sandwiches, there isn't a dent in the bag sent home with the folks.

I am thankful for these two other, unmentioned things: though the year is waning, the folks' love is not. I am thankful that I still have more time ... not quite sunset, not quite twilight, not the night yet. Miles and years separate family and people, but love -- love binds us.

God, thanks for us; Jesus, thanks for the after.

+ literally separated by commas

Festival

There were rows and rows and rows of trees. It's an anuual event in Fort Wayne and this year, there were fewer entries. Last year we missed this festival of trees. There were many contendors, but I voted for not a single one. Had I voted, the "Peace" tree would have been my favorite.

Thomas, Lois, Diane, Jennifer, and Jessica went downtown on a glorious and warm day. Marcus, photographer, was with them. They viewed the 40 some trees in the historic Embassy Theater with wonderful architecture. After the long walk -- good for Lois, we visited a coffee shop. Aspen Coffee is slightly cheaper than Starbucks. Lois had a difficult time of it as the machines were very loud making drinks. There was a group of eight after us, we lucked out with timing.

Our next adventure -- downtown Santa on sleigh light display. Also, there is a man who has the largest display in the county. It is a wonder to see. Snow adds to the magic of the display, so, we should wait.

Lois and Thomas are doing okay, tired and needing rest more than usual, but with the holiday coming, that is natural. To everyone -- Happy belated Thanksgiving and an early Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

So, here's the family about and around, after eating lots of food for Thanksgiving.

We played Imagine If... and later Tripoly. Since the folks had not seen Cars, they watched that. I had seen it and saw bits here and there.

I chatted a bit with Jim while he was drawing deer on his drawing pad. He had drawn a scene before, but was adapting this one to have the father watching the fawn.

In all, we had a good time, ate lots and the girls, Jessica & Jennifer loved that Lois brought over a gallon of homemade orange sauce -- consumed nearly like soup.

Lost in translation

Lois got a call from the nurse practitioner today about her potassium levels. The plan days ago was that she skip only one day, then resume half pill doses thereafter. Lois didn't quite do this and with the puking, keeping the potassium down would have been unlikely. They are doing another blood draw tomorrow. Thomas is creeping up on better health and got word that his shoulder would probably heal up with physical therapy.

For Thomas, there was good news. Now, if we could get Lois healthy, that would be something!

parental health teeter-totter

When one is healthy, the other is not. The health fairy gets a lump of coal this year, for sure!

Thomas had an appointment today and found that his glucose was on average in a three-month study, so that's good. He was low on sodium because of a medication increase, so the doc put him on non-diuretic diovan to hopefully address this issue.

Lois spent 16 hours in bed -- ill, pukey, nausiated, groggy -- all around yucky. She perked up a bit in the evening, but not wholly. Thanksgiving next week might be interesting or disappointing. We are to pick up Betty who has spent Thanksgiving with the family for a few years now. She's an older woman -- friend of family, who has done bible study with Lois. The more I know of her -- the more she bugs me, so I try not to know too much.

Anyway, the family (Beth and family, Debbie and family, Diane and family) are plugging along with situations here and there and troubles not always of their making.

Sometime, Marcus will rampage the town out of frustration with job hunting. He has had two invites to spend money to get jobs. He hasn't comitted to anything.

phone found

I was starting up the vehicle to get it warm, looking also for a belt extender. I found, to my surprise, a cell phone. My niece has lost or misplaced her repeatedly, so I guessed it was hers. I then thought, that it might have been one of her friend's. I called -- busy, called again, busy. I got the house finally and she warmly greeted me, almost tearing because the phone wasn't stolen, as she thought might have happened.

After dinner, I drove over to drop off the phone and she hugged me several times to thank me. She was reuinted with her phone. She was then again directed to continue with her chores. Cinderella went back to chores, but was happy to have the phone.

brief stop

This falcon stopped by here looking for birds to eat. Strangely, they all left.

second sight

Lois went to the eye doctor and after much deliberation, he has scheduled a December appointment. Since it was so late, it is very likely that the situation isn't that disastrous. Let us hope that's so.

Since Thomas and Lois are still quite ill, they have missed any and all appointments of a personal nature. They did get to say farewell to a good neighbor and family who have moved to an adjacent town, New Haven. It is not to be confused with New York.

So, end of the week, sickness and tiredness prevails, but health might be on the horizon.

Medical histories

Thomas went to his oncologist today after having had tests and scans. According to the findings, he has no changed in PSA levels. So, it appears his cancer is in remission. He was not without some downer news. According to tests, he had a higher than average glucaose level and his sodium was too low. A light thoractic scan revealed, a likely old, bone curvature and mild degeneration.

As he has had sinus issues and sickness symptoms. The doctors reported these but made no suggestions regarding them. So, coughing, hacking, but feeling better, Thomas got great news.

Lois is still overly sleepy but recently found a minor problem.

She went in on Tuesday to get blood drawn. Later, the office called requesting another test. They "didn't like" her first one. She has been taking a schload of pills and supplements. Potassium was one of these and supposedly, she has too much now. That is a good thing. Her glucose is improving, her knees are growing stronger, and now her potassium is better.

Truly, this week has been a reversal of fortunes, for the better.

Going "Blech, cough ... hack, blech" in the night!

Thomas and Lois are still battling colds, though different ones. Thomas refuses to go to doctor -- God forbid they find the sinus infection and give him medicine for it ... that would be terrible. I don't know why.

Lois had a good deal of walking today, to Coumadin clinic, now at 2.0, which is about where they want it, Walgreens, Scotts Grocery (lots of walking), then later in the afternoon -- Freygang's to let out their dog, Angel. Angel was very happy to have compnay.

At one point in time, Lois and Angel were sitting on the playground equipment, shoulder to shoulder like two school buddies.

Lois is still potentially pukey and Thomas is still fighting both the cold and doing anything about it. He has taken 90 some pills for almost naught. This includes OTR cold medicines. To calculate cough drops I would need my computer. In all, he sounds worse.

Lois is in better spirits, but I think she felt good for the first time in such a long while, she might have overdone it.

---
In a somewhat related story, a restaurant had about 50 patrons complain of stomach issues. The Health Department is investigating now. It is notable because a restaurant in the same plaza this summer had a hepatitis A scare from an employee who handled food, who had Hep A. For those not in the know, Hep A isn't nearly as serious as Hep B or C. Hep C, of course, generally is found in those with AIDS.

None of us have eaten there in a while, so no worries.

Sickness

Lois, while faring better than Thomas ended her bout of wellness with getting sick again this evening. Thomas has continued to look, sound and feel rotten. Despite Marcus' calls to reconsider, they each have vowed to do the shot next time around, though their illnesses are directly attributable to the shot.

Father, has slipped into a second illness due to his weakness from the shot and several-day illness.

E E E

So the screen showed on her glucose meter. She called the company. They were happy to ship her a new one via mail, but that would leave her without a meter for readings, which determine how much insulin you get. They thought, then cut all the wasted time, stating that they would have one at Walgreens within minutes for her ... free of charge. She didn't have any paperwork to do, just show up and say her name.

That is a good company policy.

She felt well enough that she drove herself.

Wait and See

Lois had an early eye appointment. Since Thomas was ill, Marcus drove Lois to, yep, you guessed it ... hospital.

The wait was very long between sessions. On the lighter side, all the personnel there were extremely friendly, courteous and kind. After the 3 some hour session with tests to determine degree and accuracy of diagnosis:
macular degeneration, background diabetic retinopathy, macular pucker (verified by two separate doctors in different buildings). The tests were fairly quick and simple. The Opthomologist's office is to call a week from now with results.

Since I was with Lois, I was allowed to sit with her. We got to see "required" info-videos on the procedures for the situation including one test they used today, fluorescein angiography, which involved injecting redish dye. Thankfully they found a vein in Lois' arm that was fairly easy, they shot the dye and they took pictures.

The office used 35 mm cameras on the end of a huge-scope machine. According to the nurse, the dgital cameras presently don't have the resolution that the doctors want and the digital unit that could be bought costs $20,000. This then leaves the staff there to develop the film on site, what a drag -- in a dark room in the office.

Anyway, the results will be in around a week and Lois will know then.

Today began with another trip to hospital

Thankfully, it was only to see an optomotrist (or similar) as Lois had an appointment with him for a retinal situation.  She was nervouc, but I thought it was unwarranted.  The office was at a wing of hospital, which is why we where at hospital.  The morning, cool -- not quite cold, with beautiful sun.  Let us hope that it is like the news that she will get; cool, bright, beautiful.

Ill

Capital One commercials have a phrase, "What's in your wallet?" Thomas and Lois have the great experience of, "What's in your stomach?"

Lois finally puked after 30 hours of dry heaves. Thomas had a fit of feeling better followed by conplete energy drain. Needless to say, illness has a profound hold on the folks and isn't letting go anytime soon.

BLAH!

Marcus is still reading job postings and finding other jobsearch engines and posting and applying (repeat).

Weekend review

Rampant injuries:

Tom Love, broken hand after falling during morning run (jogging);
Joe, twisted ankle from basketball;
Thomas, sickly after flu shot, with lethargy and flu-like symptoms;
Lois, flu-like symptoms after flu shot, also sore back for two or so days.

Well, here's the windup and the pitch -- Halloween. It seems that Marcus will be door watcher this year as the folks are out sick. The weather is supposed to be good during trick-or-treat times, let's hope they're right.

P T

She had eleven sessions of P.T. and all she got was this cruddy t-shirt.

No more teachers, no more books, no more angonizing looks. Lois finished physical therapy. She is much stronger for it all. Congratulations!

Mom's minty fresh legs

Lois has been using oitnment for an infection. Well, last night she saw two little tubes lying out and thought that she might add just a bit more to her legs, when she discovered that they were itty bitty toothpaste tubes. Well, wouldn't that have been neat! She could have had plaque-free legs!

Autumn

This afternoon, the folks and I went to a local park. The roses have all but expired, especially after the mild frost we experienced this morning. The cool was beaten back by the glorious sun. We had a quick stroll, but a nice walk.

Thomas was surprised at the level of work that the parks department did on the park. They didn't patch it up, like he thought they would, but rather re-did the park. Thomas and Lois here are looking out around.
They found a bench where they could sit. If you'll notice, neither one of them could rest their feet on the ground. It's a great bench for tall people, but terrible for short people. Lois got some more physical therapy exercises while she sat.

We could see many neat colors in the small park, but were slightly entertained by the dog pair who were eager and boisterous about swimming after the continually tossed stick by their human. After many short throws, the ducks didn't stray that far from the bank or the dogs. They didnt' feel threatened.

disappear

Lois has had a rash on her arms and legs due to an infection. With the help of overpriced medicine, it has been conquered. Lois is still doing physical therapy and hopes for a few more sessions, though honestly she came home yesterday bemoaning the work she had done. She recovered.

I mentioned to her that she and Thomas could again go to the YMCA for excercise, as they used to do, twice or thrice weekly. They could go as often as they liked, it just seemed to work out better on the 2-3 times per week. There is only a question of if Lois can go into the water and what other limitations she might be given. Thomas wants to go back to the YMCA. I think it would give both of them a time out, and eventually more energy.

Father has been without golf most of the year. Today, he woke with the plan to play, but ... frost everywhere prevented this. What souring and sobering news for the golfer! Last night he played poker, though he didn't win, he had fun. His shoulder is still a bit of a mess and he has agreed to see a doctor sometime this month about it, as it has been months not getting much better (February is when he first spoke of it).

Standing on her own

right arm

left arm

Lois is now doing much, much better! She had been using a transfer bench to enter and exit the shower. This allows the user to sit while showering. Today, Lois informed everyone Thomas that she didn't use the bench. She stood the entire time. Without a doubt this marks a huge leap forward. She was never able to stand like that in the shower without crying or some other situation. That is simply great news!

Around ten days ago, Lois noticed growing spots on her arms (reverse side of elbows; humorus-tibia fibia joint). The spots grew and were "hot". After a reluctant doctor's visit, the GP gave her some ointment, topical antibiotic. This really seems to have helped. Over two days her skin is now peeling, each layer underneath being healthier. The doctor theorized it was a particular type of infection and apparently the medicine chosen was right. At $30 per half ounce, it better be great!

night dig

I found this wreck on the ground one morning. Something was digging, but for what? I found out later, a couple of nights ago, a local raccoon was digging. I wasn't sure for what, until I saw it chasing something. The tell-tale paths mark the trails of moles. Wicked things, but they do eat grubs. Anyway, the raccoon is the digger and mole eater. Since the ground is cold, but not yet frozen and there is a prediction for a mild winter, I believe the lawn might need more work than usual in the spring.

Driven to win

Lois, after so many weeks of not driving, re-mastered driving within minutes. Thomas and Lois practiced at a school parking lot -- since it was Sunday, no one was there. Go figure! Anyway, both reported to me that she did very well and that she then drove to the grocery store. They were fairly fast until ... dun, dun DUN! A talkative neighbor intercepted them and the talking started.

Thomas later had to come rescue her from the talking, as they were standing and that really hurts Lois' knees. Walking is less painful, since you shift your weight. Lois is walking mostly without her walker and sometime uses a cane -- she's moving right on up. Lois has more appointments this week, for long-since seen doctors for different appointments. Still, she should have 6 some sessions (3 weeks) of physical therapy remaining. They are forever giving her more challenges. She seems willing to do them all.

Happier but colder

The folks and I went to Bob Evans for lunch. Originally planned was shopping afterwards, but for circumstances not under everyone's control, that didn't happen. It was, however, a nice, bright day with lots of high wind.

Thomas got the unimpressive breakfast burrito and Lois got the roast beef breakfast, though she though in her head of ordering the beef hash.

wishy washy

Yesterday, it was warm, the sun and light clouds were soothing. The autumn colors were beautiful. Thomas and Marcus put on yet ANOTHER rod. Thomas was clever enough to yank the last one out of the wall. In his defense, the metal sheered in half, not really pulled out of the wall. The bar, like the others was a nusance to put into the wall. It took parts, tools time, and a drill bit was broken in half.

Later, the folks went out for a walk in the nice autumn weather. It isn't supposed to stay nice for all that long, so today was the day. We three ate orange roughee for dinner and then the folks watched the Ugly Dachshund, an old Disney movie.

In the evening, for no particular reason, Thomas took out the blood pressure monitor and took his reading, then Lois' and found that Lois had a heart rate in the 40s. Despite taking it several times, it was always low (a few times in the 30s). Since she's had heart problems, heart attack history, we got to see the emergency room last night. We were there for two hours, then Lois was discharged with a 24-hour heart monitor.

It was determined that she had non-symptomatic bradycardia (slow heart rate without any symptoms). It is likely that some of the medicines that she's taking are now at too high of levels and are pushing her heart rate down too low. Well, they'll determine what they will do later.

Zoo

Tom and Lois went to the zoo ... Marcus joined them. Here we see Tom and Lois examining the Fall and Halloween decor, namely pumpkins. Mom, as strong as she isn't wasn't going to be able to walk with the walker for the 2 miles that we went. We therefore got a wheelchair for her, older, but the attendant cleaned it before Lois sat down in it.

Thomas and Lois have had a zoo menbership for decades, but this year this was the first time they went. They paid over sixty dolalrs for the memebership, but health destroyed opportunities to visit the zoo before. Little did anyone think about the wheelchair, but frankly, even sitting was painful for Lois before the surgery.


Here we see Lois and Thomas viewing wallaby's, not liking the cool weather. Lois was standing, using the railing as a guide for her. We found that the wheelchair didn't fit well in all places. Lois, generally home-bound, was delighted to go out and wander around. It's tough to find neat, scenic areas with paved paths. It's a good thing she wasn't stuck inside all winter long with little/no mobility. That would bring serious "blahs".

Well, it wasn't much, but Lois really enjoyed getting out -- Thomas perhaps more so, in that he also doesn't want to leave Lois alone all the time, but can't stand to be trapped inside (Winter is certainly tough on him). Marcus enjoyed the trip, having a grand time photographing and was pleased that a person, teen girl, was kind enough to open doors on several occasions, as the folks and she were traveling about the same speed.

Choices

On Thursday, Lois got a chance to ride the lifecycle (standing bicycle with fan instead of front wheel. She liked it substantially better than the other bike that required you to push up and down, not moving legs in cycles and circles like the lifecycle. All other cycles work like the latter. They are measuring her ability to bend her knees (in angles) and they were hoping that she would get to 120 degrees. As of Thursday, she had 124 on one leg and 123 on the other. Well, what do you know about that?!

She is often seen walking without her walker and is getting faster on the steps -- perhaps the most difficult thing to do after knee surgery, apart from jumping. Somehow, I don't think Lois will be doing jumprope anytime soon out of choice, rather than pain. Lois is in good spirits.

Thomas has missed a great deal of golf, poor him. I hope that he gets in a bit before the end of the seasons+. He is suffereing a bit from seasonal allergies, but is doing okay. He's still taken aback by Paul's unpredicted demise.

The TV failed in a peculiar way -- it wouldn't turn off when you pushed the power. One would naturally assume it was a remote control problem, but ... even the TV panel gave the same result. The only sure way to turn off the TV was to unplug it. The folks often just clicked off the powerstrip to which it was attached. Sometimes they would forget to click it back into place.

Anyway, the repairman came out and pull a resistor that burst a bit, like it exploded. After this part was replaced, it plays fine. Not too bad for an old, old set. The repairman lives in the neighborhood, so wasn't too far away. He chateed to me quite a bit on number theory and vector analysis regarding periodic cycles and reapeating numbers in the lottery games. He has yet to win, but sees patterns in the randomness. I am not convinced to play anymore, as I never got a big payout and I had a win-loss ratio of 36-64. I got to retain 36 cents out of every dollar, while the state got 64 cents. With that, I could never win. The repairman said that my ratio was actually high (better for me) than most persons.

Everyone here is okay, not dynamite or filled with superpowers and super abilities, but we're okay. I hope that we can enjoy the autumn colors soon and thankfully not from a hospital room. I was hoping that everyone would keep to the pact and stay well this year, but no one did.

+ different dates for different courses

Another wet day

Lois and Thomas went to appointments today, but there was a bit of confusion. They called me to find out where, if it was written, they were to go today. They had an understanding that they should be at one doctor's office, but perhaps another. I told them what was written. Still not convinced myself, I called the office listed at the time they were trying to meet and they had two office appointments running similtaneously. I thought, as did the scheduling nurse, that there should be a logic bit that prevents that from happening. What she and I didn't know is that the doctors did well intend to do that and Lois met with two doctors that hour -- saving much time and gas.

Thomas and Lois then went out to lunch and followed that with visiting the newly built Target here in town. It is the new SUPER Target, whatever that means. They seemed to like it and got gifts for kids, a basketball, and a new kettle. Now, one might suspect the use for the kettle -- that's right to make hot water for tea. The other kettle poured about as cleanly as an old spray can. The new one works great.

Lois was assigned a new home therapy using the basketball. I joked that it was layups, but it isn't that either. She uses it for flexing and movement; how very clever. I don't think she'll put Michael Jordan out of position anytime soon.

I picked up my neice, Jessica at the YMCA where she exercises after school. Thankfully it is within walking distance of the school. She had a doctor's appointment after that, so I drove her there (about 30 minutes away from the Y). I took her back to the folks house with the understanding that she would likely have to spend the night there for her mother was serving jury duty. Diane was under the impression that the case might last until Thursday evening, followed by a weekend deliberating sentencing. It was a civil trial and it finished sooner. The jury found the defense not guilty, so there wasn't a penalty phase.

Marcus spent some time looking for jobs (daily) and got a notice that one place actually responded -- "Thank you -- blah, blah, blah ... position has been filled." Drats! I'm still looking and applying.

Father is reading, "End of the Spear" about the missionaries who are slain by a tribe in Equador. Marcus is reading, "Dose of Sanity" about the poor state of psychiatry and the misdiagnosis and more for lack of medical approach to therapy. It's written by a practicing Neuropsychiatrist and exposes the many failings of cardboard psychiatry. I would highly recommend this short and simple book.

Lois is walking better each day, though feels the pain of rain-borne aches and joint pain. Her new knees are better than the old ones and she is walking better now than she had the previous six months and I believe in far less pain. Yes, yes ... double yes!

Freer

Although she's not completely unbound, she is freer to walk about. She's stronger than she has been. Thomas bought a cane for her at the last minute, for while visiting friends who don't have a raised toilet seat, she found it impossible to lift herself without a cane. The walker, however useful, wasn't enough. Lois is still working on at-home PT.

Thomas and Lois got a chance to play cards with friends this weekend. For another time (nth time in a row) the ladies beat, no dare I write, slaughtered the boys. The scores weren't divulged to me, but I'm sure the four-digit score was well earned or liked by the ladies.

From the previous post, readers should be aware that a friend died after surgery, after a farily rourtine operation. It is the same operation that Lois endured. She was under a river of blood thinners (due to heart problems) prior to the surgery and got back on them within hours of post-op. She was ver fortunate to have a caring and paitent staff surrounding her, helping her.

Thomas will spend hours today and tomorrow at services. I'm sure that his family knows that Paul will be missed.

He folded

This man played poker with Thomas, also golf.  Lois thought him to be a quiet, nice man.  He got a blood clot after knee surgery and died.  Thomas is to attend his services today.

 

PAUL G. OSTRANDER, 77, died Friday, Sept. 29, 2006, at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. Born in Toledo, Ohio, he was an Electrical Engineer with Magnavox Corporation for 26 years, retiring in 1988. He was a U.S. Navy World War II veteran, a member of Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church, American Legion Post 296 and the Tri-State 2 Cylinder Club. Survivors include his wife, Marilyn of Columbia City; sons, Michael Ostrander of Columbia City and William (Brenda) Ostrander of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; daughter, Sue (William) Gooding of Winona Lake; and grandchildren, Mason and Jared Ostrander, Simon Timms, Bruno and Jack Ostrander, Gabriella and Alexis Gooding. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Maximillian Ostrander. Service is 11 a.m. Tuesday at Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 6318 W. California Road, with calling one hour prior at the church. The Rev. Richard Smith officiating. Calling also from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at D.O. McComb & Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 E. Dupont Road. Burial in Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery. Military graveside honors by American Legion Post 296. Memorials to Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran School Endowment Fund or American Heart Association. Published in the Fort Wayne Newspapers from 9/30/2006 - 10/1/2006.

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.

Rest unassured

Father didn't play golf yesterday. His partner didn't want to play in gloom and mist. A couple of players went on to experience heavier rain before quitting. Father also finsihed early with poker -- not winning and came home to rest. This morning, he looked unrested. On the way back from hospital, he was blinking often. Marcus was driving, making the trip less scary.

Mother wasn't rested. She was loopy with sleeplessness, pain meds, and other meds. She ate more of a meal today. Last night, she tried the veggie lasagna and ate it pretty well. She had "perfect shaped" french toast which she ate most. Her appettite is slowly returning. She's plain tired of being there, I can't blame her. Her vitals are still high yielding yet another day there in ICU.

She is also experiencing "sub" week, in that two of her regular doctors have substitutes this week (those fellow doctors working in a group). I don't think she likes that too well.

This evening

Mother had PT and hated it, but apparently did very well. They didn't have her do it in the afternoon. Her friend, Betty, came in while Betty herself was in hospital. Her daughter Patsy was there. Betty is unsure about moving to rehab hospital. Mother seemed optimistic.

She was in good spirits, but was very sore. She liked her first meal today -- veggie lasagna. She favors the diabetic sweets though, pudding, cheesecake. She did more time on the auto bending machines. Her pain is less, but her work is greater. She is to move more and has a series of exercises that she is to do.
She hasn't really slept, so that hopefully is in the works tonight. She doesn't watch TV as much of it is crud and crude. She gets pestered at least every hour, usually more often.

Father, needing a break, went golfing today. The weather was continually misty today, but they all went. He was to follow that with poker. He hinted that he may not make it all night, but would try. He is still looking groggy and sleepy.

Marcus found the hospital courtesy wi-fi helpful.

confidence high

I, and I alone, visited my mother last night in hospital.  She was in fairly good spirits.  It took a couple of hours to get an IV person to get the blood into her veins.  She was given two more units of blood, as after two days of waiting, the numbers came back still a little low.  She took less pain meds today.

 

My father is a wreck, but I'm around so that he can unwind with some golf and poker.  He's in a weekly golf league on Tuesdays and plays poker about every other week on Tuesday.  He was plain whipped so I went to hospital and saw mom.

 

There is a woman there, pacing unable to do much, while her husband is to undergo heart surgery again.  She looks my age, but I understand that she's fifty (she hides it very well).  I could do little but wave to her.  Still, she paces.

 

I found that, when I get a chance to walk -- it's much like a full marathon, shedding weight from my shoulders and back, feeling better -- then slump, back into waiting.  My eyes feel heavy, but I can't sleep well.

"I don't know what I'm doing.  No one will tell me.  I think this was a big mistake Grandma.  I don't think I belong here."+

 

 

+ Platoon

As a simple side note, my brother-in-law wrote to the folks, graciously thanking them for the birthday card and gift.  His year is another round of BS and that's not bachelors.  I read the letter to Mom, and I dare say that his letter was hurried, as it was a tad difficult to read.  Mind you, I can read preschool writing.  His broad loops -- old French style, made it an interesting, but challenging bit.

 

Much to Mother's worry and bewilderment, is that her friend, Betty will be discharged from same hospital on Wednesday, there transferred to rehab, though different than Mother's prospective rehab hospital++.  Mom may or may not see her again soon.

 

Betty's daughter must decide where Betty is to go.  Her daughter's hands are "full" with many other obligations.  On top of that, Betty is not interested in assisted living -- nor are most/all patients in nursing homes.

 

++ assignment of rehab hospitals is based on:  need, criteria, ratios.

1.  need -- can patient do rehab in other fashion, not in-house

2. basis of need -- phsyical, neurological

3. New to me:  ratios.  There are some facilities that must maintain ratios of say (percentages picked out of thin air) 62% physical rehab (limb removal, replacement), 25% neurological (e.g.: siezure), 12% other (other prosthetic like eye, inner eye, etc.).  So, a building can't be 100% hip and knee replacement patients.

 

That's crazy, but that's insurance policy/demands, and government standards for payout.

--

It is very, very, likely that Mother will be at the campus rehab at Lutheran, but that hasn't been made as she's not yet in her standard room.

machines

Mother is improving and she is "attached" to machines that bend her knees.  She isn't doing as much on PT as they would like, so they are using machines to do it for her.  She claimed that it wasn't too bad -- felt good.  I'm sure that she was stiff, but isn't up to lifting her legs and doing much of anything on her own.

 

She's clearer, focussed and hoping and dreaming of going to REHAB hospital soon.  I think that it'll be later, perhaps next Monday, as her Pulse, Heart rate and Blood Pressure are all too high, despite a nitro drip and a couple other meds.  The doctors came about to see her, ensuring her that she won't sleep.  In a retort to a doctor who came in while she was drifting off to sleep, "how can I".

 

She's in better spirits.

Painful irony

You're in pain, you want meds to kill the pain. You are given lots of meds. Somewhere, you develop a reaction to the meds. Suddenly, paranoia sets in. There is no recovery until it is leeched from your system. Lois experienced this for several days.

Late this morning, sans loads of morphine, she was lucid and responsive to conversation. Later, she was finally asleep. Beth, Debbie, Jennifer all bade her goodbye.

Today, so far, was better.
..............
A call from Dorothy was that her pain had not subsided. Tears of pain--untamed. God be with them both!

a funny thing happened on the way to craziness

Father was trying to sit in the convertible chair/sofa in the room. It pulls out, making an uncomfrotable bed. In trying this, he slid out with his neck on the back and his legs pulling away with the sofa part. It was a funny adventure.

Lois is constantly asked her birthday before receiving any medicine and now does it out of the blue, as a perfunctory response. Poor woman, no one wishes that!

Hairpins

Thursday, things went well, the surgery completed faster than they thought. Mother thereafter was in pain. They loaded her up as much as they could, but she wept and cried all day and night. Father stayed with her during the night, but he didn't sleep.

Friday, I picked up father to get him to sleep at home. I returned to the hospital where things went for the worse, culminating in her uncontrolled high blood pressure. After twelve hours of dangerous levels, Dr. Reddy (her cardiologist) relocated her to the ICU, at 12 midnight. They were kind enough to provide father with a room, where he slept for around 4 hours, but not well.

While in ICU she is better, feeling less pain on her knees and legs and a sonogram seemed to confirm no blood clotting. Her back spasms are frequent and are strong. The pain meds making her somewhat to greatly incoherant. On the plus side, she sat up and dangled her legs off the bed this morning.

During the day with IVs everywhere, she had a much better Blood Pressure. I hope that tomorrow she is moved to a regular unit with no high blood pressure. This will mark day three, hopefully the period where things improve.

Bethy, Debbie, Jennifer (Diane's elder daughter) came to visit. Jessica wears a hat of concern for her grandma -- Diane is way busy.

Marcus has discovered a new pain -- likely ulcer (s). They'll become manageable when the stress lowers, whenever that is.

Hospital

reasons why I don't sleep
Originally uploaded by MDH, II.

The surgery went just fine -- finishing early. Getting her into room, longer, getting her out of pain -- mostly unsolved. She is animal tranquilized, but that may not be enough. Today was very difficult.

Father rested in her room last night. He didn't sleep. When he came home, he got little sleep. Beth and Marcus were there with her, then Marcus picked up Diane's Jessica and later Jennifer came to see Lois.

It was just not good. More in later post.

Pain, strain, wait

Lois was in pain last night, but missed it this morning until ... she was ready to go to doctor's. She had made an appointment with her pain management doctor for 9:15 today. He guessed it was back spasms and offered her some sample drugs to see if they worked. Lois was worried that her rehab would be frought with tears of pain doubled from her back.

She rested and had a chance to pack up what she wanted for the rehab. Thankfully, Thomas and Marcus can do laundry service for her.

Thomas is on a cloud ... drifting uncontrollably. He can't concentrate on anything. Marcus has saved bits, and I do mean bits, of sanity with obsessing with a few items. No one will be in good shape tomorrow. Beth is coming up tonight and Diane plans to come to hospital upon ensuring that Jessica is at school.

The pastor called and indicated that he would be around the area in hospital to offer prayer and love, hopefully before the surgery. That just kicks it, doesn't it? There you are in gown, maybe covered in sheet, and church persons come by -- well, either accept the well-wishing or prefer your pride. I'd say skip the pride.

I plan on taking just about anything to get to sleep tonight. If I could hit myself with a mallot, I would.

Agony of defeat

Wicked week, but better than the last.
Lois had painful bouts, but kepts tears to minimum. Thomas is tripping over ideas and his own feet. Marcus appears calmer, better, but is "little boy" the atom bomb -- prone to fits of anxiety ... pouncing on tidbits of frustration. Soundbites and news -- little discussed.

Of disgust, Lois' liking of pain. She's worried about her rehab, considering her back pain. In either a moment of panic or clarity, she called a pain management doctor, with whom she's worked before, to handle the pain. She hopes that perhaps upping the Oxy will put moxy in her step. She hopes at least less grit in her teeth.

Upswells of hope and love are offered as a friend, now adrift in feelings of helplessness, dropped by today. She wondered, hintingly, if I would wake Lois to chat with her. I didn't, as Lois was in pain and my main concern is and was that she get to hospital on Thursday without knocking herself out with pain. Friend, Betty is in hospital (previous post) and will be in rehab at the same time as Lois. Perhaps they will meet each other in their efforts there.

Father's golf, as cathartic as it might be is no substitute to mother's well-being. He is as capable of thinking as a clam ... open sometimes, but mainly filtering. Marcus is a bit more capable, but stressed. Lois' health is primarily his worry. Onto that, money and job and a few other things that are left undiscussed.

I'm glad I don't smoke as now, I would be a Pennsylvania steel mill belching out smog and soot as surely as I exist. Mother rests poorly, father poorly ... thankfully, a spit of good news

Father's bone scan, though more intensive than planned, turned up nothing, according to father. Still, his shoulder is a mild wreck, he prefers not to drive and his knee was the focus of the bone scan. In my heart, my mind ... doubt. Cynical and skeptical to the last ... Marcus drags doubt, concern and sorrow, in every step.

Mother's confession of procrastination was a welcome laugh. She delcared today that it was great that she'd be in rehab center where they don't take excuses, no passes, no, "no"'s. She'll have to do the work; pain and all. And in that, I am glad that pain ahead she's mandated herself to assistance.

It's plastic, it's rectangle, it's filled with sand

and poop. This week is viewed in litter box.

Tuesday: rotten, really nothing more to say on it, other than plain rot. Father had a chance to play golf and poker.
Wednesday: slightly better, but Father didn't golf
Thursday, almost as rotten as Tuesday.
Friday: Thomas, Lois and Marcus went into hospital for Lois' pre-admission testing. Lois claimed it was to be 30 minutes, but that was far off. It lasted nearly 4 hours. She learned some, as did Thomas and Marcus. In leui of lunch that they missed they caught some 4:30 dinner.
Saturday: Sluggish. Father and I went to look at convalescent care items and bought a couple of things. Two salespersons were at the one store. One wanted to sell everything, the other was less pushy.

Father and Marcus replaced a toilet seat which took herculean efforts, six tools and 40 minutes. The old metal bolts were rusted and the plastic nuts didn't move. After making no headway with the dremel, Marcus hacked away slowly with a sawblade, 4 sheets of paper thick.

We finished today with Lois' back hurting again. This week bit me already, otherwise I would have invited it to do so.

Also, we found out that an old friend, Betty, was in hospital for other checking when she had a grand mal seizure. I know little else. Her daughter is due to come down tonight or tomorrow. Betty was worried about getting old and having to be in a nursing home ... this might eliminate choices.
....
Marcus still hasn't found a job. He will now be fighting with MetLife to process his paperwork that they have had for three-five weeks, to give him some of HIS money. He's none-too happy. The Tums corporation has opened a new branch due to increased sales, in a related story.

Goodnight sweetheart, well, it's time to go.

No monuments this week. No grand vacations or leaps. There was one giant leap for Jenny-kind Saturday in that she left for freshman year at Purdue. This week only (sounding like an ad) is strictly freshman orientation. Jenny and Jessica haven't been truly apart from each other in a a long, long time, though wtih Jenny having a steady (serious) boyfriend, Gary, the sisters have spent less time together. This will be a hard separation for both.
I'm not too worried for Jenny, she'll either stick with her core (Vetrinary Science) or pursue something else. Schoolwork wasn't a terrible problem for her.

The Freygangs borrowed Thomas' van. Father and I went to prepare it for the move -- yank seats, vaccuum and wash. The vaccuuming was long-since needed, but it looked better quickly. The auto wash did an okay job, but father and I noticed not one bubble of soap during the wash, leaving us with skepticism. Jenny wasn't packed well for the trip and her room looked like either:
A: earthquake focussed on her room, sending everything everywhere, mostly to the floor
B: all personal belongings were put in blender andit was set on maximum spread

This week, Thomas and Marcus did a little painting. On Friday, Lois got a coumadin level check and Father picked up a new Lutheran Hospital map with the parking garage and two buildins that Lois will visit during surgery and rehab. After that, Thomas, Lois, and Marcus ate a lunch at Cracker Barrel, which was noisy enough to deafen the deaf. Conversation wasn't really possible.

Unstated to anyone, Marcus took a look around and saw, what looked like a partially filled soda bottle on a table. The bussers (table cleaners) didn't attempt to move it. I thought this gross, until ... 20 minutes later, I noticed one on another table. "Think rabbit ... think!" They were, instead, snapple-shaped bottles that contained syrup for breakfast meals. I'm scho schtupid!

Thomas and Lois got threee plates of food each. They didn't eat it all. Had the meat been not as dry, surely they would have had a better meal. They each disliked the grits and the sausage gravy. I ate fish, some of which was fried in oil with fried chicken, giving it that chicken flavor -- yuck! It wasn't all bad.

After the vehicle exchange on Saturday, the three went to an Italian restaurant, Casa Grill. The service was slow, the table uncleaned in a spot, which I didn't mention to anyone. Father got their signature salad -- large bowl that he couldn't finish (bottomless?) Mother got a hoagie fillet of sole sandwhich that she didn't finish that came with side pasta. Marcus finished all of his lunch at 2:30 (very late lunch) as he didn't eat breakfast.

After that, Lois plummeted into Stephen King's Misery, in that her captor "pain" delivered well her doses of pain -- back aching to the point of near tears. Her dialogue with the pain sounded mantra-like or hail Marys. Unable to sleep but spots, she failed to make it to church again. Father, sleeping only a bit better had to attend as he was head usher.

Marcus read through more, this time completely, worthless job postings. Tripling the number of postings today wasn't a good trade for quality. Quantity only helps at particular times.

Jessica is to come to mow father's lawn, but we'll find out if that happens. It being only the three of them at the house this weekend -- I would guess that they'd go to see a movie together, their family enjoyment. In contrast, Thomas, Lois, and Marcus played cards with mixed results. Father typically lost, especially when playing King's Corner. Playing 7up (card game), he fared better.

Circling Hell?

Try as I might, I can't find out why she's there!

I called Diane today about her and Mom's appointment with sewing. Apparently Hell hath no fury like ill fortune.
She was calling from the road to pick up her son, Joseph, who got pulled over twice in the same day. His offenses are unknown to me, at this time. Last night her husband James (my brother-in-law of course) got into an accident and might have whiplash. Her elder daughter, Jennifer, might have a bladder infection again. Yikes!
I guess that if you are LIVING in hell, it really isn't Hell, as Hell is continual death and absence/distance from God -- mett out as you did in life. Here, Diane has the upside down horseshoe birthmark, She calls it Murphy's Law extreme. If something can go wrong, it will -- twice in one day.

The folks were doing okay yesterday. Father played iron well, but putted terribly. Overall, he had fun, but disappointed with his, "short game". Lois had some difficulty with soreness and rest. Amazingly, few doctor appointments this week. Next week -- anew.

Father has a bone-scan scheduled, midtime between here and Lois' surgery. Today marks the two-week mark before her double bionic knees, being the $6 Billion Woman, or at least that's what is billed to Medicaid/Medi-Care and other supplements.

weekend

Beth and Tom came up this weekend with their dogs Samson (in photo lying next to father) and Argos, black German Shepherd (not shown here). Tom wanted to exercise them a bit and work on training. Argos is larger than Samson, and is less than a year old. Tom hopes to get him trained for Schultzhund -- canine sporting.
While Father, Tom, dogs and I were at the park, Lois, Beth, Diane were out drinking tea and choosing fresh bread. Though not too hot, Marcus was chewed apart by mosquitoes.

It was very nice to have the Loves come up to visit, however short it was. The Loves and the folks watched Pride and Prejudice, well, not father as he snoozed through it. I declined.

Bethy emailed me, wanting me to call Tom, for she grabbed his keys and her new building couldn't make outside calls at that time. Sounds like the building was all ready, right?

Wet paint

Father and I were painting again. This time, it was the upstairs hallway walls. It seems to be my lot in life to paint. The seemingly thousands of corners from five doorways took a long, long while. In the middle of painting I got a call about a sales job that I likely don’t want, selling financials to senior citizens.

We finished and when we were cleaning out brushes and trays, the outside well (not where one gets water) was filled with paint water and plant material. Water went nowhere, because of the plant waste. I thought that it would eventually drain and went in to wash my hands then shower.

I went to the basement (opposite side of well) and the paint water had crept in, along the floor. I dropped scrap towels to hold back what could have been a flood. I went outside and bailed the excess water from the well while Father dropped more towels on the floor. After the well was 5 mm filled with water, very safe, I returned to clean up the mess.

It had crept under a storage cabinet, thankfully plastic and easier to move. It also went under the clothes washer, so we had to move it and clean the mess there. Yikes! It had been a while seen the cabinet and the washer had pulled back. Goo, eww ... and gross! Suffice to say that the energy I had for the second coat of paint today, was spent on the water disaster. I am spent. Father had a sore back, so we called it a day at the half (12:00)

The good news is that God was looking out for us, in that it rained heavily in the afternoon and the plugged well would have been an issue, perhaps.

Mother was a little more energetic today and spoke with hospital about appointment. Diane was supposed to come over to work with Mom on some small patches for their sewing tomorrow. At the time of this writing, she had yet to show.

To make walking difficult, most of the walls upstairs were wet, but dried fairly quickly. At 3:00, the rails were up and it was as good as it was going to be for today. Father thought that one coat would do, but Marcus wasn't sure.

The wound that would not heal

Mother has an August 24th surgery appointment.  Mother complained about a leg injury that hasn't successfully healed for 3 years.  Nice -- a nurse who doesn't check into it.  Against her will, Father took her to the doc.

According to the doctor, they need to take a biopsy to verfiy his suspicions that it's pre-cancerous.  Since an incision might bring on an infection, he suggested that she not take this action now, so close to surgery.  Some more about which to worry.

 

Today was a long one.  Lois is sore, Thomas is plain bushed.  The news isn't good.  Welcome to the weekend.

In lighter news, Diane and family are supposed to take a mini-vacation to lovely Monticello, Indiana for a day at Indiana Beach (large, long lake with rides, etc.)

 

Beth, Tom, and their canine companions Samson and Argos are due to come up this weekend.  It should be fun, much more fun than the drive, wait, bad news.

Books, interview, appointment

Lois now has a surgery appointment -- 6:30 a.m. August 24th. Good golly, miss Molly! Following this, P.T. and convalescent care for weeks. All of this in consideration, Lois has chosent to dive right in.

Father, tired of his recent book -- "dry" as he called it, found a book at the library, the basis for the movie, End of the Spear. It should be, well, potentially more interesting, depending on authorship.

Marcus had an interview today -- short, simple, "I might call you next week" was the ending statement. Granted, I didn't come into the new-smelling of new carpet office, dressed in either tie or suit in the 96 degree humid, rainy weather. I suppose that had I perfectly shaved before, that might have lent itself to a better first impression. I have no high hopes for this job.

Lois was too sore to successfully go sewing today, so she didn't. Diane, who was to sew with her, chose not to go, in favor of better using her time to sort out the Purdue affairs as Jenny has dubious housing for college. Jessica was with her, but spent much time, quietly sitting -- seemingly bored. It was, however, good to see them.

Happy Anniversary to the folks today

My father called today after Mom saw the doctor.  He has okayed the double knee replacement surgery.  It might be another month or so before it happens, but it was joyous news, none the less.

 

Today is their anniversary, so in celebration they are going out to a fancy-schmancy meal somewhere ... I was not given that info.

 

My sister sent me an electronic (e-card, via hallmark) for the folks.  Laptops are great, as I can tote that bad boy around and show them -- hey!  Here's your romance card, c/o my little (but older) sister.

Monday musings

We went to Cheng's Chinese Buffet for dinner; Thomas, Lois, Diane (above), Jessica, Jenny, Jenny's boyfriend Gary, and Marcus. When we got back, Jenny and Gary went to do their thing, meanwhile Jessica mowed the grass in slightly cooler temperatures. The morning is the only cool time of day, but she's sleeping.

Diane's ear is healing -- cotton here to limit visual seeping. She's doing okay, hearing fine and in fairly good spirits. Lois is in pretty good spirits, having done another Coumadin test today and due to have another on Friday. Diane and Lois are to sew in a class on Thursday. Thomas still has a sore shoulder, which is ever-so-slowly improving -- so he says. The new house potpourri is something like IcyHot or BenGay, but generally smells strong and works weak (ly).

Marcus is still resume posting and getting poorer and poorer sleep, as well as poorer and poorer in general. After a short email from Uncle Jack, I know that Dorothy is still in pain, though on pills -- not much change or good. Weather's not, health is not -- summer 2006 is hot sweaty, smelly and in need of improvement.

Sadly, I have little chance to speak with the Orozcos, so I'm not sure how well they are doing. Johnny is set to do football practice for school -- though possible that stomach injuries will hurt greater until fully healed.

Beth's job is moving 15-30 minutes East. She has an even longer drive. She's darn-near a scenic highway to get to Fort Wayne in a much shorter time than on I-69, but that shows how far she is from her NW Indy home in Zionsville.

Today is Tuesday -- golf day, let us hope that it marks a start of GREAT HEALTH FOR EVERYONE, that Father can golf and that no one has ditch-digging duties today.