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Post by Hope on Oct 21, 2008 19:49:16 GMT -5
Thanks Chantal. I think she's better than my older sisters think she is. She remembers us all, she just can't identify us by sight (she had a small visual cortex stroke some years back, and has difficulty decoding what she sees). She loses track of where and when she is, and is wretched if left alone for any length of time. My step Dad goes in before 8 AM daily and stays until about 9PM to be with her; when one of us kids can be there, he gets to grocery shop and rake leaves and catch his breath briefly. I am awed by how much they love each other. At one point she asked a question, I answered, and she asked him if I was right. When I protested she said "He's my sweetheart; you're only a doctor." Sunday morning she remembered where she was and why when we got there, and it was lovely. She's upbeat and positive 90% of the time we're there, and the staff adore her. The place is clean and bright, and every single staff person we saw was attentive and kind. We're blessed in many ways. It may take a miracle to get her home again, but I firmly believe in miracles.
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Post by Hope on Nov 8, 2008 15:23:31 GMT -5
Up in Vermont with Mom until Tuesday. Will have minimal access, so forgive me lack of responses until then!
--Hope
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Post by Hope on Nov 23, 2008 18:37:05 GMT -5
Going up to Vermont again Wednesday...although I'm sure you will all be busy as well! Mom walked a short distance completely unsupervised...because she woke up confused, and got out of bed to look for my StepDad. On the plus side, she didn't fall, and is clearly making progress.
Stay Safe!
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Post by Hope on Nov 25, 2008 9:20:41 GMT -5
I hate the new normal.
Thanks to the <expletive deleted> wisdom of the <expletive deleted> Joint Commission, restraints are illegal in nursing homes. So my Mom got up again last night, fell, and broke her leg. She was supposed to come home in a week.
It's a nasty break, will require surgery, and then...well, we'll see.
I occassionally think that the Universe is personally trying to break me.
Oh, and one of my step brothers had a retinal detachment this weekend, and Charles' cousin is on home hospice for terminal cancer.
I may not be worth much for a bit.
--Hope
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Deb
Weyr Representative
Haven
Posts: 218
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Post by Deb on Nov 25, 2008 11:18:41 GMT -5
Oh Hope! It is wasn't for bad luck you kids wouldn't have any luck at all. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Who ever came up with the idea that you should restrain nursing home patients has never worked in a nursing home. Wish they would spend just a week in one and the restraints (at least chest restraints) would be back and the amount of fractures would be down.
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Post by Hope on Jan 8, 2009 20:05:13 GMT -5
Hi, guys...I will be away until probably Monday, visiting Mom in the rehab hospital. Things are not great...it will be at least 2 more weeks before she is even allowed to try weightbearing, and then she has to re-learn to transfer and walk a little with a walker in order to get home. Prayers, however conceived, are still appropriate, and very welcome. And if anyone wants to brighten my day upon my return, there's nothing like a Pern story submitted by my dear friends to the 'zine to make me happy!
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Kelli
Weyr Representative
Ista & Telgar
Posts: 116
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Post by Kelli on Jan 9, 2009 0:25:31 GMT -5
:: hugs :: I'm thinking about you guys, I hope your mom is doing better, let us know how it's going. And I'm working on 3 stories.
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Andy
Dragonrider
Posts: 75
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Post by Andy on Jan 9, 2009 9:00:24 GMT -5
Hope, I'll will see if I can finish it up and have a story for you, I would like you to read it first, because T'lar is talking about a what is to be done with his wing second <grin> it's all good
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Trini
Dragonrider
Posts: 83
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Post by Trini on Jan 9, 2009 19:22:08 GMT -5
Best of luck with things, Hope. *hugs* My prayers and sympathies. Man, that's rough.
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Post by Chantal on Jan 25, 2009 0:17:08 GMT -5
Hope, what's the latest on your Mom/
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Post by Hope on Jan 28, 2009 22:07:17 GMT -5
Mom came home today. Unfortunately, the time away has really confused her, so it is too soon to say if this will be sustainable. Today did not go well. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.
Continued prayers would be incredibly welcome.
Thanks, Hope
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Erica
Dragonrider
Posts: 186
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Post by Erica on Jan 31, 2009 12:43:31 GMT -5
Continued prayers would be incredibly welcome. *sending lots of good wishes and energy*
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Post by Hope on Feb 1, 2009 18:59:19 GMT -5
Things are better. Spoke with Mom tonight, and she is very upbeat and happy; when I told her (as I do pretty much daily) that I'd be up to see her in 3 wks, she said "Oh, good--you'll get to see our new house!"
I'm OK with the lack of memory if she can stay happy like this.
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Trini
Dragonrider
Posts: 83
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Post by Trini on Feb 1, 2009 19:08:54 GMT -5
During most of my dad's struggle with dementia, he was usually pretty happy. Some days he got frustrated, but I consider it such a blessing that most of the time he was, emotionally, his normal easy going self. Just... confused. Glad things are going well. *hugs*
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Post by Hope on Mar 1, 2009 16:21:45 GMT -5
Thank you all for your support. Latest update: We went up last weekend, and Mom looks good. Unfortunately, she isn't really up to crowds or more than about 30 minutes of small children, so this will likely be our last whole family trip up there for a while. She's also begun to see her long-deceased mother, who will come and sit with her for a while on many days. Sometimes she says, "Frederica, it's time to come home." I'm pretty at peace with the whole situation.
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