Day 431-445
Well, I'm older, but probably not wiser! We had a house full on Friday to help celebrate the occasion. Glenn stayed up until 12:30 or so, although he was getting pretty droopy eyed. The nicer weather means we can go out more, and that also helps our general disposition.
The boys are pulling out the equipment and we are finding a few flats and dead batteries. The flats have just needed to be pumped up (so far) but the batteries need to be replaced. The farmers around here are starting to roll, but it is pretty cool yet. We have the luxury of waiting a bit longer to start. Glenn was out supervising the boys, and Dale reported that Glenn almost dumped himself out of the chair. Dales comment to Dad was that seat belts save lives! Glenn needs to remember to buckle up when he goes out to tour the grounds.
We have taken advantage of the front deck and the nice weather to do a bit of walking. The railing is a good height, so Glenn gets on his feet and goes along the railing. It is good exercise, and good practice for balance. His right leg still doesn't swing through, but he will keep working on it.
We are being cut back to one day of therapy a week, so that means we will have to do more on our own. I'm of two minds about this, I won't miss the extra day in Regina, but I hope that Glenn won't suffer because of it. The therapists way that it is just a trial, and if they notice a difference we will go back to two days, but I highly doubt that will happen. Home therapy and determination will have to prevail.
The doctor says we are both healthy, otherwise. Glenn's ankles swell up once in a while, but she checked them and said it is because he is sitting and not moving his ankles and feet. That happened in his right hand too, so that makes sense. It does come and go, so I felt relieved about that. Swelling can be a sign of kidney distress, and warfarin can cause kidney trouble, so I thought it best to have her check it out. If he swells up all over, then we may have a problem.
I also took Glenn for a visit to his work place. The people there were very happy to see him, and filled the board room for a visit. I expected a bit more rotation, we went at coffee time, but the whole gang showed up, and had coffee and cookies with us. He was giving some of them a hard time as usual, and they are interested in having him help on the new version. I was happy we made the effort, and I'm sure they were happy to see him too.
As you may be able to tell, we have been super busy. These things have been on the "to -do " list for a while, and it was time to catch up a bit. Funny thing is, my list never seems to get any shorter! We've done the taxes, banking and have started purchasing farm inputs. My bank account is wondering what the heck is going on, but that is the way it goes. I'm a bit grumpy about the tax bill, but managed to whittle it down a fair bit. Next year it won't be so bad, but I may be just setting up to do it again. That will remain to be seen.
I went to see Shirley yesterday too, and she is doing much better in her new home. She moves around more, and has people to be around and interact with. She was so isolated last year, and that is hard for a person with depression. She bottomed out at Christmas, and we moved her in January. The kids really notice a difference in her too, so we did the right thing.
We are getting along day by day, and want to thank you for your continuing support and interest in us, and Glenn's recovery. He is working hard, although he says he's lazy. He sat in the sun and watched the boys work the other day, and thought that was OK. His outlook on life is amazing, and I can only marvel at his courage!
'Til next time,
Louise
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
April 3-15
Day 418-430
I'm preoccupied with books, kids and spring. I don't sit to write things, usually because the computer is busy! I'm at work right now, and it is not too busy at the minute, so I'll try to catch up on the happenings. We need to start visiting with people soon, we are getting into a bit of a rut, but the warm weather will make it more inviting to do that. I forget way too many things, so if you have called and I haven't returned your call, I'm sorry, I probably got distracted, and forgot to do it. It is because of age and stress, and you know... life!
It was really warm here yesterday, and was a pleasure to be about business without the parkas and everything. Today, it is rainy and cold again. It would be nice if it would pour, and really wash things up, but it is drizzling, and not very nice.
Glenn commented that he is noticing that his right hand is working better, he can use it more, and is working on weight bearing on it. It is encouraging to hear him be more positive. He never complains (believe it or not!), but he isn't usually very positive either. I think he is getting to the point where he sees that perhaps he will get mobile. He transfers himself more and more, and on Sunday we were outside at the shop, Dale was changing his tires, and Glenn stood up and had a look under the hood, and suggested that Dale check out the breather. That was good, he is becoming interested in the stuff going on, and because he is home, he can go out and see what is up. His right leg is better (more reliable) too, that makes a difference in his mobility. He pushes a shopping cart (with help of course) in therapy, so he is getting his strength back and his balance is coming too. His warfarin is still wonky, but that is probably because he is eating more than he was. It doesn't take much, so hopefully that will settle down soon. Every day is a bit better right now, so that is all I can ask for. He is still a wise guy, and keeps me on my toes. I know that my birthday will bring on the old lady remarks galore, but I'm not going to complain much yet this year! Maybe next year!
I've got to get busy now, so
'Til next time,
Louise
I'm preoccupied with books, kids and spring. I don't sit to write things, usually because the computer is busy! I'm at work right now, and it is not too busy at the minute, so I'll try to catch up on the happenings. We need to start visiting with people soon, we are getting into a bit of a rut, but the warm weather will make it more inviting to do that. I forget way too many things, so if you have called and I haven't returned your call, I'm sorry, I probably got distracted, and forgot to do it. It is because of age and stress, and you know... life!
It was really warm here yesterday, and was a pleasure to be about business without the parkas and everything. Today, it is rainy and cold again. It would be nice if it would pour, and really wash things up, but it is drizzling, and not very nice.
Glenn commented that he is noticing that his right hand is working better, he can use it more, and is working on weight bearing on it. It is encouraging to hear him be more positive. He never complains (believe it or not!), but he isn't usually very positive either. I think he is getting to the point where he sees that perhaps he will get mobile. He transfers himself more and more, and on Sunday we were outside at the shop, Dale was changing his tires, and Glenn stood up and had a look under the hood, and suggested that Dale check out the breather. That was good, he is becoming interested in the stuff going on, and because he is home, he can go out and see what is up. His right leg is better (more reliable) too, that makes a difference in his mobility. He pushes a shopping cart (with help of course) in therapy, so he is getting his strength back and his balance is coming too. His warfarin is still wonky, but that is probably because he is eating more than he was. It doesn't take much, so hopefully that will settle down soon. Every day is a bit better right now, so that is all I can ask for. He is still a wise guy, and keeps me on my toes. I know that my birthday will bring on the old lady remarks galore, but I'm not going to complain much yet this year! Maybe next year!
I've got to get busy now, so
'Til next time,
Louise
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
March 26- April 2
Day 411-418
I'm sure spring is around the corner, but it is sure being reluctant ! I went out to make some water run, and it snowed on me! The wind still bites too, so it will be very nice when it gets over 10 degrees. Glenn didn't go out today, but stood at the sink and watched the birds come and go at the feeders. I have quite a variety there, with chickadees, hairy woodpeckers, downy woodpeckers, red polls, sparrows, and now the junkos have shown up. Chickadees are bossy little birds, but back off when the big woodpeckers show up. Crows are cawing, but don't come close to the house. I know spring is around the corner!
We continue to carry on, and therapy is back on schedule after the ladies took some time off over the Easter Break. We went to the doctor on Monday, and she was happy with Glenn's progress. She is always surprised, and we are ahead of what the swallow assessment is saying. She was very surprised when I told her Glenn had a hamburger for lunch! She checked his lungs, as that is where any problems will show from aspiration, and she said they are clear. She told Glenn she expects that in a year he will be walking around on his own, and Glenn still shrugged, but it was good to hear her say that. Of course, time will tell, but a positive outlook can't hurt.
My dad had the flu bug and is getting over it. Mom said he needs to get outside now, and get some project going, and that is a good sign. He still has a bit of stomach upset, and his sinuses were infected, so he was feeling pretty glum. The good news is that the hospital ran tests for heart attack and stroke and other things and all came back negative, so he just got the wind knocked out of him by the bug. Not that that is anything to take lightly, after all he is 80!
April is here and with it come another batch of birthdays. My older friend turns older on the 7th, and she loves that I remember that and tell as many people as I can. That is what friends are for, right? We have other friends who turn over another number, and I have to admit that mine is also looming. They come faster and faster. When I was a kid, my birthdays were ages apart, and were over too fast. My, how perspective changes.
Glenn's botox is working well, and his right hand is relaxing more all the time. We got 3 of 4 fingers into his glove last Thursday, and that is the best we've done this winter. It is so much easier to get around in the warmer weather, although the carpet is getting dirty from the wheelchair's tracks through mud. Glenn seems to get stuck in it pretty easily, but it will soon be gone. I knew I needed cement at the bottom of the ramp!
We went out for supper 2 times last week and Glenn had good meals. It is a nice thing to be able to do again, and although he was with family and friends, it was a good start. He was relaxed and so I relaxed. As long as we keep to softer foods, he does well. One thing at a time, but we are doing them!
'Til next time,
Louise
I'm sure spring is around the corner, but it is sure being reluctant ! I went out to make some water run, and it snowed on me! The wind still bites too, so it will be very nice when it gets over 10 degrees. Glenn didn't go out today, but stood at the sink and watched the birds come and go at the feeders. I have quite a variety there, with chickadees, hairy woodpeckers, downy woodpeckers, red polls, sparrows, and now the junkos have shown up. Chickadees are bossy little birds, but back off when the big woodpeckers show up. Crows are cawing, but don't come close to the house. I know spring is around the corner!
We continue to carry on, and therapy is back on schedule after the ladies took some time off over the Easter Break. We went to the doctor on Monday, and she was happy with Glenn's progress. She is always surprised, and we are ahead of what the swallow assessment is saying. She was very surprised when I told her Glenn had a hamburger for lunch! She checked his lungs, as that is where any problems will show from aspiration, and she said they are clear. She told Glenn she expects that in a year he will be walking around on his own, and Glenn still shrugged, but it was good to hear her say that. Of course, time will tell, but a positive outlook can't hurt.
My dad had the flu bug and is getting over it. Mom said he needs to get outside now, and get some project going, and that is a good sign. He still has a bit of stomach upset, and his sinuses were infected, so he was feeling pretty glum. The good news is that the hospital ran tests for heart attack and stroke and other things and all came back negative, so he just got the wind knocked out of him by the bug. Not that that is anything to take lightly, after all he is 80!
April is here and with it come another batch of birthdays. My older friend turns older on the 7th, and she loves that I remember that and tell as many people as I can. That is what friends are for, right? We have other friends who turn over another number, and I have to admit that mine is also looming. They come faster and faster. When I was a kid, my birthdays were ages apart, and were over too fast. My, how perspective changes.
Glenn's botox is working well, and his right hand is relaxing more all the time. We got 3 of 4 fingers into his glove last Thursday, and that is the best we've done this winter. It is so much easier to get around in the warmer weather, although the carpet is getting dirty from the wheelchair's tracks through mud. Glenn seems to get stuck in it pretty easily, but it will soon be gone. I knew I needed cement at the bottom of the ramp!
We went out for supper 2 times last week and Glenn had good meals. It is a nice thing to be able to do again, and although he was with family and friends, it was a good start. He was relaxed and so I relaxed. As long as we keep to softer foods, he does well. One thing at a time, but we are doing them!
'Til next time,
Louise
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