Day 253 - 256
Big news out of our house, which I almost posted on Tuesday, but memories kept me in check. Jackie is engaged! She and Johnny came on Sunday and, good grief, Johnny asked us if it would be OK if he asked Jackie to marry him. What was I supposed to say, for goodness sake, but it was cute to see them blush. Last night Glenn started to laugh and said he wished he would have told Johnny no, just to see what he would have done (does that sound like Glenn or what?) Anyway, they are happy with each other and with the whole idea of being together. Then on Wednesday Jackie phoned again and told me Johnny had gotten a good job with WCB, so they are just about flipping with all the good signs. She plans on finishing school, and finding a job, then start to plan the wedding. I kind of smiled when in the course of our conversation she told me she had already asked someone to be her maid of honour, and I had to say that it sounded like she was planning a wedding after all. She stopped for a minute, then giggled and said that it did sound that way all right. We are very happy to see her so happy. It has been a rough year in more ways than one for her, so I'm also glad to hear them take time and plan a few things.
Glenn continues to improve and it does my heart good. Some times I feel like I'm not going to be able to do everything, but he'll do something or say something and I'm OK again. I do have a lot of phoning to do again right now, but once you get started, it is soon done, and you can get on with other things. I did a lot of canning this week, and it is so nice to have fresh salsa and pizza sauce. That had been worrying me, so now it is done. I have to get a remote starter installed in the Rav, and I'm checking with Glenn's insurance to see if botox treatments are covered. It is never easy to find the right person to talk to. I'll get that finished on Monday.
Today is Chris's 27th birthday, and I was remembering the morning we went in was frosty. Glenn rushed to get the car, and on his way back into the house, he skidded on the frosty steps and crashed his shins! He had nasty bruises for a while. It was a long day, Chris was born at 11:30 at night, so in retrospect we really jumped the gun. It's hard to believe it was so long ago. I guess I'm getting old!
Just thought I'd share a little good news about something else in our family. Life goes on, and we need to find peace with what ever comes your way, otherwise you go nuts.
Happy Hallowe'en everyone
'Til next time,
Louise
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
October 14-22
Day 244-252
I'm getting a bit behind with my postings, but no news is good news. There is always some news, but the day to day living is more consuming than before, and I don't sit and post as much.
Glenn is so happy to be home, and helps with some chores such as vacuuming and dusting (both of which I hate!) so that is good. We are coping much more easily with transfers, and dressing. Therapy is going well, and we go for another botox review on the 9th of November, and his physio is going to recommend that he have some in his hamstrings. She checked for movement yesterday, and has decided he has a lot of movement, just too much tone for him to be able to overcome. I hope that they do it, because that may help him walk a bit sooner. His speech is clearer all the time, and he can drink chocolate milk through a straw. I think that he will soon be on more liquids, and I will have to start making some soups for him.
We are really enjoying the Rav4 and are amazed at how much easier it is to get in and out of. My back thanks me every time we transfer. In fact, one day, Glenn stood up by himself, and I was happy for him. It isn't much of a boost to get to his feet so that encourages him too. The wheel chair is easier to put in and take out also, so I think we made the right decision.
Chris's birthday is coming up , and I remember the year he was born was similar to this one. We combined the week before he was born, and the morning we went in was frosty, but nice. I think the weather turned shortly after I got home, because Glenn was busy having flax dried and I think it was really cold.
We are getting ready for winter, and have some yard things to do yet. I'll need the boys to help with some of them, and I also have a couple of cars to sell, so we are settling in. What a treat to be going on a bit more of a routine. I didn't think I was very organized, but I was. I cooked a turkey last Friday for the Edenwold fowl supper, so I am starting to give back to the community again. Working at some of these simple jobs is therapeutic for me. I was inspired enough to have a baking day for myself, so I replenished the cookie jar, and made a pot of bean soup. It's nice to have on hand.
I'm pretty well out of news for now, so
'til next time,
Louise
P.S. I've asked Glenn to post, but so far he has declined. I'll keep working on it! LIM
I'm getting a bit behind with my postings, but no news is good news. There is always some news, but the day to day living is more consuming than before, and I don't sit and post as much.
Glenn is so happy to be home, and helps with some chores such as vacuuming and dusting (both of which I hate!) so that is good. We are coping much more easily with transfers, and dressing. Therapy is going well, and we go for another botox review on the 9th of November, and his physio is going to recommend that he have some in his hamstrings. She checked for movement yesterday, and has decided he has a lot of movement, just too much tone for him to be able to overcome. I hope that they do it, because that may help him walk a bit sooner. His speech is clearer all the time, and he can drink chocolate milk through a straw. I think that he will soon be on more liquids, and I will have to start making some soups for him.
We are really enjoying the Rav4 and are amazed at how much easier it is to get in and out of. My back thanks me every time we transfer. In fact, one day, Glenn stood up by himself, and I was happy for him. It isn't much of a boost to get to his feet so that encourages him too. The wheel chair is easier to put in and take out also, so I think we made the right decision.
Chris's birthday is coming up , and I remember the year he was born was similar to this one. We combined the week before he was born, and the morning we went in was frosty, but nice. I think the weather turned shortly after I got home, because Glenn was busy having flax dried and I think it was really cold.
We are getting ready for winter, and have some yard things to do yet. I'll need the boys to help with some of them, and I also have a couple of cars to sell, so we are settling in. What a treat to be going on a bit more of a routine. I didn't think I was very organized, but I was. I cooked a turkey last Friday for the Edenwold fowl supper, so I am starting to give back to the community again. Working at some of these simple jobs is therapeutic for me. I was inspired enough to have a baking day for myself, so I replenished the cookie jar, and made a pot of bean soup. It's nice to have on hand.
I'm pretty well out of news for now, so
'til next time,
Louise
P.S. I've asked Glenn to post, but so far he has declined. I'll keep working on it! LIM
Saturday, October 13, 2007
October 6-13
Day 236-243
Today marks 8 months since Glenn's stroke, and wow, what a lot I have to report. You may have noticed a lack of posting, but it has been busy again, and with the holiday, a short week.
I must admit I had no idea where we would be at this point in time last February, but have gained a lot of knowledge about recovery and rehabilitation. I was hoping to be back to normal, or perhaps walking and eating, so I was not very close to the mark. However, now that we have come this far, I know that we had to do a lot of work to get here, and are doing really well. Hind sight is 20-20.
Last weekend we went for dinner at my Mom's and did really well. The kids met us there, and had Glenn in the house before I even had my stuff out of the car. They are so willing to help, I forget sometimes. Anyway, Glenn had a good visit, and everyone noticed that his speech is clearer, so it is not just me. We ate lots, had a good laugh, and generally recharged away from home, so it was good for us. Monday was a holiday, and was really a nice day, so we worked in the yard and got a few things put away for winter. There's more to do, but it was a good start. There was no therapy that day, so I was concerned that Glenn would be a little stiff on Thursday. He wasn't, in fact he did well. His physio was elated, and told me that he had pulled his right leg through when he was walking! That's the first time he's been able to do that, and he did it more than once. She was really encouraged by that and I was a bit astounded. We went to OT next, and lo and behold, his right arm worked better too. She gave him a ring which he passed behind himself, from his left to his right, and then brought his right hand around in front of himself and put the ring back into his left hand. He did that over and over, needing help only to get his right hand behind his back to catch the ring! She too was elated and called me over to watch. (I had been chatting with an older lady who was waiting for her hubby too). I told Glenn that he should have more days off, if that is how he is going to catch up!
I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, and we went to do his blood testing. It was a bit miserable on Thursday, but Glenn suggested that I go by the CAA car lot and see what they had on the lot that day. They had a Caravan, so we decided to try it and so stopped and got Glenn into the wheelchair. The salesman remembered me, and was good enough to get a key. I was surprised and a little dismayed to find that the van didn't work, we couldn't get Glenn into the seat. Another salesman said "Have you tried a Rav4?" and I said no, did they have one? Well, yes they did, so they got the key for that too, and we transferred Glenn into it. It went pretty well, so I started to ask questions and Glenn said we should take it for a drive. I don't know if everyone does this or not, but I get the feeling of right when I get into some vehicles or machines. As soon as I headed down the street, I knew this was the one. We went back to the lot, and I asked the salesman how big the back opening was, and he got a tape measure, measured it for me, and we found it to be 38" which should accommodate the power chair. Oh boy, it met all of our criteria, except it is silver. I bought it. It is a 2007 Rav4 Limited, 4 cylinder (2.4 l) engine, with power locks, windows, tilt, air, cruise, all wheel drive, with 23000 kms. (That's pretty new for us, but it felt right!) We brought it home yesterday, and Glenn was surfing the net all evening to find customer feedback on the performance and mileage people report. It should get between 25 and 30 MPG, so we'll keep and eye on it for a while. Dale was disappointed, but he hasn't seen it yet. Glenn was almost giggling all the way home, and boy are there buttons for him to push! We also got a CAA membership, free oil change, a Mr. Clean car wash system. and one of those handy tools. It doesn't have remote start, but I will get one installed ASAP.
So that is another big decision made, and I hope that this vehicle stands up to its reputation. CAA undercoated it again, so it should be good for a few hundred thousand kilometers. It handles really well, and I couldn't believe the size of the tailgate. We haven't actually tried to load the power chair yet, but I think it will go in. How exciting, and what a day it was! I didn't even want to go shopping, so really it was Glenn's fault!
Mom and Dad went to visit Elaine this weekend, Wendy is in Las Vegas, and Ken, Bill , Fred, Kent and Chris all have birthdays this month. There are a bunch of anniversaries too, so Hallmark will do well by us this month too.
Next post should not be quite so full of news, but who knows? Glenn likes to drink chocolate milk through a straw, and he is doing more mouth exercises than before, so maybe there will be a breakthrough there too. Keep praying, it is absolutely working!
'Til next time,
Louise
Today marks 8 months since Glenn's stroke, and wow, what a lot I have to report. You may have noticed a lack of posting, but it has been busy again, and with the holiday, a short week.
I must admit I had no idea where we would be at this point in time last February, but have gained a lot of knowledge about recovery and rehabilitation. I was hoping to be back to normal, or perhaps walking and eating, so I was not very close to the mark. However, now that we have come this far, I know that we had to do a lot of work to get here, and are doing really well. Hind sight is 20-20.
Last weekend we went for dinner at my Mom's and did really well. The kids met us there, and had Glenn in the house before I even had my stuff out of the car. They are so willing to help, I forget sometimes. Anyway, Glenn had a good visit, and everyone noticed that his speech is clearer, so it is not just me. We ate lots, had a good laugh, and generally recharged away from home, so it was good for us. Monday was a holiday, and was really a nice day, so we worked in the yard and got a few things put away for winter. There's more to do, but it was a good start. There was no therapy that day, so I was concerned that Glenn would be a little stiff on Thursday. He wasn't, in fact he did well. His physio was elated, and told me that he had pulled his right leg through when he was walking! That's the first time he's been able to do that, and he did it more than once. She was really encouraged by that and I was a bit astounded. We went to OT next, and lo and behold, his right arm worked better too. She gave him a ring which he passed behind himself, from his left to his right, and then brought his right hand around in front of himself and put the ring back into his left hand. He did that over and over, needing help only to get his right hand behind his back to catch the ring! She too was elated and called me over to watch. (I had been chatting with an older lady who was waiting for her hubby too). I told Glenn that he should have more days off, if that is how he is going to catch up!
I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, and we went to do his blood testing. It was a bit miserable on Thursday, but Glenn suggested that I go by the CAA car lot and see what they had on the lot that day. They had a Caravan, so we decided to try it and so stopped and got Glenn into the wheelchair. The salesman remembered me, and was good enough to get a key. I was surprised and a little dismayed to find that the van didn't work, we couldn't get Glenn into the seat. Another salesman said "Have you tried a Rav4?" and I said no, did they have one? Well, yes they did, so they got the key for that too, and we transferred Glenn into it. It went pretty well, so I started to ask questions and Glenn said we should take it for a drive. I don't know if everyone does this or not, but I get the feeling of right when I get into some vehicles or machines. As soon as I headed down the street, I knew this was the one. We went back to the lot, and I asked the salesman how big the back opening was, and he got a tape measure, measured it for me, and we found it to be 38" which should accommodate the power chair. Oh boy, it met all of our criteria, except it is silver. I bought it. It is a 2007 Rav4 Limited, 4 cylinder (2.4 l) engine, with power locks, windows, tilt, air, cruise, all wheel drive, with 23000 kms. (That's pretty new for us, but it felt right!) We brought it home yesterday, and Glenn was surfing the net all evening to find customer feedback on the performance and mileage people report. It should get between 25 and 30 MPG, so we'll keep and eye on it for a while. Dale was disappointed, but he hasn't seen it yet. Glenn was almost giggling all the way home, and boy are there buttons for him to push! We also got a CAA membership, free oil change, a Mr. Clean car wash system. and one of those handy tools. It doesn't have remote start, but I will get one installed ASAP.
So that is another big decision made, and I hope that this vehicle stands up to its reputation. CAA undercoated it again, so it should be good for a few hundred thousand kilometers. It handles really well, and I couldn't believe the size of the tailgate. We haven't actually tried to load the power chair yet, but I think it will go in. How exciting, and what a day it was! I didn't even want to go shopping, so really it was Glenn's fault!
Mom and Dad went to visit Elaine this weekend, Wendy is in Las Vegas, and Ken, Bill , Fred, Kent and Chris all have birthdays this month. There are a bunch of anniversaries too, so Hallmark will do well by us this month too.
Next post should not be quite so full of news, but who knows? Glenn likes to drink chocolate milk through a straw, and he is doing more mouth exercises than before, so maybe there will be a breakthrough there too. Keep praying, it is absolutely working!
'Til next time,
Louise
Saturday, October 6, 2007
October 1-5
Day 231-235
I am glad to report that nothing new has been happening besides our regular routine this week. Glenn is getting more mobile and is more easily understood all the time. (I seem to be having trouble spelling, but I'll keep spell checker working overtime!)
It's kind of good to be able to say that, and I know most people are waiting for the big deal of speech or eating, but I'm afraid we are slugging it out with those two things, and must wait for it to happen. More and more people are comparing this recovery to watching a child learn to eat and speak, and I think that is a good comparison. The nerves are rerouting themselves, and it is taking time, because there is so much repair work to do. He is doing alright as far as his general spirit is concerned, and shows frustration when he can't communicate. That is to be expected. I do get weary, but when I do, I just think how he must be feeling, and I get over it. Power snoozes and just being at home more helps too.
Mom just phoned and is taking a nose count for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. Happily my sister and her hubby finished their harvest last night. so they can rest this weekend too. A lot of the kids are going to in-laws, so Mom just needed a closer estimate for the potato pot. It will be 25 or 30 as usual I would guess. I'm looking forward to it, and I think Glenn is too. It will be good to see everyone at a "normal" (if you can call Schoenroth gatherings normal!) family event. It will be interesting getting Glenn in, but I'm sure there will be enough helping hands to get him up a few steps.
Well, I'm not having any inspirational ideas or thoughts to share so I'll sign off and keep you posted.
'Til next time,
Louise
I am glad to report that nothing new has been happening besides our regular routine this week. Glenn is getting more mobile and is more easily understood all the time. (I seem to be having trouble spelling, but I'll keep spell checker working overtime!)
It's kind of good to be able to say that, and I know most people are waiting for the big deal of speech or eating, but I'm afraid we are slugging it out with those two things, and must wait for it to happen. More and more people are comparing this recovery to watching a child learn to eat and speak, and I think that is a good comparison. The nerves are rerouting themselves, and it is taking time, because there is so much repair work to do. He is doing alright as far as his general spirit is concerned, and shows frustration when he can't communicate. That is to be expected. I do get weary, but when I do, I just think how he must be feeling, and I get over it. Power snoozes and just being at home more helps too.
Mom just phoned and is taking a nose count for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. Happily my sister and her hubby finished their harvest last night. so they can rest this weekend too. A lot of the kids are going to in-laws, so Mom just needed a closer estimate for the potato pot. It will be 25 or 30 as usual I would guess. I'm looking forward to it, and I think Glenn is too. It will be good to see everyone at a "normal" (if you can call Schoenroth gatherings normal!) family event. It will be interesting getting Glenn in, but I'm sure there will be enough helping hands to get him up a few steps.
Well, I'm not having any inspirational ideas or thoughts to share so I'll sign off and keep you posted.
'Til next time,
Louise
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