Day 400-410
Where to start? Glenn is starting to go outside more and will stand beside the railing on the deck and then move along, going to his left. It has been fairly nice on the south side of the house, so we've done that a few times this past week. It snowed a fair bit last night, (the 24th of March) so we will have to wait for it to clear up and warm up again. Jackie is staying with him today, and they had a list of things they were going to do, including income tax. I think it will be good for both of them to have some time together, and it gives Helen a bit of a break. Glenn told me again that I help him too much, and how will he get better if I help too much? I said that he just has to keep telling me to let him try it, it is hard for me to guess what he can or can't do!
I made a turkey on Easter Sunday and had the kids and a few of their in laws for company. It was a busy day, but everyone was glad to be together. What a difference from last year! My dad gave everyone a scare on Sunday. He passed out at the table a couple of times, so they called an ambulance and had him checked out at the hospital. The doctor thinks he was nauseous and passed out because the blood went to his stomach. They did cat scans, and checked for heart attack, and other things. He has a viral infection in his sinuses, and that probably didn't help. Anyway, it got to be a stressful day for everyone, waiting for results. Thankfully he's OK, and they sent him home that night.
I'm going backwards in time. We had our massages on Thursday, and my girl was concerned at the tightness in my lower back. I said I knew it was there. It took me a few days to get over the workout, but feel much better now. I never knew what a difference it could make, but then I have never been under these conditions before.
On the 17th, Glenn had his swallow assessment done, and I think we won't worry about another one, they really told us what we already knew, but the doctor wants to talk to us about it, so we'll see what she has to say. I'm also going to talk to the dietitian again, so perhaps we'll get more guide lines as far as food is concerned, but I figured out a few things myself, and Glenn seems to be doing better. He is on 10 mg of his antidepressant, which is half of the usual dose, and he seems pretty good, although he is still a bit touchy. I think he'll get better with time there too.
I think that is pretty well everything of major importance. Jackie is getting anxious to go dress shopping, so maybe we'll squeeze that in one day. She has the week off from school, so she is looking for things to do to catch up on life. Her timetable is winding down, and she is looking forward to the end and getting back to work. She misses her "fundage". We plan to go out for supper with Glenn's Mom on Wednesday this week so that is another thing on the to do list. She is doing pretty well at her new home, so that was definitely the right move.
We are making plans to get ready for farming this year, for better or worse. I hope all goes well, it is a comfort in a way because we have always done this, so it feels 'normal'. I'm just concerned about the prices on everything, as is every farmer in the province. We'll do what we can.
'Til next time,
Louise
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
March 9-15
Day 393-399
Here we are again at the end of another week. We were busy, and had Botox treatment yesterday. I thought I could tell this morning that his leg was a bit more loose, but I don't think it really works that fast! The doctor also injected some into Glenn's right arm to loosen his fingers a bit more. It is a long needle, and I really don't like how he weaves it around once it is inserted, but Glenn says it doesn't hurt as much as the electric shocks do. They have electrodes hooked up to stimulate the muscle that is being injected. It is quite a procedure, and I understand better how Glenn felt when the kids were being born. Sometimes it is easier to be the one doing the work than being the one watching!
The anti-depressant experiment resulted in going back on for a while longer. Glenn was just too emotional, although he wasn't feeling upset, he couldn't control the laughing and crying. We both decided to use it again, and try to go off later. We go for a swallowing assessment on Monday, and then I think we'll wait until after Easter to go back to the doctor. We are both having a massage on Thursday the 20th, and I admit I'm looking forward to it. The past month has been stressful in more than a few ways, so it will be good to get a few kinks worked out!
We are looking forward to a bit of a break over the Easter holidays. It will be important to keep Glenn working his leg, so the Botox keeps working, but we have the know how and equipment now, so that should be OK. The kids are busy with school and jobs, so I haven't really decided what to do for Easter, but it will be something.
Mom had her birthday yesterday, and she and Dad were out and about for the day. They are really doing well, and are in good health. It is good to see. I gave her some roses, and they were going to have cake and coffee, but Glenn and I stayed home, the Botox thing was enough for the day. Elaine and Gordon were here last week-end, and we had supper out with Mom and Dad then. Glenn didn't come to that, but hopefully he will be able to go to other events. We just have to be patient, and take care of the general well being of him. The rest will follow.
'Til next time,
Louise
Here we are again at the end of another week. We were busy, and had Botox treatment yesterday. I thought I could tell this morning that his leg was a bit more loose, but I don't think it really works that fast! The doctor also injected some into Glenn's right arm to loosen his fingers a bit more. It is a long needle, and I really don't like how he weaves it around once it is inserted, but Glenn says it doesn't hurt as much as the electric shocks do. They have electrodes hooked up to stimulate the muscle that is being injected. It is quite a procedure, and I understand better how Glenn felt when the kids were being born. Sometimes it is easier to be the one doing the work than being the one watching!
The anti-depressant experiment resulted in going back on for a while longer. Glenn was just too emotional, although he wasn't feeling upset, he couldn't control the laughing and crying. We both decided to use it again, and try to go off later. We go for a swallowing assessment on Monday, and then I think we'll wait until after Easter to go back to the doctor. We are both having a massage on Thursday the 20th, and I admit I'm looking forward to it. The past month has been stressful in more than a few ways, so it will be good to get a few kinks worked out!
We are looking forward to a bit of a break over the Easter holidays. It will be important to keep Glenn working his leg, so the Botox keeps working, but we have the know how and equipment now, so that should be OK. The kids are busy with school and jobs, so I haven't really decided what to do for Easter, but it will be something.
Mom had her birthday yesterday, and she and Dad were out and about for the day. They are really doing well, and are in good health. It is good to see. I gave her some roses, and they were going to have cake and coffee, but Glenn and I stayed home, the Botox thing was enough for the day. Elaine and Gordon were here last week-end, and we had supper out with Mom and Dad then. Glenn didn't come to that, but hopefully he will be able to go to other events. We just have to be patient, and take care of the general well being of him. The rest will follow.
'Til next time,
Louise
Saturday, March 8, 2008
March 2-8
Day 386-392
I'm still sort of surprised by how many people are keeping up with us on the blog. I jot down thoughts more as a journaling exercise, but concerned and caring people are faithfully reading what I am putting out there. I hope it isn't too monotonous!
I was just reading the last post, and realize I didn't recount the episode after the sausage day was over. It was a cold wind blowing from the south, and when we got home, I didn't think of that and of how Glenn would react to it. He gets cold easily, so I pulled into the yard, and opened the back of the Rav. The wind blew right into it, and cooled it off rapidly. I got the power chair unloaded, and pulled it up beside Glenn. I couldn't close the back, because the ramps were in the way, so the wind was just a whistling through the truck. I opened Glenn's door, and transferred him to the chair. He was already stiffening up against the cold. We discovered I had forgotten the foot pedal, so I went back for it. I was getting cold too, and when I tried to put the pedal on, I couldn't get it lined up. Now Glenn was showing board like stiffness. When I finally got the @#%@# pedal on, Glenn was almost completely straight and as rigid as could be. I could NOT get his right leg bent at all, and he was only hanging on to the edge of the cushion of the chair. I managed to get him around to the front of the Rav, (slightly out of the wind) and proceeded to yell as I was sure he was going to end up on the ground. I finally bent his left leg a bit, and got him into the chair a bit more, and told him to drive. I didn't know if he would fall out or not, but we proceeded up the ramp. His feet were straight in front of him, and banged on each of the planks as he went up. We got to the front door, and I had forgotten to unlock it, and didn't have the key, so I had to leave Glenn there, and run around to the back door, and through the house to let him in. We made it without any harm done, but I was not happy. After thinking about what had nearly happened, I have a better plan, but I was pretty panicky for a while. The rest of the weekend was fine, and Glenn didn't suffer from the cold snap, but I sure didn't expect that.
We have a fair number of appointments coming up, a swallowing assessment on the 17th, botox on the 14, and the doctor too, although that isn't made yet. Easter is fast approaching, so the therapy sessions are up in the air a bit for Easter week, but they will have it worked out by next week.
We went to Red Lobster on Wednesday for Jackie's birthday supper, and Glenn was able to eat a meal out. It was a pretty big first for him, although he just shrugs and says he's no speed demon, and everyone is done before him. We all tell him it isn't a race, but he feels conspicuous. I hope that doesn't last too long. We have taken him off the anti-depressants, and he is a bit emotional again. If it doesn't settle out soon, we'll put him back on them. His warfarin was off too, so we had him off that off that for a few days. Everything is so balanced, that when you do something out of the ordinary, the meds go wonky. It has been a bit more stressful for me, so I booked us both for massages on the 20th of March.
We've been invited out for supper for my Mom's birthday, and will have to see how Glenn is feeling. He hates to be so emotional when he is out and about, so I told him not to worry, if he doesn't want to go, he can pass for now. Drugs are so amazing, you just don't know until you go off something you've been on for a while, and have to go through the withdrawal. I'm not sure I'll make it!
'Til next time,
Louise
I'm still sort of surprised by how many people are keeping up with us on the blog. I jot down thoughts more as a journaling exercise, but concerned and caring people are faithfully reading what I am putting out there. I hope it isn't too monotonous!
I was just reading the last post, and realize I didn't recount the episode after the sausage day was over. It was a cold wind blowing from the south, and when we got home, I didn't think of that and of how Glenn would react to it. He gets cold easily, so I pulled into the yard, and opened the back of the Rav. The wind blew right into it, and cooled it off rapidly. I got the power chair unloaded, and pulled it up beside Glenn. I couldn't close the back, because the ramps were in the way, so the wind was just a whistling through the truck. I opened Glenn's door, and transferred him to the chair. He was already stiffening up against the cold. We discovered I had forgotten the foot pedal, so I went back for it. I was getting cold too, and when I tried to put the pedal on, I couldn't get it lined up. Now Glenn was showing board like stiffness. When I finally got the @#%@# pedal on, Glenn was almost completely straight and as rigid as could be. I could NOT get his right leg bent at all, and he was only hanging on to the edge of the cushion of the chair. I managed to get him around to the front of the Rav, (slightly out of the wind) and proceeded to yell as I was sure he was going to end up on the ground. I finally bent his left leg a bit, and got him into the chair a bit more, and told him to drive. I didn't know if he would fall out or not, but we proceeded up the ramp. His feet were straight in front of him, and banged on each of the planks as he went up. We got to the front door, and I had forgotten to unlock it, and didn't have the key, so I had to leave Glenn there, and run around to the back door, and through the house to let him in. We made it without any harm done, but I was not happy. After thinking about what had nearly happened, I have a better plan, but I was pretty panicky for a while. The rest of the weekend was fine, and Glenn didn't suffer from the cold snap, but I sure didn't expect that.
We have a fair number of appointments coming up, a swallowing assessment on the 17th, botox on the 14, and the doctor too, although that isn't made yet. Easter is fast approaching, so the therapy sessions are up in the air a bit for Easter week, but they will have it worked out by next week.
We went to Red Lobster on Wednesday for Jackie's birthday supper, and Glenn was able to eat a meal out. It was a pretty big first for him, although he just shrugs and says he's no speed demon, and everyone is done before him. We all tell him it isn't a race, but he feels conspicuous. I hope that doesn't last too long. We have taken him off the anti-depressants, and he is a bit emotional again. If it doesn't settle out soon, we'll put him back on them. His warfarin was off too, so we had him off that off that for a few days. Everything is so balanced, that when you do something out of the ordinary, the meds go wonky. It has been a bit more stressful for me, so I booked us both for massages on the 20th of March.
We've been invited out for supper for my Mom's birthday, and will have to see how Glenn is feeling. He hates to be so emotional when he is out and about, so I told him not to worry, if he doesn't want to go, he can pass for now. Drugs are so amazing, you just don't know until you go off something you've been on for a while, and have to go through the withdrawal. I'm not sure I'll make it!
'Til next time,
Louise
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Feb 17-March 1
Day 371-385
Once again 2 weeks have gone since my last post. We are doing well, in spite of the uncertain weather. We had a holiday on family day, and that got us a bit confused because we do have a schedule! Glenn is making advances in the right arm mobility area, his OT is really trying to get it to be more usable, and there is definite improvement. He is eating well enough that we really don't rely on the tube feeding anymore. We've been to the doctor, and are weaning him off the antidepressant, so far all is well. She sent us for a bunch of lab work, so we'll see if he can come off anything else. The sooner the better as far as I'm concerned.
We celebrated Dale's 23rd last Friday, and are looking forward to Jackie's 21st on the 5th. Mom will be 81 on March 14, and there are a few more in March that we are going to be celebrating. Large families bring lots of birthdays that's for sure! We made sausage yesterday, much to Glenn's dismay. They didn't make him do anything, but it got to be a long day anyway. We stayed until it was smoked and everything. Then I left a bunch of it at Fred and Kris's, so now I have to get it picked up somehow. It was Dale's fault, I was busy getting Glenn settled in the Rav (the power chair fits in the back now!) and didn't double check that everything was loaded. Anyway, we cooked some up for supper, and it passed with flying colours. It will be nice to have on hand for those quick meals we all need to rustle up once in a while.
We have a busy few weeks planned, Glenn goes to see the speech path on Monday, and Botox is scheduled for March 14. We'll probably go back to the doctor sometime in there too, so it should keep us out of trouble. I hope the highways clear up soon, but March can be miserable.
'Til next time,
Louise
Once again 2 weeks have gone since my last post. We are doing well, in spite of the uncertain weather. We had a holiday on family day, and that got us a bit confused because we do have a schedule! Glenn is making advances in the right arm mobility area, his OT is really trying to get it to be more usable, and there is definite improvement. He is eating well enough that we really don't rely on the tube feeding anymore. We've been to the doctor, and are weaning him off the antidepressant, so far all is well. She sent us for a bunch of lab work, so we'll see if he can come off anything else. The sooner the better as far as I'm concerned.
We celebrated Dale's 23rd last Friday, and are looking forward to Jackie's 21st on the 5th. Mom will be 81 on March 14, and there are a few more in March that we are going to be celebrating. Large families bring lots of birthdays that's for sure! We made sausage yesterday, much to Glenn's dismay. They didn't make him do anything, but it got to be a long day anyway. We stayed until it was smoked and everything. Then I left a bunch of it at Fred and Kris's, so now I have to get it picked up somehow. It was Dale's fault, I was busy getting Glenn settled in the Rav (the power chair fits in the back now!) and didn't double check that everything was loaded. Anyway, we cooked some up for supper, and it passed with flying colours. It will be nice to have on hand for those quick meals we all need to rustle up once in a while.
We have a busy few weeks planned, Glenn goes to see the speech path on Monday, and Botox is scheduled for March 14. We'll probably go back to the doctor sometime in there too, so it should keep us out of trouble. I hope the highways clear up soon, but March can be miserable.
'Til next time,
Louise
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