March 12, 2011

Wow! Bill has a real taskmaster in rehab this time! She keeps 'yelling' (not loud), "Come on, move faster, you'll never make it at this rate, you can do it, etc., etc., etc.) He takes it pretty well and (I think) even tries a little harder. The other day she sat on a stool with wheels, and they had a couple of races. :-) I'm sure it would all go better if he had ever exercised in his life, but we can't worry about that now. Of course she didn't know him before, so she doesn't know what she is working against. Almost have to laugh when she tries to get him to stand or sit 'tall'. He has slouched ever since I've known him. Wonder of wonders, though, he actually doesn stand a little straighter while she is working with him.

She's showing me a lot of things I never knew, and is afteer me not to let him fool me into thinking he can't do it. Our hall walks are going a lot faster than they used to--and farther. She tries to come between noon and one, so I don't have to sit there for hours wondering when he'l be going to rehab. He's so tired when he gets done, that he's ready for a nap, so I usually leave and often go back in the evening to make sure he does his 'walking' in the evening. She is also ordering the restorative program again, because she knows actually walking once a day is not enough. Thank God for the staff that encourage him to walk to the bathroom instead of just pushing the wheel chair up in front of him because it is easier and quicker. There are some very special people there.

Have started the re-application process. Sure hope it goes through this time. Took it directly to DHS and the fellow went through it line by line and made a list of the info I still have to get copies of for him. Still a few things we don't know where Bill put--and I don't know what I did with my birth certificate. So, guess he's not the only one that doesn't put things where they can be found. :-)

Haven't walked much this winter, time to get back at it. Sidewalks are showing, so it should be easier than it has been.

Tilly is still waking me up in the wee hours to give her a treat. Then she goes back to bed with me for a few hours. She doesn't think I should sleep past nine anymore, though. Now we're working toward being up by 8:30. Wonder if daylight savings time will change her schedule.

Repeat eyelid surgery on the right eye in ten days. Sure hope it works this time!

Feb. 27, 2011

Got a little snow last night, but most of it melted today. Week of Feb. 13-19 was pretty busy. I stayed nights with a friend and her grandson while her daughter and son-in-law went on vacation. Tried to hit the facility each day for a while, and the house two or three times a day to spend some time with the kitties. Marianne and I found a little time to talk and run around. She even fed me several times. Had to take Brandon into practice of for a game a couple times, but no problem except for one night when Kathy had left word that the bus would probably be at the school about 8:30. By 9, Marianne was getting worried because we hadn't heard from him, so I went up to the school to wait. Found out while up there (about 10), that it was usually around 10 or later when they got back. Except for the fact that I could have been home holding Tilly, I didn't mind. I was sitting under a light post and got several chapters of my book read. I am always looking for a chance to read, anyway.

Finally got a baby fix. Reese has canceled several of their sessions and Caro canceled on the 4th. Finally everything clicked on the 18th. I had the little girl knows as "The Screamer", but she never made a sound the whole time. She was tired when I got there (9:15), rubbing her eyes and sucking her thumb, but it was 11 before she finally conked out. Loved holding her and rocking--and not hearing any crying, even when another one cried. another week and I get to do it again.

Have started Seniorcize again. Very easy, mostly stretching exercises. Wish I'd make time to do them between sessions. I really do feel better when I get out of there.

Bill is getting started up in rehab again, to see if they can get him a little bit stronger. Going to try and get there when they are doing it and see what's happening. That may mean spending a lot more time over there than I have been, because they can't (or won't) give me a time when he will be going.

We were rejected for Medicaid, so I have to make final decisions and get our funerals paid for. That should dimiinish our assets enough to make us eligible.

Other than that, it's pretty much the samo, samo. Time flies.

Feb. 2, 2011

Got to give those folks who work at the Home credit. Now, they get Bill all settled in his lift chair--laying back with his feet up--and uplug the chair control so he has to push the button if he wants to get up. As good as they are, a nursing home is NOT a place to be preferred. It would be better, I think, if the government dropped some of their (to me) stupid rules, but in this world that would open the home to a lot of lawsuits. Of course, people like me might consider sueing them for 'taking away his rights', even if they do tell me there are things they can't do because it's his right to say, 'No'. Guess it's just one more of those cases where you can't win no matter what you do. The world looked nice and bright this afternoon after the sun came out, but I didn't bother to go out and see it up close. :-)

Jan. 31, 2011

Well, they found a couple more places to put alarms in case Bill tries to get around on his ow. Can't remember if I said before that they put one on his bathroom door, but I had to learn how to turn it off so it wouldn't go off everytime I went in to get water to soak his teeth in, etc. I'm surprised he hasn't turned it off--yet. The last time he landed on his butt, the put an alarm UNDER the seat of his wheel chair. He might figure out how to turn it off, but he can't reach it. (At least not unless he is already lying under the chair.)

Went back to see the doctor who did my eye lid lift. He agrees that it is worse (lower) than it was before the surgery. So...going to have another procedure done in March. Sure hope this one takes care of it. The surgery really isn't that bad, but those trips in to Saginaw are taking up time that I could be spending having fun. :-) Also went for a follow-up visit from my optomitrist. He wanted to see what was happening in my left eye. Fortunately he says it is looking better than last time he saw it. Still don't have new glasses after my cataract surgery. (was that almost two years ago?) Now, they say I should wait until the new surgery heals before I get them. One of these days--I hope.

Bill is sounding very congested again. I warned the management nurse that it sounds similar to what was going on a couple days before he ended up in the hospital. She said the doctor had seen him and felt it was viral and he would soon be over it. He's not running a fever, so that's a good sign. Believe me, I'll be keeping an eye on it. He had a pneumonia shot several years back when he was in the hospital, but has had it at least twice since then. And, he's never had a flu shot. So far he's almost never had the flu, but the nurse reminded me that he's never been in a situation where so many people are coming and going.

I'm still getting (most) of the essential things done, but not always. Seems like I just shut down when I walk through the front door. Maybe if I ever get it cleaned out, the junk will stop draining all the energy from me.

Have gotten back into going to church. Like that the preacher actually preaches from the Bible, and even holds it up once in a while, but don't think I'll ever actually be a Baptist. :-) At least now, there is something to remind me when one week ends and another starts. Thank God for good friends who will come pick me up so it isn't so easy to say, "Maybe next week."

Jan. 21, 2011

Bill is now a long-term resident at the Medical Care Facility. He was discharged from re-hab because he wasn't making enough progress. He is not in what they call the restorative program. Not sure exacty what that encompasses, but they have walked him (with his walker) several times. He still doesn't want to do any socializing (or 'classes'), but once in a while they con him into one. Had his lift chair taken out there, so he is a bit more comfortable than sitting in the wheelchair all day. However, he has fallen twice trying to transfer from the wheelchair to his lift chair. He just won't push that little button to get someone to come help him. Of course, he never would ask me for help when he was home, so what can we expect? They have rearranged his room so every time they walk by they can look in and make sure he is okay. The workers are great and give us a little leeway (like me staying late to wath TV with him). Meals are (mostly) pretty good. I watch the menu and keep some meal tickets in my purse so if I'm there and it looks good I can stay. :-) Been dang cold the last couple weeks. Haven't walked Buster, or even made my rounds to visit my four-footed friends. Sure not gertting the exercise I did when I had my own dog. At least it is staying light longer. That's always a good sign.

Jan. 3, 2011

It's been a busy tim. A belated HAPPY NEW YEARS!! to everyone. Spent an afternoon at the funeral home, planning Bill and my funerals. It's a lot more fun doing it when there's not someone in the next room waiting to use the casket. :-) Got a new pair of orthopedic shoes. For the first time in years, they have a new color--beige. How convenient, since I recently bought several blouses and pants that are mostly brown and beige.

Lita came Christmas afternoon and we did have supper with Bill. During the week end she got some new ear phones which actually work in his room. Now, I don't have to have my ears blasted when I watch TV with him. We had six big moving boxes full of collectible boxes (the boxes aren't collectible, they are boxes that held collectibles). We got rid of a lot of them and consolidated what was left into two boxes. Filled the four boxes with cardboard and strofoam and took them out to recycling. Lita left Thursday morning, and I spent the afternoon with a friend, then went over and had supper with Bill.

This morning I went over early enough to watch Bill in rehab. He's complaining about his knee and hip hurting and really doesn't try very hard to do what he is asked to do. Some of it may be 'forgetfulness', but we all know he always did refuse to exercise.

Dec. 20, 2010

Got the attic insulated. He insulated the entire attic, so there is no room for storage up there. Man you ought to see my garage now! May have to think about getting rid of some of the boxes I've been saving that my collectables came in. :-) Friday night went to Bay City to see Kevin Cole's Christmas Concert. He says this may be the last one for a few years. Wonder what he has in the works that will prevent one the next few years. Was really good to see him and his mother. It's been over two years, I believe. Saturday went out to Mariane's. Her son-in-law has installed a HUGE movie screen in the living room and they watch movies at least once a week. This time they (and I) watched Disney's A Christmas Carol". Skipped church Sun. Ken, Wendy and I were all a little under the weather. Afteer talking to them, I went back to bed and woke up at 3 p.m.

This morning went over to see how Bill is doing in rehab. Not real well, I'd say. They can't watch him every minute and he won't extend his legs while exercising like he should. Also doesn't count--just does a few and stops. Says he wants to come home, but will have to do a lot better if he going to. They brought in an extra tray (cost me $3) and I had lunch with him. Pretty good lunch, if I do say so. Lita and I are planning to go over and eat supper with him on Christmas day.