Memorial Day 2010

No news is good news today. Nothing out of the ordinary. Dad was even up this afternoon for awhile, sitting on the side of the bed, talking to us. He ate some broth & drank some milk. He even had some Gatorade today, and liked it!
Thank you, Brandon & Kevin, for your service to our country. I'm so proud of you both, you'll never know how much! This is the day we should all reflect on the sacrifices made daily by the military personnel, including all veterans who served during the nearly 234 years of our existence as a nation.
Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend!
Until tomorrow....................

Sunday before Memorial Day

Scary morning. Scary night. Trying to stay on top of the pain, so it won't get so bad. Hopefully things will be better throughout this night.
All of us spent the day together. We had lunch on the deck, and then slowly everyone left so Mom could lay down and get a power nap.
Love to all!

May 29

Today is actually my Ethan's birthday...Happy 9th birthday, Ethan! I did get to call him and sing to him today. He and his family live in Monterey, CA now, and I miss them all!
Dad had plenty of company today. He got up and came out to the living room to sit with his sister, my Aunt Gwen, and her 2 sons...Larry & Rex. We were also joined by Dad's nephew, Bob Wilson and his wife Shirley. Everyone got a chance to visit before heading out to the cemeteries for decorating.
I really enjoyed meeting Bob again. He and his wife are interesting people. We need to get together more and often. And of course, Aunt Gwen is one of my favorites. I have always admired her beauty and kind spirit. The family used to call her "Gwenddy"...or at least Dad did! And that name suits her!
After doing my own decorating at the Clarinda Cemetery this afternoon, I went back to the folks' and spent some time talking to Dad. Mom got out his Bible, where inside he keeps the last birthday card from his mother that he received. Inside is three dollar bills. I read the card aloud, and the sentiment she wrote to him. She commented that he was a fine son. I say yes, and fine husband, fine brother, fine father...............
Tossing out the Ambien was a brilliant idea. Dad is able to talk to us, and he feels better about that too! He still uses the pain meds, but less dosage. He is drinking, and still on blended soups or broth.
It was another beautiful day...the heat is really here to stay for the summer! Time for bar-b-ques, beans, "tater" salad, and lemonade!
Until tomorrow..........

Friday May 28

Hi, everyone!
Dad had a much better night after skipping the Ambien. And he seemed to sleep well without it. He's more coherent today, is responsive, and much easier to talk to!
His back hurts, but he's been laying down flat on the bed today more than in the past. I'm not expert, so I'm not sure if they're connected. Tomorrow will be another hot day, so I told him we'd try to get him out on the deck again. He said he'd like that.
I think Aunt Gwen will be here tomorrow to decorate for Memorial Day. I'm not sure if Rex or Larry, or both, are coming down with her. My cousin Bob Wilson is expected to be here, too. He has been wanting to see Aunt Gwen, and they'll be meeting here around noon, we think. So, I'm thinking lemonade & a fresh fruit desert might be refreshing. Anyone have any suggestions?
I've had a craving for biscotti all day. It would be so good with my coffee...so, I stopped at the HyVee...nothing. Called the Fareway store...nothing. What's happening here? Someone dropped the ball, and didn't re-stock the shelves! May have to start shopping in Maryville from now on, for sure!
It was a long day at work. Not sure if my busy schedule is catching up with me, or if the upcoming 3-day weekend was causing me to be fidgety and anxious for 3:30! Regardless, I'd like to work a movie into the weekend, along with spending time with family, church, and relaxing in the sun/shade!
Hope everyone has a SAFE and relaxing holiday! It's been a long time coming (the time between New Years and Memorial is longer every year!).
Let's all thank a soldier for his service in protecting our Constitutional freedoms and way of life. We wouldn't be here in this fantastic country without them and all veterans who have gone before. I'm proud to be an American!
God Bless the U.S.A.!

Thursday

Dad is not getting any more Ambien for now. The thinking here is that in not using it, he may be less confused & maybe less sleepy throughout the day. After several bad nights in a row for Mom, we're praying this may help him sleep better in the night, and be more alert during the day. Other meds have been changed also...guess it's just like a recipe and we're trying to get the right combination.

He's been drinking milk, and drinking blended soups. And, if I understood her right, he got outside on the deck for a bit this afternoon.

When I stopped by tonight after Austin's game, Dad was in bed, so Mom & I went on in the bedroom. He saw me behind her and asked, "Is that Ann?" She said, "Yes, she's come to check on you." I stepped forward, grabbed his hand, and he squeezed back, saying, "You don't need to come check on me. I'm okay." So, I told him I was checking on Mom. :-)

Hopefully, tomorrow night I'll have good news to report! Let's pray for a good night!

Love to all of you!

Wednesday

Hi, everyone! I've been busy again this evening at Cathy's house. She and Mike were both working tonight, and I spent the evening at the house with the kids. Austin made brownies (told him he could if he cleaned up his mess) and we watched the finale of American Idol.
I spent an hour with Mom and Dad beforehand. I get off work at 3:30, and today stopped by the grocery store before heading up there. I guess Dad had some broth mid-afternoon, so wasn't quite ready for his evening meal.
Today I can report that he seemed to be sleeping a little more, and his feet swelling a little more. He is continually nodding off while sitting upright in his recliner, and I still think the pain meds are to blame. Dad did tell me he was "so tired of being tired".
Pastor Andy stopped by while I was there. Mom said he was stopping by every day. She told Dad it was probably because he might be out of town this coming holiday weekend.
We prayed before he took off, all of us getting in a circle near Dad so we could hold hands. I feel the presence of the Lord is near, waiting.

Late Tues night

Spoke to Keith about an hour ago. Nothing new to report...Dad is sleeping a lot and not able to eat much, and still swelling up with fluids. He also said Mom has chairs in the yard, ready for the time when he has strength enough to get down the steps. Unfortunately, there are steps no matter which way he leaves the house. We are grateful that the deck is there, and is covered.
Austin & Luk-a-saurus are both in bed. Halle is on her way. They only have two more days of school. Cathy has texted Austin...looks like they are having a good time at the concert!
Good night, everyone!

May 25

I will be up at Cathy's house this evening. She and Mike are going to Omaha for the Nickelback concert. So, I just called and talked to Mom. She said the outdoor adventure didn't happen yet, but the chairs are in the yard & ready for occupancy!
If there is more later tonight, I will post again. Otherwise, no news is good news!

Later...

I just got home from the game...Austin's team didn't win. But it was still fun for the spectators! I love baseball season.
So, more on Dad...he was able to go outside today and sit on the deck for awhile. The temps were high (high 80's) and humidity just as high (I think!) He told me he'd like to be able to get down into the grass...think we'll work on that one.
Mom said that he's tired of Ensure...I suppose it would get old after awhile. But seems to like diluted oj, milk, and Sprite.
And speaking of Mom...we are trying to keep an eye on her. She missed her own checkup this month, but tells me "it's okay...it's just a checkup". Hope she doesn't get upset with me for spilling the beans...
Please feel free to pass on the URL to any more of our cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. I don't want to miss anyone.

Dad

Today, Dad is about the same...still sleeping a lot in his chair during the day. He gets up late morning, gets dressed, and sits in his recliner by the front window. Yesterday he was not eating well, Mom was concerned, but I'm wonderin' if the oxycontin is building up in his system, making him tired.
Tonight I will be going to Austin's first baseball game of the season. It's against Atlantic, and is here in town. I'll be down at the folks' later, and will try to post more after the game.
Thanks to my daughter-in-law's sister Bri, who got me thinking that this was a convenient way to let all my family know about my father and his condition.
More later...