Boy oh boy ! I am so far behind, .but I am determined to get this blog caught up. It's early November and I am just getting around to August. I thought when I retired I would have lots more time and I do, but I love to read. I can't help myself. I have now promised myself I will not read anything but newspapers until this blog is caught up so here goes.
Mother
On July 31st, Hannah at Mom's assisted living, called to tell me the nurse believed Mother had suffered a stroke. I told her to call 911 and get her to the hospital in Murray. I later found out when Hannah told Mother she was going to the hospital in an ambulance, Mother said, "Well, my hair doesn't look very good!" And that is the story of Mother. She wants to look good even in the ER. Love this little woman.
I flew to SLC the next week and Mother was in rehab by then. She had picked up a hospital infection and was very very ill. The stroke left her right side barely able to move her right arm and leg and swallowing was very difficult. She was on an IV antobiotic and was having a very difficult time even keeping her eyes open.
Mother was very weak and very fragile. She didn'twant to get up, but the restorative speech therapists insisted on her coming to the dining room for her meals so they could help her with swallowing. She told her aid, "I can't eat any more."
He said, "Paco says when you are finished." She loved Paco.
The PT staff were working with her in the gym helping her to strengthen her arm and leg. She was still having a difficult time with everything and could not keep her eyes open.
Here she is after a session of PT. She looks much better here than she was feeling. This picture was hours before the staff informed us of the hospital infection which meant she was isolated to her room and could no longer go to the the dining room or to PT for two weeks. I had previously planned a trip to Utah for three weeks in September to work on Mohter and Dad's History. I knew I couldn't work on the History at rehab -- I needed to work on getting Mother stronger. Mother's doctor had informed us that she had fluid in her lungs and that needed to be watched. When I asked the rehab doctor about getting mother up more, she told me that patients had rights and if they didn't want to get up they didn't have to?????
I kindly let her know that Mother was so ill she didn't know what she wanted and yes at 90 she could die from this infection and stroke, but I didn't think her longevity genes were going to let that happen just yet, AND that her heart is strong and they may not have ever had such a courageous fighter as my 90 lb mother in their facility. AND at the end of her stay in rehab she needed to be as strong as they could get her. At the end of our discussion/mytirade the doctor agreed the staff neededet her up more.
Thankfully I was so right about Mother. I know -- I love it when I'm right. During her time in isolation the restorative staff came to feed her on occasion. I fed her lunch and dinner most days. I tried to engage her while I was feeding her and wouldn't put the food in her mouth unless her eyes were open. There was a routine. Chin down -- swallow three times. Pureed food and thickened water and liquids. Somedays it was not great at all. But she was working hard. She couldn't feed herself well with her left hand and during some PT drills couldn't even raise her right hand to her nose. I finally gave her a napkin to wipe her mouth after bites and what do you know! she could wipe her mouth. She even noticed and was surprised.
I took her outside for fresh air and walks most days and the PT staff were willing to complete some PT outside. I talked to her about everything I could think of and then some. All in all it was a pretty sweet experience Taking care of the little Mother who cared for me when I was little. She really has lived an amazing life and is still going.
Sometime in the 1940's! Andrea and her mom.
When I had to leave Margo came to be with Mom. I felt like I was abandoning Mother and Darryl, but I had to get back to Virginia. I knew I would be back in two weeks and Margo saved the day. There were a couple of setbacks but Mother moved back to her assisted living center at the end of September. (More on that in September)
Also in August
Here are some fun pictures from Utah.
I got to spend most of a Saturday with Rich's sister Annette and her family. Annette's grandson was married in the Salt Lake Temple. We had a really fun day and I was so happy to be with them.
Deni and Ryan - Brett's wife and son
Mother
On July 31st, Hannah at Mom's assisted living, called to tell me the nurse believed Mother had suffered a stroke. I told her to call 911 and get her to the hospital in Murray. I later found out when Hannah told Mother she was going to the hospital in an ambulance, Mother said, "Well, my hair doesn't look very good!" And that is the story of Mother. She wants to look good even in the ER. Love this little woman.
I flew to SLC the next week and Mother was in rehab by then. She had picked up a hospital infection and was very very ill. The stroke left her right side barely able to move her right arm and leg and swallowing was very difficult. She was on an IV antobiotic and was having a very difficult time even keeping her eyes open.
Mother was very weak and very fragile. She didn'twant to get up, but the restorative speech therapists insisted on her coming to the dining room for her meals so they could help her with swallowing. She told her aid, "I can't eat any more."
He said, "Paco says when you are finished." She loved Paco.
The PT staff were working with her in the gym helping her to strengthen her arm and leg. She was still having a difficult time with everything and could not keep her eyes open.
I kindly let her know that Mother was so ill she didn't know what she wanted and yes at 90 she could die from this infection and stroke, but I didn't think her longevity genes were going to let that happen just yet, AND that her heart is strong and they may not have ever had such a courageous fighter as my 90 lb mother in their facility. AND at the end of her stay in rehab she needed to be as strong as they could get her. At the end of our discussion/mytirade the doctor agreed the staff neededet her up more.
Thankfully I was so right about Mother. I know -- I love it when I'm right. During her time in isolation the restorative staff came to feed her on occasion. I fed her lunch and dinner most days. I tried to engage her while I was feeding her and wouldn't put the food in her mouth unless her eyes were open. There was a routine. Chin down -- swallow three times. Pureed food and thickened water and liquids. Somedays it was not great at all. But she was working hard. She couldn't feed herself well with her left hand and during some PT drills couldn't even raise her right hand to her nose. I finally gave her a napkin to wipe her mouth after bites and what do you know! she could wipe her mouth. She even noticed and was surprised.
I took her outside for fresh air and walks most days and the PT staff were willing to complete some PT outside. I talked to her about everything I could think of and then some. All in all it was a pretty sweet experience Taking care of the little Mother who cared for me when I was little. She really has lived an amazing life and is still going.
Sometime in the 1940's! Andrea and her mom.
I really love this picture of Mother and me. This little girl was loved. You can tell! Look at that cute '40s Mom too. She's quite the babe.
When I had to leave Margo came to be with Mom. I felt like I was abandoning Mother and Darryl, but I had to get back to Virginia. I knew I would be back in two weeks and Margo saved the day. There were a couple of setbacks but Mother moved back to her assisted living center at the end of September. (More on that in September)
Also in August
Here are some fun pictures from Utah.
I got to spend most of a Saturday with Rich's sister Annette and her family. Annette's grandson was married in the Salt Lake Temple. We had a really fun day and I was so happy to be with them.
I had to get a picture of the sash on the wedding dress. The grom is over by the building. Their colors were black, pink and leopard. Pretty wild for this conservative East coast girl. They are a beautiful couple.
Annette, Rich's sister, Shane and Brett our newphews!
Annette and Terry with mother of the groom, Stefani!
The Bride and Groom at the lunch. Stefani's son Devin.
Brett and daughter Sydney
Sisters of the groom in their bridesmaid dresses. Very cute girls and very interesting dresses. Stefani and Garrin, the darling couple - Mom and Dad of the groom
Teresa, Shane, and Ron also at the wedding lunch. Teresa is the sister of the groom's mother and our cute niece.
Back to Rehab. Here's Mother doing PT. This was one of those days she could not keep her eyes open.
She kept trying
Before Ross (My favorite marine) left for Japan, Darryl and Anna Marie had a little birthday dinner for him. He turned 19 the first week of August and left a few days later for Okinawa. He truly is one of Grandma Donna's favorites.
Darryl got Ross some kind of super duper gadget that he loved. Jackson (Darryl's grandson) was pretty intrigued also.
We took Mother up to the party for Ross. She was thrilled. A little blurry, but thrilled.
Really Darryl? Mom barely fits in the bed.
I couldn't resist this one last picture. This guy is very devoted to his mother. He takes good care of her. Thanks brother dear.
I flew home to Virginia to gather my wits and get ready to return to Utah. I have been working on Mom and Dad's history and still had lots to do. It's been a really interesting project and hopefully will be completed by December when we have Mother's 90th birthday party.
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