We Continue to Learn

Yesterdays appointment with Dr. Weismann went well. She weighed 109 pounds and her blood pressure was 164/78. Discussion centered around improving her bone density. The staff at Heartland suggested she discuss this with him, so we did. He had a lengthy discussion with mom about why she is not a good candidate for any of the medications being advertised and she should just continue to do what she's doing and be careful. When mom was telling him what happened, he made a valiant effort to not say I told you so. But failed. Previous visits had included conversations about being alone, what can happen, and now what did happen. He made her promise that if/when she fell again, even if she didn't break anything, she would move out of her house.

We also discussed why she did so well in Heartland. Being around other people, being active, doing things like walking around, talking and everything else she did had a positive affect on her recovery. I expressed my concerns about what happened this past winter when she stayed inside for 3 months and the accompanying depression that resulted. My disscussions with mom about moving into assisted living continue, and I do believe she is thinking about it. But not too hard.

Ricky, the PT from Heartland, visited this morning. I made myself scarce and when I was getting ready to leave, she said he told her she will be off the walker soon and using her four pronged cane. This alarming news will be investigated and an update provided when I get the chance to speak to him next week. Personally, I don't think she's strong enough and her balance is still bad. I also suspect that if she hears she doesn't need the walker, she will be resuing all her activities as she did before. She will do what she will do, regardless. Gotta love her for that.

Colleen is coming over this afternoon to pick her up to get her hair done and I think go to lunch. We are dining in Auburn Hills this evening and planning on spending Sunday at the Lathrup pool after church.

Hope y'all have a great weekend.

And So It Goes

Recovery continues. There are good days and not so good days, but mom continues to carry on. We went to church Sunday and she really enjoyed the service. It was nice to see her "hold court" in the narthex before and after services. Since she wanted to go for lunch after church, we ended up at the Del Mar where they don't have tables. She struggled with the booth, did okay getting in and out but agrees, dining out is nice, but only if they have tables. Several neighbors and friends have stopped by to visit and the phone calls have been wonderful for her spirits. During our Saturday evening stroll, she checked out the garage sale next door at Holly & Rachels. She commented that if she had known she would have put out some of her crystal.

The work on her cabinets continues. While doing laundry yesterday, I brought up canned goods and took things out of the cabinet now designated as her pantry. She has agreed to use it for a while, but still thinks she will be able to manage going up and down her stairs soon. She did mention how she would like to have her dishes so I hope to get that taken care of this afternoon.

Her PT arrived as I was leaving for Tim Hortons and asked how she was doing. I wished him luck, he laughed and I drove on. When I return we will be running some errands, there are several things she needs and I pointed out that her ironing can be done anytime and she needs to get out of the house so we will be out and about in an hour or so.

I continue to mention the possibility of moving to assisted living to her, and not surprisingly she gets a little defensive. We've talked about how nice it is to be around her peers, how she enjoys helping others and being active and how lonely it can get when she's at home and doesn't have that interaction. I hope to get her out visiting a few places this week, maybe visiting some friends, so she can see what it's like and give it further consideration.

Temperature in the house was 81 last night, 76 this morning.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Thanks

Week 1 - Progress continues

This week the O/T, P/T and SW visited for initial assessments. After talking with Ruth, discussing what she has been doing since she got home, making some suggestions on how to rearrange her cupboards said that she won't be coming back. That's a good thing I guess because she is adapting to being home using her walker......most of the time, and managing to get done those things that she can. She has mentioned she would like to get another walker so she can have an inside and outside one. The one currently in use is dragging dirt into the house and we all know how she reacts to that.

In addition to the aftercare team from Heartland, several friends have stopped by the visit and she has enjoyed their company. This afternoon Pat Kuxhaus brought over lunch and when I left to get on the internet they were having another cup of tea and talking about dessert. She has also had a lot of phone calls from friends and seems to be back in her routine of talking, visiting and writing notes.

We're approaching the task of rearranging cupboards slowly. I sense she is a bit defensive when it is suggested some of the items she has aren't really necessary. I made the mistake yesterday of suggesting the trays to the right of her sink be relocated. I will not make that same mistake again. It appears she knows this needs to be done, but doesn't have how figured out yet, suggestions are received politely. Stay tuned for updates.

The weather has prevented us from taking dialy walks, however we did walk to the corner, Kenwood, and back the other night and after I reminded her how to properly use her walker she was able to traverse the old aggregate concrete better.

So far, this has been a wonderful experience for both of us. I'm practicing patience (who knew I could?) and she're practicing tolerance and acceptance. Stay turned, it's going to be an interesting time.

Thanks

Recovering At Home

Since coming home last Thursday, mom continues to adjust to living with her walker. Friends and relatives have stopped by bringing goodies and support. She really enjoyed attending church Sunday and was grateful for the beautiful service under the trees and for all her friends that spoke with her. She hadn't been able to attend since her birthday, May 31st.

She is back into a routine she is familiar with and fixing her breakfast and lunch. I've kept her from going downstairs, so far, but she is determined that she will do that at some point. We are trying to get in the habit of taking a daily walk. The old sidewalks on Meadowlark make it difficult to traverse, but she takes her time, watches where she's going and does quite well, and is concerned about her walker tracking dirt into the house. Guess I'll be washing floors today.

Not sure what the plans are for today, but I'd bet she has something she wants to do and will let me know in her own way.

Keep the calls and visits coming folks, she really appreciates them.

First Full Day At Home

After a busy day yesterday, mom seems to be adjusting to life as she used to know it. She's very good about using her walker when moving around the house and appears to like the tray she purchased. It does come in handy. She reported a good nights sleep, slept until 7:30 this morning, and is doing her thing. The visiting nurse from Heartland visited this afternoon and is scheduling weekly visits for the next four weeks. After dinner tonight we plan to take a brief walk and enjoy this beautiful weather. She's also looking forward to Val's visit tomorrow and going to church on Sunday.

She's Home

While getting her hair done, the tray for her walker was delivered and I signed her discharge papers. When she returned from being coiffed, she told me she had said her goodbyes to Sylvia and was ready to leave.

After stopping at Barb's Pasties, Hollywood Market, Star Bakery & The Bread Basket, we made it home around 1:30. She walked through Hollywood using the shopping cart instead of her walker and did quite well. Once home, she strolled through looking at the minor changes and deemed them okay. Following lunch she declined my offer to do the dishes and accomplished that task with her usual flair and attention to cleanliness, even using her gripper when she dropped a fork.

She made a few calls after unpacking and getting settled and after our naps, we discussed our lack of appetite for Pasties tonight. I know what's for dinner tomorrow!

When I left, she was planning on fixing a cup of tea and watching the news.

That's it for now folks.

Going Home

Good morning all. When I visited mom last night we discussed several things mostly dealing with food and shopping. As we talked, I prepared a list of places she wants to stop at on the way home. If we hit them all, we may make it home by 1 or 2 this afternoon. I reminded her that it's good to have a list of things we'd like to accomplish, but plans are in pencil and we will see how she feels as we make our way home.

I brought a lot of her things home last night and there remains a few items that will be in the car shortly. Currently, she is getting her hair done, waiting on the tray for her walker and discharge papers. She's anxious about going home but not sure why. I know her neighbors are going to be happy to see her back and we will proceed cautiously as she resumes her activities of daily living.

The house has been cleaned, floors swept and washed, furniture dusted, plants watered and carpet swept.

Let the fun begin!

Tuesday - A Brief Visit

Had a brief visit with mom after dinner last night. Dinner was over, it was good, and we had a nice chat. She looks and sounds good and is planning for her return to Meadowlark. We discussed what groceries needed to be purchased, what we will have for dinner tomorrow night (pasties), and how her therapy is progressing. The contractor Byron arranged is coming to make a few alterations this afternoon, after which I will clean the house, visit mom and start moving her out of Heartland.

Val's weekend report

Mom was on her way to the restroom to perform her evening ablutions when I arrived Friday evening. Wheel of Fortune was on the TV, but I think Mom is more fond of Jeopardy and chose to miss some of the former so she could watch the latter. I freshened her flowers with some additions from my yard, and watched Jeopardy with her and Sylvia (still can't believe I got the final jeopardy question wrong), then around 8 p.m. left with some shirts to wash.

Both ladies looked tired, but why wouldn't they be? I've had to remind myself that Mom customarily took a nap (she might not call it that, but that's what it was) most afternoons before her hip broke, and she really hasn't been able to do that while at Heartland because of the rigorous physical and occupational therapy. When my cousin Maggie and I showed up Saturday afternoon around 1 p.m., both ladies were doing the head nodding thing as they sat in their wheelchairs, Mom with Barbara Walters' autobiography, Audition: A Memoir in her lap. That didn't last for long, though. We got her up and walked to the refrigerator to put some treats we brought -- Oberweis ice cream from Maggie, the last of the Michigan strawberries from me (plus the freshly laundered shirts). Then we went to the internet room so she could see pictures on Flickr from Jeff, Amy, and Nick Robbins' recent trip to England (they're Maggie's son, daughter-in-law, and grandson).

Mom is understandably anxious about going home later this week. It's hard for her to comprehend that it's unlikely she will regain the same level of physical ability she had before her hip fracture. That and changes in her house -- kitchen rugs absent, more grab bars installed, her bedroom furniture rearranged, no going down to the basement -- will require adaptation. Plus there are more changes that need to be made, notably rearranging her kitchen cupboards. Considering she's had her cupboards the same way for 60 years, it will be a major shift for her. It would be a major shift for anyone! Fortunately Dave will be there to help her get settled and get used to the new way of living on Meadowlark.

Before I left late Saturday afternoon, we briefly discussed the merits of assisted living. I think she's warming up to the idea, but I also think it's important for her to spend some time at her house, if nothing else than to say goodbye.

SUNDAY SUNSHINE

Visted with mom late this morning until lunch time. She is in good spirits and looking forward to returning home which we expect to be Thursday. We walked outside and sat a while in the sunshine at Oakland Troy Rehab.

WONDERING RUTH

Colleen and I visited with Ruth today; I was her last evening as well. When we got here this evening, she and Sylvia were walking the halls: they have a regular walk. Mom is showing more confidence using her walker and looks stronger.

Discharge Date Is Set

I spoke with Mandy Munchmayer yesterday and discussed mom's progress and anticipated discharge date. According to her, mom is progressing in therapy, continuing to build strength and learning ways to adapt her activities of daily living to her new circumstances. Insurance approved her continued stay at Heartland for another week and she is scheduled to be discharged on Thursday, July 16.

According to Mandy, continuing care at home will consist of a nurse, PT/OT, and home health care support coming three times a week in one hour increments for six weeks, or as long as they feel it is necessary.

I spoke with mom this afternoon and shared this information, no one at Heartland had told her when she was leaving, but her roommate Sylvia is scheduled to leave on Friday the 17th. At least she won't have to adjust to a new person before she leaves. Mom also shared that whenever staff is showing the facilities to potential residents they stop by room 103 because it is always so neat. I'm not surprised! She also shared that PT is running out of things for her to do.

Byron is busy making the necessary adjustments to the house and I'm sure taking care of the yard. I will be coming up Monday or Tuesday and plan on making this an extended stay and look forward to transporting mom hither and yon for her various errands and hopefully get her to church.

TUESDAY UPDATE

I got here late and had to be let in.

Mom is continuing to amaze me. Tonight, she paid a few bills (although she had some problems it seemed balancing her check book--she put it off until Tomorrow). She says she is walking a lot and feels more comfortable with the walker and such.

We sold her car yesterday evening after my visit; she isn't happy but she isn't driving and why does she need the expense? We spent a few hundred fixing a few things (AC recharge, key fob batteries and the like). We got the asking price which was about double what most people thought we would get.

She had good therapy today, she said, and thinks she might be working with a four prong cane soon in addition to a walker. At the house today we had a contractor come in to evaluate the recommended grab bars and the like; I expect an estimate Wednesday. Also today I got a her glasses fixed. She loves visits; please don't hug her because it breaks her glasses.

MONDAY MOANIN'

Highlights of today: Mom had therapy morning and afternoon, and says they did everything: steps, arms, walking and the like. She and her current roommate, Sylvia, also went for walk around the inside of the facility. I offered to take her outside but she declined (probably because I got there just as she was finishing dinner).

She did have a visitor today, Rosemary. A highlight was a letter from grandson Justin and a copy of his church bulletin with his name highlighted for something. She likes his letters.

Val checked in by phone last night after returning from her track weekend at Mid-Ohio.

We are going to get her glasses fixed; I hope she gets visits but don't hug her: the glasses break!

More later.

LONELY SUNDAY

Visited with mom late Sunday afternoon, about dinner time. She said she had an active day walking around the facility but didn't go outside. Strangely, to me at least, she had no other visitors. She ate most of her dinner (in fairness, the portions are larger than she normally eats at home). Yesterday, they were playing historical bingo and Colleen came to visit. Today, they had a cheese and sparkling grape juice tasting and Mom and Sylvia, the roommate who may be going home soon, had a good time.

Mom mentioned her pain in the left leg is much better, so we got worried for nothing it seems.

I shared the posting from her soon-to-be granddaughter-in-law, Rebekah Winters (she and Rob are tying the knot in August, in Seattle where they live).

Mom may be going home yet this week. Stay tuned for further developments.

Wednesday Update

Quick visit tonight with Mom as Colleen and I were late. She looked pretty good, all things considered, but is experiencing some pain in her left leg (the one with the broken but mending hip). We thought it was muscular, but now we are not sure. This will continue to be evaluated.

She was having a pitty party for herself because no one came to visit. More Thursday.