so here it is. Another Monday morning where I don't feel like waking up. Yet I must, the dogs want out and the sun is shining. So why this funk? Maybe because the weather has been so cold and rainy lately that it's just some state of mind we have all adapted to cope with the crappy weather. Maybe we will be in some kind of funk through the entire year! I guess that wouldn't be the end of the world. . . . we would just have to deal with it!
My mind wants to jump up and do things.........anything active and outdoors..........but my body says 'whoa girl' we can't do that anymore! So I guess that is really the crux of my funk. And I guess it will be with me for the rest of the year and probably into next year too. Plans, future, dreams? Don't really feel I have any of those anymore. It seems I'm just here exisiting until the good Lord calls me home. I now know why all those people in my past who were either very sick or old(er) than me were ready to call in quits and die. They even looked forward to it........something I find myself thinking about some days!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Easter Weekend
Easter weekend begins tomorrow and it is supposed to be a partly sunny day. Easter Sunday is supposed to be raining. That means any grand kid coming here will have to hunt Easter Eggs inside this year. Seems like so many of the near past Easters have been cold and snowy or rainy. I can't remember when the last Easter was that the little ones could hunt outside for their eggs.
I don't even know if any of the kids are coming to bring the grand kids over. I asked, but haven't heard back from anyone. We've been invited to Bumpa's aunt and my friends home for dinner, but I hate to accept in case the kids do bring the grands over. I tried to see what Amber is doing, but haven't heard from her either.
It's really a yucky day today. Gray and gloomy and a fine mist just enough to make it feel really cold. Bumpa has slept almost all day so far. I'm waiting for him to wake up so I can see what he would like to eat for supper. It is already 6PM and I hate to cook too much later than this. I absolutely detest cleaning a mess up late in the evening.
Bumpa and our oldest son, Brian, have been out Turkey hunting most of this week. They didn't go today because Brian wasn't feeling good. But I believe they are all supposed to go tomorrow when the weather is nicer. Even Doug is planning on joining them I think!
Perhaps we will have a fresh Turkey for Easter!
I don't even know if any of the kids are coming to bring the grand kids over. I asked, but haven't heard back from anyone. We've been invited to Bumpa's aunt and my friends home for dinner, but I hate to accept in case the kids do bring the grands over. I tried to see what Amber is doing, but haven't heard from her either.
It's really a yucky day today. Gray and gloomy and a fine mist just enough to make it feel really cold. Bumpa has slept almost all day so far. I'm waiting for him to wake up so I can see what he would like to eat for supper. It is already 6PM and I hate to cook too much later than this. I absolutely detest cleaning a mess up late in the evening.
Bumpa and our oldest son, Brian, have been out Turkey hunting most of this week. They didn't go today because Brian wasn't feeling good. But I believe they are all supposed to go tomorrow when the weather is nicer. Even Doug is planning on joining them I think!
Perhaps we will have a fresh Turkey for Easter!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!!
Well, Spring has finally arrived here in Michigan. Yes, today and this weekend are supposed to be cold and rainy, it is still spring. We had three nice days in a row and our weather is unpredictable due to the Lake effect air currents and wind either from the north or west. Still, it is much better than snow!
As I sit here looking out the window in the computer room/office, I can see the trees whipping around as if they can't figure out which way the wind is blowing from. And the clouds in the sky resemble snow clouds much more than they resemble the spring thunderstorms we usually get. I'm not complaining about not having any thunderstorms as oldest dog, Prancer, is afraid of them....I just want the warm weather that goes along with the thunderstorms! I wonder if Spring will ever show up, or is Mother Nature just going to tease us with a nice day or two and revolve back to winter without spring, summer and fall between!
As I sit here looking out the window in the computer room/office, I can see the trees whipping around as if they can't figure out which way the wind is blowing from. And the clouds in the sky resemble snow clouds much more than they resemble the spring thunderstorms we usually get. I'm not complaining about not having any thunderstorms as oldest dog, Prancer, is afraid of them....I just want the warm weather that goes along with the thunderstorms! I wonder if Spring will ever show up, or is Mother Nature just going to tease us with a nice day or two and revolve back to winter without spring, summer and fall between!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Jan. 26th, and.............
finally we have a small warming trend. Don't hold your breathe folks it isn't here to stay long. The meteorologist are saying we will be hit with another Arctic Blast and plenty of snow to keep those that own snowmobiles (Dale) and sledding lovers happy for quite some time.
Those of us who are getting older think differently about it. It's cold, and roads and sidewalks get slippery and we no longer like to drive in it. When we were young, and doing circles in an empty parking lot was great. Now we just get dizzy and think we will puke!
Bette Davis was right when she said getting old wasn't for sissies.........yet that's how I feel today!
Those of us who are getting older think differently about it. It's cold, and roads and sidewalks get slippery and we no longer like to drive in it. When we were young, and doing circles in an empty parking lot was great. Now we just get dizzy and think we will puke!
Bette Davis was right when she said getting old wasn't for sissies.........yet that's how I feel today!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Arctic Blast!
Today an Arctic Blast hit our area. It is sowing and blowing now and we have had up to about 2 1/2 inches of snow since around 10PM. It is now 1:45AM and the Winter
Storm Watch is in effect until 5Pm Fri. Saturday our high is supposed to be 11º with a windchill of 4º. Sunday the temp is expected to be 5º with a windchill of -8º. Now that's cold! How I envy my younger sister already in Hawaii and my older sister leaving Wednesday for Hawaii. Luckily for them they will miss most of this cold, frigid Arctic Blast that will stick around for about a week...........with increased snow fall. Our Envoy (the only 4-wheel vehicle we have, needs parts and can't be driven until after it is fixed next weekend.) So tonight, Tom heated the garage and rotated the tires on the Cobalt to put the tires with the best tread on the front since it is a front wheel drive car. I hope he doesn't have too much trouble getting to work in the morning. He has to travel on M-6, which isn't the best known for nice roads. Fortunately the wind is coming from the west and since it is an east west road perhaps the snow won't accumulate and make it too slick. If the wind changes directions there will be a lot of slide offs and accidents. I am thinking there will be several school closings tomorrow morning. I hope he is careful going to work as are my children and grandchildren! Saying prayers that they will all be safe!
Storm Watch is in effect until 5Pm Fri. Saturday our high is supposed to be 11º with a windchill of 4º. Sunday the temp is expected to be 5º with a windchill of -8º. Now that's cold! How I envy my younger sister already in Hawaii and my older sister leaving Wednesday for Hawaii. Luckily for them they will miss most of this cold, frigid Arctic Blast that will stick around for about a week...........with increased snow fall. Our Envoy (the only 4-wheel vehicle we have, needs parts and can't be driven until after it is fixed next weekend.) So tonight, Tom heated the garage and rotated the tires on the Cobalt to put the tires with the best tread on the front since it is a front wheel drive car. I hope he doesn't have too much trouble getting to work in the morning. He has to travel on M-6, which isn't the best known for nice roads. Fortunately the wind is coming from the west and since it is an east west road perhaps the snow won't accumulate and make it too slick. If the wind changes directions there will be a lot of slide offs and accidents. I am thinking there will be several school closings tomorrow morning. I hope he is careful going to work as are my children and grandchildren! Saying prayers that they will all be safe!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The New Year
Well, the new year arrived at it's usual time. Like 'it' has any choice in the matter! We had Amber and her friend Aubree here for New Year's Eve and Tom's Uncle John called and wanted us to go to dinner at Sam's Joint in Caledonia with him and his wife, Lisa. When I asked the girls if they wanted to go to a movie, which we were planning on doing or go out to eat, they opted for dinner. We all had a good time. The girls sort of just hung out at one end of the table playing with Amber's I-Touch and ignored us for the most part. That left us free of entertaining them and able to carry on a conversation with the adults. We were home well before midnight and wished each other a Happy New Year as the ball hit the bottom at Times Square on TV. We sat around and talked and laughed for another hour and then turned in. I think the girls were awake much longer talking and tee heeing, as teen age girls will do. Us older people just go to sleep!
Tom is still on first shift and there is talk of him having to go to second shift. But that won't be as bad as third. Third shift is really hard on him and trying to make the transition with the meds he must take. If he has to go back on third, I'm pretty sure he will end up very sick and in the hospital. But second won't be so bad, even though we both prefer first, we can deal with it if we have too.
Seems all the kids and grandkids are doing fine, well except for some who haven't gotten the best grades on report cards, but that isn't our problem anymore. They have parents who must deal with that and we just get to enjoy them. One of the many benefits of being a Grandparent!!
Tom is still on first shift and there is talk of him having to go to second shift. But that won't be as bad as third. Third shift is really hard on him and trying to make the transition with the meds he must take. If he has to go back on third, I'm pretty sure he will end up very sick and in the hospital. But second won't be so bad, even though we both prefer first, we can deal with it if we have too.
Seems all the kids and grandkids are doing fine, well except for some who haven't gotten the best grades on report cards, but that isn't our problem anymore. They have parents who must deal with that and we just get to enjoy them. One of the many benefits of being a Grandparent!!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Christmas Spirit...........
has seem to have left me this year. I can't get into the decorating and enjoying it like I use to. I don't know if it's just because I am aging, but it really isn't much fun anymore for me. I'm wondering if it has to do with the spousal unit being a "bah-humbugger" for so many years, or if it's the fact that the grandkids no longer wish to come and help with it all and bake Christmas cookies as we always did in the past. I guess they are all getting too old and have outgrown that tradition. Or maybe as we age, we just become boring to them and they would much rather be with their friends!
But even though I've lost my Christmas spirit, I still want to wish all my friends out in blogville a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.
But even though I've lost my Christmas spirit, I still want to wish all my friends out in blogville a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Monday, November 22, 2010
November Tornado Watch.........Really?
Well, with the temp of 59º and no signs of it dropping, we are under a tornado watch until 2AM Tues. morning! This weather is unheard of in Michigan for this late in November. I mean, the hunters are hoping for snow so they can track deer if they shoot one........green grass and mud aren't always conducive for hunting.
I have been a hunting widow for the last week and it will continue through this week too! I'm getting used to it after 20 years of it. Besides, Tom works third shift and he's not home at night anyway, so there really isn't much change. The dogs don't even seem confused. They're used to having him gone nights and sleep during the day too!
Our Kentucky kids are supposed to come for Thanksgiving this year, but they may not make it. The kids are sick with sinus infections, the youngest one, 13 month old Abby may have pnemonia and both parents have had some kind of stomach virus. The kind where you aren't sure which end to hold over the toilet! Hope they feel better soon. I don't blame them for not wanting to make a nine hour drive with a bunch of sickies in the car. We will have to wait and see how quickly they can recover and feel better.
Amber is coming down tomorrow after school and will get to spend the weekend with me. Sure am looking forward to that. When school starts we never see as much of her as we do in the summertime. Amber lived with us the first five years of her life, so we have a special bond. Not that we love her more than the 20 some other grandkids, it's just a different kind of bond! She is the oldest child of my youngest birth son. My son and her mom never married, but have a good relationship with one another for Amber's sake. My son married for the first time in Sept. and Amber's mom is engaged, so all seems to be working out well.
I wish the rain and thunder and lightning would stop. Prancer doesn't really like all the noise and the flashes and flat out refuses to go outside to go to the bathroom when the weather gets like this. But if this were snow we probably would have an 18 inch accumulation by now. So I guess we better count our blessings and be grateful.
Until next time..........
I have been a hunting widow for the last week and it will continue through this week too! I'm getting used to it after 20 years of it. Besides, Tom works third shift and he's not home at night anyway, so there really isn't much change. The dogs don't even seem confused. They're used to having him gone nights and sleep during the day too!
Our Kentucky kids are supposed to come for Thanksgiving this year, but they may not make it. The kids are sick with sinus infections, the youngest one, 13 month old Abby may have pnemonia and both parents have had some kind of stomach virus. The kind where you aren't sure which end to hold over the toilet! Hope they feel better soon. I don't blame them for not wanting to make a nine hour drive with a bunch of sickies in the car. We will have to wait and see how quickly they can recover and feel better.
Amber is coming down tomorrow after school and will get to spend the weekend with me. Sure am looking forward to that. When school starts we never see as much of her as we do in the summertime. Amber lived with us the first five years of her life, so we have a special bond. Not that we love her more than the 20 some other grandkids, it's just a different kind of bond! She is the oldest child of my youngest birth son. My son and her mom never married, but have a good relationship with one another for Amber's sake. My son married for the first time in Sept. and Amber's mom is engaged, so all seems to be working out well.
I wish the rain and thunder and lightning would stop. Prancer doesn't really like all the noise and the flashes and flat out refuses to go outside to go to the bathroom when the weather gets like this. But if this were snow we probably would have an 18 inch accumulation by now. So I guess we better count our blessings and be grateful.
Until next time..........
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Indian Summer
Okay, October is here and today is supposed to be very pleasant. Perhaps the rest of the week will be like Indian Summer. I remember Indian Summer as a kid. It was always so nice.......you could actually go outside and play without bundling up to stay warm. Hope this day proves to be one of them. Not that I can play, but I can sit on the deck and read!
Yesterday was my dad's birthday, although he has been gone since 1963. He was killed by a drunk driver when I was 17 years old. And although it's been 47 years ago, I can still remember getting the call from the hospital to come as soon as possible and making the trip with my mom! One of the worst days of my life.............there have been other bad ones too. Like when my mom passed away 3 years later and my first husband dieing of cancer at the age of 34; losing a grand baby 9 years ago. Let's hope there aren't anymore days like that for a long while! Sorry, this seems to have gotten a little maudlin and I didn't mean for it too!
But it is a beautiful day outside, and I think I will wait just a wee bit longer for it to warm up a little more........it's 64º out now and it is supposed to get warmer in a little while, before I head out on the deck to read. And maybe, just maybe, the box elder bugs won't be so bad today!
Yesterday was my dad's birthday, although he has been gone since 1963. He was killed by a drunk driver when I was 17 years old. And although it's been 47 years ago, I can still remember getting the call from the hospital to come as soon as possible and making the trip with my mom! One of the worst days of my life.............there have been other bad ones too. Like when my mom passed away 3 years later and my first husband dieing of cancer at the age of 34; losing a grand baby 9 years ago. Let's hope there aren't anymore days like that for a long while! Sorry, this seems to have gotten a little maudlin and I didn't mean for it too!
But it is a beautiful day outside, and I think I will wait just a wee bit longer for it to warm up a little more........it's 64º out now and it is supposed to get warmer in a little while, before I head out on the deck to read. And maybe, just maybe, the box elder bugs won't be so bad today!
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Wedding
My oldest daughter is a photographer and she took their wedding pictures as their family gift to the new couple. She is still editing a lot of them as she works full time outside the home and has a family to take care of too. But they will get them all (400 of them) on a disk very soon and they can look through them at their leisure and pick the ones they want!
Needless to say, I cried. This was our last one to get married! Although they have 6 children between them and they will have to blend it and make it work, I am confident that they can do it. After all, my son had good teachers. We did it too, but only with five kids!
I called them the other day to see how things were and they both sounded so much in love that I almost cried again!
So, this is the only update in a while, I will try to remember to get back her more often to read others and to write!
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Family news..............
I am very excited tonight. I just found out that my middle son and his fianceè are tentatively planning their wedding for the 24th or 25th of September. I often wondered if I would live to see this day. They both have children from previous relationships and will be blending a family. I know it won't be easy for them, but my son had good teachers as his step-dad and I married and blended our two families into one, and it was successful! Albeit not without some hardships along the way, but we were able to accomplish it and I know they will be successful at it too! I have notified all of his siblings tonight so they can plan on keeping those days open. Our youngest son and his wife were married on Sept. 25th a few years ago and I'm hoping they can make it and don't have plans to celebrate their anniversary already. Our youngest daughter and her family live in Kentucky and may not be able to attend. We will understand, but I sure wish they could! That is the most important news of the day.
The other news is I have a doctor appointment with my original cardiologist tomorrow and am hoping that he knows of some other doctor, perhaps in another state or a major university that can preform the procedure I need without telling me that I won't come off the table alive. I have mixed feelings about this appointment......excited that I may get good news and leery that I may be told the same things that have already been said. So for those of you out there reading this, who believe in God, I would appreciate any prayers you can find in your heart to offer for me!
It may take me a day or two to let you know what I find out, but I will let you all know eventually! And God Bless you all!
The other news is I have a doctor appointment with my original cardiologist tomorrow and am hoping that he knows of some other doctor, perhaps in another state or a major university that can preform the procedure I need without telling me that I won't come off the table alive. I have mixed feelings about this appointment......excited that I may get good news and leery that I may be told the same things that have already been said. So for those of you out there reading this, who believe in God, I would appreciate any prayers you can find in your heart to offer for me!
It may take me a day or two to let you know what I find out, but I will let you all know eventually! And God Bless you all!
Monday, July 12, 2010
I am tired...............
tired of not being able to do the things I want to do and the things I need to do. I didn't realize just how physically exhausted this would make me. Just trying to function from day to day and keep up with the housework and all. As soon as the house market picks up here, I believe we will be putting our home up for sale and downsizing to perhaps a 2 bedroom all on one floor. I know a two-story is not workable for me anymore. There are times I just want to lie down and sleep and never have to get up again. Feeling this way is so out of character for me and the way I have always felt in the past. Now, I feel like I am a bother to everyone and more of a hindrance than a help. I have always been the one people have turned to when they needed help.............and I just can't do that anymore. It saddens me to think that this is what it has come down too. But, I guess it is what it is and there is nothing I or anyone can do about it. Unless they come up with some new technology to be able to fix the health problems I have.............and I hope and pray that they do!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Results
Well, the CT Scan has been read and I have seen the Vascular Surgeon and there is nothing they can do for me. Either procedure, major surgery or aortic stenting would be the end of me. He point blank told me that I would not make it off the table alive. Kind of shocking news to hear when I had such high hopes that they would be able to fix everything!
After being told several months ago to quit exercising, including walking, I am now told to begin a walking program. To start slowly and build up to 20-30 minutes per day, 7 days a week. And I have an appointment with the Vascular Surgeon again in 3 months. He is hoping by that time, the muscle tone in my legs will have improved enough to prescribe a medication that aids in circulation. As was explained to me by another cardiologist, the whole purpose is to increase the blood flow to the muscles, even if that means that my body will make newer, smaller blood vessels to take over the ones that no longer work. And that is what they expect will happen.
I hope they're right!
After being told several months ago to quit exercising, including walking, I am now told to begin a walking program. To start slowly and build up to 20-30 minutes per day, 7 days a week. And I have an appointment with the Vascular Surgeon again in 3 months. He is hoping by that time, the muscle tone in my legs will have improved enough to prescribe a medication that aids in circulation. As was explained to me by another cardiologist, the whole purpose is to increase the blood flow to the muscles, even if that means that my body will make newer, smaller blood vessels to take over the ones that no longer work. And that is what they expect will happen.
I hope they're right!
Monday, June 21, 2010
CT Scan finished.............
now I am just waiting for Wednesday to hurry up and get here and I can go get the opinion of the Vascular Surgeon. Went for bloodwork today. It's beginning to feel as if Dr.'s offices, Labs, and hospitals are my home away from home.
I did ask the cardiologists if by sending me to see a Vascular Surgeon, it means they are thinking more along the lines of major surgery instead of stenting and they told me "yes" that is exactly what it means. So I am sort of resigned to the fact that I will be having major surgery. I just wish they would hurry up and tell me when and how extensive it will be! I, like everyone else, do not like the unknown! It's a little scary just imagining what they will do and how much it will hurt when I wake up. Okay, I admit it, I'm a tad bit of a wuss! Can't help it...............don't like pain and don't handle it well at all. I try to be brave, but always seem to fail miserably at it.
I guess it is what it is and I will find out Wednesday what will happen. Que sera, sera!
I did ask the cardiologists if by sending me to see a Vascular Surgeon, it means they are thinking more along the lines of major surgery instead of stenting and they told me "yes" that is exactly what it means. So I am sort of resigned to the fact that I will be having major surgery. I just wish they would hurry up and tell me when and how extensive it will be! I, like everyone else, do not like the unknown! It's a little scary just imagining what they will do and how much it will hurt when I wake up. Okay, I admit it, I'm a tad bit of a wuss! Can't help it...............don't like pain and don't handle it well at all. I try to be brave, but always seem to fail miserably at it.
I guess it is what it is and I will find out Wednesday what will happen. Que sera, sera!
Monday, June 07, 2010
Here's the deal!
Had a procedure done Friday. Not the one I was supposed to have. My cardiologist didn't like the looks of the pictures from the angiogram back in March and decided that before he could do anything, he needed better pictures. If they were okay, he would go ahead and place the stent. They showed something different than his partners picture taking, so the stent still wasn't placed. I will have to do this at least on more time now.
If he had tried to put the stent in on Friday, it would have immediately shut both my kidneys down and that would have been it! I am thankful that he had the foresight to take more pictures and do the angiogram first. The next step will be for them to schedule a CT scan to get precise measurements and then have a stent special made to fit the area without shutting down the kidneys.
Although the stent wasn't put in place, they still had to invade my body with a catheter and go through the groin to take the pictures for the angiogram. It feels like I am sore for no good reason even though I realize it was a good reason. Still, the soreness and pain is not at all pleasant!
That's all for now, until I have further news to share besides, I can't sit here any longer!
If he had tried to put the stent in on Friday, it would have immediately shut both my kidneys down and that would have been it! I am thankful that he had the foresight to take more pictures and do the angiogram first. The next step will be for them to schedule a CT scan to get precise measurements and then have a stent special made to fit the area without shutting down the kidneys.
Although the stent wasn't put in place, they still had to invade my body with a catheter and go through the groin to take the pictures for the angiogram. It feels like I am sore for no good reason even though I realize it was a good reason. Still, the soreness and pain is not at all pleasant!
That's all for now, until I have further news to share besides, I can't sit here any longer!
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Preparing for yet another procedure!
So today, I have begun taking the medicine to protect my kidneys from the contrast dye and the medication to prevent an anaphylactic allergic reaction to the dye. Right now I am doing all the laundry, and cooking enough supper that we can have after my overnight stay in the hospital. Just something to help Bumpa out, so all he will have to do is reheat it for us for Saturday's supper. Sitting at the hospital with me tomorrow and waiting for the outcome and to see how I did and coming home to an empty house except for the dogs, then having to come back to pick me up and bring me home will be stressful enough for him without having to worry about housework, laundry and cooking!
Tomorrow I may not have anything to eat or drink for 8 hours before the procedure. That means if I want coffee and breakfast, I will have to get up at 5AM in order to eat, have my much needed coffee and take my medications. The procedure is at 2PM, but last time an emergency came in and my procedure needed to be set back. I'm okay with all that; just makes for a hungry woman and that is not a good thing for me (or those who have to be around me)!
If you get a chance and believe in God, please say a prayer or two for me. Thanks!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
What a day!
I spent all of yesterday with my husband's Aunt and her brother at a local hospital.
Uncle has had several health problems over the years and the latest being throat cancer. He has had his voice box and other tissue and muscles in his neck removed. The last time he was in Ann Arbor, they told him there was nothing more they could do for him.
My hubby has always been good about helping people. So when the call came in yesterday at 5AM and he was going out the door to work, there was nothing he could do to help. I could tell he felt terrible about this because it isn't in his character to not help. I told him go to work and I will call your Aunt and we will handle whatever needed to be done. Hubby went to work, I called his Aunt, she picked me up and we both went over to Uncle's apartment. WOW! It wasn't anything we were expecting. I wasn't aware that the beginning of the end would be so messy...............and I won't go into the details here.....they are much to graphic. And suffice it to say, that I didn't think about what we had to do, we both just pitched in and did it! We had no other choice. We did call hospice, which has been offering mild help until he needed further assistance. Yesterday was the day. They came and told us to call an ambulance. And since Uncle didn't want to ride in the ambulance alone and Aunt drove and Uncle wanted me to ride with him and hold his hand. I did so and it wasn't a pleasant experience other than knowing that he wasn't alone with strangers.
Upon arrival at the hospital and getting into an ER room, I had no idea that hospice patients with DNR and no life support orders and their families are basically left to deal with the situation in the ER room alone until it becomes necessary for the patients comfort while the final days of their lives pass. Uncle has an open stoma in his throat, and the cancer is continuing to grow. He takes nothing by mouth and the only air he gets is through this stoma. Needless to say that while coughing and breathing out, any secretions will be spewed out this stoma. When it became noticeable that he was having trouble breathing they called in the respirator team and they discovered that he had a large blood clot that he was unable to cough out. The man was literally dieing from strangulation. To watch someone struggle just to breath is one of the scariest situations I have run into. They did suction it out for him and placed a special stoma respirator over the stoma to help him. They were very helpful with keeping him comfortable after that with pain meds but the total care of any secretions being expelled were left to Aunt and I. They decided since they could not get a bed that day for him at the VA Hospital, they would move him to the Cancer Center there. He did get much better care there.
Today he is awaiting transfer to the VA Hospital and will be on palliative care and hospice until the end comes. I can tell you, it was quite an experience and one I hope to never have to go through again. At this time, I would like to tell every nurse and care taker out there how much more respect and admiration I have for them and what they are required to do! I could never do this kind of thing on a regular basis. By the time I got home last night at about 6:30PM, I couldn't wait to jump in the shower and get some clean cloths on. And about 4 hours after being home and cleaned up, I fell apart!
God Bless all the Palliative Care and Hospice Workers!!!!!
Uncle has had several health problems over the years and the latest being throat cancer. He has had his voice box and other tissue and muscles in his neck removed. The last time he was in Ann Arbor, they told him there was nothing more they could do for him.
My hubby has always been good about helping people. So when the call came in yesterday at 5AM and he was going out the door to work, there was nothing he could do to help. I could tell he felt terrible about this because it isn't in his character to not help. I told him go to work and I will call your Aunt and we will handle whatever needed to be done. Hubby went to work, I called his Aunt, she picked me up and we both went over to Uncle's apartment. WOW! It wasn't anything we were expecting. I wasn't aware that the beginning of the end would be so messy...............and I won't go into the details here.....they are much to graphic. And suffice it to say, that I didn't think about what we had to do, we both just pitched in and did it! We had no other choice. We did call hospice, which has been offering mild help until he needed further assistance. Yesterday was the day. They came and told us to call an ambulance. And since Uncle didn't want to ride in the ambulance alone and Aunt drove and Uncle wanted me to ride with him and hold his hand. I did so and it wasn't a pleasant experience other than knowing that he wasn't alone with strangers.
Upon arrival at the hospital and getting into an ER room, I had no idea that hospice patients with DNR and no life support orders and their families are basically left to deal with the situation in the ER room alone until it becomes necessary for the patients comfort while the final days of their lives pass. Uncle has an open stoma in his throat, and the cancer is continuing to grow. He takes nothing by mouth and the only air he gets is through this stoma. Needless to say that while coughing and breathing out, any secretions will be spewed out this stoma. When it became noticeable that he was having trouble breathing they called in the respirator team and they discovered that he had a large blood clot that he was unable to cough out. The man was literally dieing from strangulation. To watch someone struggle just to breath is one of the scariest situations I have run into. They did suction it out for him and placed a special stoma respirator over the stoma to help him. They were very helpful with keeping him comfortable after that with pain meds but the total care of any secretions being expelled were left to Aunt and I. They decided since they could not get a bed that day for him at the VA Hospital, they would move him to the Cancer Center there. He did get much better care there.
Today he is awaiting transfer to the VA Hospital and will be on palliative care and hospice until the end comes. I can tell you, it was quite an experience and one I hope to never have to go through again. At this time, I would like to tell every nurse and care taker out there how much more respect and admiration I have for them and what they are required to do! I could never do this kind of thing on a regular basis. By the time I got home last night at about 6:30PM, I couldn't wait to jump in the shower and get some clean cloths on. And about 4 hours after being home and cleaned up, I fell apart!
God Bless all the Palliative Care and Hospice Workers!!!!!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Hump Day.............
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Stupid commercials!
I don't usually rant and rave about something I've seen on television, but this has really ticked me off.
There is a commercial out for a 'no touch' soap dispenser. It advertises that the other soap dispensers are covered with germs when you touch the top to dispense the soap. Do these people really think we are all idiots? That we can't figure out that if you pick up germs from the touchable soap dispenser to get soap in your hand to wash, that the antibacterial soap you have in your hand will not destroy the germs you may have picked up from the top of the soap dispenser.
I mean, really, the tactics manufacturers will stoop too in order to get the public to purchase their products. And what an insult to our intelligence!
I guess it's really trivial in comparison to the over all conditions we all face in this world............but this one just pushed me over the top!
Good Night!
There is a commercial out for a 'no touch' soap dispenser. It advertises that the other soap dispensers are covered with germs when you touch the top to dispense the soap. Do these people really think we are all idiots? That we can't figure out that if you pick up germs from the touchable soap dispenser to get soap in your hand to wash, that the antibacterial soap you have in your hand will not destroy the germs you may have picked up from the top of the soap dispenser.
I mean, really, the tactics manufacturers will stoop too in order to get the public to purchase their products. And what an insult to our intelligence!
I guess it's really trivial in comparison to the over all conditions we all face in this world............but this one just pushed me over the top!
Good Night!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
No storms today!
Well, even though thunderstorms were predicted for today, they never showed up. And now I am glad I didn't mention it to the girls (our dogs) or they would have been restless and worried for no reason. In fact it ended up being quite a nice day! Sunshine and highs in the high 50's.
I made dinner for our oldest daughter and her family. They moved into their new home recently and are still trying to get settled in. They are living in the basement while they finish the upstairs which will eventually be the main living quarters and main floor. But it is quite cozy the way they have it set up in the walkout basement. Anyway, I thought it would be easier for them if they didn't have to stop and take time away from unpacking to cook. I took them lemon pepper chicken, mashed potatoes and broccoli. Forgot the dessert............ice cream.....left it home in the freezer but that's okay, you can bet that I'll eat it!
My daughter-in-law took their dinner over to them the other night..........she took chicken spaghetti and garlic bread and a homemade peanut butter pie which is to die for. It was so nice of her to do that........but she is a great gal and comes from a great family........our lives have been enriched since she joined our family!
Well, it's getting late, and I need to work tomorrow, so this is abiento.............goodbye in French!
I made dinner for our oldest daughter and her family. They moved into their new home recently and are still trying to get settled in. They are living in the basement while they finish the upstairs which will eventually be the main living quarters and main floor. But it is quite cozy the way they have it set up in the walkout basement. Anyway, I thought it would be easier for them if they didn't have to stop and take time away from unpacking to cook. I took them lemon pepper chicken, mashed potatoes and broccoli. Forgot the dessert............ice cream.....left it home in the freezer but that's okay, you can bet that I'll eat it!
My daughter-in-law took their dinner over to them the other night..........she took chicken spaghetti and garlic bread and a homemade peanut butter pie which is to die for. It was so nice of her to do that........but she is a great gal and comes from a great family........our lives have been enriched since she joined our family!
Well, it's getting late, and I need to work tomorrow, so this is abiento.............goodbye in French!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)