Day 858-866
We are doing better and better, Glenn is taking more interest in doing things and getting out of the house. He is still very limited in what he can do, but the more he does, the more he can do. It is good to see him push a bit more, that works better for both of us. We are currently wading through paper work and permits, trying to get the way prepared for construction, Colin and Chelsey more so than us. It is a bit of a boost to have them working toward a house, and we did need a boost!
Jackie and Johnny have been accepted in a bid on a house in Balgonie. They are working on the paper work too, but should be able to take possession the end of July. They were quite tired on Sunday night, it had been a big weekend for them. I hope it will go smoothly for them now. How exciting! I am just busy thinking houses these days.
Congratulations to Curtis and Gillian, I hope you still read this. Your gift is in the making, but may not get it until Christmas, the houses are distracting me a bit!
Also congratulations to Kelly, "School's out for summer!"
'Till next time,
Louise
Monday, June 29, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
June 7 - 20
Day 844 -857
We went to the farm Show yesterday, and decided it was worth it, although the costs have sky rocketed! The outing was good for us, we have been together too much the last while, and Glenn said we should go out more. Chris came with us to help, and it really makes a difference. I'm running out of steam, and tend to take the easiest route, and that isn''t necessarily the best thing for Glenn. I can do what I can do, so I shall ask for more assistance, and we'll try a few more things.
Speaking of doing things, we bought a camper at an auction sale last weekend, so we are thinking of trying our hand at that. Again, I am sure I need help, so we will see what will work for the kids. This is a used (1977) tandem axle camper, with a toilet and shower, water heater, 4 burner stove and oven, fridge and an amazing amount of floor space. We got Glenn and the wheel chair into it, and had a bit of room to move around too. We have to check everything out, but it looks good, has been inside, and has a canopy attached. If nothing else, the kids will be able to use it over the summer months.
We are also wading our way through the permits and surveying of land. It is definitely a process. The survey crew comes on Monday, and as soon as the ink is dry on the title, I think Colin and Chelsey are going to call in the builders. They have measured out their spot, and nothing will have to be moved before they start to dig, and they will have to let Mom and Dad live on their property for a while. I'm sure we are missing something, but it will reveal itself at the time it needs to be addressed, so here we go!
Glenn's Mom had a serious problem with some kind of reaction. She ended up covered in an angry, itchy rash or hives. Her foot, where the problem started, swelled up and had a weeping sore on it. It was a horrifying mess, and the kicker is that she couldn't seem to get the right help from the health care professionals. She went to a GP 4 times, the hospital emergency twice, a foot specialist ( who suggested skin grafting, that is how bad it was getting!) and finally a dermatologist who prescribed prednozone (that's not the correct spelling). Needless to say she was beside herself, couldn't be reasoned with, and unfortunately, Glenn couldn't help her. The care givers at the home she stays were also getting to the end of their abilities, and we didn't know what to do for her. She was miserable, couldn't sleep, and getting totally paranoid and hard to handle. Someone suggested I phone the patients advocacy to see what response I could get through them. The medication started to help, and Home Care sent nurses who are experienced wound specialists to the home to help care for the sore. When I went back Monday, she was totally different. She still had red skin, but she said the itching had mostly stopped, and her foot looked 100% better. She was very apologetic about her behavior, and I told her anyone would be grouchy if they had to live through that ordeal. We have no idea what set this off, beside the blister on her foot, so hopefully she doesn't deal with it again. What a mess!
Needless to say, Glenn sort of had to watch from the sidelines, and we forgot to keep up with his therapy. I hope I can be a bit more disciplined this week, it shows when he doesn't do his stretches, and standing is really what helps keep the tone in check. I think I need a vacation!
'Til next time,
Louise
We went to the farm Show yesterday, and decided it was worth it, although the costs have sky rocketed! The outing was good for us, we have been together too much the last while, and Glenn said we should go out more. Chris came with us to help, and it really makes a difference. I'm running out of steam, and tend to take the easiest route, and that isn''t necessarily the best thing for Glenn. I can do what I can do, so I shall ask for more assistance, and we'll try a few more things.
Speaking of doing things, we bought a camper at an auction sale last weekend, so we are thinking of trying our hand at that. Again, I am sure I need help, so we will see what will work for the kids. This is a used (1977) tandem axle camper, with a toilet and shower, water heater, 4 burner stove and oven, fridge and an amazing amount of floor space. We got Glenn and the wheel chair into it, and had a bit of room to move around too. We have to check everything out, but it looks good, has been inside, and has a canopy attached. If nothing else, the kids will be able to use it over the summer months.
We are also wading our way through the permits and surveying of land. It is definitely a process. The survey crew comes on Monday, and as soon as the ink is dry on the title, I think Colin and Chelsey are going to call in the builders. They have measured out their spot, and nothing will have to be moved before they start to dig, and they will have to let Mom and Dad live on their property for a while. I'm sure we are missing something, but it will reveal itself at the time it needs to be addressed, so here we go!
Glenn's Mom had a serious problem with some kind of reaction. She ended up covered in an angry, itchy rash or hives. Her foot, where the problem started, swelled up and had a weeping sore on it. It was a horrifying mess, and the kicker is that she couldn't seem to get the right help from the health care professionals. She went to a GP 4 times, the hospital emergency twice, a foot specialist ( who suggested skin grafting, that is how bad it was getting!) and finally a dermatologist who prescribed prednozone (that's not the correct spelling). Needless to say she was beside herself, couldn't be reasoned with, and unfortunately, Glenn couldn't help her. The care givers at the home she stays were also getting to the end of their abilities, and we didn't know what to do for her. She was miserable, couldn't sleep, and getting totally paranoid and hard to handle. Someone suggested I phone the patients advocacy to see what response I could get through them. The medication started to help, and Home Care sent nurses who are experienced wound specialists to the home to help care for the sore. When I went back Monday, she was totally different. She still had red skin, but she said the itching had mostly stopped, and her foot looked 100% better. She was very apologetic about her behavior, and I told her anyone would be grouchy if they had to live through that ordeal. We have no idea what set this off, beside the blister on her foot, so hopefully she doesn't deal with it again. What a mess!
Needless to say, Glenn sort of had to watch from the sidelines, and we forgot to keep up with his therapy. I hope I can be a bit more disciplined this week, it shows when he doesn't do his stretches, and standing is really what helps keep the tone in check. I think I need a vacation!
'Til next time,
Louise
Saturday, June 6, 2009
May 20-June 6
Day 826 - 843
It's harder and harder to keep up with what is happening at home, so I confess I just post the most recent events, and I leave a lot out. You probably don't want to hear all that stuff any way, and it is just kind of day to day living, so you may not have the latest. The real reason is I just forget too much these days. It may get better, but I expect that is just the way it will be now!
Glenn has had some issues with his tone, and I think he has had a touch of flu or a cold. He had a good sleep last night, and that makes life easier. If he doesn't sleep well, I don't either. I was grumpy with him the other night, It was 3:00 or so, and he was complaining of chest pain. Well that woke me up in a hurry, so I sat him up and we sat there and tried to figure out what to do next. It was his stiff neck moving down into his shoulder and collar bone area, but one just is a bit touchy about heart conditions. After he had sat for a minute, he said it felt better. I asked if he wanted to sit in the recliner, but he opted for the bed. I propped him up and he fell back asleep. I took a bit more time to relax, and when 5:30 rolled around he wanted to get up. I told him I needed more than 2 hours of sleep if I was going to carry on , and other various grumbles. He went to the computer, and I snoozed again. After I got up I apologized for being grumpy, but he just laughed and asked what else was new! He had a bit of pain, but it eased as the day wore on, so he was sure it hadn't been a heart attack! That wasn't funny at 3:00 in the morning!
We have been doing other jobs to prepare for building. We've decided to subdivide a parcel for Colin and Chelsey, so that took a few phone calls to get the ball rolling. The internet wasn't working, so that took more phone calls to get back up! We have talked to a drafting firm about a house plan, and are having the buried cables in the yard marked. I have made a lot of calls. To top it off, the big computer has a faulty DVD drive, so I have been trying to get some warranty work, but haven't been able to get past their voice mail. I think I have to make another choice, but that is for another day.
Jackie is back safe and sound from her dental conference in Vegas. She is a bit of a nervous flier, and the flight back from Vegas to Calgary was rough. She didn't enjoy it, and complained the pilot must have been new guy, she thought they were going to crash land! The conference itself went well, and she enjoyed the experience.
The weather is still cold, and some complaints about frozen crops are starting to come in. I think gardeners are also discouraged. I didn't plan one this year, and now I'm glad. It would have frozen for sure, and I hate when that happens. The work is hard enough, but you don't mind when you are eating all that good food, and losing it at the start just sucks.
We'll keep you posted about the heart condition, and the building plans. Hopefully all will go smoothly, and we can relax a bit.
'Til next time,
Louise
It's harder and harder to keep up with what is happening at home, so I confess I just post the most recent events, and I leave a lot out. You probably don't want to hear all that stuff any way, and it is just kind of day to day living, so you may not have the latest. The real reason is I just forget too much these days. It may get better, but I expect that is just the way it will be now!
Glenn has had some issues with his tone, and I think he has had a touch of flu or a cold. He had a good sleep last night, and that makes life easier. If he doesn't sleep well, I don't either. I was grumpy with him the other night, It was 3:00 or so, and he was complaining of chest pain. Well that woke me up in a hurry, so I sat him up and we sat there and tried to figure out what to do next. It was his stiff neck moving down into his shoulder and collar bone area, but one just is a bit touchy about heart conditions. After he had sat for a minute, he said it felt better. I asked if he wanted to sit in the recliner, but he opted for the bed. I propped him up and he fell back asleep. I took a bit more time to relax, and when 5:30 rolled around he wanted to get up. I told him I needed more than 2 hours of sleep if I was going to carry on , and other various grumbles. He went to the computer, and I snoozed again. After I got up I apologized for being grumpy, but he just laughed and asked what else was new! He had a bit of pain, but it eased as the day wore on, so he was sure it hadn't been a heart attack! That wasn't funny at 3:00 in the morning!
We have been doing other jobs to prepare for building. We've decided to subdivide a parcel for Colin and Chelsey, so that took a few phone calls to get the ball rolling. The internet wasn't working, so that took more phone calls to get back up! We have talked to a drafting firm about a house plan, and are having the buried cables in the yard marked. I have made a lot of calls. To top it off, the big computer has a faulty DVD drive, so I have been trying to get some warranty work, but haven't been able to get past their voice mail. I think I have to make another choice, but that is for another day.
Jackie is back safe and sound from her dental conference in Vegas. She is a bit of a nervous flier, and the flight back from Vegas to Calgary was rough. She didn't enjoy it, and complained the pilot must have been new guy, she thought they were going to crash land! The conference itself went well, and she enjoyed the experience.
The weather is still cold, and some complaints about frozen crops are starting to come in. I think gardeners are also discouraged. I didn't plan one this year, and now I'm glad. It would have frozen for sure, and I hate when that happens. The work is hard enough, but you don't mind when you are eating all that good food, and losing it at the start just sucks.
We'll keep you posted about the heart condition, and the building plans. Hopefully all will go smoothly, and we can relax a bit.
'Til next time,
Louise
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