Mom’s update Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I started the day with mom I brought her egg whites and turkey, which was a good thing because the dietician came in today. Mom has been there for 15 months and today was the first time I saw a dietician. Anyway, she asked mom if there were any foods she didn’t like and mom said lima beans. I don’t blame her. I also hate lime beans. She left and mom ate all of her breakfast. She gets plain oatmeal or farina every morning. I bought unsweetened applesauce and cinnamon and I put it in the oatmeal. She likes it that way and will eat at least half of it if it is doctored with the applesauce.
After breakfast I gave mom the paperclips with the corresponding colored cards. Mom was able to sort the paperclips and place them on the correct card. Before we started the activity I asked mom what each color was. She was able to label all the colors. Mom said, “I would be pretty stupid if I couldn’t tell the colors.” I then explain to her that she couldn’t SEE colors at one point. She couldn’t believe it. She was able to do the activity with 100% accuracy.
Next I gave her pegs to do. She filled the entire pegboard with pegs. I scattered the pegs on all sides of the board so she had to reach for them. We then put buttons in the container. I put the container in her right hand (unaffected hand) and had her pick up the buttons with her left (affected hand). She also had to reach up high since the container is very tall. We are working on fluency of motion (how quick she performs the tasks) and refining the motions (how well – accurate).
The CNA’s came in and washed and dressed her. I then took her downstairs to the snack bar so I could get a cup of coffee. She was very observant today and commented on how nice the building was. She liked the snack bar and wanted me to buy her chips I told her she would be eating lunch soon and she was OK with that. She has lost so much weight I don’t want to start any bad habits. We went outside to sit in the sun. My mom always loved to sit outside in the sun. We only stayed outside for a few minutes and it was getting too hot.
I took mom inside to the computer room and we looked at the videos of the upstate towns that were effected by the hurricane. The towns in the Catskills that were hit the worse are all by mom and dad’s property (Margaretville, Prattsville and Windham). Mom was shocked at the floods. She commented that she couldn’t remember what it looked like before the destruction. Every once in awhile I saw a landmark that I thought mom would recognize, so I stopped the video and then she remembered. I also went on www.starfall.com and went over the calendar with her. She liked the calendar program. I then went to a clock and telling time game. Mom was getting frustrated so I found a different website. This had words and sentences that explained how to tell time and mom read the information over and over. It gave me an idea of how to make a “social story” about telling time. (In my spare time! Haha). I then switched to a money game. Mom did pretty well with the game telling me which coins to use to make a specific amount.
I took mom upstairs and dad came. I put the wooden puzzle with three rods and various pieces that fit on specific rods. I put a tissue between her right lens and her eye so she could only see out of her left eye. It was difficult, but she was able to do the puzzle. It took much longer, but she did it. I also kept her right eye blocked while she did pegs. Again the task took longer but she did it. I put three activities on mom’s bed and explained to dad how to do them. I told him he had homework! I said no hugging and kissing and watching TV all day! Mom laughed! Lunch came and dad helped her eat. I left and dad stayed with her.
After lunch mom went to therapy and dad stepped out to get a few things at Target. I forgot to mention that I spoke with the supervisor for therapies and he explained that although mom is “walking” and talking steps, it is taking three therapists to assist her. It still is a great improvement, although she is still not standing straight up.
Dad came back and the Doctor came in to talk to him. The doctor called Kathy first to see where dad was because he wasn't answering his cell phone, but wouldn’t tell her what he was talking to dad about. Kathy asked if she could get the feeding tube out and he said that she is still getting Speech for feeding. Kathy said no she reached and mastered all of her feeding goals. He said no. They went back and forth a few times and then he said he would talk to dad and if Kathy wanted to know anything she should ask dad. (UGH!) He basically told dad that he has to talk to the therapists regarding her progress (no really?). He also said that she needed the feeding tube because what if… and then gave crazy scenarios! (my cousin Jo said we should tell him – what if my aunt had male parts? She’d be my uncle!!! – I cleaned it up!) We have a team meeting tomorrow and we will get a better idea of what they are all thinking.
Con, Anthony Michael and Sammy came in the evening. Mom was watching TV and reading the newspaper. Dinner came and she had chicken, mashed potatoes, coleslaw and peaches. She ate everything but the peaches. After dinner they took her outside. They went back upstairs and she went into bed. Sam noticed that they didn’t put one of the bumpers on!!! Go SAMMY!!! Con got the nurse and they put it on the bed. Mom was very quiet this evening; Sam said she wasn’t sad but just quiet. They put her mitts on and said prayers and left. Mom has been telling me that she is sleeping well at night. (She also has had no roommate for about a week now)
Psalm 91
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Peace and be well,
~Claud
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Mom Update, August 30, 2011, Tuesday
Mom’s update August 30, 2011
I started the day with mom. I made her a wheat germ omelet and she ate the whole omelet. I also brought her Dunkin Donuts coffee. Mom said to me, “Do you think I will ever get out of here?” Of course I told her most definitely!!! Later in the morning she said, “I still can’t believe this happened to me.” This is actually a good thing because she is remembering from day to day. In the past she would be shocked every day that we told her what happened to her.
After breakfast we worked on telling time. There were times she could tell me the time but then said, “But I don’t know how I got that.” She did this a few times where she was able to tell me the time but had a confused look on her face and said, “I don’t understand how come it’s this time.” One time I asked her, “What time is it?” and she said, “It’s time for me to learn how to tell time!” She cracks me up.
Next we did sequence cards. I gave her three cards to look at and each card has a sentence on the back that describes what is going on in the picture. She took a long time to read each card and look at the picture. I then asked her what picture comes first? She also would consistently pick the last card first, but then tell a story that made sense.
Anthony, Anthony Michael, Sam, Gina, and Michael came to visit. When they saw her he said she looked sad and she spoke very low. She was in a quiet mood. She watched the kids and smiled but it was very hard to hear her. They all took her outside and took a walk around the building. They brought her back for lunch. It was a good day but just quiet, she just wasn’t laughing a lot like usual.
Dad came and she did well at PT. Mom said she walked again today. I am going to talk to Jonathan to see how everything is going in PT and to get details. Mom went to bed early so dad left.
Oh, By the way, have you seen mom's blue makeup case?
Peace and be well…
~Claud
I started the day with mom. I made her a wheat germ omelet and she ate the whole omelet. I also brought her Dunkin Donuts coffee. Mom said to me, “Do you think I will ever get out of here?” Of course I told her most definitely!!! Later in the morning she said, “I still can’t believe this happened to me.” This is actually a good thing because she is remembering from day to day. In the past she would be shocked every day that we told her what happened to her.
After breakfast we worked on telling time. There were times she could tell me the time but then said, “But I don’t know how I got that.” She did this a few times where she was able to tell me the time but had a confused look on her face and said, “I don’t understand how come it’s this time.” One time I asked her, “What time is it?” and she said, “It’s time for me to learn how to tell time!” She cracks me up.
Next we did sequence cards. I gave her three cards to look at and each card has a sentence on the back that describes what is going on in the picture. She took a long time to read each card and look at the picture. I then asked her what picture comes first? She also would consistently pick the last card first, but then tell a story that made sense.
Anthony, Anthony Michael, Sam, Gina, and Michael came to visit. When they saw her he said she looked sad and she spoke very low. She was in a quiet mood. She watched the kids and smiled but it was very hard to hear her. They all took her outside and took a walk around the building. They brought her back for lunch. It was a good day but just quiet, she just wasn’t laughing a lot like usual.
Dad came and she did well at PT. Mom said she walked again today. I am going to talk to Jonathan to see how everything is going in PT and to get details. Mom went to bed early so dad left.
Oh, By the way, have you seen mom's blue makeup case?
Peace and be well…
~Claud
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Mom Update, August 29, 2011, Monday
MOM TOOK 22 STEPS TODAY AT PHYSICAL THERAPY USING THE WALKER!!!!!!!!!
A year ago today, mom was in a coma.....just think of what a miracle her progress is.
Terry began the day with mom. Mom was out like a light and Terry woke her for breakfast. Mom ate cottage cheese, and fruit and juice and coffee. She ate half her breakfast. She napped after breakfast then got ready to get dressed for the day. Mom brushed her own teeth and used the toilet using the new lift (????? go figure...no one reads the care plan????). Evidently, the day nurse said that mom has no problem with the new lift (when I saw mom this afternoon, mom said that the lift hurts under her arms and her back badly and that she won't use it any time soon). Terry and mom watched old TV shows on DVD together until lunch (egg salad, macaroni and cheese, fruit...).
Dad spent the afternoon with mom. They talked and watched TV and read the newspaper together. Mom left for therapies for about 2 hours or so in the afternoon. Then, I came to join mom. I told her I was so proud of her and she asked why. When I told her I was proud she walked 22 steps, she said, "Yeah, but so what. I didn't walk alone. I had the walker." I reminded her of where she was last year at this time and she said, "Oh I would have to say that I don't believe you." She is too funny.
Claudia came to put mom to bed tonight.
Hi Everyone,
I came in the evening to put mom to bed. Dad was there and they were reading the paper. Mom kept asking me questions about hurricane Irene. Dad left and I sat with mom as she read the paper until dinner came. Mom had quiche, mixed veggies, and a croissant. She ate everything but the veggies - she had a few spoonfuls and then said they weren't good. After dinner I took mom outside so I could get reception on my phone so I could use it as a wireless connection for my computer. I turned on my mac and connected to Facebook and was able to video chat with Ava! Mom was so surprised! She was able to see Ava and Ava could see her. Mom was able to see Ava's dorm room. They spoke for quite a while. I then took mom to the computer room and we watched my kids on Youtube. She was able to see a few musical numbers from previous shows. I also went through her email and we deleted some junk mail. We didn't get back to the room until after 8pm. Mom is using a lift to help her stand and then it is wheeled to the bathroom so she can use a toilet. Then she was put in bed. We made a few phone calls. Mom was able to talk to my sister-in-law, Pat. Pat was so happy to hear mom's voice and she couldn't get over the fact that she could have a conversation! Next, I called my house because my friend Thom was over. The last time Thom saw mom she was practically in a coma again and very unresponsive. Thom was able to have a conversation with her. He was shocked! Mom and I watched one of our favorite shows, "American Pickers." We talked about the show and what they found. It was getting late and we said a prayer. Mom said, "Thank you for praying with me." I then started to sing a song that she and I would sing when I was little. I then segued into another song and then yet another song. After the third song mom cried. I told her I didn't sing to make her cry. Mom asked me if I thought she would ever get better. i told her every day she makes gains and get closer to getting home. She was still a little down. Mom asked for her newspaper and I explained that I would throw them out and get her new papers tomorrow. My dad has a tendency of making "piles" of junk and there were already a stack of newspapers in the room. I joked with mom and said if we let dad take over the room with piles of newspapers her room will look like the "Collier" brothers. I said next thing you know there will be a giant ball of string in the corner. She laughed hysterically. Mom asked me where John was and I said home why? she said, "Oh, I thought he was going to sleep her with me tonight!" and then laughed hysterically. (She cracks herself up) I gave mom a kiss and said good-night.
~Claud
"Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
A year ago today, mom was in a coma.....just think of what a miracle her progress is.
Terry began the day with mom. Mom was out like a light and Terry woke her for breakfast. Mom ate cottage cheese, and fruit and juice and coffee. She ate half her breakfast. She napped after breakfast then got ready to get dressed for the day. Mom brushed her own teeth and used the toilet using the new lift (????? go figure...no one reads the care plan????). Evidently, the day nurse said that mom has no problem with the new lift (when I saw mom this afternoon, mom said that the lift hurts under her arms and her back badly and that she won't use it any time soon). Terry and mom watched old TV shows on DVD together until lunch (egg salad, macaroni and cheese, fruit...).
Dad spent the afternoon with mom. They talked and watched TV and read the newspaper together. Mom left for therapies for about 2 hours or so in the afternoon. Then, I came to join mom. I told her I was so proud of her and she asked why. When I told her I was proud she walked 22 steps, she said, "Yeah, but so what. I didn't walk alone. I had the walker." I reminded her of where she was last year at this time and she said, "Oh I would have to say that I don't believe you." She is too funny.
Claudia came to put mom to bed tonight.
Hi Everyone,
I came in the evening to put mom to bed. Dad was there and they were reading the paper. Mom kept asking me questions about hurricane Irene. Dad left and I sat with mom as she read the paper until dinner came. Mom had quiche, mixed veggies, and a croissant. She ate everything but the veggies - she had a few spoonfuls and then said they weren't good. After dinner I took mom outside so I could get reception on my phone so I could use it as a wireless connection for my computer. I turned on my mac and connected to Facebook and was able to video chat with Ava! Mom was so surprised! She was able to see Ava and Ava could see her. Mom was able to see Ava's dorm room. They spoke for quite a while. I then took mom to the computer room and we watched my kids on Youtube. She was able to see a few musical numbers from previous shows. I also went through her email and we deleted some junk mail. We didn't get back to the room until after 8pm. Mom is using a lift to help her stand and then it is wheeled to the bathroom so she can use a toilet. Then she was put in bed. We made a few phone calls. Mom was able to talk to my sister-in-law, Pat. Pat was so happy to hear mom's voice and she couldn't get over the fact that she could have a conversation! Next, I called my house because my friend Thom was over. The last time Thom saw mom she was practically in a coma again and very unresponsive. Thom was able to have a conversation with her. He was shocked! Mom and I watched one of our favorite shows, "American Pickers." We talked about the show and what they found. It was getting late and we said a prayer. Mom said, "Thank you for praying with me." I then started to sing a song that she and I would sing when I was little. I then segued into another song and then yet another song. After the third song mom cried. I told her I didn't sing to make her cry. Mom asked me if I thought she would ever get better. i told her every day she makes gains and get closer to getting home. She was still a little down. Mom asked for her newspaper and I explained that I would throw them out and get her new papers tomorrow. My dad has a tendency of making "piles" of junk and there were already a stack of newspapers in the room. I joked with mom and said if we let dad take over the room with piles of newspapers her room will look like the "Collier" brothers. I said next thing you know there will be a giant ball of string in the corner. She laughed hysterically. Mom asked me where John was and I said home why? she said, "Oh, I thought he was going to sleep her with me tonight!" and then laughed hysterically. (She cracks herself up) I gave mom a kiss and said good-night.
~Claud
"Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Mom Update, August 28, 2011, Sunday
Lenny, Jo Ann and I spent the night with mom last night as we were evacuated from our house yesterday. We rotated sleeping in the lounge 2 at a time on a couch and 2 chairs while the third person slept on 2 chairs beside mom’s bed. Mom slept soundly throughout the night. She has no roommate again…and this helps a lot.
Yesterday, at bed time, the CNA and the nurse argued about how to get mom back into bed from the wheelchair. The CNA said to use the new device that allows mom to use the toilet and then helps her to get into bed. The nurse said only the board was on mom’s care plan. The head nurse checked all the order and care plan books and nothing other than the board was listed there……someone did not do his/her job and list the new device in the official care plan books. As a result, they used the board. Mom isn’t really able to successfully use the board to get into bed at all. I persisted with the head nurse and she finally noted the official change in mom’s care plan. This all occurred on the 3-11 shift.
As mom was being put on the bed pan in the middle of the night, I noticed a huge bruise on the back of her leg behind her knee cap (it is about the size of my hand in length and width). I showed the nurse on duty, in addition to the head nurse on duty. The head nurse felt it was due to the board used to get mom into bed tonight or another night. The bruise is deep purple and blue in color.
Last night, before bed, we asked mom if she could hear the TV and she said, “Yes, but it’s very garbled.” She called cousins Angelo, Madeline, Laura, Donna and Tom, and she also called her brother, Ray, and dad and Claudia many times. At one point I told her to, “Say it loud” when on the phone and mom yelled, “LOUD!!!”
We had a great surprise---mom’s old nurse from downstairs was on duty with us on mom’s floor last night!!! The nurse came in and marveled at mom and her progress. The nurse rubbed mom’s shoulder and asked how she was and said she was a miracle but mom said, “Not really, I can’t walk.” The nurse told mom that she was a miracle and doing great and then told mom, “Are you kidding? I used to check on you and I had to write ‘patient is unresponsive to voice and tactile stimulation.’ And look at you now!”
This morning, Mom had a big breakfast of spinach omelet, oatmeal, wheat toast, and juice and coffee. While she was eating, the head of respiratory from downstairs came to see her. The therapist was really pleased and shocked to see her progress. She talked a lot to him and when he said, “I think of you often” mom joked with him and said, “Oh, I’m sure you do.”
Mom asked about all our family members and was concerned about their safety so she called each person and spoke to each one on the phone (I dialed and she talked). We have been practicing using the phone and mom can dial the numbers as they are recited to her without any problem. I am planning to make her an enlarged phone book/list of sorts for her to use. Using the phone is an important skill to have once she is home.
Right now, mom is glued to the news on the TV. This is big progress because she usually can’t focus on the TV. She is commenting on what the announcers are saying and also is reading the news line at the bottom of the screen and commenting too! WOW! This is a really great step forward.
Mom’s CNAs said that mom does not like to use the new lift for the toilet because it hurts her back from being in it so long. They said she is better off with the bed pan in the mornings. I am going to have the nurse change her care plan to say that mom can choose what she wants – bed pan or new lift. Mom told Lenny and I that her back hurts when she uses the new lift for the toilet. Lenny massaged mom’s back with a small massager my friend, Lenore, gave to mom. Mom loved it! This is a thing between mom and Lenny because, when he was little, mom used to massage his back!
Lenny did the calendar with mom and reviewed the day, date, month and year. He asked her questions and she answered but lowly. Lenny asked mom to speak louder and she became annoyed…but she did it! He wrote parts of the date and had her read it back to him. She knew yesterday was Saturday but then kept going in the past to tell us the name of today…she kept saying today was Friday. She knew that 28 came after 27 and that the month is August.
Lenny and mom played a “telling time” game next. We bought it for her in Boston. There is an anolog clock and many different cards with digital times written on each one. You pick a card, tell the time, and then plot the time on analog clock. At one point, we left mom with the analog clock showing a specific time and we gave her the digital cards to match to the time on the analog clock. Mom sat for a while trying to complete the task. After a while, mom expressed frustration over the fact that she couldn’t “alphabetize” the cards as she said. We explained that she needs to put the cards in “time order” and she figured it out then.
Mom slept well last night and as a result, she told us off a lot!!! Jo Ann moved a chair noisily and Mom yelled at her (kidding around), “Hey!! I can’t hear!!” Then Jo Ann said something and mom wanted to talk so she told Jo to, “Shut up!!” Lenny was trying to help mom eat lunch and mom tried to eat a long piece of mozzarella cheese…Lenny told her to put it down so he could cut it and she told him to “Go away will you!!” She also told me, “I wish you weren’t here!!” because I cut her food so she wouldn’t choke. She also said I was stupid too! She was in rare form and all in jest though. Lenny tried to show mom how to turn the dish on her tray and she yelled and said, “Oh stop now!!! I’m capable!!” It was funny to watch Lenny tell his grandmother, “Nonny, no---no bread first. First eat your vegetables!” and mom tell Lenny, “Oh leave me alone!” At one point, mom grabbed a huge piece of the chocolate éclair she was eating (even though Lenny just finished cutting most of it) and quickly stuffed it into her mouth. Jo and I told Lenny to grab the piece from mom’s mouth and Lenny responded, “Ma! She’s a person not a dog like Brutus” (our dog)—Mom responded, “Well thank God I’m not! Thank you Lenny!” All we did was laugh all day!!
There was some confusion over whether mom should use the new lift or the slide board or not any more. Evidently, she is uncomfortable using it and is frightened about standing with/in it. One of the weekend CNAs told us about this and suggested we should go back to having mom use the hoyer (the swing-like lift she used for a year). The hoyer seems to be (and probably is) a step backwards but mom is used to it and comfortable with it. After a brief discussion with mom, mom said that she preferred using the bed pan and not the toilet (which requires using the new lift). There was a lot to consider in making this decision. The biggest consideration, of course, is mom and what she wants and what makes her feel comfortable. But there is also the fact that, if how she is moved by the CNAs counts in the realm of physical therapy, then a step back rather than forward can cause her therapy to cease…be terminated. The nurse and CNAs assured us that it doesn’t effect physical therapy services…but we are checking that out. As of now, we jointly decided that the slide board and the new lift are beyond mom’s confidence and ability levels for now. Maybe in another week or two, mom will be ready to use these new tools. One of the main requirements for using these new tools is the ability to stand (while holding onto someone or something) alone. Mom really can’t do that yet.
Anthony, Con, dad, Anthony Michael, and Sammy came to see mom as Jo, Lenny and I were leaving. Anthony worked on mom’s legs and had mom practice standing up. Mom had asked me earlier in the day if she had PT and when she heard she didn’t, she said, “Oh then Anthony will come to work on my leg exercises.” She is beginning to have a more functional memory now…far from typical but much better.
We figured out where the bruise on mom’s leg and arm came from…it happened when she climbed out of bed 2 days ago. I had the nurse note it in the records.
Dad put mom to bed tonight.
“Just say the word and I shall be healed.” Matthew 8:8
Yesterday, at bed time, the CNA and the nurse argued about how to get mom back into bed from the wheelchair. The CNA said to use the new device that allows mom to use the toilet and then helps her to get into bed. The nurse said only the board was on mom’s care plan. The head nurse checked all the order and care plan books and nothing other than the board was listed there……someone did not do his/her job and list the new device in the official care plan books. As a result, they used the board. Mom isn’t really able to successfully use the board to get into bed at all. I persisted with the head nurse and she finally noted the official change in mom’s care plan. This all occurred on the 3-11 shift.
As mom was being put on the bed pan in the middle of the night, I noticed a huge bruise on the back of her leg behind her knee cap (it is about the size of my hand in length and width). I showed the nurse on duty, in addition to the head nurse on duty. The head nurse felt it was due to the board used to get mom into bed tonight or another night. The bruise is deep purple and blue in color.
Last night, before bed, we asked mom if she could hear the TV and she said, “Yes, but it’s very garbled.” She called cousins Angelo, Madeline, Laura, Donna and Tom, and she also called her brother, Ray, and dad and Claudia many times. At one point I told her to, “Say it loud” when on the phone and mom yelled, “LOUD!!!”
We had a great surprise---mom’s old nurse from downstairs was on duty with us on mom’s floor last night!!! The nurse came in and marveled at mom and her progress. The nurse rubbed mom’s shoulder and asked how she was and said she was a miracle but mom said, “Not really, I can’t walk.” The nurse told mom that she was a miracle and doing great and then told mom, “Are you kidding? I used to check on you and I had to write ‘patient is unresponsive to voice and tactile stimulation.’ And look at you now!”
This morning, Mom had a big breakfast of spinach omelet, oatmeal, wheat toast, and juice and coffee. While she was eating, the head of respiratory from downstairs came to see her. The therapist was really pleased and shocked to see her progress. She talked a lot to him and when he said, “I think of you often” mom joked with him and said, “Oh, I’m sure you do.”
Mom asked about all our family members and was concerned about their safety so she called each person and spoke to each one on the phone (I dialed and she talked). We have been practicing using the phone and mom can dial the numbers as they are recited to her without any problem. I am planning to make her an enlarged phone book/list of sorts for her to use. Using the phone is an important skill to have once she is home.
Right now, mom is glued to the news on the TV. This is big progress because she usually can’t focus on the TV. She is commenting on what the announcers are saying and also is reading the news line at the bottom of the screen and commenting too! WOW! This is a really great step forward.
Mom’s CNAs said that mom does not like to use the new lift for the toilet because it hurts her back from being in it so long. They said she is better off with the bed pan in the mornings. I am going to have the nurse change her care plan to say that mom can choose what she wants – bed pan or new lift. Mom told Lenny and I that her back hurts when she uses the new lift for the toilet. Lenny massaged mom’s back with a small massager my friend, Lenore, gave to mom. Mom loved it! This is a thing between mom and Lenny because, when he was little, mom used to massage his back!
Lenny did the calendar with mom and reviewed the day, date, month and year. He asked her questions and she answered but lowly. Lenny asked mom to speak louder and she became annoyed…but she did it! He wrote parts of the date and had her read it back to him. She knew yesterday was Saturday but then kept going in the past to tell us the name of today…she kept saying today was Friday. She knew that 28 came after 27 and that the month is August.
Lenny and mom played a “telling time” game next. We bought it for her in Boston. There is an anolog clock and many different cards with digital times written on each one. You pick a card, tell the time, and then plot the time on analog clock. At one point, we left mom with the analog clock showing a specific time and we gave her the digital cards to match to the time on the analog clock. Mom sat for a while trying to complete the task. After a while, mom expressed frustration over the fact that she couldn’t “alphabetize” the cards as she said. We explained that she needs to put the cards in “time order” and she figured it out then.
Mom slept well last night and as a result, she told us off a lot!!! Jo Ann moved a chair noisily and Mom yelled at her (kidding around), “Hey!! I can’t hear!!” Then Jo Ann said something and mom wanted to talk so she told Jo to, “Shut up!!” Lenny was trying to help mom eat lunch and mom tried to eat a long piece of mozzarella cheese…Lenny told her to put it down so he could cut it and she told him to “Go away will you!!” She also told me, “I wish you weren’t here!!” because I cut her food so she wouldn’t choke. She also said I was stupid too! She was in rare form and all in jest though. Lenny tried to show mom how to turn the dish on her tray and she yelled and said, “Oh stop now!!! I’m capable!!” It was funny to watch Lenny tell his grandmother, “Nonny, no---no bread first. First eat your vegetables!” and mom tell Lenny, “Oh leave me alone!” At one point, mom grabbed a huge piece of the chocolate éclair she was eating (even though Lenny just finished cutting most of it) and quickly stuffed it into her mouth. Jo and I told Lenny to grab the piece from mom’s mouth and Lenny responded, “Ma! She’s a person not a dog like Brutus” (our dog)—Mom responded, “Well thank God I’m not! Thank you Lenny!” All we did was laugh all day!!
There was some confusion over whether mom should use the new lift or the slide board or not any more. Evidently, she is uncomfortable using it and is frightened about standing with/in it. One of the weekend CNAs told us about this and suggested we should go back to having mom use the hoyer (the swing-like lift she used for a year). The hoyer seems to be (and probably is) a step backwards but mom is used to it and comfortable with it. After a brief discussion with mom, mom said that she preferred using the bed pan and not the toilet (which requires using the new lift). There was a lot to consider in making this decision. The biggest consideration, of course, is mom and what she wants and what makes her feel comfortable. But there is also the fact that, if how she is moved by the CNAs counts in the realm of physical therapy, then a step back rather than forward can cause her therapy to cease…be terminated. The nurse and CNAs assured us that it doesn’t effect physical therapy services…but we are checking that out. As of now, we jointly decided that the slide board and the new lift are beyond mom’s confidence and ability levels for now. Maybe in another week or two, mom will be ready to use these new tools. One of the main requirements for using these new tools is the ability to stand (while holding onto someone or something) alone. Mom really can’t do that yet.
Anthony, Con, dad, Anthony Michael, and Sammy came to see mom as Jo, Lenny and I were leaving. Anthony worked on mom’s legs and had mom practice standing up. Mom had asked me earlier in the day if she had PT and when she heard she didn’t, she said, “Oh then Anthony will come to work on my leg exercises.” She is beginning to have a more functional memory now…far from typical but much better.
We figured out where the bruise on mom’s leg and arm came from…it happened when she climbed out of bed 2 days ago. I had the nurse note it in the records.
Dad put mom to bed tonight.
“Just say the word and I shall be healed.” Matthew 8:8
Mom Update, August 27, 2011, Saturday
Kathy, Terry, Jo Ann, and I arrived home at 3am from Boston. We drove through the night when we heard that Kathy had to evacuate her home by 8am on the town website. I brought Kathy’s dogs to pop’s house and then went home to sleep for a couple hours. Jean and I woke mom this morning and when we arrived she was sitting up in bed with her tray table in front of her eating her breakfast. We brought her hazelnut coffee which she enjoyed. We brought our breakfast and ate with her. After breakfast I told her stories about our week in Boston and we laughed so hard! The CNA came into the room and dressed mom and put her in her wheel chair. I combed her hair and put her makeup on. I took out her large Tupperware container with all of her makeup and mom said it wasn’t her makeup. I showed her each individually separated baggie with a labeled card in each baggie and said, “Are you kidding? Who else is so organized to label each baggie of makeup?” We laughed!
Jean set up Wheel of Fortune on the wii and showed me how mom was able to spin the wheel. She was very into the game and guessed a few letters. Anthony, Con, Anthony Michael and Con came next. We all sat and told mom some jokes. We were laughing most of the morning. Con ran to Target to get a few things and she bought mom new hangers for her clothes. We were missing some of mom’s clothes and dad found them in a hamper in mom’s bathroom but we didn’t even know that hamper existed, so now we have more clothes than hangers.
Mom’s roommate left to go to the hospital because of a wound on her leg. Mom had no roommate, but they were expecting people who were being reallocated to her facility. Mom had a grilled cheese sandwich and she didn’t eat the mashed potatoes and the veggies. It was a strange combo. They talked and laughed. They left when Lenny came.
K J and L talked with mom for a while and she asked for pop. She thought we were asking for pot roast when they repeated the question back to her. This is good because she has many mis-hearings in the past and this is good because it is like she use to be, when we all went to Sea World years ago we told mom that Claudia kissed a Sea Lion and she thought we said, “Who is senile?” That was many years ago and before this incident! She also asked for a tissue to blow her nose and a napkin to wipe her face, she knows the difference between the two. When they told mom that they were sleeping over she responded, “Do they know?” She had rigatoni and meatballs for dinner and ice cream for dessert.
They had a long talk with the building administrator when they first walked in and he said everything will work out. He told them that she will have someone in the room tonight but they have to wait to hear from Southside Hospital to see how many people they are taking.
Jean's friend had this quote on his Facebook and I loved it, so I am attaching this!
~God has no cell phone, but he's my Favorite contact. He has no Facebook, but he is my best friend. He doesn't have Twitter, but I still follow him. He has no internet,
but we stay connected.
Peace and Love,
Claud
Jean set up Wheel of Fortune on the wii and showed me how mom was able to spin the wheel. She was very into the game and guessed a few letters. Anthony, Con, Anthony Michael and Con came next. We all sat and told mom some jokes. We were laughing most of the morning. Con ran to Target to get a few things and she bought mom new hangers for her clothes. We were missing some of mom’s clothes and dad found them in a hamper in mom’s bathroom but we didn’t even know that hamper existed, so now we have more clothes than hangers.
Mom’s roommate left to go to the hospital because of a wound on her leg. Mom had no roommate, but they were expecting people who were being reallocated to her facility. Mom had a grilled cheese sandwich and she didn’t eat the mashed potatoes and the veggies. It was a strange combo. They talked and laughed. They left when Lenny came.
K J and L talked with mom for a while and she asked for pop. She thought we were asking for pot roast when they repeated the question back to her. This is good because she has many mis-hearings in the past and this is good because it is like she use to be, when we all went to Sea World years ago we told mom that Claudia kissed a Sea Lion and she thought we said, “Who is senile?” That was many years ago and before this incident! She also asked for a tissue to blow her nose and a napkin to wipe her face, she knows the difference between the two. When they told mom that they were sleeping over she responded, “Do they know?” She had rigatoni and meatballs for dinner and ice cream for dessert.
They had a long talk with the building administrator when they first walked in and he said everything will work out. He told them that she will have someone in the room tonight but they have to wait to hear from Southside Hospital to see how many people they are taking.
Jean's friend had this quote on his Facebook and I loved it, so I am attaching this!
~God has no cell phone, but he's my Favorite contact. He has no Facebook, but he is my best friend. He doesn't have Twitter, but I still follow him. He has no internet,
but we stay connected.
Peace and Love,
Claud
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Mom Update, August 26, 2011, Friday
Mom’s update Friday, August 26, 2011
Jean started the day with mom. Dad came next and spent the day with mom. Dad said mom did well in therapy. Dad said mom’s cough was so bad today that they had to give her a shot.
John spoke with the social worker who returned his call from yesterday regarding mom’s roommate. The social worker told him that mom would have to move and John said absolutely not. The social worker said she would talk to the roommate and that everything would be solved. Let’s see if that happens. I get very frustrated because the people who yell and scream and keep mom up at night have more rights than mom. We are worried that she won’t get sleep and then not perform at therapies and then they will discontinue therapy.
We called mom from Boston this evening and she spoke to all of us and asked when we were coming home. (She probably is planning to eat her last waffle, pancake, or piece of French toast before I return!!! Hahahaha!!!). She sounded good and remembered that Jo Ann was with us and asked to talk to her too.
We are still in Boston and trying to make a mass exodus back home early tomorrow morning.
“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” Mark 4:39
Jean started the day with mom. Dad came next and spent the day with mom. Dad said mom did well in therapy. Dad said mom’s cough was so bad today that they had to give her a shot.
John spoke with the social worker who returned his call from yesterday regarding mom’s roommate. The social worker told him that mom would have to move and John said absolutely not. The social worker said she would talk to the roommate and that everything would be solved. Let’s see if that happens. I get very frustrated because the people who yell and scream and keep mom up at night have more rights than mom. We are worried that she won’t get sleep and then not perform at therapies and then they will discontinue therapy.
We called mom from Boston this evening and she spoke to all of us and asked when we were coming home. (She probably is planning to eat her last waffle, pancake, or piece of French toast before I return!!! Hahahaha!!!). She sounded good and remembered that Jo Ann was with us and asked to talk to her too.
We are still in Boston and trying to make a mass exodus back home early tomorrow morning.
“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” Mark 4:39
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Mom's update August 24, 2011, Thursday
Early this morning, my cell phone rang and played the “facility ringtone” which is never a good thing. The nurse told me (after beating around the bush for 5 minutes) that, at 11:30 p.m. someone passed mom’s room and found her sitting on the mat on the floor beside her bed. The bigger mystery was how the bumper guards that keep mom in the bed were not installed properly???? Some things never change. The nurse was annoyed that there was no one from our family there for breakfast this morning??? We don’t have to be there. The nurse and I talked and mom was not hurt so I hung up. Two seconds later, I called back to ask some questions and couldn’t get anyone on the floor to answer the phone. I called mom’s room and MOM ANSWERED THE PHONE!!!! I asked mom where she was and she said she was in bed. I asked mom how she answered the phone (how she was able to reach it) and she said, “Oh that girl gave it to me.” I don’t know who she was referring to…but I was mildly alarmed because the phone is no where near mom’s bed. I asked mom how she was and she said, “Actually I had a terrible time last night.” She said, “Someone took off my restraints.” When I asked her if she got out of bed last night, she said, “Ummm…I don’t really remember that.” I explained the risks and harm involved in getting out of bed alone and mom said, “I’m sorry.”
There was some confusion this morning so mom was alone for breakfast. Anthony, Con, Anthony Michael, and Sammy arrived around 9. Mom was on the phone with me. Mom told them that she did a bad thing and got out of bed last night because she had to go to the bathroom. Mom’s breakfast tray was gone and she was clean (which means that changes are, she didn’t eat). No one knew if she ate breakfast or not. When Anthony got there the tray was gone. He asked her if she ate and mom said yes but she was already feeling guilty about getting out of bed and my mom doesn’t like to inconvenience people so she probably didn’t eat. Anthony said he was going to get her something anyway. They looked for the head nurse who didn’t help answer any questions or solve any problems at all.
Dad arrived and he and Anthony went to the building administrator who said everything would be investigated. The administrator understood our concerns about mom’s care. I called Lenny and he said that the bumpers were not up last night when he left (he forgot to check that) [Not that this is our job to do].
The call button was wrapped around the bed rail behind mom so she has no access to it. The nursing supervisor spoke to Con and Anthony and dad and said the bed is in the wrong place and the button cord isn’t long enough– dad brought up that they don’t change her every 3 hours either. …only when they get her out of bed
Hopefully, everything will get ironed out. Anthony worked on mom’s legs and did exercises with her. They all sat outside with mom until lunch. Dad said that mom “did great” with all the therapies today. He also said that mom’s friends, Flo, Florence and Maureen, visited today. Mom had fun with them talking and laughing.
John said that he and mom watched the Yankee game while mom read the newspaper and Reader’s Digest. They talked about baseball and some news articles. Mom also talked about the pending hurricane. Mom fell asleep early and John said a prayer and left.
“In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” 1 Peter 13-4
There was some confusion this morning so mom was alone for breakfast. Anthony, Con, Anthony Michael, and Sammy arrived around 9. Mom was on the phone with me. Mom told them that she did a bad thing and got out of bed last night because she had to go to the bathroom. Mom’s breakfast tray was gone and she was clean (which means that changes are, she didn’t eat). No one knew if she ate breakfast or not. When Anthony got there the tray was gone. He asked her if she ate and mom said yes but she was already feeling guilty about getting out of bed and my mom doesn’t like to inconvenience people so she probably didn’t eat. Anthony said he was going to get her something anyway. They looked for the head nurse who didn’t help answer any questions or solve any problems at all.
Dad arrived and he and Anthony went to the building administrator who said everything would be investigated. The administrator understood our concerns about mom’s care. I called Lenny and he said that the bumpers were not up last night when he left (he forgot to check that) [Not that this is our job to do].
The call button was wrapped around the bed rail behind mom so she has no access to it. The nursing supervisor spoke to Con and Anthony and dad and said the bed is in the wrong place and the button cord isn’t long enough– dad brought up that they don’t change her every 3 hours either. …only when they get her out of bed
Hopefully, everything will get ironed out. Anthony worked on mom’s legs and did exercises with her. They all sat outside with mom until lunch. Dad said that mom “did great” with all the therapies today. He also said that mom’s friends, Flo, Florence and Maureen, visited today. Mom had fun with them talking and laughing.
John said that he and mom watched the Yankee game while mom read the newspaper and Reader’s Digest. They talked about baseball and some news articles. Mom also talked about the pending hurricane. Mom fell asleep early and John said a prayer and left.
“In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” 1 Peter 13-4
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Mom Update, August 24, 2011, Wednesday
Jean began the day with mom this morning. He set her up for the day and talked with her as she ate breakfast. More details on their visit in tomorrow’s blog. Dad and Anthony came to see mom next. They worked on walking and strengthening her leg muscles. For the first time today, MOM STOOD UP ON HER OWN---albeit briefly, Dad stood behind mom and Anthony stood in front of mom and they asked her to stand up and she did it!!! She didn’t stand straight though. Dad said mom did well at OT and Speech and PT today. They used a new lift today to help mom use the toilet---she used the toilet for the first time in over 15 months today!!! The new roommate is calmer and only yells and screams when she wants the nurses.
Lenny put mom to bed tonight. Mom was pretty good when he got there and he brought her rigatoni and red sauce for dinner. She had a hard time picking it up and eating it and even said, “I can’t do this. I give up.” But Lenny encouraged her and she was able to eat it. He said pop was still there and the TV was on and she was watching TV more than she was paying attention to eating. She said it looked and tasted delicious. They talked about work and school and watched TV until it was time for bed.
“Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.” Philemon 1:7
Mom Update, August 23, 2011, Tuesday
Hi everyone,
Jean started his day with mom. He brought her a veggie omelet! He set up the room and put her hearing aids in and her glasses on. He said she was very lethargic and sleepy. He said he could barely do anything with her. Pop came and mom ate lunch and then went to therapy. We don't know much else because dad was consumed with talking about the earthquake. We made sure to tell pop not to let mom watch the news because she would worry about Ava (since Ava did have to evacuate a building and felt the earthquake) and my friend Debbie who just moved to Virginia (my mom asks all the time how is Debbie and how does she like Virginia). Con, Anthony Michael and Sam came to see mom. Pop was still there. Mom was reading the newspaper. She was happy to see them. Pop left to go eat dinner. Sam brought her string to make bracelets and mom helped by holding the string. Sam made mom a new bracelet. They talked and laughed and had a great time. Mom ate grilled cheese with ham and string beans and she ate most of it. She was getting tired but the CNA was at dinner. The CNA put her in bed and Anthony Michael said OK night Nonny try to go to sleep and mom said, "I can't, I have to wait for Poppy to get home." Con assured her that he was home already and that he was safe. They all kissed her goodnight and left.
Kathy, Terry, Jo Ann and I are still in Boston and having a great time. We had a great dinner tonight at our cousin Steve (Stevie) and Donna's house and laughed until our sides hurt! I can't wait to tell mom all the crazy things we laughed about (well SOME of the crazy things we laughed about!)
"The love of a family is life's greatest blessing!"
Peace and be well,
~Claud
Jean started his day with mom. He brought her a veggie omelet! He set up the room and put her hearing aids in and her glasses on. He said she was very lethargic and sleepy. He said he could barely do anything with her. Pop came and mom ate lunch and then went to therapy. We don't know much else because dad was consumed with talking about the earthquake. We made sure to tell pop not to let mom watch the news because she would worry about Ava (since Ava did have to evacuate a building and felt the earthquake) and my friend Debbie who just moved to Virginia (my mom asks all the time how is Debbie and how does she like Virginia). Con, Anthony Michael and Sam came to see mom. Pop was still there. Mom was reading the newspaper. She was happy to see them. Pop left to go eat dinner. Sam brought her string to make bracelets and mom helped by holding the string. Sam made mom a new bracelet. They talked and laughed and had a great time. Mom ate grilled cheese with ham and string beans and she ate most of it. She was getting tired but the CNA was at dinner. The CNA put her in bed and Anthony Michael said OK night Nonny try to go to sleep and mom said, "I can't, I have to wait for Poppy to get home." Con assured her that he was home already and that he was safe. They all kissed her goodnight and left.
Kathy, Terry, Jo Ann and I are still in Boston and having a great time. We had a great dinner tonight at our cousin Steve (Stevie) and Donna's house and laughed until our sides hurt! I can't wait to tell mom all the crazy things we laughed about (well SOME of the crazy things we laughed about!)
"The love of a family is life's greatest blessing!"
Peace and be well,
~Claud
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Mom Update, August 22, 2011, Monday
Hi everyone,
Kathy, Terry and I are on vacation with our cousin JoAnn in Boston for the whole week. Con, Anthony, John, Jean, Lenny and dad are taking care of mom (as they usually do, just a heavier load). Mom started her day with Jean. If you remember, Jean is the one who walked in on mom in December when she was decanulated (very traumatic!), so a week of pleasant visits would be nice! I went with him before our trip to set him up and show him what to do. He stayed with mom all morning until day came in the early afternoon. He fed her breakfast. After the CNA came in to get her dressed she didn't have her glasses on. Jean said, "Nonny, put on your glasses so you can see your gorgeous grandson." Mom said, "I need my makeup." Jean said, "Why?" Mom said, "Because I'm gorgeous too!" I love when her sense of humor shines through! Jean played Wheel of Fortune with mom on the wii. He said at first she had difficulty with the rules. She would use the remote to spin the wheel and Jean would select the letters, but when she realized the what game it was she guessed a few answers (Palm trees blowing in the wind AND Kathleen Turner). Jean was surprised! He tried to explain the scoring to her - each spin is for a specific amount but if there are more than one of the letter you select then the amount multiplies. It took some time, but she understood it over time.
Dad came next and he fed her lunch. Mom went to PT, OT and Speech. She stood with the walker and shuffled her feet to walk. Dad did leg exercises with her in her wheel chair. He lifted her legs and mom lifted them by herself as well. She didn't want to rest her legs on the wheel chair foot rests, she wanted them to touch the floor. Dad said she shifted her weight in the wheel chair a few times by herself. He took her outside and they went for a walk around the perimeter. They then sat out front and watched people walk into the building. John came in the evening to put mom to sleep and he said it was one of the best nights he has had with her in a long while. Mom has a new roommate and she is a doozie! She was screaming for the nurse and asking John to do things for her. Never a dull moment! I feel like they are torturing us! I found out last week from one of mom's old roommates that when mom left her room she was given an annoying roommate and she complained and the roommate was told to move! Oh yeah, and did I forget to say that mom's old roommate is cognitively challenged, yet she figured a way to get the roommate out and not have to move herself! Good for her, how do we get that to happen? Unfortunately we have to start being a pain, but it isn't us, we aren't like that. John said mom was laughing at the situation but at 3am it isn't going to be funny. John visited and talked and said mom was very "with it" tonight. He fed her dinner (basically, what I mean by fed her a meal is that we cut up the food and turn the plate while she eats. She doesn't see things on the left side and will often leave half the left side of the plate filled with food. We also make sure she doesn't choke or cough and has a napkin when she needs it). They watched TV together. John tucked her in and left for the night.
Pray for an easy week for mom and peace with her new roommate,
~Claud
Kathy, Terry and I are on vacation with our cousin JoAnn in Boston for the whole week. Con, Anthony, John, Jean, Lenny and dad are taking care of mom (as they usually do, just a heavier load). Mom started her day with Jean. If you remember, Jean is the one who walked in on mom in December when she was decanulated (very traumatic!), so a week of pleasant visits would be nice! I went with him before our trip to set him up and show him what to do. He stayed with mom all morning until day came in the early afternoon. He fed her breakfast. After the CNA came in to get her dressed she didn't have her glasses on. Jean said, "Nonny, put on your glasses so you can see your gorgeous grandson." Mom said, "I need my makeup." Jean said, "Why?" Mom said, "Because I'm gorgeous too!" I love when her sense of humor shines through! Jean played Wheel of Fortune with mom on the wii. He said at first she had difficulty with the rules. She would use the remote to spin the wheel and Jean would select the letters, but when she realized the what game it was she guessed a few answers (Palm trees blowing in the wind AND Kathleen Turner). Jean was surprised! He tried to explain the scoring to her - each spin is for a specific amount but if there are more than one of the letter you select then the amount multiplies. It took some time, but she understood it over time.
Dad came next and he fed her lunch. Mom went to PT, OT and Speech. She stood with the walker and shuffled her feet to walk. Dad did leg exercises with her in her wheel chair. He lifted her legs and mom lifted them by herself as well. She didn't want to rest her legs on the wheel chair foot rests, she wanted them to touch the floor. Dad said she shifted her weight in the wheel chair a few times by herself. He took her outside and they went for a walk around the perimeter. They then sat out front and watched people walk into the building. John came in the evening to put mom to sleep and he said it was one of the best nights he has had with her in a long while. Mom has a new roommate and she is a doozie! She was screaming for the nurse and asking John to do things for her. Never a dull moment! I feel like they are torturing us! I found out last week from one of mom's old roommates that when mom left her room she was given an annoying roommate and she complained and the roommate was told to move! Oh yeah, and did I forget to say that mom's old roommate is cognitively challenged, yet she figured a way to get the roommate out and not have to move herself! Good for her, how do we get that to happen? Unfortunately we have to start being a pain, but it isn't us, we aren't like that. John said mom was laughing at the situation but at 3am it isn't going to be funny. John visited and talked and said mom was very "with it" tonight. He fed her dinner (basically, what I mean by fed her a meal is that we cut up the food and turn the plate while she eats. She doesn't see things on the left side and will often leave half the left side of the plate filled with food. We also make sure she doesn't choke or cough and has a napkin when she needs it). They watched TV together. John tucked her in and left for the night.
Pray for an easy week for mom and peace with her new roommate,
~Claud
Mom Update, August 21, 2011, Sunday
Hi everyone.
I started the day with mom. She was asleep when I arrived but she woke up as I was setting up the room. Her breakfast came but I had gotten her eggs and a slice of low sodium ham and potatoes with onions and peppers. I also brought her decaf french vanilla latte. She ate all of her breakfast. I sat with mom after breakfast and played solitaire with her. It was the best she has ever done to date. I had to prompt her but she was able to follow directions of touching the correct card and dragging it to the correct place. She enjoyed playing the game. We have been noticing that she doesn't see many things on the left side and at times she couldn't focus on a card if it was on the left side of the screen. The CNA came in and got her ready for the day. Anthony, COn, Anthony Michael and Sam came and they brought mom an iced decaf coffee. Mom sipped it and kept in on her tray to keep sipping it throughout the day. Anthony wanted to show me how he practices standing with mom. He places her hands on the arms of the chair and shows her where to push to stand. She tried a few times but could only lift her bottom off the chair. Anthony kept working with her. I left but they mentioned going outside with mom so I think that is what they did. Dad came while Anthony and Con were with mom.
Dad stayed with mom all day.I came back in the evening to put mom to bed. When I got there I saw the wipe off board on the bed with a clock drawn on it. Dad said he was working on time with mom. Dad left and I stayed with mom. Mom was eating dinner when I arrived and she ate all of her dinner. During dinner mom said, "I didn't do well with daddy today." I didn't know what she meant so she clarified by saying, "with the time." OH! She didn't do well with telling time. I showed her the clock dad drew and asked if that was it and she said yes I can't remember. I took out the foam clock that she has and worked only on telling time to the hour. She had a difficult time focusing on the hands and numbers. Kathy and JoAnn came and JoAnn brought her a new pig! It is the LOL. Rollover pig. You turn it on and when you move past the sensor it laughs hysterically and rolls over and over. Mom loved it. She kept saying where do you turn it off, so we showed her and then she would say where do you turn it on, let's see it. We all laughed and talked and had a great time. Mom said she needed to use the bathroom and looked as if she were going to get up out of the wheel chair so Kathy said ok stand up. I went on one side of mom and Kathy on the other and we placed her hands where they needed to be like Anthony does and I put my foot in front of hers like Con does and she boosted herself up to a standing position but quickly sat down again. We praised her for her efforts. She kept saying but I didn't stand long or I didn't do anything. We kept telling her that we were leaving for Boston tomorrow. She said she will miss us. When mom was being put into bed tonight she gave the CNA a kiss and thanked her for all she does for mom. I heard the CNA's voice crack when she spoke to mom (she was touched by the gesture).
Kathy and JoAnn left and I stayed with mom. We had a great time together holding hands and talking. Mom asked to call Ava. Ava has been on mom's mind since she moved to Brooklyn. We called Ava and mom was able to follow a conversation and ask appropriate questions. Mom even made a joke when Ava listed all the kids she has met, mom said, "so you don't have any friends huh?" and then laughed. She said goodbye and told Ava she loved her and missed her. Then we turned on the TV and there was a cooking show where they baked dinosaur cakes so we called Anthony Michael. I told Anthony that mom stood up. He also praised her and said to keep trying but only if there is someone there. Mom talked to Con and asked her how she was feeling and how was her back. She told Con, "I am thinking of you everyday and I pray for you." (How ironic - we all think of her everyday and pray for her!) I set up mom for the night and sat with her a little while longer and she said, "I don't know how I will ever repay you kids, I love you all so much." I started to cry and told her that we are only giving back all the love she gave us. She also said, "so I am going to be here a long time huh?" I told her no and that every day she is making progress and she is closer and closer to going home. We said our prayers, I put the mitts on her (which is now a joke - she tells us all the minute we leave she is taking them off!). I kissed her and left. (I hope I remembered everything - my mind is on packing for Boston).
Peace and Love to all,
~Claud
I started the day with mom. She was asleep when I arrived but she woke up as I was setting up the room. Her breakfast came but I had gotten her eggs and a slice of low sodium ham and potatoes with onions and peppers. I also brought her decaf french vanilla latte. She ate all of her breakfast. I sat with mom after breakfast and played solitaire with her. It was the best she has ever done to date. I had to prompt her but she was able to follow directions of touching the correct card and dragging it to the correct place. She enjoyed playing the game. We have been noticing that she doesn't see many things on the left side and at times she couldn't focus on a card if it was on the left side of the screen. The CNA came in and got her ready for the day. Anthony, COn, Anthony Michael and Sam came and they brought mom an iced decaf coffee. Mom sipped it and kept in on her tray to keep sipping it throughout the day. Anthony wanted to show me how he practices standing with mom. He places her hands on the arms of the chair and shows her where to push to stand. She tried a few times but could only lift her bottom off the chair. Anthony kept working with her. I left but they mentioned going outside with mom so I think that is what they did. Dad came while Anthony and Con were with mom.
Dad stayed with mom all day.I came back in the evening to put mom to bed. When I got there I saw the wipe off board on the bed with a clock drawn on it. Dad said he was working on time with mom. Dad left and I stayed with mom. Mom was eating dinner when I arrived and she ate all of her dinner. During dinner mom said, "I didn't do well with daddy today." I didn't know what she meant so she clarified by saying, "with the time." OH! She didn't do well with telling time. I showed her the clock dad drew and asked if that was it and she said yes I can't remember. I took out the foam clock that she has and worked only on telling time to the hour. She had a difficult time focusing on the hands and numbers. Kathy and JoAnn came and JoAnn brought her a new pig! It is the LOL. Rollover pig. You turn it on and when you move past the sensor it laughs hysterically and rolls over and over. Mom loved it. She kept saying where do you turn it off, so we showed her and then she would say where do you turn it on, let's see it. We all laughed and talked and had a great time. Mom said she needed to use the bathroom and looked as if she were going to get up out of the wheel chair so Kathy said ok stand up. I went on one side of mom and Kathy on the other and we placed her hands where they needed to be like Anthony does and I put my foot in front of hers like Con does and she boosted herself up to a standing position but quickly sat down again. We praised her for her efforts. She kept saying but I didn't stand long or I didn't do anything. We kept telling her that we were leaving for Boston tomorrow. She said she will miss us. When mom was being put into bed tonight she gave the CNA a kiss and thanked her for all she does for mom. I heard the CNA's voice crack when she spoke to mom (she was touched by the gesture).
Kathy and JoAnn left and I stayed with mom. We had a great time together holding hands and talking. Mom asked to call Ava. Ava has been on mom's mind since she moved to Brooklyn. We called Ava and mom was able to follow a conversation and ask appropriate questions. Mom even made a joke when Ava listed all the kids she has met, mom said, "so you don't have any friends huh?" and then laughed. She said goodbye and told Ava she loved her and missed her. Then we turned on the TV and there was a cooking show where they baked dinosaur cakes so we called Anthony Michael. I told Anthony that mom stood up. He also praised her and said to keep trying but only if there is someone there. Mom talked to Con and asked her how she was feeling and how was her back. She told Con, "I am thinking of you everyday and I pray for you." (How ironic - we all think of her everyday and pray for her!) I set up mom for the night and sat with her a little while longer and she said, "I don't know how I will ever repay you kids, I love you all so much." I started to cry and told her that we are only giving back all the love she gave us. She also said, "so I am going to be here a long time huh?" I told her no and that every day she is making progress and she is closer and closer to going home. We said our prayers, I put the mitts on her (which is now a joke - she tells us all the minute we leave she is taking them off!). I kissed her and left. (I hope I remembered everything - my mind is on packing for Boston).
Peace and Love to all,
~Claud
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Mom Update, August 20, 2011, Saturday
As she ate breakfast this morning, mom looked at me and said, “Kathy, I’m so scared.” “Why?” I asked. Mom said, “I’m afraid of strokes.” I reassured her and told her that she was doing great now. Then she said, “Kathy, I’m becoming an invalid.” I reassured her again. I marvel at the ingenious ways that mom negotiates the world now…the way she patiently and pleasantly alternates using a fork and a spoon to eat scrambled eggs or the way she calmly and persistently tried to open all her food containers for breakfast (and successfully too). As I typed, mom looked at me and stared and said, “You look so pretty.” She continually asked for dad. she said she missed him. Mom asked what she would be doing today---she asked if she had therapy or not.
Mom said she had a bad sleep last night. She said she had bad dreams---“disturbing dreams.” She said she wished she could remember what she dreamt. She said one part of her dream involved trying to walk up a flight of stairs but she just couldn’t get to the top…the stairs kept growing and growing taller and taller. She said she couldn’t remember the rest right now.
I began to have mom practice opening the containers they bring her for breakfast. She opened the lid on the farina and the coffee but she couldn’t open the juice container (an aluminum cover---I tried and couldn’t open it either!!). We joked that they give people who had a stroke such a difficult container to open!
Mom is a veracious reader and she reads all the environmental print around her…especially at meal times. She reads the containers and the menus; she also reads the print on her walls too. She also studies all the pictures and reads all the writing on and around them. Mom was awake when I arrived this morning. She was trying to call the “nurse” as loudly as she could, which wasn’t very loud. She had a detailed, in-depth conversation about my life and how Lenny and I both are now. She asked many questions. The details of my life, she remembers…strange, since she typically forgets so much else.
Dad called mom and they talked on the phone as they always do in the morning. They laughed and referred to each other with terms of endearment and threw each other kisses. They are so cute. Of course, there is always the piece of conversation where mom speaks too softly and dad can’ hear her so he answers incorrectly!! Too funny!
After breakfast, we did the calendar. Mom had no idea about how to read it today, she was tired. We went over the day and date and year—all with the prompt of telling her what the prior day’s information was. Then, she knew the answers. The only constant is that mom remembers the month. Mom fell asleep during the end of our calendar conversation so, since it is Saturday, I let her rest. She napped for an hour and I straightened her room while she napped. When mom woke, we did a crossword puzzle.
Clue: Leopard features Mom: Spots
Clue: “A case of ____ die…” Mom: “Do or”
Clue: Fairytale heavy Mom: “Ogre”
Clue: Krakatoa outflow Mom: Lava
Clue: Van Gogh’s “The ___ Night” Mom: Starry
Clue: Hocus ___ Mom: Pocus
Clue: Al Pacino film set in NYC Mom: “Dog Day Afternoon”
Clue: English elevator Mom: Lift
Clue: George C. Scott film Mom: Patton
Clue: “All the world’s a ___” Mom: Stage
Mom was washed and dressed next. The 2 CNAs who helped mom this morning were wonderful with her. They assisted her with getting from the bed to the wheelchair using the slide board. One side of the board goes on the bed and the other side goes on the wheelchair and the idea is for mom to slide on the board from one place to the other. She was afraid to do it. The CNAs were so encouraging and they took so much time to explain how to do each step of the process of sliding---they even demonstrated it for mom. The 2 women were so into helping mom learn how to do it. They even talked about faith and God and what a miracle mom and the progress she made is.We put her make up on (she still mentions the blue make up bag that she wants from home and we can’t find).
Anthony, Con and dad joined us next. Anthony is so skillful at teaching mom how to exercise her legs and also to stand. He sits on a chair in front of mom and models every step of how to stand up--- First, hold the end of the arm on the chair, then lift your elbows, then lift up at the hands and wrist, then brace your feet and stand. Anthony and I also gently held mom at the elbows (one of us at each side of her) and lifted her elbows with her as she tried to stand. We repeated the process at least 10 times and each time mom stood higher and higher. The last 3 times we tried it, dad and Anthony assisted at the elbows and I gave mom a boost at the butt in order for her to stand up straight. She never stood straight up, but she came close at one point. She kept saying she was afraid of falling. She also said she gets dizzy---she and I prayed earlier about not getting dizzy and she wasn’t dizzy today! Please pray that mom actually, boldly takes some steps and walks. Thanks!
Mom ate sweet and sour chicken and rice for lunch. She did well—but I noticed a small piece of string bean and carrot at the stoma (hole in her throat). I am not sure if it fell there or if mom aspirated. We will keep an eye on it. Mom also brushed her teeth by herself using a toothbrush for the first time this morning!! She knew what to do and remembered how to do it. She tried to floss her teeth—and though she knew how to hold the floss and what to do—she didn’t have the strength to floss them.
We all went outside for a while this afternoon and Terry joined the gang. We read, talked, laughed… Anthony and Con bought mom some 5 lb. weights for her arms. She complained they were heavy but began using them with her right hand alone and the left hand with the support of her right hand! She didn’t lift them like you or I would, but she was lifting them! God bless her! She spoke on the phone to Angelo and Madeline and told them she was, “OK but I can’t go home for another 1 or 2 weeks yet” (I don’t know where she got that number!!). We all sat and talked and enjoyed each other’s company. Some of mom’s old CNAs and nurses saw us all outside and marveled at her progress. She is truly a miracle.
Terry put mom to bed tonight. Dad and I went out to dinner.
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak..." Isaiah 40:29
Mom said she had a bad sleep last night. She said she had bad dreams---“disturbing dreams.” She said she wished she could remember what she dreamt. She said one part of her dream involved trying to walk up a flight of stairs but she just couldn’t get to the top…the stairs kept growing and growing taller and taller. She said she couldn’t remember the rest right now.
I began to have mom practice opening the containers they bring her for breakfast. She opened the lid on the farina and the coffee but she couldn’t open the juice container (an aluminum cover---I tried and couldn’t open it either!!). We joked that they give people who had a stroke such a difficult container to open!
Mom is a veracious reader and she reads all the environmental print around her…especially at meal times. She reads the containers and the menus; she also reads the print on her walls too. She also studies all the pictures and reads all the writing on and around them. Mom was awake when I arrived this morning. She was trying to call the “nurse” as loudly as she could, which wasn’t very loud. She had a detailed, in-depth conversation about my life and how Lenny and I both are now. She asked many questions. The details of my life, she remembers…strange, since she typically forgets so much else.
Dad called mom and they talked on the phone as they always do in the morning. They laughed and referred to each other with terms of endearment and threw each other kisses. They are so cute. Of course, there is always the piece of conversation where mom speaks too softly and dad can’ hear her so he answers incorrectly!! Too funny!
After breakfast, we did the calendar. Mom had no idea about how to read it today, she was tired. We went over the day and date and year—all with the prompt of telling her what the prior day’s information was. Then, she knew the answers. The only constant is that mom remembers the month. Mom fell asleep during the end of our calendar conversation so, since it is Saturday, I let her rest. She napped for an hour and I straightened her room while she napped. When mom woke, we did a crossword puzzle.
Clue: Leopard features Mom: Spots
Clue: “A case of ____ die…” Mom: “Do or”
Clue: Fairytale heavy Mom: “Ogre”
Clue: Krakatoa outflow Mom: Lava
Clue: Van Gogh’s “The ___ Night” Mom: Starry
Clue: Hocus ___ Mom: Pocus
Clue: Al Pacino film set in NYC Mom: “Dog Day Afternoon”
Clue: English elevator Mom: Lift
Clue: George C. Scott film Mom: Patton
Clue: “All the world’s a ___” Mom: Stage
Mom was washed and dressed next. The 2 CNAs who helped mom this morning were wonderful with her. They assisted her with getting from the bed to the wheelchair using the slide board. One side of the board goes on the bed and the other side goes on the wheelchair and the idea is for mom to slide on the board from one place to the other. She was afraid to do it. The CNAs were so encouraging and they took so much time to explain how to do each step of the process of sliding---they even demonstrated it for mom. The 2 women were so into helping mom learn how to do it. They even talked about faith and God and what a miracle mom and the progress she made is.We put her make up on (she still mentions the blue make up bag that she wants from home and we can’t find).
Anthony, Con and dad joined us next. Anthony is so skillful at teaching mom how to exercise her legs and also to stand. He sits on a chair in front of mom and models every step of how to stand up--- First, hold the end of the arm on the chair, then lift your elbows, then lift up at the hands and wrist, then brace your feet and stand. Anthony and I also gently held mom at the elbows (one of us at each side of her) and lifted her elbows with her as she tried to stand. We repeated the process at least 10 times and each time mom stood higher and higher. The last 3 times we tried it, dad and Anthony assisted at the elbows and I gave mom a boost at the butt in order for her to stand up straight. She never stood straight up, but she came close at one point. She kept saying she was afraid of falling. She also said she gets dizzy---she and I prayed earlier about not getting dizzy and she wasn’t dizzy today! Please pray that mom actually, boldly takes some steps and walks. Thanks!
Mom ate sweet and sour chicken and rice for lunch. She did well—but I noticed a small piece of string bean and carrot at the stoma (hole in her throat). I am not sure if it fell there or if mom aspirated. We will keep an eye on it. Mom also brushed her teeth by herself using a toothbrush for the first time this morning!! She knew what to do and remembered how to do it. She tried to floss her teeth—and though she knew how to hold the floss and what to do—she didn’t have the strength to floss them.
We all went outside for a while this afternoon and Terry joined the gang. We read, talked, laughed… Anthony and Con bought mom some 5 lb. weights for her arms. She complained they were heavy but began using them with her right hand alone and the left hand with the support of her right hand! She didn’t lift them like you or I would, but she was lifting them! God bless her! She spoke on the phone to Angelo and Madeline and told them she was, “OK but I can’t go home for another 1 or 2 weeks yet” (I don’t know where she got that number!!). We all sat and talked and enjoyed each other’s company. Some of mom’s old CNAs and nurses saw us all outside and marveled at her progress. She is truly a miracle.
Terry put mom to bed tonight. Dad and I went out to dinner.
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak..." Isaiah 40:29
Friday, August 19, 2011
Mom Update, August 19, 2011, Friday
Mom’s update August 19th,2011I started the day with mom. Mom was out
cold when I got there. I opened the shades, put her glasses on and
hearing aids in. I called John and Ava and mom spoke to Ava. Mom asked
Ava how she was and she said great. Mom said you could have at least
said you miss me! Mom was taken for a shower and I left to go to Target
to get a few things. I saw a nurse outside the elevator that Anthony,
Con and I saw a year ago. We went to see this nurse to complain about a few
things and at that time the nurse tried to convince us to go to family therapy (all
of us – my whole family) because we were unrealistic. The nurse told us my
mother would never be off the vent and that she will never leave the facility.
When I saw the nurse today, I said, “Can I talk to you a minute?” The nurse said sure. I told the nurse that we (my brother and sister-in-law and I) had spoken to her a year ago and at that time she had told us we needed family therapy because we weren’t realistic
and that my mom would never be off the respirator. She said, “I never
said that, I don’t have a crystal ball and I can’t predict the future.”
I asked her if she remembered talking to us about therapy and she said
we were in distress so she suggested therapy. I said to her, “If people
are in distress then they need encouragement and not to be told that she will
never recover.” I also told her that she said we needed therapy because
we were unrealistic. She said, “Oh but your mom is doing great now isn’t
she? That’s great.” She kept avoiding the conversation. Basically, I
just wanted to tell her how I felt without getting emotional like I
usually am. God was with me because I usually cry when confronting. The
whole conversation was calm but I made my point. Even if all this nurse learns from
this is not to do that to another family then it was worth telling
her.
When I got back from Target the speech therapist came in. She wanted
to tell a family member about speech therapy. The therapist said that speech isn’t
discontinuing for mom after all. Mom has mastered the feeding goals so
the therapist is now working on speech and language goals (no really?!?!?!) She is
working on pictures that have an absurdity in them and mom has to tell
what is wrong with the picture. Mom has difficulty with this so we are
looking for an app that we can download for her. I purchased sequencing
cards (3 part) and a book with 4 part sequencing with matching text. I
am going to laminate the cards (Anthony Michael is going to color in the
pictures to make it more interesting). ~Claud
Dad and Anthony helped mom do some leg exercises. Mom did them all really well (lifted legs at knees—both sides, wiggling ankles…). Anthony also tried to get mom to stand up from the wheelchair. She actually held the arms of the chair and then lifted her butt up from the chair but mom told me later that she is afraid she will fall.
Mom is in the new wheelchair with the low back. As per dad, she did well in PT. She shuffled along a few steps (mom said it was with 4-5 people holding her up---but the PT didn’t tell dad that!!). Mom also did well in OT today. The OT said that they will work to get mom a commode in her room since mom can now slide from bed to chair using the board. Mom also had Speech today since the speech therapist felt that mom could now work on associations, sequencing, and what’s missing types of activities. Today, a new speech person worked with mom and had mom work on sequencing. Dad, who is becoming quite the therapist now, felt that the manner in which the activities were presented didn’t make sense. Dad felt that the language the therapist used didn’t make sense. The therapist said something like, “Which is first, second and third” after laying 3 pictures on the table. Dad felt the therapist should have introduced each picture first and then asked which order the events should go in. He made sense!! Mom needed scaffolding but did fairly well.
When I arrived this afternoon, I walked in mom’s room to find the TV on, dad sleeping in a chair soundly!!! And mom leaning forward in the wheelchair reaching for her glasses which had fallen on the floor!!! Thank God she didn’t fall on her head on the floor!!!! Close call. Dad couldn’t even be roused after a few minutes of trying---that’s how soundly he was sleeping. The facility or floor has new bed tables---they are not good for someone in a wheelchair because there is a bar that runs down the middle of the mount about 3 inches off the floor. A person in a wheelchair can easily get his/her feet caught in the bar. The bar also prevents the table from moving close to the wheelchair, which forces the person to lean unnaturally forward in a dangerous manner. We need to get the old table back if possible.
After dinner (mom ate it all—roast chicken and cole slaw and jello), mom’s old respiratory therapist and CNA came to visit her. The CNA’s baby came too! Mom loved the baby!! The respiratory therapist hadn’t seen mom in a few months so the therapist was amazed at mom and the progress she’s made!! Mom talked to them both and the baby as well. When the left, mom thanked the therapist for taking care of her. The therapist was shocked!!!
We worked on sequence cards for a while. Mom kept asking me what we were going to work on next whenever there was a lull in the activities. Mom did fairly well with the sequence cards. She was able to explain what was happening on each card and had pretty logical explanations for sequencing them in the way that she did. At one point, I told mom we would begin to work on teethbrushing tomorrow and I showed her 2 toothbrushes that had covers on the top. She asked how to open them and I began to show her in my “teacher manner” and she said, “Ohhh reeeally? Do you think I’m an idiot?” and laughed!! Then she showed ME how to open them!!! Hahahaha! I didn’t know how!! She joked with dad a lot. When I left, she said she felt sad because everyone was leaving (dad stayed to tuck her in). I told her I would stay but she said, “No, you’ve done enough already.” Too funny.
Dad stayed with mom until bedtime. Mom and dad love each other so much...their love for each other is a beautiful thing to watch. We all can't wait until mom is home with us again.
‘Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed’ ” (Luke 8:49–50 NLT).
cold when I got there. I opened the shades, put her glasses on and
hearing aids in. I called John and Ava and mom spoke to Ava. Mom asked
Ava how she was and she said great. Mom said you could have at least
said you miss me! Mom was taken for a shower and I left to go to Target
to get a few things. I saw a nurse outside the elevator that Anthony,
Con and I saw a year ago. We went to see this nurse to complain about a few
things and at that time the nurse tried to convince us to go to family therapy (all
of us – my whole family) because we were unrealistic. The nurse told us my
mother would never be off the vent and that she will never leave the facility.
When I saw the nurse today, I said, “Can I talk to you a minute?” The nurse said sure. I told the nurse that we (my brother and sister-in-law and I) had spoken to her a year ago and at that time she had told us we needed family therapy because we weren’t realistic
and that my mom would never be off the respirator. She said, “I never
said that, I don’t have a crystal ball and I can’t predict the future.”
I asked her if she remembered talking to us about therapy and she said
we were in distress so she suggested therapy. I said to her, “If people
are in distress then they need encouragement and not to be told that she will
never recover.” I also told her that she said we needed therapy because
we were unrealistic. She said, “Oh but your mom is doing great now isn’t
she? That’s great.” She kept avoiding the conversation. Basically, I
just wanted to tell her how I felt without getting emotional like I
usually am. God was with me because I usually cry when confronting. The
whole conversation was calm but I made my point. Even if all this nurse learns from
this is not to do that to another family then it was worth telling
her.
When I got back from Target the speech therapist came in. She wanted
to tell a family member about speech therapy. The therapist said that speech isn’t
discontinuing for mom after all. Mom has mastered the feeding goals so
the therapist is now working on speech and language goals (no really?!?!?!) She is
working on pictures that have an absurdity in them and mom has to tell
what is wrong with the picture. Mom has difficulty with this so we are
looking for an app that we can download for her. I purchased sequencing
cards (3 part) and a book with 4 part sequencing with matching text. I
am going to laminate the cards (Anthony Michael is going to color in the
pictures to make it more interesting). ~Claud
Dad and Anthony helped mom do some leg exercises. Mom did them all really well (lifted legs at knees—both sides, wiggling ankles…). Anthony also tried to get mom to stand up from the wheelchair. She actually held the arms of the chair and then lifted her butt up from the chair but mom told me later that she is afraid she will fall.
Mom is in the new wheelchair with the low back. As per dad, she did well in PT. She shuffled along a few steps (mom said it was with 4-5 people holding her up---but the PT didn’t tell dad that!!). Mom also did well in OT today. The OT said that they will work to get mom a commode in her room since mom can now slide from bed to chair using the board. Mom also had Speech today since the speech therapist felt that mom could now work on associations, sequencing, and what’s missing types of activities. Today, a new speech person worked with mom and had mom work on sequencing. Dad, who is becoming quite the therapist now, felt that the manner in which the activities were presented didn’t make sense. Dad felt that the language the therapist used didn’t make sense. The therapist said something like, “Which is first, second and third” after laying 3 pictures on the table. Dad felt the therapist should have introduced each picture first and then asked which order the events should go in. He made sense!! Mom needed scaffolding but did fairly well.
When I arrived this afternoon, I walked in mom’s room to find the TV on, dad sleeping in a chair soundly!!! And mom leaning forward in the wheelchair reaching for her glasses which had fallen on the floor!!! Thank God she didn’t fall on her head on the floor!!!! Close call. Dad couldn’t even be roused after a few minutes of trying---that’s how soundly he was sleeping. The facility or floor has new bed tables---they are not good for someone in a wheelchair because there is a bar that runs down the middle of the mount about 3 inches off the floor. A person in a wheelchair can easily get his/her feet caught in the bar. The bar also prevents the table from moving close to the wheelchair, which forces the person to lean unnaturally forward in a dangerous manner. We need to get the old table back if possible.
After dinner (mom ate it all—roast chicken and cole slaw and jello), mom’s old respiratory therapist and CNA came to visit her. The CNA’s baby came too! Mom loved the baby!! The respiratory therapist hadn’t seen mom in a few months so the therapist was amazed at mom and the progress she’s made!! Mom talked to them both and the baby as well. When the left, mom thanked the therapist for taking care of her. The therapist was shocked!!!
We worked on sequence cards for a while. Mom kept asking me what we were going to work on next whenever there was a lull in the activities. Mom did fairly well with the sequence cards. She was able to explain what was happening on each card and had pretty logical explanations for sequencing them in the way that she did. At one point, I told mom we would begin to work on teethbrushing tomorrow and I showed her 2 toothbrushes that had covers on the top. She asked how to open them and I began to show her in my “teacher manner” and she said, “Ohhh reeeally? Do you think I’m an idiot?” and laughed!! Then she showed ME how to open them!!! Hahahaha! I didn’t know how!! She joked with dad a lot. When I left, she said she felt sad because everyone was leaving (dad stayed to tuck her in). I told her I would stay but she said, “No, you’ve done enough already.” Too funny.
Dad stayed with mom until bedtime. Mom and dad love each other so much...their love for each other is a beautiful thing to watch. We all can't wait until mom is home with us again.
‘Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed’ ” (Luke 8:49–50 NLT).
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Mom Update, August 18, 2011, Thursday
Mom’s update Thursday, August 18th, 2011
When I walked into mom’s room this morning she was sitting up in bed with the mitts off and the bed remote in her hand. Go figure. I can’t wait for the feeding tube to come out so we can ditch the mitts. We may have to rethink the whole mitt thing. I made her an egg beater omelet this morning. She ate it all. I asked the staff to get her ready early because there was a Catholic service today in the dining room and I know she would love to go.
The service was great and mom received Communion for the first time in a long time. Mom said the prayers and sang the songs. Anthony came in the middle of the service and we both went back to her room after the service was over. Anthony had mom do leg exercises in her wheel chair. He moved the leg pieces and had her try to sit forward. The more she sits forward the more she won’t get dizzy. He also had her shift her weight from side to side. He showed her by modeling in a chair facing her where to put her hands and how to push. She was moving her legs a lot with Anthony. Mom had a chest x-ray today when Anthony was there. I was told that the x-ray was done already and it was clear but obviously not. Anthony put her gloves on and left. The OT and PT were in the hall coming to take mom to therapy.
Mom has a new wheel chair as of today. This wheel chair will have her seated straight up instead of lying back like the old chair. Her feet will also hang straight down instead of on a slant. This will all help with her walking posture. The PT spoke to dad and told her mom did well today. She shuffled her feet when she walked in PT and didn’t stand up straight. She would stand up straight but not walk. The two have to integrate – posture and walking. Mom had speech today?!?! Go figure! We were told that speech was being discontinued. (I am a little suspicious since the speech person told us in the beginning of the week that there was no more that could be done with mom)
Dad came back from upstate. Mom had been telling me that she missed dad. She was happy to see him. She asked how upstate was. She asked for Kathy. Mom didn’t eat her dinner. She grabbed the dessert and ate it all but didn’t eat dinner. Mom and dad spent the evening watching TV and holding hands. Dad prepared her for bed and kissed her and said her prayers and left.
Peace and Love,
~Claud
When I walked into mom’s room this morning she was sitting up in bed with the mitts off and the bed remote in her hand. Go figure. I can’t wait for the feeding tube to come out so we can ditch the mitts. We may have to rethink the whole mitt thing. I made her an egg beater omelet this morning. She ate it all. I asked the staff to get her ready early because there was a Catholic service today in the dining room and I know she would love to go.
The service was great and mom received Communion for the first time in a long time. Mom said the prayers and sang the songs. Anthony came in the middle of the service and we both went back to her room after the service was over. Anthony had mom do leg exercises in her wheel chair. He moved the leg pieces and had her try to sit forward. The more she sits forward the more she won’t get dizzy. He also had her shift her weight from side to side. He showed her by modeling in a chair facing her where to put her hands and how to push. She was moving her legs a lot with Anthony. Mom had a chest x-ray today when Anthony was there. I was told that the x-ray was done already and it was clear but obviously not. Anthony put her gloves on and left. The OT and PT were in the hall coming to take mom to therapy.
Mom has a new wheel chair as of today. This wheel chair will have her seated straight up instead of lying back like the old chair. Her feet will also hang straight down instead of on a slant. This will all help with her walking posture. The PT spoke to dad and told her mom did well today. She shuffled her feet when she walked in PT and didn’t stand up straight. She would stand up straight but not walk. The two have to integrate – posture and walking. Mom had speech today?!?! Go figure! We were told that speech was being discontinued. (I am a little suspicious since the speech person told us in the beginning of the week that there was no more that could be done with mom)
Dad came back from upstate. Mom had been telling me that she missed dad. She was happy to see him. She asked how upstate was. She asked for Kathy. Mom didn’t eat her dinner. She grabbed the dessert and ate it all but didn’t eat dinner. Mom and dad spent the evening watching TV and holding hands. Dad prepared her for bed and kissed her and said her prayers and left.
Peace and Love,
~Claud
Mom Update, August 17, 2011, Wednesday
Mom’s update Wednesday, August 17th, 2011
John and I started the day with mom. She was sound asleep when we came in. We waited a little to let her rest and began to set up the room for the morning, opening shades, removing the mitts, and picking up the mats from the floor next to her bed. We then moved her up in the bed because she slouches down to the foot of the bed by morning. I put her hearing aids in and her glasses on and her breakfast came. John fed mom breakfast and Ava and I left to go to an appointment. When I came back mom had finished her breakfast and she and John were talking. John stayed a while and then left with Ava. I tried a new activity with mom this morning. It is a wooden base with three rods sticking out of it. There are three different shapes that are placed on each rod. One rod is threaded like a bolt and the circular shapes get screwed on to it. One rod has two bumps on it at the same height and then two more bumps further down. You need to find the shape with two indents and place it on top and turn. You then have to turn the shape again to get it over the next two bumps. The third rod has three bumps and you need to place the shape on the rod and then turn it over the first set of bumps and then turn it again over the next set of bumps. There is a lot of thought that goes it into completing the task. You first need to think about what shape goes on what rod purely by the bumps and indents. Next you need to motor plan to place the shape on the rod and then turn it past both sets of bumps. One of the things Kathy and I learned when we went to the OT workshop in June is that it is not just important to complete the task but to increase the time in which you complete the task. The fluid motion is very important. For mom, her attention span has been compromised due to the stroke and aneurysm. She will begin a task quickly and then pause for a long time. When I try to redirect her she has forgotten what she was supposed to do. We then tried to string beads but the task didn’t make sense to her. She kept trying to remove the bead that was tied onto the end of the string as a stopper. I then tried to just make a knot and have her use the string that way but it didn’t help.
The PT came in and showed the CNA how to transfer mom from the bed. First they remove the arm rest from the wheel chair. Her care plan has been changed and she is now a slide board transfer. They have mom turn on her side and hold the bed rails and then lift her left leg by lifting her left knee. She then lifts herself up to a sitting position while moving her legs off the bed. They then place a board as a bridge form under her bottom to the wheel chair. She slides across the board onto the wheel chair.
Her OT came to take her to OT. When she was wheeling her back I walked with her and asked how she is doing. The OT said she had a difficult time paying attention and remaining focused. That is the same thing I saw this morning with the shape and rod activity. She told me an activity to practice so once she was in the room (before lunch) I did the activity with her. I hold something up on her left side (affected side) and ask her to tell me what color it is (focus on object on affected side and answer a cognitive question related to attribute). Then I ask her to take the object with her left hand and put it in her right. She then has a chair placed on her right side but pushed back a little. She has to turn her trunk and place the object on the chair. We did this over and over until lunch came. She did pretty well with the task. I supported her left arm by placing my hand under her elbow. Lunch came and mom put the fork in her left hand and held the food steady while she cut with a knife in her right hand. I was impressed! Food has unfortunately always been a highly motivating thing for mom (and me!).
After lunch we tackled the shapes and rods again and I was trying to get her to keep working without stopping. She was a little annoyed at my insistence on staying on task, but when I explained why she was ok. I then gave her a choice of catalogs to ook at and she chose a cookware catalog. I put the cooking channel on. There is bowling today (Real bowling with a ramp) at 2:30 so I gave her some down time before bowling. We went to bowling but it wasn’t for mom. The group of people were not responsive and the game was being played on the table with a ball being pushed. I took her out and we went and sat outside for a little while.
When we came back in we did some math worksheets. She was able to count objects in a scene and then trace the number. We also did a worksheet where she had to draw the correct number of objects and she did well with that (drawing circles). We also did a worksheet with a missing number in a series. She did well with that too!
We then played memory with cards that have photos of everyday objects. Each time a card was turned over I would turn it face down and ask her what card it was and she started to be able to remember the cards. I kept chaining the cards before and she could remember three or four cards and where they were. We then took out the deck of playing cards and I tried the story about the queen of hearts and mom made the same jokes over and over and kept laughing hysterically. We had a good laugh together.
I then let her choose a DVD to watch on my computer. She chose MASH. We watched MASH until dinner. It is one of her favorite shows. Dinner came and she ate all of it. We did a jigsaw puzzle for awhile, but she had a lot of difficulty. She wanted to talk to dad so we called him and she also spoke to Kathy. Con called and explained that she hurt her neck and was not feeling well. Mom heard some of the conversation and was concerned about Con. Later in the evening she said, “How’s Con, can I call her?” so we called Con and mom asked her how she was and how her neck was. Anthony called and spoke to mom and mom talked back. She asked about something and said she would say a prayer for the person. We then put on Storage Wars on
A & E and mom was so into it. When I left for the night she said to leave it on because she was enjoying it. Mom was put in bed very late tonight. Long story. I said a prayer and gave her a kiss goodnight.
Peace, Love and Sweet Dreams to All!
~Claud
John and I started the day with mom. She was sound asleep when we came in. We waited a little to let her rest and began to set up the room for the morning, opening shades, removing the mitts, and picking up the mats from the floor next to her bed. We then moved her up in the bed because she slouches down to the foot of the bed by morning. I put her hearing aids in and her glasses on and her breakfast came. John fed mom breakfast and Ava and I left to go to an appointment. When I came back mom had finished her breakfast and she and John were talking. John stayed a while and then left with Ava. I tried a new activity with mom this morning. It is a wooden base with three rods sticking out of it. There are three different shapes that are placed on each rod. One rod is threaded like a bolt and the circular shapes get screwed on to it. One rod has two bumps on it at the same height and then two more bumps further down. You need to find the shape with two indents and place it on top and turn. You then have to turn the shape again to get it over the next two bumps. The third rod has three bumps and you need to place the shape on the rod and then turn it over the first set of bumps and then turn it again over the next set of bumps. There is a lot of thought that goes it into completing the task. You first need to think about what shape goes on what rod purely by the bumps and indents. Next you need to motor plan to place the shape on the rod and then turn it past both sets of bumps. One of the things Kathy and I learned when we went to the OT workshop in June is that it is not just important to complete the task but to increase the time in which you complete the task. The fluid motion is very important. For mom, her attention span has been compromised due to the stroke and aneurysm. She will begin a task quickly and then pause for a long time. When I try to redirect her she has forgotten what she was supposed to do. We then tried to string beads but the task didn’t make sense to her. She kept trying to remove the bead that was tied onto the end of the string as a stopper. I then tried to just make a knot and have her use the string that way but it didn’t help.
The PT came in and showed the CNA how to transfer mom from the bed. First they remove the arm rest from the wheel chair. Her care plan has been changed and she is now a slide board transfer. They have mom turn on her side and hold the bed rails and then lift her left leg by lifting her left knee. She then lifts herself up to a sitting position while moving her legs off the bed. They then place a board as a bridge form under her bottom to the wheel chair. She slides across the board onto the wheel chair.
Her OT came to take her to OT. When she was wheeling her back I walked with her and asked how she is doing. The OT said she had a difficult time paying attention and remaining focused. That is the same thing I saw this morning with the shape and rod activity. She told me an activity to practice so once she was in the room (before lunch) I did the activity with her. I hold something up on her left side (affected side) and ask her to tell me what color it is (focus on object on affected side and answer a cognitive question related to attribute). Then I ask her to take the object with her left hand and put it in her right. She then has a chair placed on her right side but pushed back a little. She has to turn her trunk and place the object on the chair. We did this over and over until lunch came. She did pretty well with the task. I supported her left arm by placing my hand under her elbow. Lunch came and mom put the fork in her left hand and held the food steady while she cut with a knife in her right hand. I was impressed! Food has unfortunately always been a highly motivating thing for mom (and me!).
After lunch we tackled the shapes and rods again and I was trying to get her to keep working without stopping. She was a little annoyed at my insistence on staying on task, but when I explained why she was ok. I then gave her a choice of catalogs to ook at and she chose a cookware catalog. I put the cooking channel on. There is bowling today (Real bowling with a ramp) at 2:30 so I gave her some down time before bowling. We went to bowling but it wasn’t for mom. The group of people were not responsive and the game was being played on the table with a ball being pushed. I took her out and we went and sat outside for a little while.
When we came back in we did some math worksheets. She was able to count objects in a scene and then trace the number. We also did a worksheet where she had to draw the correct number of objects and she did well with that (drawing circles). We also did a worksheet with a missing number in a series. She did well with that too!
We then played memory with cards that have photos of everyday objects. Each time a card was turned over I would turn it face down and ask her what card it was and she started to be able to remember the cards. I kept chaining the cards before and she could remember three or four cards and where they were. We then took out the deck of playing cards and I tried the story about the queen of hearts and mom made the same jokes over and over and kept laughing hysterically. We had a good laugh together.
I then let her choose a DVD to watch on my computer. She chose MASH. We watched MASH until dinner. It is one of her favorite shows. Dinner came and she ate all of it. We did a jigsaw puzzle for awhile, but she had a lot of difficulty. She wanted to talk to dad so we called him and she also spoke to Kathy. Con called and explained that she hurt her neck and was not feeling well. Mom heard some of the conversation and was concerned about Con. Later in the evening she said, “How’s Con, can I call her?” so we called Con and mom asked her how she was and how her neck was. Anthony called and spoke to mom and mom talked back. She asked about something and said she would say a prayer for the person. We then put on Storage Wars on
A & E and mom was so into it. When I left for the night she said to leave it on because she was enjoying it. Mom was put in bed very late tonight. Long story. I said a prayer and gave her a kiss goodnight.
Peace, Love and Sweet Dreams to All!
~Claud
Mom Update, August 16, 2011, Tuesday
Mom’s update Tuesday, August 16th, 2011
I started the day with mom and I brought her low fat turkey kielbasa. She smelled and said, “Ooooh what’s that?” I told her and I thought she was going to make a face when she heard “turkey” kielbasa but she didn’t. She was happy. I gave her the scrambled eggs that came with breakfast and the kielbasa and she ate it all. The speech therapist came in to check to see if she was on all thin liquids because she changed her care plan. Mom had normal decaf coffee from Dunkin Donuts today with no thickener! She loved every drop. Then an OT came in who hasn’t seen her since she was on the vent and before the operation. She just returned to the facility and when she saw mom’s name she wanted to go upstairs to see her. She was amazed! Mom lifted both arms followed commands and had a conversation with her. We have been trying to give her protein in the morning so she doesn’t crash. We noticed that if she eats carbs like pancakes or waffles and syrup she falls asleep. We made a few phone calls and she read the paper in the morning. She asked me when was the storm because there was an article about the flooding. Then Anthony came and he showed me how she can lift both legs. Mom was taken for a shower so Anthony and I stepped out.
Anthony returned after her shower and lunch came. The speech therapist came in to monitor how she was doing with thin liquids. They sat down in a room down the hall and looked out the window and mom commented on the trees and what flowers they had. Anthony also had her pull on the arms of the wheel chair to sit up straight. After lunch they talked because it took a long time for her to eat. The therapist came to take her to physical therapy. Anthony said to try hard in therapy and mom said I always try hard.
John and Ava came in the evening and mom was in the rec room with other residents watching TV. When she saw them she told them she wanted to leave and go home. They wheeled her to the room and she was very upset and told them she wanted her blue makeup box and no one is bringing it to her. It is luggage and I am afraid that if we bring it she will say, OK time to go I have my luggage! I am bringing it tomorrow for her. Maybe there is something in there that she wants but can’t tell us. They distracted her for a while but then she said she wanted her daughter Claudia and that Claudia is the one that puts her to bed. I told them I would go but the said they would work with her to calm her down. After dinner they took mom past the computer room and then outside. They said it was nice out and she wanted to go out. They also felt it would be a distraction. When they wheeled her through the door mom saw a man that looked like my dad’s cousin who past away last year while mom was in the facility. Mom doesn’t know he past away. John freaked out and called me but I told him she says that all the time. It is just a matter of time before she asks how “Ralphie” is. (That’s who he looks like) We all don’t know what to do about this. I may consult my friends who are social workers and see what they say. They played I spy and mom said I spy with my little eye something black and white (Ava’s pocketbook) and Ava said, “My dad’s hair” and mom laughed! Mom even guessed when Ava said I spy something gray (her pants). John took mom on a walk outside along the sidewalk and mom saw the handicap ramp and said, "OK, so pull up the car and I'll get in." Ava was teasing her father by saying when she moves to Brooklyn she is getting a tattoo and mom agreed! She actually said get your father’s face on your shoulder! John freaked! He said, “Hey this isn’t funny, there is no tattoo!” Later mom said, “So seriously Ava are you getting a tattoo on your shoulder?” John did not find this funny. John said she was very talkative. When they were getting ready to leave John said he might come tomorrow because he is off and mom said, “Don’t go out of your way.” She was calm by the time they left. Ava kissed her goodnight and mom said, “Promise me you won’t forget me?” There’s not much more to say after that…
Forget her? Little does she know how many lives she has already touched…
Peace and be well my friends,
~Claud
I started the day with mom and I brought her low fat turkey kielbasa. She smelled and said, “Ooooh what’s that?” I told her and I thought she was going to make a face when she heard “turkey” kielbasa but she didn’t. She was happy. I gave her the scrambled eggs that came with breakfast and the kielbasa and she ate it all. The speech therapist came in to check to see if she was on all thin liquids because she changed her care plan. Mom had normal decaf coffee from Dunkin Donuts today with no thickener! She loved every drop. Then an OT came in who hasn’t seen her since she was on the vent and before the operation. She just returned to the facility and when she saw mom’s name she wanted to go upstairs to see her. She was amazed! Mom lifted both arms followed commands and had a conversation with her. We have been trying to give her protein in the morning so she doesn’t crash. We noticed that if she eats carbs like pancakes or waffles and syrup she falls asleep. We made a few phone calls and she read the paper in the morning. She asked me when was the storm because there was an article about the flooding. Then Anthony came and he showed me how she can lift both legs. Mom was taken for a shower so Anthony and I stepped out.
Anthony returned after her shower and lunch came. The speech therapist came in to monitor how she was doing with thin liquids. They sat down in a room down the hall and looked out the window and mom commented on the trees and what flowers they had. Anthony also had her pull on the arms of the wheel chair to sit up straight. After lunch they talked because it took a long time for her to eat. The therapist came to take her to physical therapy. Anthony said to try hard in therapy and mom said I always try hard.
John and Ava came in the evening and mom was in the rec room with other residents watching TV. When she saw them she told them she wanted to leave and go home. They wheeled her to the room and she was very upset and told them she wanted her blue makeup box and no one is bringing it to her. It is luggage and I am afraid that if we bring it she will say, OK time to go I have my luggage! I am bringing it tomorrow for her. Maybe there is something in there that she wants but can’t tell us. They distracted her for a while but then she said she wanted her daughter Claudia and that Claudia is the one that puts her to bed. I told them I would go but the said they would work with her to calm her down. After dinner they took mom past the computer room and then outside. They said it was nice out and she wanted to go out. They also felt it would be a distraction. When they wheeled her through the door mom saw a man that looked like my dad’s cousin who past away last year while mom was in the facility. Mom doesn’t know he past away. John freaked out and called me but I told him she says that all the time. It is just a matter of time before she asks how “Ralphie” is. (That’s who he looks like) We all don’t know what to do about this. I may consult my friends who are social workers and see what they say. They played I spy and mom said I spy with my little eye something black and white (Ava’s pocketbook) and Ava said, “My dad’s hair” and mom laughed! Mom even guessed when Ava said I spy something gray (her pants). John took mom on a walk outside along the sidewalk and mom saw the handicap ramp and said, "OK, so pull up the car and I'll get in." Ava was teasing her father by saying when she moves to Brooklyn she is getting a tattoo and mom agreed! She actually said get your father’s face on your shoulder! John freaked! He said, “Hey this isn’t funny, there is no tattoo!” Later mom said, “So seriously Ava are you getting a tattoo on your shoulder?” John did not find this funny. John said she was very talkative. When they were getting ready to leave John said he might come tomorrow because he is off and mom said, “Don’t go out of your way.” She was calm by the time they left. Ava kissed her goodnight and mom said, “Promise me you won’t forget me?” There’s not much more to say after that…
Forget her? Little does she know how many lives she has already touched…
Peace and be well my friends,
~Claud
Mom Update, August 15, 2011, Monday
Mom’s update Monday, August 15th, 2011
Anthony and Sam were with mom to wake her this morning. They were there in time for breakfast and helped to set mom up to eat. Anthony worked on mom’s legs. He had her cross her legs one over the other, which mom was able to do. He also had her lift her knees up to her chest and she was able to do that as well. Anthony and Sam stayed with mom through lunch and then dad came. Mom went to therapy after lunch and came back to the room later in the day and dad was still there. Speech is being discontinued because the speech therapist said mom has made so much progress there is nothing anyone can do for mom. John and Con’s cousin will continue speech with mom and also show us what to do for her.
I came before dinner and dad left. He said mom did well in PT and took a few steps but they are concerned with the fact that mom walks hunched over. They want her to walk with her back straight. They said it might have to do with her wheel chair and how it is set. They may fix her wheel chair so it is straighter when she sits. They will also remove the piece that goes under her legs and have her feet hang more. All of these adjustments will help with her balance.
Dad left and I stayed with mom. Dinner came and mom ate it all. She had chicken fingers, green beans, and French fries. Of course she ate the French fries first! I brought her a cookie for dessert. When dinner was done I kept her coffee off the tray and we ate dessert together. My cousin JoAnn sent mom a birthday card with a menu in it form the Paula Dean restaurant in Georgia. Mom looked at that menu for almost an hour, reading each food item and commenting on it. We called JoAnn and mom talked to her about the menu. Mom loves to cook, collect recipes and of course eat. Kathy and Lenny called from upstate and mom was glad to hear form them.
I took out the button, snap and zipper boards to do with mom. She had a great deal of difficulty catching the zipper, but once it was put together she was able to lift the zipper. She did a great job snapping and unsnapping the snaps. She had a lot of difficulty with the button board. I modeled it for her but she couldn’t get the left hand to work. I then put on the Mets channel and gave her the baseball cards to look at. She was then placed in her bed and set up for the night. She kept asking for her blue makeup bag, which is at home. I told her I would bring it soon. Dad brought her pocketbook to look through. I sat with mom and watched my favorite show, Pawn Stars. It is on the History channel and mom loved it. A man was selling a Charlie Chaplin wind up tin toy and mom said she had a Charlie Chaplin doll as a kid.
It was getting late and mom could see I was tired. She told me to go home and go to sleep. Wow, it is so much easier leaving her at night when she isn’t suffering form “sun downers”. I put her mitts on and she said they were too tight. She said, “If you make them too tight I can’t take them off when you leave!” She then laughed! She IS a CHARACTER!
Peace and Love,
Claud
Anthony and Sam were with mom to wake her this morning. They were there in time for breakfast and helped to set mom up to eat. Anthony worked on mom’s legs. He had her cross her legs one over the other, which mom was able to do. He also had her lift her knees up to her chest and she was able to do that as well. Anthony and Sam stayed with mom through lunch and then dad came. Mom went to therapy after lunch and came back to the room later in the day and dad was still there. Speech is being discontinued because the speech therapist said mom has made so much progress there is nothing anyone can do for mom. John and Con’s cousin will continue speech with mom and also show us what to do for her.
I came before dinner and dad left. He said mom did well in PT and took a few steps but they are concerned with the fact that mom walks hunched over. They want her to walk with her back straight. They said it might have to do with her wheel chair and how it is set. They may fix her wheel chair so it is straighter when she sits. They will also remove the piece that goes under her legs and have her feet hang more. All of these adjustments will help with her balance.
Dad left and I stayed with mom. Dinner came and mom ate it all. She had chicken fingers, green beans, and French fries. Of course she ate the French fries first! I brought her a cookie for dessert. When dinner was done I kept her coffee off the tray and we ate dessert together. My cousin JoAnn sent mom a birthday card with a menu in it form the Paula Dean restaurant in Georgia. Mom looked at that menu for almost an hour, reading each food item and commenting on it. We called JoAnn and mom talked to her about the menu. Mom loves to cook, collect recipes and of course eat. Kathy and Lenny called from upstate and mom was glad to hear form them.
I took out the button, snap and zipper boards to do with mom. She had a great deal of difficulty catching the zipper, but once it was put together she was able to lift the zipper. She did a great job snapping and unsnapping the snaps. She had a lot of difficulty with the button board. I modeled it for her but she couldn’t get the left hand to work. I then put on the Mets channel and gave her the baseball cards to look at. She was then placed in her bed and set up for the night. She kept asking for her blue makeup bag, which is at home. I told her I would bring it soon. Dad brought her pocketbook to look through. I sat with mom and watched my favorite show, Pawn Stars. It is on the History channel and mom loved it. A man was selling a Charlie Chaplin wind up tin toy and mom said she had a Charlie Chaplin doll as a kid.
It was getting late and mom could see I was tired. She told me to go home and go to sleep. Wow, it is so much easier leaving her at night when she isn’t suffering form “sun downers”. I put her mitts on and she said they were too tight. She said, “If you make them too tight I can’t take them off when you leave!” She then laughed! She IS a CHARACTER!
Peace and Love,
Claud
Monday, August 15, 2011
Mom Update, August 14, 2011, Sunday
Mom’s update August 14th, 2011
I started the day with mom today. She was out cold when I arrived. Her breakfast came and mom was still sleeping. I brought her favorite breakfast, a wheat germ omelet. I had to wake her to eat. It sounds mean but if we don’t try to keep her on a schedule she could very easily mix day and night. She kept asking for 5 more minutes which is what she did my whole life. Mom likes her sleep. She woke up and I put her hearing aids in and her glasses on and gave her the breakfast I made. She ate it all and commented on the fact that wheat germ omelets were her favorite. I brought her the Sunday Newsday and she read a few store flyers. Once she was done with breakfast and dressed for the day, I put her make up on and then Anthony and Con came. I was showing them a book a friend of mine gave me ideas for using a deck of cards to perform cognitive tasks. Mom was cracking jokes the whole time. I told her that her choir from church was coming today and she said her stomach hurt and she was nervous. Anthony and Con and I told her she didn’t need to be nervous. I left and Anthony and Con stayed with mom.
Mom’s choir came and we all went in the lounge. Mom’s friend Flo A. brought flowers and a balloon and a big card that everyone signed. The choir director, Terrance, brought his electric keyboard and played hymns as they all sang. Mom sat with her two dear friends, Maureen and Florence and they held a hymnal for mom to read. Mom sang along. Mom was so moved she started to cry. She even chose a hymn for everyone to sing. They sang for over an hour. They even sang an old standard that mom and I use to sing and I remembered every word! The last thing they sang was Happy Birthday and mom said this was the best gift for her birthday.
Everyone left and Kathy and dad stayed with mom. I came back to put mom to sleep and dad left. He mentioned that she was complaining that her bottom was sore and that I should mention it to the nurse. I told the CNA and she showed it to me. I asked her to tell the nurse and to have the nurse look at it. We have to make sure she doesn’t get a bed sore. I sat with mom and we talked and laughed. She was in a great mood and was still cracking jokes. I played “I’m going on a picnic” thinking it would make her sleepy. She kept coming up with funny words for each letter. We laughed so hard! She did at one point ask me to call dad to see if he got home OK and so I did and he was home safe and sound. Mom got a new phone for her birthday that amplifies and clarifies sound. Mom had no trouble hearing dad. We sat together until it was time to say a prayer. Mom asked for me to take off her mitts and I said no that they were on for her to be safe. She said, “Fine, but I will take them off when you leave.” As we were praying mom said, “Wait, dear Lord help me get these mitts off!” I was cracking up! She was really on tonight! I will take the silly mom over the sundown mom! I kissed her goodnight and left.
Psalms 98:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
~Claud
I started the day with mom today. She was out cold when I arrived. Her breakfast came and mom was still sleeping. I brought her favorite breakfast, a wheat germ omelet. I had to wake her to eat. It sounds mean but if we don’t try to keep her on a schedule she could very easily mix day and night. She kept asking for 5 more minutes which is what she did my whole life. Mom likes her sleep. She woke up and I put her hearing aids in and her glasses on and gave her the breakfast I made. She ate it all and commented on the fact that wheat germ omelets were her favorite. I brought her the Sunday Newsday and she read a few store flyers. Once she was done with breakfast and dressed for the day, I put her make up on and then Anthony and Con came. I was showing them a book a friend of mine gave me ideas for using a deck of cards to perform cognitive tasks. Mom was cracking jokes the whole time. I told her that her choir from church was coming today and she said her stomach hurt and she was nervous. Anthony and Con and I told her she didn’t need to be nervous. I left and Anthony and Con stayed with mom.
Mom’s choir came and we all went in the lounge. Mom’s friend Flo A. brought flowers and a balloon and a big card that everyone signed. The choir director, Terrance, brought his electric keyboard and played hymns as they all sang. Mom sat with her two dear friends, Maureen and Florence and they held a hymnal for mom to read. Mom sang along. Mom was so moved she started to cry. She even chose a hymn for everyone to sing. They sang for over an hour. They even sang an old standard that mom and I use to sing and I remembered every word! The last thing they sang was Happy Birthday and mom said this was the best gift for her birthday.
Everyone left and Kathy and dad stayed with mom. I came back to put mom to sleep and dad left. He mentioned that she was complaining that her bottom was sore and that I should mention it to the nurse. I told the CNA and she showed it to me. I asked her to tell the nurse and to have the nurse look at it. We have to make sure she doesn’t get a bed sore. I sat with mom and we talked and laughed. She was in a great mood and was still cracking jokes. I played “I’m going on a picnic” thinking it would make her sleepy. She kept coming up with funny words for each letter. We laughed so hard! She did at one point ask me to call dad to see if he got home OK and so I did and he was home safe and sound. Mom got a new phone for her birthday that amplifies and clarifies sound. Mom had no trouble hearing dad. We sat together until it was time to say a prayer. Mom asked for me to take off her mitts and I said no that they were on for her to be safe. She said, “Fine, but I will take them off when you leave.” As we were praying mom said, “Wait, dear Lord help me get these mitts off!” I was cracking up! She was really on tonight! I will take the silly mom over the sundown mom! I kissed her goodnight and left.
Psalms 98:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
~Claud
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Mom Update, August 13, 2011, Saturday
Kathy: Today is Mom’s 76th birthday!!!!! PTL!! What a difference a year can make!! Last year, on her birthday, mom was still in a coma. We had all gathered around her from early morning until late at night and held her hand, talked to her, exercised her and sang to her. The CNAs were leaving the room crying as we all surrounded her with hope and love.
John bought mom a birthday breakfast of ham and cheese omelet with home fries and onions. Claudia said that mom devoured it!!! She loved it!! Claudia said that mom has a really lovely roommate!!!! PTL!!! Yippeeee!!! The woman said that mom tried to take her mitts off during the night after dad left but mom’s roommate said she is watching out for mom. The roommate said that, if mom takes off her mitts, she will call for help for mom. PTL!!!! As we were on the phone this morning, I could hear Claudia asking mom if she wanted her orange juice, so I told Claudia to tell mom that she HAD to drink it. Claudia said, “Kathy says you have to drink your juice.” Mom said, “Tell Kathy to mind her own business!!” Mom ate her oatmeal with vanilla milk next. She was starving this morning!!
Claudia: I started the day with mom and John bought her a special birthday breakfast. He got her a ham and cheese omelet and home fries. She loved it. Many people called for mom’s birthday. Angelo, Madeline and JoAnn called to sing happy birthday to her. Mom sang with them. We looked through magazines together and Aunt Lucy called and told her happy birthday. After we looked at magazines we played Nintendo Wii games on the TV. We played Hollywood Squares and Cooking Mama. The last time mom played these games, it was hard for her to focus on the TV screen and she couldn’t fathom that her movements made things happen on the TV. Today, however, mom was able to manipulate the game pretty well!!!! Mom had a good time playing the games. Dad came and I left for a while. Next, Anthony, Anthony Michael, Sam and Con came as well as Terry. Mom was in the dining hall watching a man and woman singing. Mom sang along and a very touching thing happened when Dad and mom sang, “It Had To Be You” to each other. We then set up for her birthday party in the lounge.
~Claud
Kathy: I came to see mom for her party in the recreation lounge, as did Ava, Jean, Alyssa, and John. We all ordered pizza and mom had chicken parmagiana from the Italian restaurant next to the facility. Mom really enjoyed her meal. Nancy and John (our cousins---who haven’t seen mom since last summer when she was in a coma) came to join the fun. Mom opened presents and read cards from people all over and thanked us all for the gifts. After dinner, we all played a “Who Am I?” game (I forget the name of it). You have to wear a plastic headband that holds a card that you can’t see but everyone else can see it. The object of the game is to ask questions of everyone else that will help you to guess who you are. Mom did fairly well. There was a TV on the whole time in the room and it deterred mom from hearing the foreground information. But, all in all, mom did well. Next, Rie, Phil and Gina came to see mom. We all played SCATTERGORIES and laughed like there was no tomorrow!!! Our family loves to play that game!! At 8:30, the party ended and mom went back to her room for bed. I will post some pictures tomorrow night when I get back home. She thanked us all and said she had a great time and that her birthday was a lot of fun…. It was sad to leave her there tonight. I wish she was home with us all. I know she wishes she was home too.
"Rejoice in the Lord always..." Philippians 4:4
Friday, August 12, 2011
Mom Update, August 12, 2011, Friday
I met the PT person in the parking lot walking in this morning. I was told that mom is doing well but that they are working on mom’s upper body this week until her leg gets better. They are going to give mom a lower backed wheelchair to help her sit up more on her own.
When I got to mom’s room, she was awake and alert and rested!! She looked at my shirt and asked where the ‘hyphen’ (she meant ‘apostrophe’) was in Joseph’s. It was there the whole time but she didn’t see it. Her breakfast tray was waiting for her on the table but she kept saying she wasn’t ready to eat yet because she was cold. She was kidding around. I told her it was breakfast time and to get ready to eat and unveiled a huge waffle with syrup!!! I sent it back. Mom said, “Why can’t I have my waffle? I want it!” I said it was because there were too many carbs in waffles and syrup and then she called me a name!!!! We both laughed again.
We called JoAnn so I could tell her what mom called me and when I told JoAnn why mom called me the name, JoAnn said she agreed with mom!! JoAnn told mom she would take her to IHOP for 2 waffles as soon as mom walks out of here! As we talked to JoAnn, mom suddenly looked at me and said, “Oh, by the way, your nail polish doesn’t match your lipstick.” (She’s bbaaaccckkkk!!!) hahaaha! Mom grabbed her spoon then and began to bang it on the bed table and yell (as loud as she could which isn’t too loud), “I WANT WAFFLES!!! I WANT WAFFLES!!!” JoAnn said that when mom walks out of here then she goes on a diet as she promised when mom was in a coma---we began to joke then about walking and not walking, eating and not eating, waffles vs. cottage cheese etc. We all laughed so hard.
Mom told JoAnn at one point in the conversation that she was “sitting here looking at all the pictures of my kids and my husband and I miss them all so much…”
After we talked to JoAnn, Mom looked across the room and said, “I oughta go play the numbers today---hmmm…11…” I said, “OK, what others?” Mom said, “None just 11” and I told her she had to play more than one number and we both laughed so hard.
Finally, the cottage cheese and fruit came for mom’s breakfast, mom said, “Give me my phone.” I asked why and she said, “I’m gonna call the kitchen and ask where my waffle is!!!” She fights about drinking her juice every day and tells me it is sour. But then she drinks it. I think her senses are heightened in some ways---sensitive to cold, sour…
They gave mom jello with her fruit and cottage cheese. She grabs the spoon and scoops up a huge spoonful of jello and says, “Oh brother!! Look at this” and begins to imitate the wobbling, shaking motion of the jello on the spoon and says, “Geez, how do I do this?!!!” and she kept wobbling her head the same way that the jello wobbled and saying, “How am I ever going to get this from here to my mouth?!!” We laughed again!!!
Mom asked when PT was today. Mom said that physical therapy is a “torture chamber” because she “can’t do everything.” Then mom asked to go to the bathroom and asked why she isn’t allowed to go---again. She said she will walk to the bathroom if I let her do it. I asked why she doesn’t walk in PT then and she said, “Oh, I do..it’s just a matter of , you know, words” and laughed. I said, “You mean semantics?” and she said, “Yeah, that’s it!”
Mom and I did the calendar and she remembered it was August. She knows how to find the information about the day and year on the calendar too. She still goes to the week prior to the current day in order to determine the date though---For example, today is the 12th and she says it is the 5th . She knows what column to look in and she knows which day too; she is just a week ahead though.
I tried to do time concepts with mom. I drew the clock again on the white board (complete with minutes). Mom kept saying, “I just don’t get it.” I explained it over and over again and she would say she understood but then she wouldn’t understand the whole concept of telling time in the end. Mom’s CNA told Anthony and me that mom was able to put her own shirt on by herself today!
Anthony came next and he and mom went outside and did some leg exercises that Barry, our cousin, showed us. He said she did really well. He also said that she was still in a comical mood. They talked and laughed a lot. Mom had to go to the dining room for lunch again so the speech therapist could observe her with eating and regular liquids. On Monday, mom should be back on regular liquids. Mom’s leg looks better today---totally normal. She is still on the Keflex for a total of 10 days. Mom’s roommate is gone but a new roommate is coming in today….no break.
Dad said mom had a great afternoon. He said she had good reports from speech and PT (no OT today because the therapist was not in). Dad said mom’s new roommate is there and she and her 2 sons seemed very nice. Mom was calm tonight and fell asleep but the nurse woke her for medication. Mom told dad to go home because she was going to sleep.
Tomorrow is mom’s birthday!!! We are having cake at 4:30 in the recreation room—all are welcome—call one of us for details.
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15
When I got to mom’s room, she was awake and alert and rested!! She looked at my shirt and asked where the ‘hyphen’ (she meant ‘apostrophe’) was in Joseph’s. It was there the whole time but she didn’t see it. Her breakfast tray was waiting for her on the table but she kept saying she wasn’t ready to eat yet because she was cold. She was kidding around. I told her it was breakfast time and to get ready to eat and unveiled a huge waffle with syrup!!! I sent it back. Mom said, “Why can’t I have my waffle? I want it!” I said it was because there were too many carbs in waffles and syrup and then she called me a name!!!! We both laughed again.
We called JoAnn so I could tell her what mom called me and when I told JoAnn why mom called me the name, JoAnn said she agreed with mom!! JoAnn told mom she would take her to IHOP for 2 waffles as soon as mom walks out of here! As we talked to JoAnn, mom suddenly looked at me and said, “Oh, by the way, your nail polish doesn’t match your lipstick.” (She’s bbaaaccckkkk!!!) hahaaha! Mom grabbed her spoon then and began to bang it on the bed table and yell (as loud as she could which isn’t too loud), “I WANT WAFFLES!!! I WANT WAFFLES!!!” JoAnn said that when mom walks out of here then she goes on a diet as she promised when mom was in a coma---we began to joke then about walking and not walking, eating and not eating, waffles vs. cottage cheese etc. We all laughed so hard.
Mom told JoAnn at one point in the conversation that she was “sitting here looking at all the pictures of my kids and my husband and I miss them all so much…”
After we talked to JoAnn, Mom looked across the room and said, “I oughta go play the numbers today---hmmm…11…” I said, “OK, what others?” Mom said, “None just 11” and I told her she had to play more than one number and we both laughed so hard.
Finally, the cottage cheese and fruit came for mom’s breakfast, mom said, “Give me my phone.” I asked why and she said, “I’m gonna call the kitchen and ask where my waffle is!!!” She fights about drinking her juice every day and tells me it is sour. But then she drinks it. I think her senses are heightened in some ways---sensitive to cold, sour…
They gave mom jello with her fruit and cottage cheese. She grabs the spoon and scoops up a huge spoonful of jello and says, “Oh brother!! Look at this” and begins to imitate the wobbling, shaking motion of the jello on the spoon and says, “Geez, how do I do this?!!!” and she kept wobbling her head the same way that the jello wobbled and saying, “How am I ever going to get this from here to my mouth?!!” We laughed again!!!
Mom asked when PT was today. Mom said that physical therapy is a “torture chamber” because she “can’t do everything.” Then mom asked to go to the bathroom and asked why she isn’t allowed to go---again. She said she will walk to the bathroom if I let her do it. I asked why she doesn’t walk in PT then and she said, “Oh, I do..it’s just a matter of , you know, words” and laughed. I said, “You mean semantics?” and she said, “Yeah, that’s it!”
Mom and I did the calendar and she remembered it was August. She knows how to find the information about the day and year on the calendar too. She still goes to the week prior to the current day in order to determine the date though---For example, today is the 12th and she says it is the 5th . She knows what column to look in and she knows which day too; she is just a week ahead though.
I tried to do time concepts with mom. I drew the clock again on the white board (complete with minutes). Mom kept saying, “I just don’t get it.” I explained it over and over again and she would say she understood but then she wouldn’t understand the whole concept of telling time in the end. Mom’s CNA told Anthony and me that mom was able to put her own shirt on by herself today!
Anthony came next and he and mom went outside and did some leg exercises that Barry, our cousin, showed us. He said she did really well. He also said that she was still in a comical mood. They talked and laughed a lot. Mom had to go to the dining room for lunch again so the speech therapist could observe her with eating and regular liquids. On Monday, mom should be back on regular liquids. Mom’s leg looks better today---totally normal. She is still on the Keflex for a total of 10 days. Mom’s roommate is gone but a new roommate is coming in today….no break.
Dad said mom had a great afternoon. He said she had good reports from speech and PT (no OT today because the therapist was not in). Dad said mom’s new roommate is there and she and her 2 sons seemed very nice. Mom was calm tonight and fell asleep but the nurse woke her for medication. Mom told dad to go home because she was going to sleep.
Tomorrow is mom’s birthday!!! We are having cake at 4:30 in the recreation room—all are welcome—call one of us for details.
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Mom Update, August 11, 2011, Thursday
I began the day with mom. She was asleep and asked for “Five more minutes” over and over! Mom always did love her sleep and cat naps!! The speech therapist came in to give mom regular liquids with breakfast today. Mom drank regular (not thickened) milk and juice. We had already thickened her coffee though. Mom asked for “a cold glass of water” too. She drank them all and did great! Her breakfast was a plethora of different textures and orally, she did really well. I noticed that mom had a lot of secretions from the stoma (hole in her throat) this morning. She also had a lot of something bright yellow in her eyes before she opened them. I showed her nurse.
Mom is allowed to be in the wheelchair today since all her test results were fine yesterday. She is still being given the Keflex for cellulitis but mom’s nurse said there is no way mom has cellulitis based on her symptoms. Based on her symptoms, mom appears to have sprained or strained her ankle according to her nurse. Her nurse said she never once thought mom had either a blood clot or cellulitis.
Dad phoned mom during breakfast and they chatted in their unique way!! The speech therapist got a kick out of it! Mom talking too low and dad not able to hear well!! They could be a comedy routine. But it IS cute to watch---how they tolerate each other’s shortcomings with so much love after 54 years of marriage. It is, indeed, something rare to witness these days.
Mom talked on the phone today to my friend, Peggy. Peggy told her she is so thrilled that mom is recovering and healing the way she is and mom replied, “Well, some women just won’t ever shut up!!”
Mom’ s roommate was so pathetic today… It is sad to see what happens to people who are alone here. Every day, the roommate’s food tray is plopped on the bed table in front of her and she is not able to feed herself at all. The table is too high; and she is pushed way over to one side of the bed which is far from the tray. She spills the food all over herself and the bed and makes a huge mess and nothing gets in her mouth. I always call for help but rarely does any come. The shortage of staff is awful. We really do have such a crisis in the healthcare system. The roommate also tried to get out of bed many times as well. I don’t know if I mentioned it or not, but it’s a small world---the roommate worked for the same organization as Claudia and I. She retired in 1989 though. We even worked for the same personnel!!
When Anthony came to join mom and dad and I, we heard someone yelling and howling in the hallway. It was an old woman yelling, “You hurt my foot you big ___!!!” The person with the woman kept denying it and the woman kept saying, “Yes you did!!!”
Mom had a shower today and then Anthony and I reviewed the calendar with her. I asked mom the name of the month and she said August immediately! I asked her what day it was and she said “Oh don’t ask me THAT!” I showed her the calendar and asked her to look at it and figure out what day it is and she immediately said Thursday. I asked her the date and she said the 4th. Pretty good!! Anthony asked her what she had for breakfast and she couldn’t remember so we scaffolded the answers for her. She talked on the phone to Sammy next. Then, she left for OT.
Mom did well in OT. She practiced reaching for specific colored objects on a counter then grab the object with her left hand (reached) then transferred the object to her right hand and place it in a container. Mom also practiced wiping down and cleaning counters in the mock kitchen in OT. The last thing she did in OT today was push the wheelchair alone (she sits in the wheelchair and then moves the wheels independently). The OT commented on how cute mom and dad are as a couple and said that once they were found sound asleep holding hands when it was time for OT!! (Dad tells us he never sleeps when he is with mom!! hahaha! The OT blew his cover!!).
Anthony worked on having mom lift weights with her hands/arms…and move with them. At that point, I left. Dad said that mom did well in Speech and PT this afternoon…no other details there, just, “Good.” Dad said that mom reached down to take off her sneakers but couldn’t quite reach. Dad taught mom how to lift her leg and foot up straight outward and then lift her leg up at the knee. She does reps of 10 on each leg!! Dad also practices the oral motor exercises with mom where mom has to move her tongue up, down, side to side…
Claudia came to put mom to bed tonight. Mom’s roommate was sent to the hospital some time today but we don’t know why. Keep her in prayer please. Mom had a hamburger and fries, a salad and vanilla pudding for dinner. Claudia made mom clean the tray. They talked and mom spontaneously asked, “What’s the date that Ava is leaving for college?” They watched the movie “Julie and Julia” on the IPAD until mom fell asleep.
“When Jesus heard what had happened, he said… ‘Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.’” Luke 8:49-50
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Mom Update, August 10, 2011, Wednesday
Mom was tired this morning when I arrived. I woke her and she had breakfast. They sent the wrong breakfast again….hahaha! Pancakes and syrup. I sent it back politely with a big smile but the aides were bothered by my request. They all also don’t agree that carbs of this type first thing in the morning is not a good thing. UGH!! Every request on this floor, in this unit is an annoyance and chore. This floor is NOTHING like the floor mom was on previously. Anthony and dad and Claudia called mom this morning and mom spoke on the phone to each one.
Mom’s roommate took her entire bed table and knocked it on the floor!! Water pitcher, paraphernalia and all!! CRASH! I called for help…of course no one came. The cleaning person was finally admonished for it but I told the supervisor what had happened. The roommate also tries to climb out of bed and her bed is soooo high and not on the floor. The head floor nurse was very rude to the roommate…sarcastic. Mom’s roommate needs monitoring and no one watches her but us.
Mom’s leg and foot is still red. It felt just as warm as the left leg and foot. It didn’t look too swollen. The head supervisory nurse thought the same as I did about the warmth in the area and the nurse also said that it didn’t look so swollen…the expectation was worse than what was. No sonogram of mom’s leg and foot yet.
The foot and leg that is in question is the same one that I bumped with the wheelchair some 3-4 weeks ago. The bump happened in a different location though. The nurses, and aides are all now saying that I caused this current condition and not any of them. I can’t say whether I did or didn’t but I will find out. Mom was fine at 11:30 yesterday---moving freely and painlessly for weeks now and came back swollen, red and in pain from PT and the dining room.
The head floor nurse came in to scold me and accuse me of lying basically. The nurse said that my “husband” (I don’t have a husband and told her that). The nurse said that dad failed to tell them that I had hit mom’s leg 3-4 weeks ago. The nurse said all this in a snide manner like we were involved in some type of cover up. The nurse was very annoyed that dad wanted to know what happened to mom and that he questioned everyone with her! I asked the nurse what was wrong with dad’s concern and told the nurse that the concern was valid. The nurse became more disrespectful and attitudinal and said it would be taken up with dad later. I told the nurse to take it up with me and not my 79 year old dad. The nurse said that we all made like one minute mom was “peachy and fine” and the next minute she was swollen and red and in pain when that wasn’t the case at all since mom had hurt her ankle 4 weeks ago. I told the nurse that it was the case---mom was fine at 11:30 when I left her and not fine after the dining room and PT. Then, after the nurse left, it occurred to me that they had a note of the injury 4 weeks ago in mom’s charts!! They should have seen that. No one did though. I had reported mom’s ankle injury to the nurse at the time it happened and asked for it to be looked at. It was determined by the nurse that it was bumped and would be fine.
Maybe I did cause the injury (that remains to be seen)…but I wasn’t hiding anything. The attitude of the nurse was rude and attitudinal. Mom WAS fine one minute and not fine the next. We will get to the bottom of this and help mom in the best way we can. As long as mom is OK.
Mom asked me several times what all the hype was about her leg. She remembered that it hurt badly last night. In the midst of all the commotion over her foot and leg, mom said over breakfast, “Kath, am I supposed to remember if I hit myself?” Mom said that she couldn’t remember anything about it. I told her to take her time thinking and that, if she remembered something, fine; if not, that’s OK too.
Mom and I went to work after breakfast. We did the calendar first. Mom knows the month now really well. She knows the day and date with a prompt. She has no idea what year it is. I asked her who’s birthday was in 3 days and mom said, “Mine” and made a face! I asked how old she would be and she said, “30 something” and laughed. I sang, “76 Trombones” and she said, “Oh no!!! 76?!!! Really?!!!”
We talked to her CNA about the CNAs daughter who is 5. The CNA asked me to tutor her daughter!! Hahaha! We talked about how old the kids are now and I told mom that Ava drove herself and Anthony Michael to see her last night. Mom said, “NO??!!! She drives?” I told mom that Lenny drives too. Mom said she knew that Lenny drives, but Ava??? Mom asked if Ava’s feet reach the pedals!!
We worked on telling time next. (This is a long time-related paragraph!!). I drew a huge clock on the white board and drew the hands at 3:00 and mom knew it instantly. Then I drew 5:10. Mom said, “I don’t know. Umm…5 …. ummm….10 to 5?” I told her to reverse it but she couldn’t. So I told her the answer. I drew all the minutes on the clock in orange, then I drew the increments of 5 on the face of the clock. I also drew the numbers 1-12 around the clock. In addition to all this, I wrote the word AFTER along the right side of the board and the word BEFORE along the left side of the board. Then, I began to plot the ‘big’ and ‘little’ hands on the clock. I told mom that the ‘big’ hand is the minute hand and the ‘little’ hand is the hour hand. So…the next time I drew was 6:05. I showed mom and asked, “OK, what time is this?” Mom said, “How do I know? It’s all Chinese to me!!” and laughed. She is too funny!!! The CNA was helping mom’s roommate on the other side of the curtain and laughed at all that mom was saying!
Mom’s aide came to work with mom briefly and mom had the aide hysterical laughing with all the jokes she was cracking!!! She told the aide, at one point, that I do all the talking for her!! She doesn’t get to say anything!!!
Mom has been put on 2 doses of Tylenol per day by the doctor as a preventative for pain. It is not as needed but mandatory for 14 days. Tylenol puts ME to sleep. I hope it doesn’t do the same for mom. Mom is also on Keflex as a precautionary measure in the event of a possible infection in the foot and leg or cellulitis.
When the head floor nurse showed up on the scene again hours after I called for her, I told her that no one was hiding anything about my bumping mom’s leg 3-4 weeks ago. I told her I reported the incident, had the nurse look at it, and had the nurse note it on mom’s records. I told the head floor nurse that all she had to do was look at mom’s chart yesterday and it would be there.
Thank God for mom because we are all laughing now. She keeps things funny at all times. Mom wanted to ‘go to the bathroom’ again. And again complained at the thought of the bed pan. She told me, “I CAN WALK!! WANT ME TO SHOW YOU?” and began to get out of the bed!! I told her yes, she could show me the next time she goes to PT! At another point, I asked mom if she was sleeping (her eyes were closed). Mom’s reply was, “If I’m talking to you then I’m not sleeping, am I?!!”
Anthony, Samantha and dad joined us. We all talked and laughed so much. Sam took over teaching mom how to tell time just before I left. After I left, the eye doctor came to see mom. The doctor said that mom definitely has some peripheral vision loss in addition to loss of vision to some degree in her left eye. The doctor said that mom will learn to compensate for it though.
Mom had OT, Speech and PT all in bed in her room today. Dad said she did really well with all 3. He did say that we have to practice having mom put on and take off her shirt. She gets confused after a while.
The person who brings and does the scanning finally arrived to do the scan at 6:30 p.m. the results of the scan were negative!! NO BLOOD CLOT!! PTL! They don’t know what is causing the swelling and redness but are treating it for cellulitis with Keflex for 10 days. Thank God.
Con and the kids came to be with mom and put her to bed tonight. Mom was awake and alert when they arrived. They played a game on the IPAD with mom. Samantha played the game where you have to pull up tiles to spell words and mom did great. Anthony Michael practiced telling time with mom. Then they prepared her for bed and mom fell asleep.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us…” 1 John 3:1
Mom’s roommate took her entire bed table and knocked it on the floor!! Water pitcher, paraphernalia and all!! CRASH! I called for help…of course no one came. The cleaning person was finally admonished for it but I told the supervisor what had happened. The roommate also tries to climb out of bed and her bed is soooo high and not on the floor. The head floor nurse was very rude to the roommate…sarcastic. Mom’s roommate needs monitoring and no one watches her but us.
Mom’s leg and foot is still red. It felt just as warm as the left leg and foot. It didn’t look too swollen. The head supervisory nurse thought the same as I did about the warmth in the area and the nurse also said that it didn’t look so swollen…the expectation was worse than what was. No sonogram of mom’s leg and foot yet.
The foot and leg that is in question is the same one that I bumped with the wheelchair some 3-4 weeks ago. The bump happened in a different location though. The nurses, and aides are all now saying that I caused this current condition and not any of them. I can’t say whether I did or didn’t but I will find out. Mom was fine at 11:30 yesterday---moving freely and painlessly for weeks now and came back swollen, red and in pain from PT and the dining room.
The head floor nurse came in to scold me and accuse me of lying basically. The nurse said that my “husband” (I don’t have a husband and told her that). The nurse said that dad failed to tell them that I had hit mom’s leg 3-4 weeks ago. The nurse said all this in a snide manner like we were involved in some type of cover up. The nurse was very annoyed that dad wanted to know what happened to mom and that he questioned everyone with her! I asked the nurse what was wrong with dad’s concern and told the nurse that the concern was valid. The nurse became more disrespectful and attitudinal and said it would be taken up with dad later. I told the nurse to take it up with me and not my 79 year old dad. The nurse said that we all made like one minute mom was “peachy and fine” and the next minute she was swollen and red and in pain when that wasn’t the case at all since mom had hurt her ankle 4 weeks ago. I told the nurse that it was the case---mom was fine at 11:30 when I left her and not fine after the dining room and PT. Then, after the nurse left, it occurred to me that they had a note of the injury 4 weeks ago in mom’s charts!! They should have seen that. No one did though. I had reported mom’s ankle injury to the nurse at the time it happened and asked for it to be looked at. It was determined by the nurse that it was bumped and would be fine.
Maybe I did cause the injury (that remains to be seen)…but I wasn’t hiding anything. The attitude of the nurse was rude and attitudinal. Mom WAS fine one minute and not fine the next. We will get to the bottom of this and help mom in the best way we can. As long as mom is OK.
Mom asked me several times what all the hype was about her leg. She remembered that it hurt badly last night. In the midst of all the commotion over her foot and leg, mom said over breakfast, “Kath, am I supposed to remember if I hit myself?” Mom said that she couldn’t remember anything about it. I told her to take her time thinking and that, if she remembered something, fine; if not, that’s OK too.
Mom and I went to work after breakfast. We did the calendar first. Mom knows the month now really well. She knows the day and date with a prompt. She has no idea what year it is. I asked her who’s birthday was in 3 days and mom said, “Mine” and made a face! I asked how old she would be and she said, “30 something” and laughed. I sang, “76 Trombones” and she said, “Oh no!!! 76?!!! Really?!!!”
We talked to her CNA about the CNAs daughter who is 5. The CNA asked me to tutor her daughter!! Hahaha! We talked about how old the kids are now and I told mom that Ava drove herself and Anthony Michael to see her last night. Mom said, “NO??!!! She drives?” I told mom that Lenny drives too. Mom said she knew that Lenny drives, but Ava??? Mom asked if Ava’s feet reach the pedals!!
We worked on telling time next. (This is a long time-related paragraph!!). I drew a huge clock on the white board and drew the hands at 3:00 and mom knew it instantly. Then I drew 5:10. Mom said, “I don’t know. Umm…5 …. ummm….10 to 5?” I told her to reverse it but she couldn’t. So I told her the answer. I drew all the minutes on the clock in orange, then I drew the increments of 5 on the face of the clock. I also drew the numbers 1-12 around the clock. In addition to all this, I wrote the word AFTER along the right side of the board and the word BEFORE along the left side of the board. Then, I began to plot the ‘big’ and ‘little’ hands on the clock. I told mom that the ‘big’ hand is the minute hand and the ‘little’ hand is the hour hand. So…the next time I drew was 6:05. I showed mom and asked, “OK, what time is this?” Mom said, “How do I know? It’s all Chinese to me!!” and laughed. She is too funny!!! The CNA was helping mom’s roommate on the other side of the curtain and laughed at all that mom was saying!
Mom’s aide came to work with mom briefly and mom had the aide hysterical laughing with all the jokes she was cracking!!! She told the aide, at one point, that I do all the talking for her!! She doesn’t get to say anything!!!
Mom has been put on 2 doses of Tylenol per day by the doctor as a preventative for pain. It is not as needed but mandatory for 14 days. Tylenol puts ME to sleep. I hope it doesn’t do the same for mom. Mom is also on Keflex as a precautionary measure in the event of a possible infection in the foot and leg or cellulitis.
When the head floor nurse showed up on the scene again hours after I called for her, I told her that no one was hiding anything about my bumping mom’s leg 3-4 weeks ago. I told her I reported the incident, had the nurse look at it, and had the nurse note it on mom’s records. I told the head floor nurse that all she had to do was look at mom’s chart yesterday and it would be there.
Thank God for mom because we are all laughing now. She keeps things funny at all times. Mom wanted to ‘go to the bathroom’ again. And again complained at the thought of the bed pan. She told me, “I CAN WALK!! WANT ME TO SHOW YOU?” and began to get out of the bed!! I told her yes, she could show me the next time she goes to PT! At another point, I asked mom if she was sleeping (her eyes were closed). Mom’s reply was, “If I’m talking to you then I’m not sleeping, am I?!!”
Anthony, Samantha and dad joined us. We all talked and laughed so much. Sam took over teaching mom how to tell time just before I left. After I left, the eye doctor came to see mom. The doctor said that mom definitely has some peripheral vision loss in addition to loss of vision to some degree in her left eye. The doctor said that mom will learn to compensate for it though.
Mom had OT, Speech and PT all in bed in her room today. Dad said she did really well with all 3. He did say that we have to practice having mom put on and take off her shirt. She gets confused after a while.
The person who brings and does the scanning finally arrived to do the scan at 6:30 p.m. the results of the scan were negative!! NO BLOOD CLOT!! PTL! They don’t know what is causing the swelling and redness but are treating it for cellulitis with Keflex for 10 days. Thank God.
Con and the kids came to be with mom and put her to bed tonight. Mom was awake and alert when they arrived. They played a game on the IPAD with mom. Samantha played the game where you have to pull up tiles to spell words and mom did great. Anthony Michael practiced telling time with mom. Then they prepared her for bed and mom fell asleep.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us…” 1 John 3:1
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Mom Update, August 9, 2011, Tuesday
Mom was asleep when I arrived this morning. I am staying at cousin, Nancy’s, cottage this week here near home. It is great!!! WOW! Such a great place…it was once an old summer resort. It probably is an historic site now. Mom woke on her own this morning after a while and was bright and alert. She looked well rested. She said she slept well. But she wasn’t happy to see me because I had to tell her to stay awake for breakfast!! Haha! She likes to go back to sleep. She told me to “go back where I came from” again today too! Too funny! Her sense of humor is great. She also said, “I want my husband not you!” When she finally woke up and began to eat, she asked me what I am “so dolled up for?”
Claudia called to talk to mom this morning. They laughed and joked. At one point, Claudia asked mom what she wanted for her birthday on Saturday and mom said, “To get out of here and go home!” Claudia told her that was a great and realistic goal (maybe not by her birthday though). JoAnn called too. I told mom about work and she listened intently and even commented as well. She had scrambled eggs with cheese and a hard roll with butter for breakfast. She didn’t want the oatmeal so she only had a little bit (I didn’t force it since it is full of carbs). I did force the OJ though! She tried to get up off the bed when I turned my back so that she could try to walk to the bathroom!! I caught her before she got too far out of bed though—thank God! Mom called dad next and it was hysterical. They both have hearing losses – dad much more than mom. And mom kept speaking in her typically low voice, sometimes just mouthing things! Mom was laughing so hard because she would ask dad a question and he couldn’t hear her but he just makes believe he did hear her and answers to the wrong questions!! Mom and I laughed so hard we cried.
We practiced zipping and unzipping with the zipper board. Mom did both but still can’t work the catch yet. Mom did snapping and unsnapping too!! She did both using the snap board. She couldn’t do the buttoning and unbuttoning at all and didn’t even have a clue as to how to do it either. She used the snapping motion to do it.
We did some resistance training next. I took each of mom’s arms, one at a time, and exerted pressure/force against them at the hand first and she pushed against me. Then, I exerted pressure at the elbow and she exerted pressure against me. Then I had her reach across midline (midline is the imaginary line that runs down the center of your body to divide it vertically down the middle) with each arm. Mom was able to exert more pressure in her left arm and hand then she was with her right arm and hand (the left side is weaker). However, mom couldn’t move her fingers hardly at all. I stretched her fingers really well on that left hand and she complained and told me I was trying to break them all off!! She is too much. Mom fell asleep for a while after that. I let her rest while holding onto 2 5 inch diameter therapy balls – one in each hand in order to keep her stretching her fingers.
Mom went to the shower next. After the shower, I did mom’s hair and make up and then we exercised some more. She practiced stretching her full arm (right and left) up as high as she could go (4 times each arm). Then she crossed her arms in front and then uncrossed them (5 times). Then we did modified sit ups—mom grabbed the arms of the wheelchair and pulled her body off the back of the chair so she was sitting forward and then she held herself forward to a count of 10 (5 times).
I had to leave at 11:30 so I left mom in the dining room with other patients/residents and the recreation therapist. Dad came next and found mom in PT. Dad said that mom did well in OT and Speech (drank more water without thickener). Mom will have regular liquids by the end of the week without any more thickeners. After PT, the therapists told dad that mom complained about her leg hurting her when they tried to stand her up today. Mom’s leg was, and still is, swollen and red.
Ava and Anthony Michael came to put mom to bed tonight but ended up calling Claudia to come because mom’s leg stayed swollen and red. Mom also seemed a bit disoriented. Dad had said mom was tired after all her therapies today and slept for a while. When dad originally told me about mom’s leg, I suggested an x-ray so the facility had one done quickly. The x-ray results show no fractures or breaks. Thank God. Claudia and I conferred by phone and the nurses put a call in to the doctor (not on premises tonight). The doctor started mom on Keflex for possible infection or cellulitis and ordered a scan of her legs to rule out a possible blood clot. The scan can’t be done until tomorrow morning----this worries me but the nurses said that going to the hospital isn’t necessary at this point based on mom’s symptoms which look like a stationary clot, if any. Claudia, Ava, and Anthony Michael all left mom around 9:00. They said she was peaceful. I called around 10:30 p.m. and was told mom was fine and that they would be keeping her still untile the scan rules out a blood clot. Please pray for mom…..we don’t need another set back.
“Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:1
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