Wow time flies when you are having fun! And needless to say, more than half of the year is GONE . . .
I will bring you up-to-date on the last three months.
Mom went in for rotator cuff surgery surgery on the 4th of June for at St. John's in Clear Lake with Dr. Shawn Holt. All went well and it was determined that they would keep her in the hospital a few days and take it a day at a time, evaluating when the best return to apartment would be.
Dean and Dad in the Waiting Room . . . waiting . . .
Mom after surgery . . . see the pain?
The bottom pics are the tears and calcium deposits that were removed . . .
Fantastic food at St. John's . . .
We stayed at St. John's about a week and then transferred her to Manor Care in Webster. All went well for about a week.
One day we went to Fudruckers for a change of pace. Yum!
I went back to Lake Conroe and intended to return on the Sabbath. Dad called on Wednesday to let me know Mom was not feeling well and was unable to keep anything down. Xrays were taken of her abdomen as well as a urine sample taken for possible UTI. Results were not received until Friday, and then only with insistence did they come up with a UTI and antibiotics.
She continued to throw up Thursday and I decided to move my return up to Friday. They were giving her phenagrin for the nausea, but it was not helping. When I arrived Friday I insisted on a different med for nausea and thought it was getting better that evening. However, Saturday morning she continued throwing up.
I asked the staff if they were going to start an IV since she was not getting any nutrition. No was the answer . . . her doctor would not do that. Well, we had never seen the doctor nor a PA and every request was met with a similar response . . . we will call the doctor. Then hours later after insisting on an answer we would hear something.
So, Friday they tell us she has a UTI and they begin antibiotics. Mom continues to throw up. Nothing was said about the fact that nothing was coming out the other end for days.
Sabbath morning, my brother, Dad and I decide to have her moved to Clear Lake Hospital and it is done pronto . . . ambulance within an hour (an IV was inserted and it was noted that she was so dehydrated they could scarecely find a vein) and subsequently after arriving at CLH, more xrays and urine sample, it is determined that she does not have a UTI but a bowel blockage in her small intestines, lower abdomen. An NG tube was inserted and the vomiting and nausea subside.
David (nephew) and Sandy (David's wife) visit in St. John's.
I came in one morning to witness this scene.
Dr. Yo comes in to begin monitoring her treatment. Xrays were done daily to see if there was any change in the blockage. By Friday it was communicated to us that if there was no change over the weekend we would visit the surgery option.
A PIC line was inserted this week for nutrition and I was able to stay in the room while this was done. WOW!
On Sunday the xray showed that gas was buidling up in the intestines and that was a good sign. By Monday enough change was indicated that surgery was postponed. Dr. Yo continued to do whatever could be done to facilitate clearing of the obstruction. We finally got some results and Mom was put on soft foods and then regular prior to being transferred to another skilled nursing facility.
First meal after 21 days of IV, Pic Line nutrition, and ice chips.
Mom went for a haircut and style . . . it had been so long since she had a real shampoo.
We went to Regency Village where her mother and aunt had been two of the earliest clients about 30 years ago. Mom had been a beautician there and a nurses aid. My Aunt Willie is currently there after a heart attack and other health issues.
We visited her apartment one day just to see the changes I had made that week.
Therapy was begun and she spent a little over a month there. While there she shared the window side of a semiprivate room with three other tenants.
Some therapy to regain strength and coordination . . .
I returned to Lake Conroe for several days at a time during her stay and rejoined Mom and Dad in between and on the day of her release.
A trip to Alabama for Tony's high school class reunion enabled us to see Tammie and Jeff (niece and her husband)
We enjoyed a day at the beaautiful pool in Hidden Cove at Arley, Alabama and had another cook out.
She returned to her apartment on August 21st and promptly fell in the restroom and had to be taken to Clear Lake ER to make sure her left ankle was not broken. No break, just a sprain, so she returned home with a 'boot.'
Home therapy readmission began last Sabbath and Monday was our first PT. OT and Home Health began immediately thereafter. Suggestions have been made for how to deal with my departure. Dean installed rails in the hall and bathroom so Mom could hold on while Dad takes care of her needs. There is a rail on her bed that serves the same purpose.
Cecelia began working daily for Mom and Dad again to assist with Mother's needs and so that food could be prepared as well as cleaning. This will take a weight off Dad. She comes in 6 hours a day and will be here for several more weeks until their routine can be stabilized.
I returned home (Lake Conroe) Monday after her doctor's appointent with Dr. Holt. She is now on the next level of therapy. She can use her arm more, even lifting as much as a pound. It has been a rough 3 months and I hope we have a little reprieve before the next round.
We are all so thankful for all the cards, visits, phone calls, thoughts, and especially prayers on Mother's behalf from all our friends and family. They have been very encouraging for Mom and the family.
Anita (Leon's wife) had dinner ready for the four of us when I arrived home . . . what a pleasant surprise . . . meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Then a sunset bo at ride followed by a bowl of Blue Bell ice cream (today it arrived in stores in Texas) over peach cobbler (that Cecilia baked).
Last night's sleep was sweet!
Today after having my coffee and BRP outside in the cool morning air, I headed to Kroger to pick up some Blue Bell. They had plenty! I only bought one . . . that is all the room I had.
After that trip I headed for the pool, which was vacant and I took full advantage of it . . . doing 30 laps. It felt great getting some real exercise again. After a shower and shampoo the rest of the morning was filled with cleaning, laundry, working on Marsha's website and preparting for dinner.
Tonight we are cooking steaks with sauted onions and mushroom, baked beans, green salad, and I am sure . . . Blue Bell for dessert.
I was thrilled to receive a call from Mom saying that last night went well without me.