Day 522 - 531
It has rained over an inch last week, and the crops around here are really coming along nicely. Dale went and picked a few heads from our barley, and if it fills, we should harvest a good crop. I'm not sure about doing this again next year, I have some time left to decide. The prices are going nuts, and really, the boys don't need the extra work.
Glenn has been plagued with a sore back the last few days. It seems to come and go. Today he was OK, but transfers yesterday were hard. He is working on the computer, and is trying to stretch more to get it back into shape. Hopefully he won't suffer on the trip to Nipawin. We'll have to be sure to carry pillows, and stop to stretch whenever he feels the need. Our power point came together quite nicely, he is working on the music track today. We ordered a projector, and it came today, so that was a relief. Now we just need to nail down the sound system and we are away.
Everyone is getting ready to pack for the weekend. Wendy planned to leave today, she wanted to attend the community shower in White Fox. The weather here looks a little iffy, but that is a whole different world there. The wedding is indoors anyway, but hot and muggy is never too much fun!
Jackie and Johnny decided to lease a new Pontiac Vibe, so they are excited to be able to drive a new vehicle. It should work out well for them, but time will tell. It should be dependable, anyway. They are planning to camp next week, as well as Chris and Aryn. Colin and Chelsey are going to Edmonton, then going back to camp, so they will be clocking a few miles. It was interesting digging out the camping gear, and finding out what was still good. The tent needed airing, but was in good shape otherwise.
I'm blabbing on here, but it is nice to not be under the gun so much right now. Glenn is puttering around in the shop more, and does more for himself all the time. We have cut back some medications, and don't miss the feeding tube at all. Slowly but steadily things are returning. He is easier to understand, especially on the phone. We went to visit his Mom last Monday, and she is happy where she is. I'm catching up on a few things, but more is added to the list, so I'm not gaining. That is also a normal thing though.
Thanks for reading, I know quite a few people still do. Keep us in your prayers too. It all helps, no doubt about it.
'Til next time,
Louise
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
July 5 - 12
Day 514-521
As requested, this week was much more uneventful. Glenn's bruises have faded, and he is greatly scolded by every one about his adventure. He wasn't being reckless, he miscalculated the stability of the mower. Thank goodness he didn't get more seriously hurt. He has cut more grass in the bin yard since then, and did fine. I need a fair bit of courage to have him do these things, but of course he needs to, and is perfectly capable of making those decisions.
We need to work out more, he is showing signs of stiffening up a bit, although some of that was from the accident. The botox in his hand seems to be working, his fingers are more loose. The OT was pleased with how he could open his hand and stretch out his arm, so that is good. He was standing at the sink the other day, and was doing some exercises when he called me. He could touch his right hand to his chin, something that he couldn't do before, so there is still progress. I'm thinking of getting a walker for him, he could start to move around the house a bit, although I will probably have to hide it when I'm gone! I think if he starts to do that, he will get stronger faster. I will have a professional helping with this, I'm not making any rash decisions!
Jackie and I went shopping for wedding stuff yesterday, and she got a bit more excited about it. It became more than just a day in the future. We bought some decorations, and actually found some nice invitation kits. She is thinking about how this will work and seems a bit fixated on the guest favours. Funny how some things bug you more than others. She is pleased with her work so far, and so is the dentist she is working for. We are looking forward to a family wedding in a few weeks, she will be looking at how things are done a bit more closely!
That about covers it for this week. Our nerves have settled, and we are coasting a bit right now. We're working on a power point, and are crafting a few gifts, so I've enjoyed this week. My garden is coming along, and we are beating the weeds back pretty well. Jackie has been out to help with it a few times, and is looking forward to fresh potatoes!
'Til next time,
Louise
As requested, this week was much more uneventful. Glenn's bruises have faded, and he is greatly scolded by every one about his adventure. He wasn't being reckless, he miscalculated the stability of the mower. Thank goodness he didn't get more seriously hurt. He has cut more grass in the bin yard since then, and did fine. I need a fair bit of courage to have him do these things, but of course he needs to, and is perfectly capable of making those decisions.
We need to work out more, he is showing signs of stiffening up a bit, although some of that was from the accident. The botox in his hand seems to be working, his fingers are more loose. The OT was pleased with how he could open his hand and stretch out his arm, so that is good. He was standing at the sink the other day, and was doing some exercises when he called me. He could touch his right hand to his chin, something that he couldn't do before, so there is still progress. I'm thinking of getting a walker for him, he could start to move around the house a bit, although I will probably have to hide it when I'm gone! I think if he starts to do that, he will get stronger faster. I will have a professional helping with this, I'm not making any rash decisions!
Jackie and I went shopping for wedding stuff yesterday, and she got a bit more excited about it. It became more than just a day in the future. We bought some decorations, and actually found some nice invitation kits. She is thinking about how this will work and seems a bit fixated on the guest favours. Funny how some things bug you more than others. She is pleased with her work so far, and so is the dentist she is working for. We are looking forward to a family wedding in a few weeks, she will be looking at how things are done a bit more closely!
That about covers it for this week. Our nerves have settled, and we are coasting a bit right now. We're working on a power point, and are crafting a few gifts, so I've enjoyed this week. My garden is coming along, and we are beating the weeds back pretty well. Jackie has been out to help with it a few times, and is looking forward to fresh potatoes!
'Til next time,
Louise
Friday, July 4, 2008
June 22-July 4
Day 501-513
I had a hard time settling into writing this as we had a traumatic week. Last week we had botox injections, and since the Dr. was helpful, I asked a few other questions. Glenn's back was giving him trouble, so I asked about additional painkillers. ( I never got an answer to the painkiller question!) Dr. looked at Glenn's meds, then told us we could start eliminating the use of some of them. We are weaning him from some water pills, and will go to see the cardiologist about the amiodarine, as it doesn't seem to be helping the arythmia. I then asked about the feed tube. and what procedure we needed to follow to have it removed. He asked a few more questions about how Glenn was coping without using it. I told him we hadn't used it in over 2 months, and he said OK, let's pull it out, and he did just that. It kind of popped as it came out, but it is gone! That was unexpected. We needed to cover it and keep it clean for the time it needed to heal, but it looks quite well.
Monday came along and we received news of a young man who had passed away on the weekend. I was upset for the family, and Glenn decided to mow some grass before it got too hot. I helped him get on, then went to the garden. In a while the mower stopped, so I went to see what was wrong. As I got close to where I thought he was working, a car stopped on the highway, and I could hear someone calling Glenn, and asking him if he was alright. My heart dropped into limbo and I raced over there. There he was, upside down in the ditch. Thank God he was moving, but as I got a closer look, I really didn't like how he was folded under the machine. The neighbour lady helped me unhook the seat belt, and we pushed the mower back onto its wheels, and got a good look at Glenn. He had a bit of blood on his face, but did what he was asked and could move all his limbs. The neighbour called her husband, and the guys came and helped lift Glenn back into his chair. He had no pain, and the bleeding seemed to be stopping. I thanked our helpers, and got Glenn into the house so I could have a good look at him. He was saying that now he had a story to tell. When he was on the ground, he looked under the chair and took a label out that he hadn't seen before. I asked him when he had looked at the bottom of the chair before. He also landed on an ant pile, so he had ants in his pants too! The damage seemed to be superficial, but I called a friend to come and give her opinion, and she said the same thing. He could move his hand, although it is sporting a huge bruise. His face took to worst of it, his glass nose piece jammed into the side of his nose, and he looks as though he went a round with Mike Tyson. Today the bruises are starting to yellow around the edges, so he will get pretty colourful in the next few days. I helped him put on his glasses this morning, but put a bit of padding under the one nose piece (amazingly the glasses were only slightly bent!) I think I suffered more from the shock than he did, but he knew how much it hurt. I gave him sh-- about cutting the ditch, and he commented that he didn't think that would happen. Needless to say, he won't do them any more. I went to the shop last night to see if the mower would start and run. It did both, although there was a great cloud of smoke as the oil burned out of the engine. It seems none the worse for wear, and I cut a bit of grass to see if it would keep going. It did, so we were lucky this time. I told Glenn his angel is still watching over him closely, but he should give him a break. I'm at work today and tomorrow, so Glenn is on his own. Jackie thought she might come out this afternoon, as she only worked to 12:30. I haven't heard from them, so I'll find out when I get get home. It took most of Tuesday to settle down, and the therapists were concerned yesterday, but everyone agreed that he looks the worse for wear, but really didn't do too much damage. I hope we have an uneventful week next week!
'Til next time,
Louise
I had a hard time settling into writing this as we had a traumatic week. Last week we had botox injections, and since the Dr. was helpful, I asked a few other questions. Glenn's back was giving him trouble, so I asked about additional painkillers. ( I never got an answer to the painkiller question!) Dr. looked at Glenn's meds, then told us we could start eliminating the use of some of them. We are weaning him from some water pills, and will go to see the cardiologist about the amiodarine, as it doesn't seem to be helping the arythmia. I then asked about the feed tube. and what procedure we needed to follow to have it removed. He asked a few more questions about how Glenn was coping without using it. I told him we hadn't used it in over 2 months, and he said OK, let's pull it out, and he did just that. It kind of popped as it came out, but it is gone! That was unexpected. We needed to cover it and keep it clean for the time it needed to heal, but it looks quite well.
Monday came along and we received news of a young man who had passed away on the weekend. I was upset for the family, and Glenn decided to mow some grass before it got too hot. I helped him get on, then went to the garden. In a while the mower stopped, so I went to see what was wrong. As I got close to where I thought he was working, a car stopped on the highway, and I could hear someone calling Glenn, and asking him if he was alright. My heart dropped into limbo and I raced over there. There he was, upside down in the ditch. Thank God he was moving, but as I got a closer look, I really didn't like how he was folded under the machine. The neighbour lady helped me unhook the seat belt, and we pushed the mower back onto its wheels, and got a good look at Glenn. He had a bit of blood on his face, but did what he was asked and could move all his limbs. The neighbour called her husband, and the guys came and helped lift Glenn back into his chair. He had no pain, and the bleeding seemed to be stopping. I thanked our helpers, and got Glenn into the house so I could have a good look at him. He was saying that now he had a story to tell. When he was on the ground, he looked under the chair and took a label out that he hadn't seen before. I asked him when he had looked at the bottom of the chair before. He also landed on an ant pile, so he had ants in his pants too! The damage seemed to be superficial, but I called a friend to come and give her opinion, and she said the same thing. He could move his hand, although it is sporting a huge bruise. His face took to worst of it, his glass nose piece jammed into the side of his nose, and he looks as though he went a round with Mike Tyson. Today the bruises are starting to yellow around the edges, so he will get pretty colourful in the next few days. I helped him put on his glasses this morning, but put a bit of padding under the one nose piece (amazingly the glasses were only slightly bent!) I think I suffered more from the shock than he did, but he knew how much it hurt. I gave him sh-- about cutting the ditch, and he commented that he didn't think that would happen. Needless to say, he won't do them any more. I went to the shop last night to see if the mower would start and run. It did both, although there was a great cloud of smoke as the oil burned out of the engine. It seems none the worse for wear, and I cut a bit of grass to see if it would keep going. It did, so we were lucky this time. I told Glenn his angel is still watching over him closely, but he should give him a break. I'm at work today and tomorrow, so Glenn is on his own. Jackie thought she might come out this afternoon, as she only worked to 12:30. I haven't heard from them, so I'll find out when I get get home. It took most of Tuesday to settle down, and the therapists were concerned yesterday, but everyone agreed that he looks the worse for wear, but really didn't do too much damage. I hope we have an uneventful week next week!
'Til next time,
Louise
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