Day 366-370
We have managed to avoid driving in the bad weather conditions, although it has been interesting to drive after the storms are over. Colin hit the ditch last night, he was avoiding 3 deer, and it had rained, so the highway was icy. He didn't damage anything, and he was unharmed, but more than a bit annoyed to end a long day in such a way. Unfortunately, the Rav doesn't have a tow hitch, and the 1/2 ton had a flat tire. I don't think the truck would have pulled him out, he was nose down, at a right angle to the highway. It was fairly steep right there, so I think if he had gone in sideways he would have rolled. Anyway, he got help from someone with a 4x4 this morning, and was on his way back to work. I don't think he was even late!
We had company last night too, and didn't get to bed until 11:30. We were just settling in when Colin called, so my sleep pattern was totally thrown off. I didn't get much sleep, but don't feel too bad yet. Glenn slept well, in spite of the interruptions. He was playing on the PC yesterday, and kept laughing. He downloaded something and was very pleased that it was working. I didn't ask too many questions. He also won an eBay bid so we are waiting for more computer stuff in the mail. I believe it was KVM switch (sorry if that is wrong you computer guys, I do my best!), so now we can hook 4 computers to the same monitor. I'm not sure why we need to do this, but all will be revealed soon.
The botox has pretty well worn off in his right leg, and we are booked in for a review on March 14. We think that is why he was falling, his leg stiffened up, and he had to go back to the way it was behaving before botox. He is more cautious, and is still transferring himself, but has to be more careful of 'setting' his leg before standing on it. We went to the doctor, and are starting to wean off a few meds. She also wrote an order for another swallowing assessment, so we are starting on the way to remove the peg. He had roast beef and potatoes last night, and wondered if he would be eating if he were still in hospital. I said probably not, but who knows? He's waiting for the day he can get out of bed himself instead of waiting for me. I know he would be getting up earlier, and will, because he is an early riser. It is getting closer all the time..
That pretty well covers the excitement for this week. We are well otherwise, and continue to avoid the cold that is going around. We have the sniffles, but it hasn't developed into anything too serious yet.
'Til next time,
Louise
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Feb 2-9
Day 358-365
Hmmm... we're just coming up to a year next Wednesday the 13th and I have 365 days accounted for, I must have miscounted ... go figure. Anyway, it has been almost a year, and my gosh, I hope I don't have another like it for a while. Glenn is getting into the stage where he is trying out his ability, and I am beginning to realize the extra worry this is going to bring to me. He seems to handle these tumbles very well, but we haven't had any really serious consequences yet either. Last Saturday, Helen found him on the floor in the bedroom, he had been trying to change his pants, and wiggled off the bed. She called for help lifting him up, and he was fine. He had spent the 10 minutes he was there picking fuzz from the carpet. Oh dear. Yesterday, he was in the bathroom and decided to clean his chair. He ended up on the floor again, but this time he bumped his stomach peg, and so I was concerned that it may have become dislodged. A few calls later and we were OK, but with a blizzard bearing down on us and a 40 minute drive to the city, it was a bit scary. Again, he seemed to know that it was OK, which kept me phoning for information on how to judge whether or not the peg was working. Our friend works with these all the time and she told me to feed him, and if it worked it was OK. So I hooked him up and away we went, but I am a bit more shaken than I like to think. We're going to the doctor on Thursday, so I hope we can discuss the removal of the peg, Glenn is eating most things quite well, although that can be scary too. He can drink the supplement if he has to, so I hope it can come out. It would be one less thing to worry about.
His statement at the end of yesterday was that he had had a terrible day, but I said, no, we learned that I can pick you up, and we know how to tell if the peg is still in place, so that is not a bad thing. He thinks he will get used to not doing anything, he says he's retired. I'll keep you updated on that frame of mind!
I did get some sewing done in spite of the interruptions. I am determined to finish projects before starting new projects, so that is the end of one project. I have an afghan on the go which I need to finish before I start on a touque for me. Some of the kids are coming for supper, and decided they wanted beans, so I expect I will be making doughballs when I get home ( the spell checker is going nuts, it doesn't know touque or doughballs for heaven sake!)
We went for massage, and I was looking at the list of therapies offered there and they do Reiki therapy too, so I think I'll book Glenn for one of those sessions. Some people have excellent results with it, so I think it's worth a shot.
Dale's birthday is coming up, followed closely by Jackie's ( there's a whole pile of cousins and great cousins in the first part of March too) so we will have cake for them this year (I hope) Happy birthday to Holly on the 4th, Auntie didn't forget, she just doesn't do cards very well! My younger sister is in the Dominican Republic, so she asked that we not have any unfortunate phone calls to make while she is there. Last year she was in Cuba when Glenn had his stroke. I told her we would do our best.
I think that's all for now, we are going along as best we can, and are trying to stay safe and warm in this cold blast of winter. I hope it doesn't last too long!
'Til next time,
Louise
Hmmm... we're just coming up to a year next Wednesday the 13th and I have 365 days accounted for, I must have miscounted ... go figure. Anyway, it has been almost a year, and my gosh, I hope I don't have another like it for a while. Glenn is getting into the stage where he is trying out his ability, and I am beginning to realize the extra worry this is going to bring to me. He seems to handle these tumbles very well, but we haven't had any really serious consequences yet either. Last Saturday, Helen found him on the floor in the bedroom, he had been trying to change his pants, and wiggled off the bed. She called for help lifting him up, and he was fine. He had spent the 10 minutes he was there picking fuzz from the carpet. Oh dear. Yesterday, he was in the bathroom and decided to clean his chair. He ended up on the floor again, but this time he bumped his stomach peg, and so I was concerned that it may have become dislodged. A few calls later and we were OK, but with a blizzard bearing down on us and a 40 minute drive to the city, it was a bit scary. Again, he seemed to know that it was OK, which kept me phoning for information on how to judge whether or not the peg was working. Our friend works with these all the time and she told me to feed him, and if it worked it was OK. So I hooked him up and away we went, but I am a bit more shaken than I like to think. We're going to the doctor on Thursday, so I hope we can discuss the removal of the peg, Glenn is eating most things quite well, although that can be scary too. He can drink the supplement if he has to, so I hope it can come out. It would be one less thing to worry about.
His statement at the end of yesterday was that he had had a terrible day, but I said, no, we learned that I can pick you up, and we know how to tell if the peg is still in place, so that is not a bad thing. He thinks he will get used to not doing anything, he says he's retired. I'll keep you updated on that frame of mind!
I did get some sewing done in spite of the interruptions. I am determined to finish projects before starting new projects, so that is the end of one project. I have an afghan on the go which I need to finish before I start on a touque for me. Some of the kids are coming for supper, and decided they wanted beans, so I expect I will be making doughballs when I get home ( the spell checker is going nuts, it doesn't know touque or doughballs for heaven sake!)
We went for massage, and I was looking at the list of therapies offered there and they do Reiki therapy too, so I think I'll book Glenn for one of those sessions. Some people have excellent results with it, so I think it's worth a shot.
Dale's birthday is coming up, followed closely by Jackie's ( there's a whole pile of cousins and great cousins in the first part of March too) so we will have cake for them this year (I hope) Happy birthday to Holly on the 4th, Auntie didn't forget, she just doesn't do cards very well! My younger sister is in the Dominican Republic, so she asked that we not have any unfortunate phone calls to make while she is there. Last year she was in Cuba when Glenn had his stroke. I told her we would do our best.
I think that's all for now, we are going along as best we can, and are trying to stay safe and warm in this cold blast of winter. I hope it doesn't last too long!
'Til next time,
Louise
Friday, February 1, 2008
January 13-February 1
Day 340-357
Yikes, where did the time go? Oh, I know, moved Grandma, 50th birthday, therapy, etc., etc. It's February, and we are closing in on one year since we started this journey. The time dragged and the time flew, and that is how life is. I need to say that Glenn has decided to really get independent, and is trying all sorts of ways to take care of himself. I don't help much with bath-rooming anymore, and we had an OT here on Wednesday to help place a couple more poles to make it easier for Glenn to transfer himself. We are now working on getting into and out of bed, so more and more he is shedding his limitations, and is improving daily. When he tries something new, we have to go over it a few times, and find out what works and what doesn't. He thinks things through, and sometimes even listens to my suggestions! It's great! His speech is getting clearer, and I have to get him to slow down and enunciate , because he is anxious to get the story out.
Grandma is now living in Walsh Acres Manor, and is, so far, happy with the move. Chris really did a good job checking the place out and moving her. She was so alone at the other home, she was going down hill. The new place has 3 other residents right now, and has room for 4 more. It is a newly renovated home, and has a fireplace and closed in deck. One of the other residents also plays organ and piano, so Shirley was having a ball playing again. The caregiver is a journeyman cook, and Chris said the food smelled pretty good! It is a relief to have her there, as I know she wasn't very happy where she was.
I also went to visit Uncle Bob and feel that he knew who I was. He laughed at a few of the remarks I made and was happy to hold my hand while we visited. I asked him where his teeth were, and he opened his mouth. I said they weren't there, and he had a good laugh. I still don't know where his teeth were, but I guess it doesn't matter. He actually said "yes" and "no" to a couple of questions I asked, and he hadn't done that before. I don't think he would have been able to recall may name, but I do think he knew he knew me. That was a bit of a relief, because he really wasn't with it the last time I saw him.
I did go ahead with a party for Glenn, and cooked a turkey and had the kids bring some dips and things. Glenn really enjoyed having people here, and played with a couple of the small ones, who were fascinated with the horn on Uncle Glenn's chair. Chris and Aryn brought their dog, who kept the rabbit on his toes. Ultimately, the rabbit hid out in our bedroom. I don't think he enjoyed the party!
The cold weather this past week gave me a day off. Ray didn't take the truck out on Tuesday, so I got to stay home, and so did Helen. It was miserably cold, so I didn't argue. We didn't go for massage this week, but will go again next week. I have to make a few appointments this morning, but thought I had better catch up on some of the events and happenings around here. I think it will just get busier and busier, as we are perhaps going to put in a few quarters of crop ourselves this spring. Jackie took me to a wedding Expo in Regina, and that kind of brought home that my baby is really getting married next year! Boy, I should start a business, there is a killing to be made with wedding crap. I can't believe how much money people spend on one day! The most useless thing were the chair cover rentals. My gosh, you pay to have chairs covered and decorated with an organza bow! That really floored me. I had no idea. The fashion shows didn't do much for Jackie, who has her heart set on a certain style, but we did get the card of the fellow who designed and made Aryn's dress, so that is a possibility. I told Jackie she will have to start saving her pennies if she goes that route. She continues to do well at school, and is looking forward to getting a job. She is really watching her money right now, and is bothered by not having more "fundage". It is a good lesson in budgeting!
I'm about done, Glenn was looking at trips to the coast online, and I said I wasn't sure about that. He just shrugged and said they were for March, so that goes to show how his thinking has changed. I don't think we'll go, but he is looking forward, and that is the main thing. We still have a spare computer for sale, so if anyone is interested, let us know!
'Til next time,
Louise
Yikes, where did the time go? Oh, I know, moved Grandma, 50th birthday, therapy, etc., etc. It's February, and we are closing in on one year since we started this journey. The time dragged and the time flew, and that is how life is. I need to say that Glenn has decided to really get independent, and is trying all sorts of ways to take care of himself. I don't help much with bath-rooming anymore, and we had an OT here on Wednesday to help place a couple more poles to make it easier for Glenn to transfer himself. We are now working on getting into and out of bed, so more and more he is shedding his limitations, and is improving daily. When he tries something new, we have to go over it a few times, and find out what works and what doesn't. He thinks things through, and sometimes even listens to my suggestions! It's great! His speech is getting clearer, and I have to get him to slow down and enunciate , because he is anxious to get the story out.
Grandma is now living in Walsh Acres Manor, and is, so far, happy with the move. Chris really did a good job checking the place out and moving her. She was so alone at the other home, she was going down hill. The new place has 3 other residents right now, and has room for 4 more. It is a newly renovated home, and has a fireplace and closed in deck. One of the other residents also plays organ and piano, so Shirley was having a ball playing again. The caregiver is a journeyman cook, and Chris said the food smelled pretty good! It is a relief to have her there, as I know she wasn't very happy where she was.
I also went to visit Uncle Bob and feel that he knew who I was. He laughed at a few of the remarks I made and was happy to hold my hand while we visited. I asked him where his teeth were, and he opened his mouth. I said they weren't there, and he had a good laugh. I still don't know where his teeth were, but I guess it doesn't matter. He actually said "yes" and "no" to a couple of questions I asked, and he hadn't done that before. I don't think he would have been able to recall may name, but I do think he knew he knew me. That was a bit of a relief, because he really wasn't with it the last time I saw him.
I did go ahead with a party for Glenn, and cooked a turkey and had the kids bring some dips and things. Glenn really enjoyed having people here, and played with a couple of the small ones, who were fascinated with the horn on Uncle Glenn's chair. Chris and Aryn brought their dog, who kept the rabbit on his toes. Ultimately, the rabbit hid out in our bedroom. I don't think he enjoyed the party!
The cold weather this past week gave me a day off. Ray didn't take the truck out on Tuesday, so I got to stay home, and so did Helen. It was miserably cold, so I didn't argue. We didn't go for massage this week, but will go again next week. I have to make a few appointments this morning, but thought I had better catch up on some of the events and happenings around here. I think it will just get busier and busier, as we are perhaps going to put in a few quarters of crop ourselves this spring. Jackie took me to a wedding Expo in Regina, and that kind of brought home that my baby is really getting married next year! Boy, I should start a business, there is a killing to be made with wedding crap. I can't believe how much money people spend on one day! The most useless thing were the chair cover rentals. My gosh, you pay to have chairs covered and decorated with an organza bow! That really floored me. I had no idea. The fashion shows didn't do much for Jackie, who has her heart set on a certain style, but we did get the card of the fellow who designed and made Aryn's dress, so that is a possibility. I told Jackie she will have to start saving her pennies if she goes that route. She continues to do well at school, and is looking forward to getting a job. She is really watching her money right now, and is bothered by not having more "fundage". It is a good lesson in budgeting!
I'm about done, Glenn was looking at trips to the coast online, and I said I wasn't sure about that. He just shrugged and said they were for March, so that goes to show how his thinking has changed. I don't think we'll go, but he is looking forward, and that is the main thing. We still have a spare computer for sale, so if anyone is interested, let us know!
'Til next time,
Louise
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