As the days speed by we are getting all the last minute details taken care of for the two weeks we will be in Israel.
At work I am double checking the inventory to make sure they don't run out of anything, the staff is so accustom to Jim taking care of everything even when being off for a week. This time I will not be easily reachable during business hours and I do not want calls while I am sleeping.
At home we are in the middle of putting tile on the walls in the kitchen. The rest will wait until we are gone. We are too much in the road wanting to cook etc. The primary care givers for Helen while we are gone are also the ones doing the tile so it will work well for the final wall to be done after we leave.
Helen has been making great progress with her PT. She went to see Cheryl Webb, Nurse Practitioner Monday and got a very good report. Cheryl was very happy with the progress being only 4 weeks post op. Not walking yet, but I suspect that by the time we return she will be taking steps with the walker.
Had my first lesson on how to down load the camera into the laptop and post pictures on the blog tonight. I will need to practice a lot while I still have Megan to tell me what to do. Of course she is just a phone call a way, even if she is sleeping when I have questions.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Week at a glance
Seventeen more days and counting and we will board a Delta plane for Atlanta and then on to Israel. But back to reality and an update on Helen for those that are interested.
Just when I was all set to give a report of great accomplishments for the week we had a sleep marathon of about 20 hours. Finally at 3:30 this afternoon we were able to get her awake for a can on Ensure and 4 donut holes. She was up in the wheelchair for about an hour and was ready to go back to bed. We were unable to wake her for dinner.
Looking at the week as a complete unit it was a good week she was up more. She is helping with transfers to the wheelchair, bedside commode and back into bed. On Friday the OT had her out in the wheelchair and self propelling on the hard floor down the hall and back. Helen also had dinner with the family most evenings.
Carla found a dress for her at Wal-Mart today that will make a change from the hospital gowns. Dresses will be much easier to put on right now than pants and tops.
Starting Monday Vince, the handyman that did a lot of work for us on the Ridgecrest property will start putting tile on the wall between the counter and cabinets in the kitchen. We have wanted to do something to dress up that space a little and give it more character. I think the tile Carla picked out will do that. Pictures once it is finished.
I trust that everyone will have a great week. WE enjoy reading everyone's blog about all our families.
Just when I was all set to give a report of great accomplishments for the week we had a sleep marathon of about 20 hours. Finally at 3:30 this afternoon we were able to get her awake for a can on Ensure and 4 donut holes. She was up in the wheelchair for about an hour and was ready to go back to bed. We were unable to wake her for dinner.
Looking at the week as a complete unit it was a good week she was up more. She is helping with transfers to the wheelchair, bedside commode and back into bed. On Friday the OT had her out in the wheelchair and self propelling on the hard floor down the hall and back. Helen also had dinner with the family most evenings.
Carla found a dress for her at Wal-Mart today that will make a change from the hospital gowns. Dresses will be much easier to put on right now than pants and tops.
Starting Monday Vince, the handyman that did a lot of work for us on the Ridgecrest property will start putting tile on the wall between the counter and cabinets in the kitchen. We have wanted to do something to dress up that space a little and give it more character. I think the tile Carla picked out will do that. Pictures once it is finished.
I trust that everyone will have a great week. WE enjoy reading everyone's blog about all our families.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Happy Eighteenth Birthday Hannah
Hannah turns the big eighteen today. I do not see the excitement that the other sisters have had about eighteen. Hannah is very serious, it is all business, get the projects done, get the homework completed, and stay on task studying for the SAT’s.
She is very diligent filling out college application to places like Notre Dame, Calvin College and the state Universities. She has also been considering which scholarships to apply for and a lot of other college stuff.
Carla and Amarys are making her a cake today. It will be fun for Amarys to help grandma (granny) spread ice cream in and on the cake. It will be a new experience for all as it will be Carla’s first ice cream cake.
We wish Hannah Joy McBride a Happy Happy Eighteenth Birthday!
She is very diligent filling out college application to places like Notre Dame, Calvin College and the state Universities. She has also been considering which scholarships to apply for and a lot of other college stuff.
Carla and Amarys are making her a cake today. It will be fun for Amarys to help grandma (granny) spread ice cream in and on the cake. It will be a new experience for all as it will be Carla’s first ice cream cake.
We wish Hannah Joy McBride a Happy Happy Eighteenth Birthday!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
We see improvement.
Gee, has a week past already. This week has held a variety of activities and moods. We have had a wide awake for a day-and-a-half with conversation from another time period. We have had a full day of sleep and finally a couple of days of pretty good, here in reality.
The RN was here on Monday and then back again on Thursday. For right now she will come twice a week. The Bath aid will be here Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The OT (Occupational Therapist) will be here on Fridays. Next week they may send in a Physical Therapist to help with leg exercises. Each one has a lot of helpful ideas and spend time working with Helen.
She is coming out to dinner in the wheelchair and sitting on the edge of the bed for breakfast and lunch. She is helping quite a bit with transfers. Carla is going to try tomorrow to have her take some steps with the walker. Being at home has given her a much better attitude and we can also control the medication better. That helps the mood and amount of sleep tremendously.
Last night after dinner she sat in the lift chair and watched/listened to Lawrence Welk (her favorite TV program). I teased her that I put my ear plugs in for the hour.
The RN was here on Monday and then back again on Thursday. For right now she will come twice a week. The Bath aid will be here Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The OT (Occupational Therapist) will be here on Fridays. Next week they may send in a Physical Therapist to help with leg exercises. Each one has a lot of helpful ideas and spend time working with Helen.
She is coming out to dinner in the wheelchair and sitting on the edge of the bed for breakfast and lunch. She is helping quite a bit with transfers. Carla is going to try tomorrow to have her take some steps with the walker. Being at home has given her a much better attitude and we can also control the medication better. That helps the mood and amount of sleep tremendously.
Last night after dinner she sat in the lift chair and watched/listened to Lawrence Welk (her favorite TV program). I teased her that I put my ear plugs in for the hour.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Dinner at The Table
This morning brought a prescription for oxygen and some brilliant ideas. We decided that if we gave Helen Tylenol about a half hour before we started moving her she might not have so much pain. It worked, and though she complained some it was not as loud and persistent. Cheryl Webb, the PA that we normally take Helen to, suggested that we give her the Tylenol every 4 hours for a few days to stay ahead of the pain. It is really helping her attitude.
She ate a good lunch, then when Megan and Hannah came home from school she was awake and they spent a while talking with her. Nicole also came with Delaney and in all she had a great late afternoon. We moved her to the wheelchair and she joined us for dinner at the table and then went back in the TV area with David while we cleaned up the kitchen. She had an excellent dinner, equal to or more than she would normally eat. By the time she was put back into bed she was ready, but had had a good day.
Home health is supposed to be here tomorrow to evaluate the situation and determine what services she needs and qualifies for. I feel we should have a nurse occasionally, a bath aid and pt/ot. Time will tell on that. I was a little disturbed that they did not come in today, and in fact, I had to call them.
Tomorrow will be another day, and I trust it will be as good or better.
She ate a good lunch, then when Megan and Hannah came home from school she was awake and they spent a while talking with her. Nicole also came with Delaney and in all she had a great late afternoon. We moved her to the wheelchair and she joined us for dinner at the table and then went back in the TV area with David while we cleaned up the kitchen. She had an excellent dinner, equal to or more than she would normally eat. By the time she was put back into bed she was ready, but had had a good day.
Home health is supposed to be here tomorrow to evaluate the situation and determine what services she needs and qualifies for. I feel we should have a nurse occasionally, a bath aid and pt/ot. Time will tell on that. I was a little disturbed that they did not come in today, and in fact, I had to call them.
Tomorrow will be another day, and I trust it will be as good or better.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Now the Work Begins
After a restful day of study and hosting a Bible study group at our home we began a new chapter in our lives. At about 5:50 we wheeled Helen in and placed her in her hospital bed. Uptown delivered a truck load of equipment and supplies on Friday in preparation for this move from the Hospital to home today.
Unfortunately the energy of going from the hospital bed to wheelchair to the car; the ride home and back into the wheelchair and then into the bed was all Helen had. She slept through almost the complete the move, barely waking enough to help a little. She has been asleep since she was put into bed, though we have tried to wake her every half hour. It would have been nicer for David if she knew she was home with him.
Tomorrow will be a new day and we are trusting that she will be a wake and alert and aware of where she is in the morning.
Early in the week Home Health should be in to do an evaluation and then decide exactly what is needed. They have ordered a bathing aid and OT/PT, but I feel we will also need a nurse at least once a week.
As we progress through the challenges I will keep everyone posted on the blog.
Only 32 days and we leave for Israel
Unfortunately the energy of going from the hospital bed to wheelchair to the car; the ride home and back into the wheelchair and then into the bed was all Helen had. She slept through almost the complete the move, barely waking enough to help a little. She has been asleep since she was put into bed, though we have tried to wake her every half hour. It would have been nicer for David if she knew she was home with him.
Tomorrow will be a new day and we are trusting that she will be a wake and alert and aware of where she is in the morning.
Early in the week Home Health should be in to do an evaluation and then decide exactly what is needed. They have ordered a bathing aid and OT/PT, but I feel we will also need a nurse at least once a week.
As we progress through the challenges I will keep everyone posted on the blog.
Only 32 days and we leave for Israel
Ring Ring!
So last night, I had a very traumatizing experience. I was at Oak Street Haven and I was ready to go. I called my dad's cell phone but there was no answer. Then I called our house phone. No answer. Then mom's cell phone. No answer. Dads again. Moms again. House again. FREAK OUT! I was pretty angry with them for not answering and then they showed up! So I got in the car and after telling them exactly how I felt about it, I got over it. But then, today, I got inspired and wrote a poem about it :)
When Parents Don't Answer Their Cell Phones
Ring, ring, ring, such an empty, disturbing sound
"You have reached my voice mail, which means I am not around"
Where are you mom? Where are you dad?
This makes me worried, upset and mad
If you leave the house, please take your phone
For you're supposed to use it when you're not at home
If you do not answer, I may start to stress
Why has your answer button been left unpressed?
Has something bad happened to you?
If you are dead, what will I do?
Wait, there's your car! And there you sit!
Completely oblivious to my worried fit!
You heard it ring, but didn't reach it in time?
Guess what! I called a second time!
Just take your phone out and call me back!
This will prevent my heart attack.
Oh mother, oh father, I'm glad all is well
But next time, please, just answer your cell!
:)
When Parents Don't Answer Their Cell Phones
Ring, ring, ring, such an empty, disturbing sound
"You have reached my voice mail, which means I am not around"
Where are you mom? Where are you dad?
This makes me worried, upset and mad
If you leave the house, please take your phone
For you're supposed to use it when you're not at home
If you do not answer, I may start to stress
Why has your answer button been left unpressed?
Has something bad happened to you?
If you are dead, what will I do?
Wait, there's your car! And there you sit!
Completely oblivious to my worried fit!
You heard it ring, but didn't reach it in time?
Guess what! I called a second time!
Just take your phone out and call me back!
This will prevent my heart attack.
Oh mother, oh father, I'm glad all is well
But next time, please, just answer your cell!
:)
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