Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Back at Home

     We have enjoyed the last couple of weeks back in our old routine of doing whatever we wished when we wanted, and getting to attend worship together.  Come Thursday night (11th) Carl and I will be back to full-time caregivers.  Mrs. Vinson will be released sometime that day.  I'll go back to working from home.  Keep us in your prayers for patience with her and with each other, compassion and the ability to give her the care that she will need.  Rehab is still saying they are working on trying to get her an appointment regarding her "H" issues...they are on their 3rd doctor and we're not sure if that one will come through.  I don't know whether it's her age (93 come Aug. 20), or just what the problem is, but two have turned it down.  I just know we can't live with her constant pain with those pesky "rhoids" (guess we could, but sure don't want to - I'll be nuts within a month if we don't have her some surgery)...
     If anyone just really enjoys planning menus, that's one area where we could use some help.  We're use to just grabbing something to eat or opening the cabinet and figuring out what we want.  That is one thing I can say for the facility she's at, she was given three very nice meals and she has been eating pretty well.  She'll not be happy going back to our hodge-podge meals.  Need simple, but nourishing meals and Carl and I will be grateful for suggestions.  She refuses things like Boost or Ensure, that will give her extra needed nutrients for her body - doesn't like the taste.
     Hope you all have a good rest of the week - Blessings...

Friday, August 5, 2011

Finally Friday!

Hope everyone has had a wonderful week.  Carl and I have worked hard at our jobs, then worked hard while visiting his mom in rehab after work each day.  According to reports, she is doing well in her rehab, but she is still not about to absolutely get herself up from a laying position in bed, stand up and walk with her walker - with assistance, she can do all of this.  Our hope, however, was that she would be able to do this by herself once she gets home.  We have another week, but she is actually in a weakened state from her nemesis, dastardly hemorrhoids! Sorry folks, just a fact!  A surgeon consult is to be scheduled (maybe today??) to see if she is a candidate for surgery to help her situation.  Please pray hard for her - seriously, please pray she is able to have surgery and that it would be successful.  This problem is really her only issue at present.  We feel she would be able to function pretty well if this one problem can be taken care of.
     Have a great weekend and more reports next week!

Monday, August 1, 2011

It's a Good Day!

          Who would have thought that going to work on a Monday morning would be a good day?  Since this is my first official day at my desk during a weekday morning since June 17, it's a good day.  I've been allowed to work from home, which has been a true blessing.  Then I'd come in on Saturday mornings to type up and copy our church bulletin and create the power point presentation for Sunday's worship, but it's just not the same.  God is good and I'll take what precious moments I can, as they come.
          Carl's mother had to go into the hospital last Wednesday, July 27. We thought she had a couple of "infections", but turned out it was mainly dehydration.  She was admitted that late afternoon after about 7 hours in the ER getting fluids.  Her doctor talked with her that evening about agreeing to rehab after her hospital stay and she actually said she would go.  So, Friday afternoon she was whisked away by a local transport company and taken to Health South, and admitted there for a few weeks (we hope).  We allowed them to do everything (per advice from the precious case manager at CRMC), and did not even go to the facility to see her until Saturday afternoon.  She is doing pretty good at this point, and we just keep praying she will improve each day and be able to get stronger and more stable.  Rehab said she will be very busy throughout the day and they discourage any visits until late afternoon.  We were told to resume our lives and come see her after work each day.  So, she will begin actual full-scale therapy this morning and will probably be pooped when we get there this afternoon.  She has a good bit of swelling in her feet, so we hope that will not prevent her from getting the therapy she needs.  A doctor was to check on all that today, so we'll be anxious to see what they tell us.  Everyone reading this is asked to please pray for her to improve and become more independent.
          A huge thank you to all our family, church family and friends who have been so loving and supportive during this time.  It's been hard, and patience has not been a premium lately, and for this I apologize...but, we know the prayers have gone up for Mrs. V and for us, we've had food brought to our rescue, cards, calls, texts, emails, and we know God is keeping us sane.  As an only child, Carl and I are the only ones to get his Mom through all this.  But with those we love supporting us, we're surely not alone.
          Have a blessed week!