It's 2 AM here and I'm still playing Solaraire.Exciting life.Finally the weather has cooled down but the crops need rain badly. Husband had his preadmission workup and is ready for his surgery on JULY 7.he keeps asking who is having surgery.I hope this will help his painful legs.He will have 2,3,4 vertebrae fused.This doctor will keep him in critical care so he will have one on one care.Thankful for that. Our grand daughter was released from the eating disorder facility and now is getting OP treatment at a big medical hospital. Seems to be doing well, will be coming for supper tomprrow nite.AH husband will be so happy to see her,calls her his munchkin.She is our youngest grandchild.So thankful for our grandkids.
Good luck on the surgery yhouniey, sure hope he gets through it in good shape and that it helps.
Another beautiful day, supposed to be the warmest so far this year (low 80s). We are going on an outing with my Sunflower club; we visit elderly shutins and take them out. "My" shut-in is a spicey 84-year old lady who has become a great friend. She claims she is almost blind but still watches tennis (and the other things she is passionate about) on TV. She always wants to know in detail how things are going with dh; she lives in an ALS where there are also dementia patients so sees a lot of it around her. So my weekly visits with her are great support! Today we are going out for morning coffee and then lunch with a large group to a restaurant in a park; I am taking her and dh. DH thinks he is a volunteer like me but actually he is a guest. I don't know whether I can get her walker in my little car. I used to always take the Prius when I took her out but that car is GONE.
Well, it started off as a beautiful day, upper 90's with a Delta Breeze. As the day progressed, everything went down hill. DH started complaining of pain earlier in the AM. We kept asking where does it hurt, he couldn't tell us. Finally mid morning I called our Dr, soonest he could be seen was 3:30. I knew we weren't going to make it past the next hour so opted for the ER. Got there at 11:30 this morning and finally got out at 12:15 tonight or I should say morning. DH had a kidney stone, very small I may add 2mm. Dr said he should have been able to pass it with no problem, however, the right kidnes was greatly enlarged and the CAT Scan showed fluid around it, so...somehow and for some reason it's leaking. He was admitted and will undergo surgery tomorrow afternoon. They will remove the stone (which they believe is not the cause) and will try and determine what is causing the obstruction. Guess I won't know anymore until tomorrow afternoon. Just what I needed another thing to worry about. Rae
We had a neuro app't yesterday. We have periodic visits with the NP who is chief deputy at the Memory Disorders Program, Georgetown U. Hospital, where we've been clinical trial participants.
She was interested in my contention that Jeff's AD follows the posterior cortical pattern, because this has never actually been professionally investigated. Apart from a rapid Dx, based on PET, by a curt and to-the-point MD whom we no longer see, check-ups have followed the standard clinical study protocol, and I didn't realize that the ways in which he differs from the textbook model fell under a nameable category until fairly recently.
The NP has now ordered his neuropsych report from '07, to look over with the team at GUH. Not that it changes anything, treatment-wise. The only interesting tangent is that she gave me the contact info for a doc at NIMH who is interested in AD variants and is doing short-term studies by PET. Because my curiosity is rarely sated, I am willing to spend a few of our otherwise often boring days participating in things such as this, provided they are relatively non-invasive and not an ordeal for Jeff. He likes the lunches we eat when we drive to D.C. So there's the perk.
Yhounie, Soooooo happy to hear about your granddaughter. She has been in my prayers. Wow, July already,,,,,,it will be 4 mos since Jim passed away on the 7th. Every day is a struggle to survive. I never thought it would be so difficult. Trying to keep busy, joined a womens support group which I really am getting a lot out of, joining a book club at church, and am trying to get motivated to start painting my livingroom. It's been almost a year since the mold issue was resolved. Today I am having a med check. I have weaned off one of my meds and my doc wants to check in with me. It seemed to be blocking my emotions and I have suddenly found myself with emotions that feel so raw and new. I'm dealing with it and my goal is to learn to thrive, not just survive. Not a bad goal, huh?
I've been cooking. Don't know if it's boredom (can't go outside and do stuff I want to do yet) or a way of putting off stuff I have to do. Probably a little of both. I'm going to call a housekeepper to help get me in order here. Can't stand a messy house...within reason, that is. My neighbor comes over and helps with laundry..the big stuff like sheets and blankets that I can't be lifting yet. TRIES to vacuum, but screws up my machine every time...its complicated and VERY heavy (one of those Kirby's). So, going to get some one time help. BUT FIRST, need to put some of my stuff away where it belongs!! Still no word abut Social Services mess...life drags on. Call from NH...they're going to move John to another room (across from nurses station) today. Hope that doesn't result in a total "melt down" for him. He'll still have the same staff at least. *sigh* ....... putting off the necessary..... going to pay bills today. Its always an adventure, finding funds, juggling bank accounts. NO WONDER everyone involved with my finances is confused!! I have to be VERY creative. Hey, by the way, can I pay my Discover Card with my American Express so I can pay my line of credit payment???? (see, now THAT'S the kind of thing that's been happening at times!!)
I had an interesting time last night. Our hospice chaplain is also leading a bereavement group at our temple. Just as I was heading out the door to pick up some baked goods to take to the meeting she called. Asked if I would be interested in going to a free concert at City Place-a very upscale open air shopping plaza in Palm Beach. We met her husband and all drove down together. Had a marvelous dinner at a very special restaurant and enjoyed the concert. It was so good to see so many normal people. The world really is still out there.
Here and above room temp, thank God. And another day of doctor appointment, car wash, pet food pick up etc..same stuff different day and month but hay..we are here! : )
42 degrees here last night....is it really the 1st of July? But I love the cool breezes and it will return to the mid 70's today and then head on up to the 80's and humid by the weekend.......ugh! But I'm getting things done while it is comfortable. Daughter is coming from Georgia next week. I haven't told DH because he will bug me to death until she gets here.
Got back from the cardiologist...good outcome from the stress test..: ) Next month the holter monitor and ultrasound of legs to make sure bypass and stents are doing what they are supposed to do. So far a good day.
Yesterday was a bad day for me. DH is declining and it is taking me a while to adjust to his changes. I went to see him after a long and draining work day last night. He was more unresponsive than usual. I ended up crying driving home. That's the sad part and instigator. My quirky sense of humor kicked in (about time) and all I could think of was "this little piggy went to markent, this little piggy stayed home, this little piggy had roast beef and this little piggy and none and this little piggy went wee, wee, wee, all the way home." I was doing the "wee, wee,wee".
Things improved when I got home. I took the dogs outside and stayed with them. They had a grand time running and playing together in the back yard. They chase each other around bushes and through the garden running as fast as they can. While they were playing and showing off for my benefit, I emptied and refilled the doggie pool. My golden thought it was just right so she lay down in it. She stayed there for quite some time cooling off. I really need to get a picture of her in that pool. It is always good for a laugh. The expression on her face is priceless.
One of my favorite scenes with the dogs is when they stand side by side with their faces right next to each other drinking water. They often do this over a bowl of water, the fountain or even that doggie pool. After several "Awwwwwww" moments, I was feeling much better.
Been a beautiful, but busy day today. Getting ready for a yard sale beginning at noon tomorrow and then on Saturday. Cleaning out and cleaning up! Nothing is coming back into the house! Will donate to whereever. DH got bit 3 times by a bee - so had to take him to the doctor inbetween all this stuff!
therrja, hope your weekend will be better. What would we do without our doggies!!
Hope you all will have a peaceful 4th and that the weather cooperates.
Vickie - easiest thing is to arrange for Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc to come by at a certain time to pick up whatever is left. No hauling stuff in, they pick it up - junk goes in trash.
Doctor visit for DH today. Went well. He was very cooperative, except when he got a little agitated because we had to wait for 15 minutes. The beautiful day here in Illinois helped. It's always so much nicer to be out (even going to the doctor) when the weather is nice. Tomorrow I'm going to work in the garden, some pruning and trimming needs to be taken care of and I can do it before it gets to hot out.
It was a beautiful day here in Illinois! I didn't spend much of it outside though. I went to the doctor this morning and took DH this afternoon. While I was gone to my appointment and between things, DH was outside spraying Japanese beetles with soapy water. He does this several times a day. This evening we went with friends to see Karate Kid. It was really good!
Gorgeous day here in Maine! Low humidity, slight breeze, in the high 70's and bright blue skies. Taking a break from rearranging my closet, still had bags of clothes that were laundered a YEAR ago after the mold crisis. My new shelving arrived last night, so I got to work, have them assembled and have been out straight. Feels good to accomplish something. OK, back to work. Arms around, Susan
Woke up to another day of rain. Suppose to be in the mid 60s today but by next Tuesday they predict in the 90s. Last night was a hard night - had another 'battle' with my sister and brother. Brother went down to shop and asked about the chainsaw that doesn't work. I don't know if he was asking to see if he could get it working or what, but hb interpreted it as another complaint about our son (he was last who used it) which set off hb. Brother was mocking hb when comfronting in house which ticked me off. I know my brother does not see it as that, but to me it was like teasing a cripple cause he can't walk. I later send brother an email saying 'he watched someone he loved die (died of AIDS and was around for years able to talk and be alert) so he knows what it is like so cut me some slack.' Last night I kept thinking of 'the Leisure Seeker'. I have got to quit procrastinating and get away from here. And to wake up to rain and clouds did not help the mood any. Off to do laundry - I choose going out vs using my sister's cause I like to get it done all at once. Hb was wearing the same clothes, except underwear, all week. Now he is changing every other day at the least resulting in more clothes.
I am so through with having a yard sale! This was my last one - until I have to move from my home! But it was good, got rid of everything except two boxes that I donated. Such a good feeling to have a cleaned out storage closet! But I am so, so tired. DH was no help, he got stung 3 times by a bee two days ago; had to take him to the doctor, and it's still swollen, but he sat quietly and watched and conversed with all the people. No one would ever know he has ALZ!!!
Happy 4th to everyone and hope it remains quiet where you are.
We are drying out, thank goodness, but the last couple nights have had fireworks going off into the wee hours of the morning. Plans for the fourth are to have 4 year old granddaughter over for the night. We will repeat what we did last year: sit on the trampoline and look for people setting off their own fireworks. We were laying on it the other day and she brought it up so thought it would be fun again for her (we lay and bounce cause she is afraid of bouncing too high if I stand up cause her dad did it to her). We have occasionally gone to big fireworks displays but with no regularity.
I'll NOT be watching fireworks tonight or tomorrow...neighbors invited me to watch together. Nope. I'll probably go to bed early....we've been hanging new gates all day and fixing an electric fence in this dry heat. Plus, I have been SOOO over fireworks displays. We lived just between Disney World and Universal years ago and got sick of laser light shows and fireworks over my house, even the most spectacular. Maybe it brings up bad memories of living there. hmmmm Also, I have vowed NEVER to stand in line ever, ever again!! Not for entertainments events, restaurants....NOTHING! Got sick of that, too.
Send some RAIN this way! Seems like overnight everything has turned BROWN. Even CRUNCHY. Otherwise, celebrating the fourth on the fifth with neighbors. Have fun!! Right now, going to sit on my porch, light up a torch and blow some glass, maybe make some beads, instead. At any rate, I'm going to make myself a Margarita.
Stunt girl I hope the rain and clouds here will move your way. I am volunteering for the McDonald Observatory doing what they call Star Parties. The only problem is this past week we could not see any stars. Last Thursday we had a record 350 Boy Scouts show up and it was raining so they had to put on presentations about the night sky and the auditorium was not large enough. You have to imagine the smell. This is 350 young boys who have been camping out for several days and the smell is unbearable. Outside working with telescopes and a light breeze it is not too bad, but put them in a closed room it will make you sick. They do not seem to mind it. The closest Wal Mart is 120 miles away. There is no cellphone coverage and the internet link is not reliable. The good news is the campus is beautiful and very laid back. We are staying in our travel trailer on the side of a small mountain in West Texas. The facility is owned by the University of Texas and is part of the Austin campus. The staff all live in homes here furnished by the university. They have about 100 staff here on the 600 acre campus. We plan on staying till the first week in August.
I just want to wish everyone a wonderful July Fourth. I hope your LO has a GOOD day and doesn't get upset about anything. So far my DH has mentioned twice about us having to go somewhere! NOT. Enjoy the fireworks this evening.
Weather wonderful her in southwest PA. Supposed to be hot today with a high near 90 but right now there is a breeze and it does not seem to bad. I over did the past 2 days and have my back in an uproar so am spending the day with my daughters and grandchildren today. Think I will let them cater to me while I sit in the shade and spoil little Macie. Charlie is in good hands at the facility as always and I will spend time with him tomorrow. Today is for me.
Hot and to be hotter to 90 today, but we've had a beautiful, temperate week. Today I'm participating in an event in town commemorating the 150 yr placment of a statue of Gen'l Milroy (Civil War) in a park named for him. Band, parade w/veterans groups, CW re-enactment, barbershop quartet, singing, story telling, and I with the DAR group distributing small flags to attendees. Hb will be w/family for cookout, singing and fireworks. I'll join them for leftovers, singing and fireworks:) Hope he can handle it okay. Will be no wanting to go with me because his right leg is giving him extra fits today--result of botched heart cath several years ago.
We just returned from a week at the beach with our two daughters and their families. I so looked forward to this vacation with others to share care of DH. Not exactly what happened. He could not be out of my sight. I always had to sit next to him. When we got to the beach, he immediately had to use the restroom. He could not find anything. He left his shoes in the middle of the floor and I fell over them. A black eye, fractured thumb and lots of bruises later, he asks what happened to me. I did stop trying to keep the kitchen clean. I decided that was not my job this year. I also gave up grocery shopping. We celebrated our 49th anniversary there. We all went to a nice restaurant. That was a great treat. DH had to use the restroom there several times. He does not use the restroom often at home, only when we go out.
maryd, know what you mean about DH not wanting to be out of your sight. Mine is the same.
A beautiful but hot and humid day here for the 4th. Not much sleep last night as our Millie gets frightened of fireworks, thunder and rain! Up and down, up and down, until the wee hours when she finally settled down. Of course, DH never hears her and he slept like a log.
No bbq-ing here. Picked up fried chicken, cole slaw, and fresh fruit, made baked beans and a key lime pie for dessert. DH will probably not eat it although it used to be his favorite. Now it's just cherry cordial ice cream! Well, I love it - so it will be eaten!
Happy fourth to everyone and hope your day goes smoothly.
Happy 4th of July to everyone. No bbq here today--we had a nice bbq yesterday to celebrate my father's 75th birthday.
maryd, I know about the bathroom visits but my husband also goes in and out of the bathroom constantly at home too. He will go to the bathroom and 30 seconds later announce he needs to go again. Half the time he isn't in there even long enough to undo his pants. It drives me crazy. We go through toilet paper like water. Also, whenever we go anywhere he has to check out the restroom. He has FTD and this seems to be the current obsession (it started about a month ago), along with changing in and out of shorts all day long.
Must be an FTD thing..mine does the same and drives me crazy also. We have a delicate septic system and too much paper creates major problems. I hold my breath if he is in the bathroom too long.
He just announced that he is going to take our pup for a park walk..NOT! I explained 4th of July at the park..a least a zillion people and cars galore...and he can't walk without a walker. I think he was dreaming while snoozing on the sofa. Oh well..happy 4th to one and all.
Dont think its just an FTD issue. the constant running to bathroom happened midstages here too and dx was vascular/AD combo. obsessive compulsive disorder must happen in generalized dementia as well. divvi
Sent my husband to Oklahoma for 2 weeks with his mother/sons/grandsons. He says he is already "bored" although he is doing more than he does when he is at home (I work so he just watches TV all day.) When he gets back he will be "volunteering" (also known as I am paying for it but he thinks he's a volunteer) 1 day a week at an adult day care so I can see how that will work out. One more week of solitude, then it is back to the grind... wonder how a MONTH long visit would work out.....?
Shannon - enjoy while you can and don't ponder on what it will be like again when he comes back. In the evenings pamper yourself, think only of the moment. Reality will come back soon enough.
Celebrated July 4th today at noon with my neighbors. Great BBQ I had made, Tequela Lime Pie. Yum. (and Fried Dill Pickles.....you all here in the south understand....it's a Summer, backyard party thing). It was good, brought me out of the house for a while. Took care of horses, sprayed them with the hose....they love it. Just like little kids playing in the sprinklers. Two of them stand and paw madly at the muddy, sloppy ground! Came home, took care of more paperwork, filed stuff.....now, I'm putting on my jammies. Good Night!
There is a restaurant here (in central Illinois) that has fried dill pickles. I had never heard of them until we moved here in 2001, and I don't like them. But some of our friends do and if they're familiar it probably makes a huge difference.
Long week-end is winding down as am I. It's been nice but I think I am actually looking forward to going back to work tomorrow. I was sick a couple of days last week, on vacation a couple of days and then the holiday. Yep. Been home long enough. Time to go back.
My husband is getting such good care in this new place that my faith in my nursing profession has been restored. Most of the nurses are Jewish; one is from Lebanon, one from Montreal, and they know what they're doing. I couldn't have got him in any sooner, but I'm grateful beyond words that he is there now. (It took a lot of grovelling on my part!) Don't know if I mentioned this before but I've been told by the Community Heath placement nurse that because last winter was so mild here in Vancouver, Canada, there were very few deaths in Care Facilities. All Eric's wounds are healing and are dry now (he was admitted 1 week ago with 4 infected wounds). I took him to an opthamologist this morning to check his vision - I'd noticed he was leaving food on the right-hand side of his plate. There has been further damage to the optic nerve from glaucoma, says the opthamologist, and I'd already made his routine appt. with the glaucoma specialist in 3 weeks, so I've asked to be put on the cancellation list; maybe they can increase the strength of the eye drops. But it is helpful just to know. (It could be the reason he fell a little while ago, misjudging the distance of the door jamb.) I saw your note, ol Don, much appreciated. Went in for my 1st swim of the year in the ocean today - glorious! That, and knowing Eric is in good hands, makes today a happy day.
Was an interesting weekend. 4 year old granddaughter came over last evening to watch fireworks. We have a trampoline and where it is situated you have a 180 view of the area. We cuddled on the tramp and watch other peoples money go up in smoke!! She got cold and went inside so I laid there looking at the stars thinking of how things are changing. She was up until 11:30 watching Nickelodeon - same programs just keep repeating but she doesn't mind. She was awake at 7am wanting a strawberry jam sandwich for breakfast. She begged to stay another night. I asked her why she wanted to. She said she didn't remember what her mommy, daddy and brother look like but she wants to stay tonight, tomorrow, the next day and next day until she is 5!!! :-) That will be next February. Kids say the darnedest things!
So she is staying the night but she will have tv off earlier, like as soon as I get done here.
I got some exercise today - cut blackberries that were sticking out into the driveway scratching the cars- if not them they will when the MH goes out. Then cut the grass just around our area - thought this would motivate hb to cut it but it didn't. So it will be the two valerian root tonight!
I went to visit my mother on Saturday and visit with her. It was kind of a strange visit. I brought her flowers that I had cut from my garden. She said "I never cut the flowers in my garden." I know she loves seeing the flowers and getting them but that is always her comment. I had on a tank top (it was very warm outside). She said "I never wear sleeveless blouses or shirts.". My mother definitely views the world from how it affects her. There are days when I am glad I am used to the way she talks or I could get very hurt and insulted. She views the glass as half empty to my viewing it half full. It is so strange - in so many ways we are alike and in so many other ways we are totally different. I am very glad that I don't have to deal with her all the time.
In spite of that, the rest of the weekend was lovely. I took yesterday as a "me" day and lazed around and read. The dogs enjoyed the doggie pool and the cats took turns walking on me and getting in some extra attention. I think we all needed that quiet day together. I am now ready to work on the next go around......
Charlotte - Enjoy that grandchild while you can. After they leave, all you want to do is lie down but I wouldn't want it any other way. They are sooo much fun at that age.
On July 3, we had barbecue at my daughter's house in her lovely, shady yard. It was a spur of the moment thing. I had just gotten home from grocery shopping and told my husband we were going to our daughter's, and he went. Willingly. The next day I did what therrja did - nothing!
The summer has made my DH happier than I've seen him in a while; I wonder how long it will last.....
Summer has finally arrived here in the Pacific North West. The ocean temperature is swimmable. Fresh strawberries, cherries and blueberries are at the market. And the early morning air smells like wine.
The other night when I went to visit my husband, it was very, very hot on the floor. They had lost power due to a car accident nearby. They had lights but the AC was not connected to the back-up generators. When the power came back on, the AC didn't. They did have someone working on it but it was a long while before the AC went back on. When I went to see him yesterday, it was still warm on the floor but at least the AC was on.
Moral of story - for those of you looking at NH's ask about what happens in a power outage - does the power include AC? Heat? You might thing that it would and should but from this example, not always.......
I did get some fluids into him and that helped - cold/cool compresses would also have helped if he was really bad.
Past few days have been pretty good for me. When I'm not in the darkness of depression I can find much to be grateful for and many things for us to do. Tuesday night we went with a friend to see the opera Carmen at a wonderful workshop production company Opera in the Ozarks which has been running 60 years. Cast pretty young, recent graduates and a few current students, but talent level very high. Enjoyed it so much we went back and saw Tosca last night. DH was thrilled. Loved the performances and the orchestra. His love of music was one of the reasons I moved us to Eureka Springs, AR as there is so much live music we can walk to, but this is the first time we've seen opera. Quite a contrast from his favorite "pornobilly" group but he does seem to love all music as long as it's good.
I'm so grateful for these days. The first couple years he was difficult to get along with but now he's mostly easy and funny and fairly agreeable and I've learned to agree with most everything anyway.
Boy would I love a swimming pool in the backyard for these hot days!
Today I got confirmation that some of our friends have not deserted us. I got a phone call from friends who live an hours drive away and we had not seen for about 1 year. They wanted to come visit with us for a while. They showed up about 11:30 and stayed until 1. It was great to catch up on all the news from our old group of friends. They got to see exactly how DW is doing as she just at there with not much response.
I'M AT MOM AND DAD'S PLACE!!!! Haven't felt this good in so long! My voice is brighter, I can't stop talking! Ate dinner at my Uncle and Aunt's house in Poquoson. Back on Wednesday. I feel like I'm on vacation.
We are in Canada this weekend. Took our daughter up to pick up our grandkids from camp. My DH who has always loved to travel is ready to go home! Wanted to leave this evening but I explained that I didn't want to drive at night since there would be a lot of deer on the roads. That seemed to satisfy him. Enjoyed driving on the Niagara Parkway...nice cool breezes. Looked at a house last week that we thought might be better for us but turned out not to work. Am thinking of getting a lot and then building something more suitable. We now have too much yard work and a small bathroom. That's just not going to work and our towon doesn't seem to have anything suitable.
phil4:13 have you looked into having a low maintenance yard? Get rid of grass, have trees/shurbs that fill in the area with ground cover = minimal work. I would look into enlarging the bathroom or adding another one if possible. It may be cheaper if the house is set up with this possibility.
I haven't been on the boards much lately but it is all the fault of SOME PEOPLE on these boards. I won't mention any names but some folks who must have had it in for me mentioned on some thread that they liked to play SPIDER SOLITAIRE. So of course I had no choice but to check it out and I got badly hooked. DH watches over my shoulder and makes useful (occasionally) suggestions which I encourage. Sometimes he even sits and watches my screen when I'm not even here. I don't go to bed till the wee hours and am up at the crack of dawn (well, sort of). When I find time to make coffee it gets cold before I can find a moment to take a sip. I've been reading here a little this morning, but I feel the tug of that other screen . . . See you later.
I agree re spider Jeanette. I have known people who remove it from their computers in a moment of sanity. I find I mostly turn to it when I am waiting for something else to happen. A call to be returned. Time to go somewhere. But then I can't stop until I win or am convinced I can't win. It's terrible!