Sunday, September 16, 2012
A chuckle for you today
Got this joke in my email today, and passing it on here
As ham sandwiches go, it was perfection: a thick slab of ham on a fresh bun with crisp lettuce and plenty of expensive, light brown, gourmet mustard.
The corners of my jaw aching in anticipation, I carried it to the table in our backyard, picked it up with both hands, but was stopped by my wife suddenly at my side.
"Here, hold Johnny (our six-week-old son) while I get my sandwich," she said.
I had him balanced between my left elbow and shoulder and was reaching again for the ham sandwich when I noticed a streak of mustard on my fingers...
I love mustard.
I had no napkin.
I licked it off.
It was not mustard.
No man ever put a baby down faster.
It was the first and only time I have sprinted with my tongue protruding out.
With a washcloth in each hand, I did the sort of routine shoeshine boys do, only I did it on my tongue.
Later, after she stopped crying from laughing so hard, my wife said, 'Now you know why they call that fancy mustard Poupon.'
When you stop laughing, pass it on.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Health tip - about sugar replacement products
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If you want to help yourself, get rid of all the so-called diet products, like Diet Coke etc, or anything containing Asperthame, Saccharine and Sucralose. Here's something I saw on Facebook that I felt everyone needs to hear about, I had already heard it all from Dr. OZ. I've already ditched a huge bad of Splenda I had just bought at Costco last week, (I couldn't return it because I had stupidly opened the bad, but not used it as yet). I've heard it all for a couple of years on Dr.. OZ's show, but chose to ignore it until now, I guess I finally woke up!
Toxic foods, drinks, and additives to cut out of your diet for good
Diet sodas and beverages sweetened with artificial chemicals. One of the more common dietary misconceptions in mainstream society today is the idea that "diet" beverages are somehow healthier than their sugar-sweetened beverages. Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal) saccharin (Sweet'N Low), and sucralose (Splenda) are among the more popular artificial sweeteners used in many diet sodas, juices, chewing gums, and other foods.
Not only are artificial sweeteners bad for your health, but they also tend to promote obesity. If you want to protect yourself against chronic illness and toxicity -- aspartame literally converts to formaldehyde in the body and causes metabolic acidosis -- it is best to stick with either raw sugars or natural sugar substitutes like pure Stevia extract.
I really must investigate Stevia and see where I can get it, hopefully locally. I remember, oh maybe 6 or 8 years ago or so, I was in a Yahoo group called "I Want it all" and the lady that was running it was asked at the time, by the creator of Stevia to join their company and help promote the product. She had told us all about it, I think she had even shared some recipes made with it, but I never gave it a second thought at the time. Maybe it's time to give it a chance now! But for the moment, I'll be using real sugar, although very little of it. We don't drink too any soft drinks here, mostly what we have is water, so not much changes to the diet, except for replacing Splenda with sugar in coffee. And not using any of those "light" products or "diet" products containing Asperthame or Sucralose, such as Yogourt for instance.
Did you know that the stevia plant is grown in Canada? Stevia is a natural product, contrary to those other ones that are full of chemicals. But don't take my word for it, check out their website I just found http://www.steviacanada.com/ and their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/JGGroupSteviaCanada. Seems that Health Canada has not yet approved Stevia as a product additive though http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/addit/sweeten-edulcor/stevia-faq-eng.php
Isn't it weird thought that the EU and even the US from I can see have approved it and Canada, the country who found this does not? http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/food/food-research-and-development/stevia-eh-51716.
Well at least just writing this blog I have learned more about Stevia than before, so I guess that's good!
Friday, September 14, 2012
3 month anniversary!!
Originally published February 12th, 2008
Today is the 3 month anniversary of Tony's stroke!!! He's come a long way since November 12th, but if the Lakeshore General Hospital had given more therapy, he would be doing a heck of a lot better, but we have to accept the limitations for now and hope everything will get better in the next 6 months.
He is now walking with a quad cane, and sometimes during the therapy, the therapist makes him walk without the cane, but not for long. The arm however still refuses to move as it should, and the hand cannot grasp objects, I don't know if that will ever come back, it seems pretty hopeless right now.
I have had installed the required grab bars by Will-Aide and the installer is supposed to come back either Thursday or Friday to install the railings for the stairway that goes up to the bedrooms. Hope he comes Thursday, because Tony is coming home for the week-end, and will be here Friday afternoon, the 2 therapists are also coming to see if everything is set up as it should be and to make sure he can get around OK.
If all goes well Tony will be released on the 21st for good, and then he will go in as an out-patient twice a week for the therapy. We don't know yet how that will work out, if the appointments vary or if they are set at the same time every week. It's kind of annoying because I need to make some other appointments for both Tony and myself and if we don't know if he'll have to be in therapy it's hard to plan. He has a basal cell carcinoma on the top of his head that needs to be removed, he had seen his dermatologist the day before he went in the hospital, so we never had a chance to contact the plastic surgeon who removes the spot, I need to make that appointment for him and he also needs to see his ENT to get his ear canal checked out for wax buildup, he has to do that every 6 months and of course we are past that now.
I am a bit - ok more than a bit - apprehensive as to how everything will work when he gets home. For one thing, I haven't done any cooking in over 3 months, and now I'll have to feed him 3 meals a day, whereas before I'd only have to worry about supper, he always made his own breakfast and his lunch was always prepared ahead (sandwich etc). But that's minor, I'm more worried about if he will be able to get in and out of bed without problems, and be able to get to the bathroom in the middle of the night, as he always wakes up at the rehab and uses the urinal there. He might do the same at home, but we'll have to wait and see how it goes.
Then there is the matter of bathing. I have bought the bench that was suggested, but I'm not quite sure how to handle helping him with that, and am hoping that the CLSC will jump in soon, but I have to wait for the therapist to send the file over AFTER he leaves!!!!!! Why of why I wonder do they have to wait till the last minute when they know the CLSC won't be able to do anything right away. It really ticks me off, but I don't have a choice, I have to wait for them. I think that the fact that he is not on his own, they probably rely on me doing everything for him, but I hope they will help out at least a little.
My time is limited now on the PC, and I think that once he is home for good it will be even more limited because I'll be the only one here to help him getting around etc. Although he does pretty good with his quad cane, but it is different here. It's all carpeted for one thing, and I don't know if that will impede him at all. And of course, there isn't all that much space for him to walk around, at the rehab he walks 90 metres every night and on week-ends he does it twice a day, here there isn't that much space, he might be getting cabin fever after a while.......lol
Because we don't yet have the wheelchair, we can't go around and go through shopping centres, it's too tiring for him to walk any long distances with the cane, so we really need that chair, and it should be another month before we get it. And the other thing we are still waiting for is the handicap parking permit, that will probably be another month as well. I don't know why they have to wait to almost the last minute to get these things under way.
This week, the owner of the company he works for came by to visit and said she had a "transport chair" that her husband was using (he passed away a couple of years ago) and she would lend it to us if we could use it (he was a lot smaller, so I don't know if it will fit Tony's frame) and she also had a type of walker with a bench so that you can sit, but I don't think we'll be able to use that, because Tony doesn't have the use of both arms. She will get someone to bring these to us. She's a wonderful lady, she's in her late 70's or early 80, I'm not quite sure, but she gets around on her own, drives a car etc.
As for myself, I had the ultrasound for my knee last week and I'm still waiting for the result of that, I haven't yet heard from my doctor!! I also had my regular blood test for my INR (I'm also on Coumadin) and my blood was a bit too thin, so my dose was reduced for a couple of days a week - nothing to be alarmed about. Tony's INR seems to have stabilized finally, thank goodness!!! Oh and he's no longer MRSA, finally confirmed last week, that is quite a relief, although we already knew he wasn't, now it's official!
Well I hope I haven't forgotten any other news, but I'm really getting tired now and will get to bed shortly. I can't seem to be able to sleep more than 6 hours a night though, whereas I used to sleep at least 7 hours and sometimes 8 hours - which is what is recommended, but I just can't do it anymore, and I'll probably sleep even less when Tony comes home!!
I will leave you with a really bad quality video I took while playing with Tony's new laptop tonight, it has an integrated webcam and we had to try it, so I took a very quick and short video and here it is :) Just remember that Tony was just re-learning how to speak and had a hard time to articulated most of the time.
Today is the 3 month anniversary of Tony's stroke!!! He's come a long way since November 12th, but if the Lakeshore General Hospital had given more therapy, he would be doing a heck of a lot better, but we have to accept the limitations for now and hope everything will get better in the next 6 months.
He is now walking with a quad cane, and sometimes during the therapy, the therapist makes him walk without the cane, but not for long. The arm however still refuses to move as it should, and the hand cannot grasp objects, I don't know if that will ever come back, it seems pretty hopeless right now.
I have had installed the required grab bars by Will-Aide and the installer is supposed to come back either Thursday or Friday to install the railings for the stairway that goes up to the bedrooms. Hope he comes Thursday, because Tony is coming home for the week-end, and will be here Friday afternoon, the 2 therapists are also coming to see if everything is set up as it should be and to make sure he can get around OK.
If all goes well Tony will be released on the 21st for good, and then he will go in as an out-patient twice a week for the therapy. We don't know yet how that will work out, if the appointments vary or if they are set at the same time every week. It's kind of annoying because I need to make some other appointments for both Tony and myself and if we don't know if he'll have to be in therapy it's hard to plan. He has a basal cell carcinoma on the top of his head that needs to be removed, he had seen his dermatologist the day before he went in the hospital, so we never had a chance to contact the plastic surgeon who removes the spot, I need to make that appointment for him and he also needs to see his ENT to get his ear canal checked out for wax buildup, he has to do that every 6 months and of course we are past that now.
I am a bit - ok more than a bit - apprehensive as to how everything will work when he gets home. For one thing, I haven't done any cooking in over 3 months, and now I'll have to feed him 3 meals a day, whereas before I'd only have to worry about supper, he always made his own breakfast and his lunch was always prepared ahead (sandwich etc). But that's minor, I'm more worried about if he will be able to get in and out of bed without problems, and be able to get to the bathroom in the middle of the night, as he always wakes up at the rehab and uses the urinal there. He might do the same at home, but we'll have to wait and see how it goes.
Then there is the matter of bathing. I have bought the bench that was suggested, but I'm not quite sure how to handle helping him with that, and am hoping that the CLSC will jump in soon, but I have to wait for the therapist to send the file over AFTER he leaves!!!!!! Why of why I wonder do they have to wait till the last minute when they know the CLSC won't be able to do anything right away. It really ticks me off, but I don't have a choice, I have to wait for them. I think that the fact that he is not on his own, they probably rely on me doing everything for him, but I hope they will help out at least a little.
My time is limited now on the PC, and I think that once he is home for good it will be even more limited because I'll be the only one here to help him getting around etc. Although he does pretty good with his quad cane, but it is different here. It's all carpeted for one thing, and I don't know if that will impede him at all. And of course, there isn't all that much space for him to walk around, at the rehab he walks 90 metres every night and on week-ends he does it twice a day, here there isn't that much space, he might be getting cabin fever after a while.......lol
Because we don't yet have the wheelchair, we can't go around and go through shopping centres, it's too tiring for him to walk any long distances with the cane, so we really need that chair, and it should be another month before we get it. And the other thing we are still waiting for is the handicap parking permit, that will probably be another month as well. I don't know why they have to wait to almost the last minute to get these things under way.
This week, the owner of the company he works for came by to visit and said she had a "transport chair" that her husband was using (he passed away a couple of years ago) and she would lend it to us if we could use it (he was a lot smaller, so I don't know if it will fit Tony's frame) and she also had a type of walker with a bench so that you can sit, but I don't think we'll be able to use that, because Tony doesn't have the use of both arms. She will get someone to bring these to us. She's a wonderful lady, she's in her late 70's or early 80, I'm not quite sure, but she gets around on her own, drives a car etc.
As for myself, I had the ultrasound for my knee last week and I'm still waiting for the result of that, I haven't yet heard from my doctor!! I also had my regular blood test for my INR (I'm also on Coumadin) and my blood was a bit too thin, so my dose was reduced for a couple of days a week - nothing to be alarmed about. Tony's INR seems to have stabilized finally, thank goodness!!! Oh and he's no longer MRSA, finally confirmed last week, that is quite a relief, although we already knew he wasn't, now it's official!
Well I hope I haven't forgotten any other news, but I'm really getting tired now and will get to bed shortly. I can't seem to be able to sleep more than 6 hours a night though, whereas I used to sleep at least 7 hours and sometimes 8 hours - which is what is recommended, but I just can't do it anymore, and I'll probably sleep even less when Tony comes home!!
I will leave you with a really bad quality video I took while playing with Tony's new laptop tonight, it has an integrated webcam and we had to try it, so I took a very quick and short video and here it is :) Just remember that Tony was just re-learning how to speak and had a hard time to articulated most of the time.
moscreations wrote on Mar 25, '08
mombaker said on Mar 18, '08
I'm soooo glad Tony is coming home. Together again as the song goes. That video did my heart good. To see & hear you both, WOW!! Loved it. I know how you feel. When my husband was alive & had cancer & had to get around in a wheelchair & then was bedridden. I waited on him hand & foot & was awaken sometimes 3 or 4 times a night to give him a massage because he was in such pain. Then I had to go to work the next day cleaning homes. If I did not love him & feel so comitted to our marriage, I would not have been able to make it. God Bless you both. Hang in there...it is definitely worth it.
Hugs, MOM
Thanks Mom. Tony has been home now for over a month and it doesn't leave me much time to be on the computer. Hope you had a good Easter, ours was a quiet one. Tony suffered a fall last week-end and is still in pain, he got a contusion, thank goodness nothing was broken, but he is still in pain and requires more supervision! I too have to get up a few times during the night when he needs help going to the bathroom, but we finally are getting some hep now with his bathing, we have someone coming (starting today) 3 times a week to do that, at least I get that short time where i can get other things done.
Hugs
Mo
moscreations wrote on Mar 14, '08
Thanks Kori and Suz for checking up on us.
I have been remiss in not posting an update, but you're right Kori, I'm so busy and caught up in doing everything that I'm too bushed to blog, I barely do any email as it is, mostly I answer personal email and delete most jokes most of the time, there isn't enough time to forward all those emails.
Yes Suz, he has been home since March 20th, and it's pretty hectic as I'm having to do everything, from cooking, cleaning, washing, helping him get washed (shower), get dressed, going up and down the stairs, taking him to the various doctors, as we need to catch up on all cancelled appointments and of course being the therapist as well, including PT, OT and psychologist as well, as he is getting the occasional panic attack. Any outing is a long preparation and the outing itself is stressful enough as it is. We're still waiting to hear from the local CLSC to see what kind of help we can get, and also waiting for the wheelchair, still no word on that either and still waiting for the handicap parking sticker to allow to park in those special areas and the special passes to allow us to use handicap public transport. Everything seems to be slow as molasses in January!!!
And then we have the damn winter to contend with, the snow that just won't quit, my back is killing me!!! And I heard from someone who told me today we are expecting another big storm at the end of March and another in APRIL!!!!! I'm getting so fed up with winter.
We would have been going to bed about an hour ago, but he was starting getting anxious - another panic attack, because he worries about different things, mainly tonight about me, so I try to console him and bolster him and now he's fallen asleep in his chair. Hopefully he'll sleep through the night (in bed of course...lol)
Thank you both for your comments. Have a nice week-end!
Hugs
Mo
osuzana wrote on Mar 14, '08
So is he home and how is it going?
bubbly94 wrote on Mar 14, '08
Hope all is going well now at home. You haven't updated in a couple weeks, you are probably too busy to get on the computer! You and your husband continue to be in my thoughts!
Hugs,
Kori
moscreations wrote on Feb 26, '08
osuzana said
LOL, cute video. Well, you need to slow down and just deal with one thing at a time. I went through some of this with mom and dad and it does seem slow and to take forever. I went and picked mom up twice a week for her therapy and had her here with me right after rehab in the hospital and it was really easier to have her here at the house. Going to pick her up twice a week and take her to rehab was a little tiring because she lives about 20 minutes from me and it was 20 min. more to where we had to take her so it was all day for me. They set up a regular schedule for her twice a week and we worked around that.
Actually things went smoothly and at least there were days when you didn't have to jump up and get dressed so early. That was nice. I cooked several things and froze some things so I had some meals ahead on those at home days. Soups and stuff. It worked pretty good.
Yes it would be stressful having to go pick up a person to bring them to rehab, I guess I'm lucky in that respect. We have yet to hear when we will be able to start with that, I don't have enough time during the day to spend being a therapist on top of everything else that needs to be done here. Today we finally had someone here to fix my computer and install a wireless router at the same time, so now Tony can use the laptop upstairs, which he is doing right now :)
If only it wasn't winter, he could go outside and go with me for walks, but the snow just won't stop coming, I'm so sick of winter.....lol.
Thanks for the visit and comment Suz.
osuzana wrote on Feb 26, '08
Well, I just read above so it sounds like you have the food thing down. Don't worry until it happens. They will walk you through everything.
moscreations wrote on Feb 19, '08
barb5t said
Forget the quality of the video. I see two wonderful people greeting us. Love it!
There is so much to think and wonder about. I hope the weekend goes well. I know it will feel sooooo good to Tony to be home if he can get past the difficult bumps. You both have my continued prayers.
Hugs, Barb
Thanks Barb, you're too kind :) - Tony is coming home for good tomorrow!!!!
We'll still need those prayers, thanks so much Barb
Hugs
Mo
moscreations wrote on Feb 13, '08
barbarab1313 said.
What a cute video of you two.
Sounds like you have your work cut out for you. Won't the CLSC come in to help you at least a few days a week, maybe do some cleaning and help Tony a bit or are they leaving it all up to you.
They must realize that you are not 100% either.
Maybe you can make meals in advance and freeze them that way you can prepare one time and not every time you have to eat
It can't be easy for you and no wonder you can't sleep with everything rolling around in your mind,
I think once you get Tony home and settle in to some kind of routine, things will settle down and go well.
The nice weather will be coming soon not today though ha ha and Tony will be able to get outdoors for walks.
At least the workers will be coming with Tony to see if everything is set up for him.
I think Tony will just be happy to get back home to where he is loved by you and Tara, the rest will take some adjusting but you are both strong and love each other and I would bet things will be ok.
Take care of yourself and I know it is easy for me to say don't worry and put it in God's hands but easier said then done.
Take care (((HUGS)))
Thanks Barbara :) it's not a very good quality video, we were just fooling around with the new laptop :)
It won't be easy that's for sure, but I guess we'll eventually get used to it all, it will be a new routine! We always did prepare meals ahead and froze them :) Right now I have loads of food in the freezer, which I hope will still be good as it's been there for over 3 months! Lots of chicken, tilapia, salmon, pork chops, 1 pot roast and ground beef, we're loaded to the gills......lol
He's also used to going to bed early now, so I don't know how that will work over here, if he'll keep those same hours, I'm sure I'll be up every time he wakes up in the middle of the night.
Winter ain't over yet......lol...more coming tomorrow night again!!! Just in time for his homecoming too!!! Have to make sure the driveway is nice and clean!!
He can't wait to be home and I'm sure Tara will be jumping for joy when she sees him, I'm taking her to the groomer tomorrow, so she'll be nice and clean for him :)
Hugs
Mo
moscreations wrote on Feb 13, '08
dkbtimbo51 said
Mo, I know you aren't sure if you can handle things with Tony when he comes home but I, am, sure God will give you the strength and guide you with HIS wisdom for you to do so. I, know you are a strong woman and you will find the power within yourself to do what needs to be done. Hopefully before you leave the hospital someone will show you how to help Tony with the shower etc. One would think that they would at any rate. I, am, sorry to hear that motion in his one hand and arm is not back where it should be. It may take a lot longer for that mobility to return. Thank you for the video. You two look so happy, with your lovely smiles. Continuing to keep you both in my prayers. Love and hugs, to you both. Donna/Dkbtimbo51
I'm always praying for strength Donna, sometimes I'm not so strong, but that's when I'm on my own, I've always tried to be strong (or appear to be) in front of Tony, specially in the early days. I don't think it will be all that difficult to get him in the shower, he won't be able to stand, he'll be sitting on that bath bench I bought and take the shower sitting down, I'm hoping the CLSC will be helping with that a couple of times a week anyway, but we'll see how that goes.
Thanks for the prayers Donna
Hugs
Mo
moscreations wrote on Feb 13, '08
mkinwa said
Huge hugs for you Mo!
Years ago, my mother-in-law had a stroke. When she came home, she was to walk around the house, several times a day. I set up a great (well...ok, so it was an OK) path. As she regained her strength, I took her to the grocery store. She was able to get her exercise by walking up and down the aisles, using the grocery cart for stability. It's tedious, but it's indoors, and relatively safe. Grocery carts are good sturdy thingers.
Your budget must be in tatters, and will continue that way. With everybody home 24/7, expect your utility bill to skyrocket. Also your grocery bill. You'll get used to preparing three meals, but not overnight.
I think about you two, was going to get over here yesterday, but I got busy with some research. Was SO happy to receive this alert!
Keeping you in prayer.
Love,
mk
Thanks M.K. Always appreciate the prayers.
We've cleared the living room so that he can walk around in there, although it's not a large area, but he can walk there, in the hallway to the dining room (no space there to speak of) and through the kitchen, which is only a galley type kitchen, so not much area for him to walk through and because of the snow it makes it hard for him to do anything else right now, and because he can't walk great distances, walking in malls is too much at this time, but hopefully as the months go by and spring arrives it will be better. The grocery bill will go up for sure.....lol
moscreations wrote on Feb 13, '08
dreamyone said
Ah!.. I love the video... You both look so sweet.,
He's looking so much better and it's so good how much progress he's made. It's good news that he'll soon be able to come home with you and that will be such a relief I'm sure. And he'll probably do even better at home then he would at the hospital.
I just hope you will not over do, I know this all has taken it's toll on you , stress wise and also sleep and such . Just remember to take time out for yourself.
I know you may end up losing more computer time.. but sometimes we have to take care of our own personal needs first and the rest can wait. However I'll miss you , and have already noticed the big void when your not around. I'm so sorry to hear that Tony has to have a basal cell removed but also happy they found it..That is nothing to play around with. I Know I'm scared to death of those things popping up on me too especially since I was such a sun worshiper my entire life. Anyway my dear I really hope that your MRI will turn out not to be too serious and also , again that you'll find sometime for yourself and be able to catch up on some rest. Sure wish I lived closer to you , I'd fix you both some meals and do what ever I could to give you a break. But all I can do is say that I"m praying and thinking of you both constantly and wishing soon for things to get all better again.. Love you friend and heres a big hug for you. I hope you feel it and know I care and I'm thinking of you.. Thank you for the update and don't go to far away okay.. I'll miss you.. Thank you also for the cute things in my mailbox. I haven't had time today to look as we had an awful storm last night and it blew out one of my computers totally and we've been cleaning up since last night here since it hit. Lightening struck two homes near by me last night and burned them to the ground.. thankfully nobody was hurt.. but we lost power all night long.. it was so scary... Well off I go thanks gain for the update.. and heres one more hug cause you need lots of them from us all right now, and cause they make everything better I think.. :)
Thanks Les, it's not a very good video.....lol
We'll have to get into a routine once he's home for good, including the trips back to the rehab twice a week for 3 to 4 months!
I have yet to call to make that appointment for him to get that basal cell removed, too many things going on at the same time.....lol
Sorry to hear you got hit by lightening at your house, but you're lucky yours didn't burn down to the ground that's just awful that happened to the other 2 homes.
Thanks for the hugs sweet friends and sending them back to you too :)
moscreations wrote on Feb 13, '08
mistyshadows2u said
MO some of the stores in the mall have wheelchairs...Walmart for sure...but again they might be too small for Tony...but you could check them out before he comes home permanently. Such great news he is coming home. Have you got someone that can come in to give you a couple hours for yourself...as in going out for lunch...going grocery shopping...just to take a bath??? They have that and if you don't you get your doctor to help you. You will need that bit of time just for you....It's important!
Hi Misty, yes malls and hospitals do have wheelchairs, I think though that they will lend us the one he is currently using until we get the one that was fitted for him, I know they will at least for this week-end. I'm sure the CLSC (the organism in Quebec that would do that) will get that done eventually, just have to go with the system, the therapists have to hand over a file to them, a caseworker has to be assign and then they will contact me I guess, I can't seem to be able to be the one to contact them, it has to come from them, so just have to wait and see, at least by next week I should know one way or another (I hope).
barbarab1313 wrote on Feb 13, '08
What a cute video of you two.
Sounds like you have your work cut out for you. Won't the CLSC come in to help you at least a few days a week, maybe do some cleaning and help Tony a bit or are they leaving it all up to you.
They must realize that you are not 100% either.
Maybe you can make meals in advance and freeze them that way you can prepare one time and not every time you have to eat
It can't be easy for you and no wonder you can't sleep with everything rolling around in your mind,
I think once you get Tony home and settle in to some kind of routine, things will settle down and go well.
The nice weather will be coming soon not today though ha ha and Tony will be able to get outdoors for walks.
At least the workers will be coming with Tony to see if everything is set up for him.
I think Tony will just be happy to get back home to where he is loved by you and Tara, the rest will take some adjusting but you are both strong and love each other and I would bet things will be ok.
Take care of yourself and I know it is easy for me to say don't worry and put it in God's hands but easier said then done.
Take care (((HUGS)))
dkbtimbo51 wrote on Feb 13, '08
Mo, I know you aren't sure if you can handle things with Tony when he comes home but I, am, sure God will give you the strength and guide you with HIS wisdom for you to do so. I, know you are a strong woman and you will find the power within yourself to do what needs to be done. Hopefully before you leave the hospital someone will show you how to help Tony with the shower etc. One would think that they would at any rate. I, am, sorry to hear that motion in his one hand and arm is not back where it should be. It may take a lot longer for that mobility to return. Thank you for the video. You two look so happy, with your lovely smiles. Continuing to keep you both in my prayers. Love and hugs, to you both. Donna/Dkbtimbo51
mkinwa wrote on Feb 13, '08
Huge hugs for you Mo!
Years ago, my mother-in-law had a stroke. When she came home, she was to walk around the house, several times a day. I set up a great (well...ok, so it was an OK) path. As she regained her strength, I took her to the grocery store. She was able to get her exercise by walking up and down the aisles, using the grocery cart for stability. It's tedious, but it's indoors, and relatively safe. Grocery carts are good sturdy thingers.
Your budget must be in tatters, and will continue that way. With everybody home 24/7, expect your utility bill to skyrocket. Also your grocery bill. You'll get used to preparing three meals, but not overnight.
I think about you two, was going to get over here yesterday, but I got busy with some research. Was SO happy to receive this alert!
Keeping you in prayer.
Love,
mk
dreamyone wrote on Feb 12, '08
Ah!.. I love the video... You both look so sweet.,
He's looking so much better and it's so good how much progress he's made. It's good news that he'll soon be able to come home with you and that will be such a relief I'm sure. And he'll probably do even better at home then he would at the hospital.
I just hope you will not over do, I know this all has taken it's toll on you , stress wise and also sleep and such . Just remember to take time out for yourself.
I know you may end up losing more computer time.. but sometimes we have to take care of our own personal needs first and the rest can wait. However I'll miss you , and have already noticed the big void when your not around. I'm so sorry to hear that Tony has to have a basal cell removed but also happy they found it..That is nothing to play around with. I Know I'm scared to death of those things popping up on me too especially since I was such a sun worshiper my entire life. Anyway my dear I really hope that your MRI will turn out not to be too serious and also , again that you'll find sometime for yourself and be able to catch up on some rest. Sure wish I lived closer to you , I'd fix you both some meals and do what ever I could to give you a break. But all I can do is say that I"m praying and thinking of you both constantly and wishing soon for things to get all better again.. Love you friend and heres a big hug for you. I hope you feel it and know I care and I'm thinking of you.. Thank you for the update and don't go to far away okay.. I'll miss you.. Thank you also for the cute things in my mailbox. I haven't had time today to look as we had an awful storm last night and it blew out one of my computers totally and we've been cleaning up since last night here since it hit. Lightening struck two homes near by me last night and burned them to the ground.. thankfully nobody was hurt.. but we lost power all night long.. it was so scary... Well off I go thanks gain for the update.. and heres one more hug cause you need lots of them from us all right now, and cause they make everything better I think.. :)
mistyshadows2u wrote on Feb 12, '08
MO some of the stores in the mall have wheelchairs...Walmart for sure...but again they might be too small for Tony...but you could check them out before he comes home permanently. Such great news he is coming home. Have you got someone that can come in to give you a couple hours for yourself...as in going out for lunch...going grocery shopping...just to take a bath??? They have that and if you don't you get your doctor to help you. You will need that bit of time just for you....It's important!
moscreations wrote on Feb 12, '08
kandaphati said
Lots of homework for you, Mo! Hope everything will be done as planned.
Is it possible to hire a helper to help a few hours a day? You might want one....
Rest well. Take care. You are in my thoughts.
Yup sure is Kanda. I can't afford a helper!! Unless it comes free.......lol, and now I better get to bed :)
kandaphati wrote on Feb 12, '08
Lots of homework for you, Mo! Hope everything will be done as planned.
Is it possible to hire a helper to help a few hours a day? You might want one....
Rest well. Take care. You are in my thoughts.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Where does the time go???
Originally published on Multiply February 2nd., 2008
I don't come on the computer much these days, but when I do, I don't know where the time goes, I'm mainly here usually to do my online banking and then the odd time I actually have time to go through email, though not enough time to forward to all. And blogging is just another matter all together.....lol.....but today I felt I had to make an entry, at least 1 per week :)
Where to start?!?!?!? We had been told there would be a home visit, and when they would come, they would bring Tony along for the ride and to see how he did at home, however that is not how it turned out to be.
The 2 therapists, physio and occupational, came to see the house this week, and assess what needs to be done, installation etc before Tony can come home. But they did not bring Tony along.
I already knew that we would need grab bars in the bathrooms, they took measurement to make sure we got the right size. We had anticipated that he would also require a raised toilet seat, but luckily, he has enough strength to be able to get up from a normal toilet, as long as he has the grab bars, we were both happy that this could be achieved, as those seats are really messy and a pain in the butt, no pun intended.......lol.
They then measured the stairway and as we already knew, we have to install a new railing on the side of the wall, so that he can use that when going down the stairs, so all this was measured and noted by the OC therapist, she is the one in charged of all this co-ordination. They suggested I use the company Wil-Aide Medical for the installation of the grab bars and to also get them to install the railing, one of the therapist had called them previously to enquire about them selling and installing railings and was told they had those in stock and would come to show me what they had, but it turns out that they have to go buy the supplies, wood, brackets etc and stain them if we want (and I do) and then come and install them, so all of that is putting a delay in Tony being able to come home for a week-end visit, we had hoped originally to be able to do that this week-end, but they(therapists) didn't give me the details fast enough to get the information to Pat (my friend who can get me the bars from the company she works for) in time for her to place the order. Employees can only receive delivery of anything they order on Friday, so it was too late for last Friday, so we had to wait until this Friday to take delivery of the bars, I also had to order a bench to help him to get into the bathtub and get washed. You can see it here. So Pat, ordered all the necessary bars and the bench and brought them home yesterday. We also need to install 2 grab bars in the garage doorway to the house, to help him to go up the 2 steps he has to climb to get into the house.
Once all of these are installed he will be able to come home. The grab bars will be installed next Thursday in the afternoon and at that time, the gentleman will check out what needs to be ordered for the railings for the stairway that leads up to the bedrooms, and he will get those, stain them to match what we already have and come back and install them the following Tuesday night, that would be Feb. 12th. It's very disappointing that we couldn't get him to get this done sooner as it delays everything. But he needs 3 days to get the staining done properly, so unless I knew someone else that could do it (which I don't) I pretty much have to wait for him, and hope that doesn't cost an arm and 2 legs. I am very fortunate though that I was able to save a huge bundle on the grab bars and the bench. I ended up paying $79 for the whole thing (5 grab bars 18 inches, one 32 inch, and one angled which on the web site they show installed in a V but will be installed in an L position, plus the bench), the therapist told me that if I had purchased these at a retail place, it would have cost me upwards of $300!!!! At least I saved there, but I know I'll be paying through the nose for the railings! I don't yet know how much that will be!
Before the home visit, Pat and I removed the coffee table from the living room, because I know it will be in the way of Tony getting around there, it is not a very large room. It was also decided (and I already knew it would have to be done) that we would have to move the green leather chair we have in the living room (the only one he can safely sit in) to the other side of the room, so he can watch TV, so the living room will have to be re-organized before he comes home.
Going in to the basement is out of the question because it is a circular staircase and not safe for him to use - at least not at this time, and to be frank I don't even know if he will ever be able to come down this staircase as it stands right now, we may have to invest in a different staircase later on.
We have so much stuff down here (basement) it is totally disorganized right now, because of the mini flood we had in August and Tony, being the procrastinator that he is, was putting off getting this fixed and ready for winter, so everything is all over the place, plus we have the computers down here. Maybe at some point we might have to think of moving these up to the second floor, but right now, I would like to get a wireless router and get the internet working on his laptop when he comes home, so at least he'll be able to entertain himself with that, without the internet, it's pretty boring for him, and I know nothing about those things, so that is something to look at when he comes home for good! Right now we are using 2 different ISP, one for my computer (which is out of commission) and one for his (the reason behind this was that a while back when he would log on to his company through their network (VPN) it would knock me off the internet, so we decided to use a separate ISP for him). We will have to get rid of that - and save money at the same time.
In other news, we've had some pretty harsh weather here in Montreal, and on Wednesday morning as I was taking out a recycling bin, I didn't see there was ice in the driveway, it was dark and didn't show, and I took a bad stumble just in front of my car, I hit my tailbone pretty hard, but it's getting better now, but the worse was my left knee, which is already sore from the cyst I have there, it's still sore, I sat all day with either cold packs or ice bags on my knee at the rehab center. The staff were great at helping me with that. I had to put more on today as it's still painful. Hope that will go away soon. I'm going for the ultrasound next week for the cyst, and Lord only knows when I'll get the results of that and what will need to be done about that.
That's another source of worry for me, because if I need surgery, what will happen to Tony???? And what will happen to me too?? I try not to let it worry me until I know more about it, bit sometimes it does keep me awake thinking about it, I can't help it!
WOW I know I rambled on and on here and hope all of the above makes sense to you and hope that you all have a great week-end!
Thank you all for your thoughts, comments and prayers, we both really appreciate it.
I don't come on the computer much these days, but when I do, I don't know where the time goes, I'm mainly here usually to do my online banking and then the odd time I actually have time to go through email, though not enough time to forward to all. And blogging is just another matter all together.....lol.....but today I felt I had to make an entry, at least 1 per week :)
Where to start?!?!?!? We had been told there would be a home visit, and when they would come, they would bring Tony along for the ride and to see how he did at home, however that is not how it turned out to be.
The 2 therapists, physio and occupational, came to see the house this week, and assess what needs to be done, installation etc before Tony can come home. But they did not bring Tony along.
I already knew that we would need grab bars in the bathrooms, they took measurement to make sure we got the right size. We had anticipated that he would also require a raised toilet seat, but luckily, he has enough strength to be able to get up from a normal toilet, as long as he has the grab bars, we were both happy that this could be achieved, as those seats are really messy and a pain in the butt, no pun intended.......lol.
They then measured the stairway and as we already knew, we have to install a new railing on the side of the wall, so that he can use that when going down the stairs, so all this was measured and noted by the OC therapist, she is the one in charged of all this co-ordination. They suggested I use the company Wil-Aide Medical for the installation of the grab bars and to also get them to install the railing, one of the therapist had called them previously to enquire about them selling and installing railings and was told they had those in stock and would come to show me what they had, but it turns out that they have to go buy the supplies, wood, brackets etc and stain them if we want (and I do) and then come and install them, so all of that is putting a delay in Tony being able to come home for a week-end visit, we had hoped originally to be able to do that this week-end, but they(therapists) didn't give me the details fast enough to get the information to Pat (my friend who can get me the bars from the company she works for) in time for her to place the order. Employees can only receive delivery of anything they order on Friday, so it was too late for last Friday, so we had to wait until this Friday to take delivery of the bars, I also had to order a bench to help him to get into the bathtub and get washed. You can see it here. So Pat, ordered all the necessary bars and the bench and brought them home yesterday. We also need to install 2 grab bars in the garage doorway to the house, to help him to go up the 2 steps he has to climb to get into the house.
Once all of these are installed he will be able to come home. The grab bars will be installed next Thursday in the afternoon and at that time, the gentleman will check out what needs to be ordered for the railings for the stairway that leads up to the bedrooms, and he will get those, stain them to match what we already have and come back and install them the following Tuesday night, that would be Feb. 12th. It's very disappointing that we couldn't get him to get this done sooner as it delays everything. But he needs 3 days to get the staining done properly, so unless I knew someone else that could do it (which I don't) I pretty much have to wait for him, and hope that doesn't cost an arm and 2 legs. I am very fortunate though that I was able to save a huge bundle on the grab bars and the bench. I ended up paying $79 for the whole thing (5 grab bars 18 inches, one 32 inch, and one angled which on the web site they show installed in a V but will be installed in an L position, plus the bench), the therapist told me that if I had purchased these at a retail place, it would have cost me upwards of $300!!!! At least I saved there, but I know I'll be paying through the nose for the railings! I don't yet know how much that will be!
Before the home visit, Pat and I removed the coffee table from the living room, because I know it will be in the way of Tony getting around there, it is not a very large room. It was also decided (and I already knew it would have to be done) that we would have to move the green leather chair we have in the living room (the only one he can safely sit in) to the other side of the room, so he can watch TV, so the living room will have to be re-organized before he comes home.
Going in to the basement is out of the question because it is a circular staircase and not safe for him to use - at least not at this time, and to be frank I don't even know if he will ever be able to come down this staircase as it stands right now, we may have to invest in a different staircase later on.
We have so much stuff down here (basement) it is totally disorganized right now, because of the mini flood we had in August and Tony, being the procrastinator that he is, was putting off getting this fixed and ready for winter, so everything is all over the place, plus we have the computers down here. Maybe at some point we might have to think of moving these up to the second floor, but right now, I would like to get a wireless router and get the internet working on his laptop when he comes home, so at least he'll be able to entertain himself with that, without the internet, it's pretty boring for him, and I know nothing about those things, so that is something to look at when he comes home for good! Right now we are using 2 different ISP, one for my computer (which is out of commission) and one for his (the reason behind this was that a while back when he would log on to his company through their network (VPN) it would knock me off the internet, so we decided to use a separate ISP for him). We will have to get rid of that - and save money at the same time.
In other news, we've had some pretty harsh weather here in Montreal, and on Wednesday morning as I was taking out a recycling bin, I didn't see there was ice in the driveway, it was dark and didn't show, and I took a bad stumble just in front of my car, I hit my tailbone pretty hard, but it's getting better now, but the worse was my left knee, which is already sore from the cyst I have there, it's still sore, I sat all day with either cold packs or ice bags on my knee at the rehab center. The staff were great at helping me with that. I had to put more on today as it's still painful. Hope that will go away soon. I'm going for the ultrasound next week for the cyst, and Lord only knows when I'll get the results of that and what will need to be done about that.
That's another source of worry for me, because if I need surgery, what will happen to Tony???? And what will happen to me too?? I try not to let it worry me until I know more about it, bit sometimes it does keep me awake thinking about it, I can't help it!
WOW I know I rambled on and on here and hope all of the above makes sense to you and hope that you all have a great week-end!
Thank you all for your thoughts, comments and prayers, we both really appreciate it.
moscreations wrote on Feb 8, '08
nanook84 said
Mo I'm sure he can have some invalid payment from the Québec's Pension Plan, if he is not going to be able to go to work, at least for a year they will pay up, they even send you the back payment, that is what Diane used to buy her electric wheelchair.
Mo the nice part about Vinegar is that is is such a small dose that it won't affect the Coumadin, here we all are on Coumadin, because of thrombosis in our legs, and that is what we use. but you have to make sure it is like 1/4 cup white vinegar to 3/4 cup warm water, not more than that. Legs are our "bête noire" in this family it is a degenerative bone marrow and arthrosis gene that is defective, and we loose the use of our knee to start, then it keeps on. Make sure you have 2 type of "salt" for when he come home they say that you can use the big de icing salt, up to below 5, then you have to use a mixture as the de icing salt has no effect. I used to buy a huge bucket at Costco with a Polar Bear on it it worked just fine. It was a mixture for all weather. A bit costly, but much less than yet another visit at the hospital.
Now you keep us posted, also for your own test, sending you love and prayers.
Take care now you hear?
Sylvie
We haven't applied for his QPP yet, want to wait until he's 65, he's 63 right now. Not sure if they would pay for invalidity, not yet anyway, because he hasn't finished all therapies, I guess once everything is over and if they determine he won't be able to do anything then maybe we can go that route.
I have DVT too, and had a pulmonary embolism in 2002, that's why I'm on Coumadin, some days my legs are just so full of bumps and lumps!!!
Will have to make sure the driveway is nice and clear when he comes home, and wouldn't you know they keep saying it's going to snow almost every day next week!!!!
Will probably take a week or two for my doctor to get the result of the ultrasound!! I know there is definitely something there though, the technician did say there was. But what it is for sure will have to wait and see!
Thanks for the support and prayers Sylvie - merci beaucoup :)
nanook84 wrote on Feb 7, '08
Mo I'm sure he can have some invalid payment from the Québec's Pension Plan, if he is not going to be able to go to work, at least for a year they will pay up, they even send you the back payment, that is what Diane used to buy her electric wheelchair.
Mo the nice part about Vinegar is that is is such a small dose that it won't affect the Coumadin, here we all are on Coumadin, because of thrombosis in our legs, and that is what we use. but you have to make sure it is like 1/4 cup white vinegar to 3/4 cup warm water, not more than that. Legs are our "bête noire" in this family it is a degenerative bone marrow and arthrosis gene that is defective, and we loose the use of our knee to start, then it keeps on. Make sure you have 2 type of "salt" for when he come home they say that you can use the big de icing salt, up to below 5, then you have to use a mixture as the de icing salt has no effect. I used to buy a huge bucket at Costco with a Polar Bear on it it worked just fine. It was a mixture for all weather. A bit costly, but much less than yet another visit at the hospital.
Now you keep us posted, also for your own test, sending you love and prayers.
Take care now you hear?
Sylvie
moscreations wrote on Feb 6, '08
kandaphati said
Wish you all the best. Make wishes. It's Chinese New Year's Eve today (Feb-6). Best wishes to you, Mo. Things will get better very soon! (-:
Thanks Kanda, Happy New Year :) although you are not Chinese :) and neither am I......lol
kandaphati wrote on Feb 6, '08
Wish you all the best. Make wishes. It's Chinese New Year's Eve today (Feb-6). Best wishes to you, Mo. Things will get better very soon! (-:
moscreations wrote on Feb 5, '08
nanook84 said
Oh Mo, so sorry to hear that Tony wasn't able to come home, even for a short visit. I do understand what you are going through since I've gone through this with both my older sisters, and 2 nephew already, our Medicare isn't the fastest one.
Have you contacted your local CLSC about it, it did help when I did for my sisters, they lent me equipment so they could come home earlier, till we got their place fixed properly.
As for having only 1 chair that Tony can sit comfortably and securely in the house, my nephews came up with a nifty thing for my sisters, they measured the height that chairs and compared it to others had to be raised in the house, then they made sturdy block out of hard wood with a tiny railing all around so the chair's legs wouldn't slip of them, what is nice with this system is that when my sisters go to visit they can bring the non slip blocks with them and use them at my house or whatever. Most chairs come in only 3 heights, so it was pretty simple to make the sets, once they figured it out.
They also used cedar to design platform to get in and out of the bath, as well a one that my sister Diane can use to get in her pick up, this one has a kind of "handle" that she use to retrieve it with her cane once she is in the pick up.
Both sister have finally been approved by the Québec's Retirement for the full Invalidity program, and their whole house and vehicle will be modified accordingly.
You ought to discuss it with Tony's specialist. As the cost for equipment sure add up fast.
Otherwise don't forget to have everything approved and then send the bills with your Income tax report.
Black ice, the hypocrite one, now about that knee that is hurting, after a fall like that, they always tell you to put ice on it, true, but alternate with warm not hot compress made of 1 part white Vinegar 3 parts water, Vinegar contains ASA and will go through the skin, to help relieve both the pain, and the swelling, it is also good to "suck" any fluid that might have accumulated out, like for a furoncle, oh not sure if this is in English.
Now you be careful you know that come this week, we will be in for more of the stuff we had last week. We sure have an "old fashioned" Quebec Winter this year. Lets hope Willie was right and that it will be an early Spring.
I'll be praying for you and your family. Big hugs to you and your family.
Hi Sylvie, thanks for your comment. After I get all the grab bars installed and most especially the extra railing to go upstairs, which will be done next Tuesday, he'll be able to come home for the week-end - not this week-end, but the next one and will be home for good soon after that.
I haven't contacted the local CLSC yet, THEY (the rehab) were supposed to do that, but I'm thinking that I'll have to do it myself if I want to hear anything. They were telling me that after they are contacted they don't do anything for a few weeks, they have to study the case etc etc (the CLSC), because I was hoping to the CLSC nurse to come and give him or help with a bath or shower twice a week.
That was a great idea with the non-slip block. I think though that Tony will be ok pretty soon, his legs have grown a lot stronger, he can get up now from lower chairs, but of course he does require armchairs, getting up from a chair without arms will take a while!
Sounds like your sisters are in worse shape though than Tony, I don't know that he would be considered "full invalid" not even sure what exactly that means, of course he hasn't finished all therapy, once he is back home, he will be going twice a week as an outpatient, for about 2-3 hour sessions I think, not sure of the timing yet, but twice a week for sure. I guess we'll have to wait a year to see about the driving etc and even working - not that he really wants to go back anyway, he was really tired of it all, but even if he did, he wouldn't be able to get the same job. And that's also why after the rehab is going to be over, he will be going through the one at Constance Lethbridge, at least that's what they told us when we had the family meeting, that is a long way off though, as the outpatient will be for about 3-4 months.
I haven't tried warm compresses as yet, but was thinking about doing that, but I can't use ASA, because I am on Coumadin and you can't use that, so I guess I can't use the vinegar mixture, I had no idea that vinegar had ASA in it though!
Yeah we sure have been getting a real mixture of weather these days haven't we. It's almost like the winter I knew as a little girl, but it was much worse then....lol. I hope it gets better by the time Tony comes home, because it will be hard for him to get around in the snow. They haven't even tried to get him in and out of the car yet, I hope we won't have problems with that!
Thanks for the prayers, I always appreciate those and it's so nice to hear from you, thanks for visiting my page.
Hugs
Mo
moscreations wrote on Feb 5, '08
tenderhope said
Hi Mo,
I really wished we lived closer, I'd be over in a heart beat helping you with all that needs to be done. Please know that you are in my prayers. Keep blogging, it is good for you, and good for us to know how you are! Love and Hugz, Suz
Thanks Suz. He's doing pretty good though and will be home soon :)
tenderhope wrote on Feb 5, '08
Hi Mo,
I really wished we lived closer, I'd be over in a heart beat helping you with all that needs to be done. Please know that you are in my prayers. Keep blogging, it is good for you, and good for us to know how you are! Love and Hugz, Suz
nanook84 wrote on Feb 4, '08, edited on Feb 4, '08
Oh Mo, so sorry to hear that Tony wasn't able to come home, even for a short visit. I do understand what you are going through since I've gone through this with both my older sisters, and 2 nephew already, our Medicare isn't the fastest one.
Have you contacted your local CLSC about it, it did help when I did for my sisters, they lent me equipment so they could come home earlier, till we got their place fixed properly.
As for having only 1 chair that Tony can sit comfortably and securely in the house, my nephews came up with a nifty thing for my sisters, they measured the height that chairs and compared it to others had to be raised in the house, then they made sturdy block out of hard wood with a tiny railing all around so the chair's legs wouldn't slip of them, what is nice with this system is that when my sisters go to visit they can bring the non slip blocks with them and use them at my house or whatever. Most chairs come in only 3 heights, so it was pretty simple to make the sets, once they figured it out.
They also used cedar to design platform to get in and out of the bath, as well a one that my sister Diane can use to get in her pick up, this one has a kind of "handle" that she use to retrieve it with her cane once she is in the pick up.
Both sister have finally been approved by the Québec's Retirement for the full Invalidity program, and their whole house and vehicle will be modified accordingly.
You ought to discuss it with Tony's specialist. As the cost for equipment sure add up fast.
Otherwise don't forget to have everything approved and then send the bills with your Income tax report.
Black ice, the hypocrite one, now about that knee that is hurting, after a fall like that, they always tell you to put ice on it, true, but alternate with warm not hot compress made of 1 part white Vinegar 3 parts water, Vinegar contains ASA and will go through the skin, to help relieve both the pain, and the swelling, it is also good to "suck" any fluid that might have accumulated out, like for a furoncle, oh not sure if this is in English.
Now you be careful you know that come this week, we will be in for more of the stuff we had last week. We sure have an "old fashioned" Quebec Winter this year. Lets hope Willie was right and that it will be an early Spring.
I'll be praying for you and your family. Big hugs to you and your family.
moscreations wrote on Feb 4, '08
Not really Kanda, about the same :)
kandaphati wrote on Feb 4, '08
Better today?
Hope so... Get well soon, Mo. :-)
moscreations wrote on Feb 3, '08
nanatimes8 said
Awww Mo...wish it were all easier for you. So sorry to hear you fell but at least Tony wasn't home with you when it happened. Then you would have really worried. Please take care of yourself and I'll be thinking and praying for ya!!
Huggers
~Nancy~
Thanks Nancy, I appreciate it. I think if he had been home he would have been more worried about me, at least he didn't know until after the fact :)
nanatimes8 wrote on Feb 3, '08
Awww Mo...wish it were all easier for you. So sorry to hear you fell but at least Tony wasn't home with you when it happened. Then you would have really worried. Please take care of yourself and I'll be thinking and praying for ya!!
Huggers
~Nancy~
moscreations wrote on Feb 3, '08
andershansen said
Dear Mos! Hope everything turns out well for you with ur installing. You are in my thoughts for your knee and cyst - hope that is not as bad as it sounds. Hugs and lots of love your friend Anders!
Thank you Anders, I appreciate it
moscreations wrote on Feb 3, '08
kandaphati said
Oh dear, Mo,... You OK?! Don't fall anymore!!!!!!
You certainly need help. Better ask someone that you trust.
The therapists were right to come survey first without bringing Tony.
The bench looked good. Clever. Never seen any designs that good.
Hope you have them all installed ASAP.
Looks like you have a lot of homework, Mo!!!!
Wish I could help more.
It's not like I did it on purpose Kanda........LOL, accidents will happen, just that I didn't need it to happen just NOW.....lol
moscreations wrote on Feb 3, '08
barbarab1313 said
(((HUGS)))
Boy I thought for sure Tony would have been able to come home for a visit but it sounds like it won't be long now. This weather is nuts, I fell myself the other day on ice but thank goodness I didn't hurt myself.
I hope it is nothing serious with your knee, maybe they can drain it.
You are both still in my prayers and hopefully Tony will be home soon and things can get back to normal or as normal as they can be given the circumstances.
So hang in there and make sure you are taking care of you.
Thanks Barbara, it's snowing a tiny bit again this morning :(
for the knee, will just have to wait and see what they say for the cyst, as for the other problem, I hope it stops hurting soon, might ask the tech when she does the ultrasound if she can do something about that too. Don't know if they can for the front part.
Glad that you're doing ok!!!
andershansen wrote on Feb 3, '08
Dear Mos! Hope everything turns out well for you with ur installing. You are in my thoughts for your knee and cyst - hope that is not as bad as it sounds. Hugs and lots of love your friend Anders!
kandaphati wrote on Feb 3, '08
Oh dear, Mo,... You OK?! Don't fall anymore!!!!!!
You certainly need help. Better ask someone that you trust.
The therapists were right to come survey first without bringing Tony.
The bench looked good. Clever. Never seen any designs that good.
Hope you have them all installed ASAP.
Looks like you have a lot of homework, Mo!!!!
Wish I could help more.
barbarab1313 wrote on Feb 2, '08
(((HUGS)))
Boy I thought for sure Tony would have been able to come home for a visit but it sounds like it won't be long now. This weather is nuts, I fell myself the other day on ice but thank goodness I didn't hurt myself.
I hope it is nothing serious with your knee, maybe they can drain it.
You are both still in my prayers and hopefully Tony will be home soon and things can get back to normal or as normal as they can be given the circumstances.
So hang in there and make sure you are taking care of you.
Good Friday :)
Originally published on Multiply, January 25th. 2008
First, the physio-therapist approved the use of the quad cane my friend Pat had given Tony for Christmas, so he has now switched over to that from the hemi-walker. He really loves the new cane.
Today she also had him take the real stairs, instead of the practice stairs they have in the room. He went up and down 12 steps and said it went really well (I wasn't there, as that was done in the morning).
The other good news is that FINALLY, the PICC line has been removed, that was a source of constant aggravation to Tony as it was always getting caught in the clothing and had to be flushed by nurses constantly and for what, it wasn't used at all.
The occupational therapy went well too, he had better movement of his shoulder, hopefully that will continue to improve.
The home visit is now set for sure on Monday at 2:30pm or thereabout. And then I'll find out exactly what needs to be addressed and hopefully can get it all done next week so that he can come home next week-end.
Tonight was a new shift of week-end nurses, and I wasn't at all happy with the one that was there tonight and likely will be there Saturday and Sunday. First of all, she never came to offer to walk Tony - as she is supposed to do, so I did it myself, in point of fact, he can do without the nurse, it's just a precaution, in case he would feel weak, but I was holding the wheelchair behind him, he is walking pretty well, but not strong enough to be on his own. Anyway, at supper time he has to take his Coumadin. She comes over and hands him a pill container and says "here is your calcium tablet" - HUH????? That's not for him I said, he needs his Coumadin!!!! Geez, it's a good thing WE know what's going on!!! I decided to stay to put him to bed, as I wasn't trusting her to do that either, so I left the rehab around 9pm tonight, another long day!!! But it was nice tonight, after dinner, we watched a movie on his new laptop computer, he enjoyed it, so that's what is important!!
Of course I had to bring more laundry home to do, and the dryer is now screaming at me to take the clothes out, so I'll be running up to do that now and then off to bed I go, and hope to sleep!!! I didn't nap tonight, so I should be able to go to sleep.
First, the physio-therapist approved the use of the quad cane my friend Pat had given Tony for Christmas, so he has now switched over to that from the hemi-walker. He really loves the new cane.
Today she also had him take the real stairs, instead of the practice stairs they have in the room. He went up and down 12 steps and said it went really well (I wasn't there, as that was done in the morning).
The other good news is that FINALLY, the PICC line has been removed, that was a source of constant aggravation to Tony as it was always getting caught in the clothing and had to be flushed by nurses constantly and for what, it wasn't used at all.
The occupational therapy went well too, he had better movement of his shoulder, hopefully that will continue to improve.
The home visit is now set for sure on Monday at 2:30pm or thereabout. And then I'll find out exactly what needs to be addressed and hopefully can get it all done next week so that he can come home next week-end.
Tonight was a new shift of week-end nurses, and I wasn't at all happy with the one that was there tonight and likely will be there Saturday and Sunday. First of all, she never came to offer to walk Tony - as she is supposed to do, so I did it myself, in point of fact, he can do without the nurse, it's just a precaution, in case he would feel weak, but I was holding the wheelchair behind him, he is walking pretty well, but not strong enough to be on his own. Anyway, at supper time he has to take his Coumadin. She comes over and hands him a pill container and says "here is your calcium tablet" - HUH????? That's not for him I said, he needs his Coumadin!!!! Geez, it's a good thing WE know what's going on!!! I decided to stay to put him to bed, as I wasn't trusting her to do that either, so I left the rehab around 9pm tonight, another long day!!! But it was nice tonight, after dinner, we watched a movie on his new laptop computer, he enjoyed it, so that's what is important!!
Of course I had to bring more laundry home to do, and the dryer is now screaming at me to take the clothes out, so I'll be running up to do that now and then off to bed I go, and hope to sleep!!! I didn't nap tonight, so I should be able to go to sleep.
moscreations wrote on Feb 1, '08
kandaphati said
Messing up stuff is awful for a nurse or any nurses! What was wrong with her or the system????? Worried!!!! What you wrote sounded no big difference from a hospital in a less developed country... I hope things are getting better by now! Glad to know Tony is making improvement. And I do hope you are getting enough rest each day, too, Mo. Take care...
Thanks Kanda. There are improvements, but so small, he can take stairs, but with someone's help on the way down, to straighten his leg, which has a tendency to drift to the left, so I have to be in front of him or beside him if there is enough room, to guide the leg to the right, otherwise he would trip over his foot. It's not going to be easy when he comes home!!! I better get going, I have my banking to do (online) and then get washed and dressed.
moscreations wrote on Feb 1, '08
dreamyone said
Believe me I've so missed you too Mo, Just I've been having a tuff month and just haven't had the energy to to type much, But you can believe me when I say, You and Tony have been continually in my heart and in my prayers. The Pic line hasn't been done to me yet but they keep wanting to do it, as my veins are so small they say it's so hard now for them to find any good ones from all the time I've spent in the hospital, But I've been so scared of the Pic line. I'm so glad that Tony got his out and doing so much better. Anyway sending my love your way. BTW just to let you know I'll have a spinal procedure on Thursday morning and then more surgery on Friday for the trach, I don't know when I'll be home.. but I'm hoping they wont keep me longer then the weekend.. Love to you both hugs again Les
Dear dear Les, you sure have had your share of problems this past year, by now you are of course in the hospital once again, and I hope that all is going well. I'm always worried about you. Hope the spinal procedure wasn't too painful for you!!
As for the PICC line, they never were able to use it to draw blood from, so it was so useless in that way, and that was the whole idea behind it, so they wouldn't have to keep pricking his arms and hands.
Big hugs to you my friend. Mo
kandaphati wrote on Jan 30, '08
Messing up stuff is awful for a nurse or any nurses! What was wrong with her or the system????? Worried!!!! What you wrote sounded no big difference from a hospital in a less developed country... I hope things are getting better by now! Glad to know Tony is making improvement. And I do hope you are getting enough rest each day, too, Mo. Take care...
dreamyone wrote on Jan 28, '08
Believe me I've so missed you too Mo, Just I've been having a tuff month and just haven't had the energy to to type much, But you can believe me when I say, You and Tony have been continually in my heart and in my prayers. The Pic line hasn't been done to me yet but they keep wanting to do it, as my veins are so small they say it's so hard now for them to find any good ones from all the time I've spent in the hospital, But I've been so scared of the Pic line. I'm so glad that Tony got his out and doing so much better. Anyway sending my love your way. BTW just to let you know I'll have a spinal procedure on Thursday morning and then more surgery on Friday for the trach, I don't know when I'll be home.. but I'm hoping they wont keep me longer then the weekend.. Love to you both hugs again Les
moscreations wrote on Jan 28, '08
dreamyone said
prayers.answered, I'm so happy to hear that Tony is going along so good now and that he's got that awful Pic line out.. Oh this is so great news. I'm only sorry I haven't been able to read more these past couple weeks.. But it's super to know all is getting so much better. I always keep you both in my prayers.. Big hugs Les
Thanks so much Les, I always worry so much about you too, haven't heard from you in ages, so I hope you're doing better too.
It is great that the PICC line is finally out and doesn't get in the way of him getting dressed all the time, darned thing was always getting caught in his t-shirt sleeves.
You take care gf, Hugs!!
moscreations wrote on Jan 28, '08
mistyshadows2u said
Well you certainly sound much better..the best in weeks. Kudos to Tony for doing the stairs and graduating to the new cane. Won't be long now!
Thanks Misty, he's certainly has improved a whole lot in the last week. And hopefully will continue to go that way every week :) he's doing stairs daily now, but still needs help to straighten the leg as he goes up and down!
moscreations wrote on Jan 28, '08
hooverchild said
Awesome news all around, Monique. Well...except for the ditz of a nurse. Is there anyway that you can report her to the head nurse on staff? Giving the wrong meds could have devastating effects!!! I would assume the hospital staff would want to know this at the Rehab center.
All of the good wishes and prayers seem to be working, and Tony is working his little heart out to get better. I know that he is counting down the days to when he can come home. Such great news, Mo, and I am so glad that you shared it.
Thanks Jules. I like to be able to report on what goes on, but don't always have the time of feel like being on the computer, I actually haven't been on since I last posted this blog on Friday :)
I told the regular nurse the next day, but don't know that anything was done about it.
Yes Tony does work pretty hard, or at least the therapists make him work :) on his own he doesn't do much, he needs to be prodded, which I guess I'll be doing when he's home :)
moscreations wrote on Jan 28, '08
barbarab1313 said
Sounds good, except for the pill mix up, you think they would have enough sense to check.
Yeah I know Barbara, she did have both in her little box, which identifies (or supposed to) the room number. the regular nurse told me the next day the other pill was meant for the lady in the room across from Tony, who is away on week-ends!!
moscreations wrote on Jan 28, '08
barb5t said
I love to see all the good stuff.
I know this lack of good care goes on in health care. It just seems so much more frequent these days. It makes me cringe. You should have been able to go home and know Tony would get the help and [Heaven help us!] the medicine he needs. I hope you mention all of it to all who will listen.
Hugs, Barb
I did mention it to the regular nurse who was back the next day, don't know if she made note of it in the file though. The problem is with nurses and orderlies that are hired from agencies when they are short of personnel!!!
moscreations wrote on Jan 28, '08
fickow said
That's great news, Mo. We are so pleased that things are heading in the right direction. Just keep taking it a day at a time......you'll get there.
Love Sue & Bill
Thanks Bill & Sue, yes it is progressing well, finally, but still a long road ahead. Sorry I haven't yet replied to your email Bill, I will soon :) hope you are improving as well!!
dreamyone wrote on Jan 26, '08
prayers.answered, I'm so happy to hear that Tony is going along so good now and that he's got that awful Pic line out.. Oh this is so great news. I'm only sorry I haven't been able to read more these past couple weeks.. But it's super to know all is getting so much better. I always keep you both in my prayers.. Big hugs Les
mistyshadows2u wrote on Jan 26, '08
Well you certainly sound much better..the best in weeks. Kudos to Tony for doing the stairs and graduating to the new cane. Won't be long now!
hooverchild wrote on Jan 26, '08
Awesome news all around, Monique. Well...except for the ditz of a nurse. Is there anyway that you can report her to the head nurse on staff? Giving the wrong meds could have devastating effects!!! I would assume the hospital staff would want to know this at the Rehab center.
All of the good wishes and prayers seem to be working, and Tony is working his little heart out to get better. I know that he is counting down the days to when he can come home. Such great news, Mo, and I am so glad that you shared it.
barbarab1313 wrote on Jan 26, '08
Sounds good, except for the pill mix up, you think they would have enough sense to check.
barb5t wrote on Jan 26, '08
I love to see all the good stuff.
I know this lack of good care goes on in health care. It just seems so much more frequent these days. It makes me cringe. You should have been able to go home and know Tony would get the help and [Heaven help us!] the medicine he needs. I hope you mention all of it to all who will listen.
Hugs, Barb
fickow wrote on Jan 26, '08
That's great news, Mo. We are so pleased that things are heading in the right direction. Just keep taking it a day at a time......you'll get there.
Love Sue & Bill
Easy peasy way to peeling boiled potatoes
Peeling boiled potatoes THIS REALY WORKS!
This is really great, I am going to try it the next time I want mashed potatoes or potato salad!
If you take the time to watch this, you will not only be glad you did, but you will forward this to all your daughters, sisters, moms, any cook. Just when you thought you knew everything about boiling potatoes .....
To all who love making potato salad but hate peeling the boiled potatoes, here is the solution for easy peeling. This will BLOW your mind. Well, we do learn something new every day.
I wish I had known about this thirty years ago. Peeling the cooked potato was the least desirable part in making a potato salad. Enjoy. It works.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
About the home visit
Originally published on Multiply January 23rd., 2008
Just doing a very short blog tonight. I found out this afternoon that the home visit would be done this Friday afternoon, so I have to make sure everything is clean and presentable.......lol.
The idea is that they will assess what needs to be done and if I can get it all done next week, then Tony might be able to come home for the week-end, wouldn't that be heaven!!!!
BUT, I have big reservations because we have very little space for him to move around with a hemi walker, a wheelchair is totally out of the question. I don't know if he will be able to make it up the stairs to go to our own bed and I doubt that he would be able to sleep in the living room, so there are a thousand questions to be answered this Friday. Hopefully I'll be able to blog about it soon. Thinking about all this, I hope I'll be able to sleep tonight, me thinks all these questions will keep me awake for some time!!!
Goodnight/good morning to everyone and thanks so much for all the support and prayers. We sure need them!
moscreations wrote on Jan 24, '08
Well If found out that the visit will be on Monday instead, because one of the therapist's child is sick and she has to stay home to take care of her. So we'll see on Monday what they suggest needs to be addressed, I know that we will have to install another railing to stairway that goes up to the bedrooms, but we'll have to wait and see. I can't really put anything in storage, because what we have on the first floor is a galley kitchen, so no kitchen table or chairs, we have an adjoining dining room with 4 chairs and 2 armchairs, he needs to use armchairs at all times right now, it has a china cabinet too, and it is a tight fit, but we can remove some chairs and move the table around a bit, the living room is long and narrow, I'll have to remove the coffee table, that is a given, it's in the way, but I don't know if he'll even be able to sit on the couch or chair, might have to bring an armchair we have in the office upstairs, it's a thought and we'll have to wait and see, the powder room is not very big either, it will require railings for him to hang on to, and likely a raised seat, same as the upstairs bathrooms. A lot to see about and to think about.
MK I do take vitamins - all kinds of them, all the time :)I eat a fairly big breakfast, light lunch and not a huge supper, but none are home cooked.......lol.......hope I haven't forgotten how to cook, haven't done any since October......lol
Misty, can't afford those elevator, nor do we have room anyway, he will be able to take stairs, he's working on that now, slow going!!
Thank you all for the comments and sorry if I haven't responded to each of them respectively, but tried to answer all questions :) I should have been at the rehab right now, his occupational therapy is starting right now. But I was so tired that I fell asleep watching something on TV and then had a phone call from a neighbour who wanted news, and Tony called to let me know about the change in visit, and I had been washing the sheets and wanted to make the bed before leaving, because I'd be too tired tonight, so it made me late, so I won't be there to see him in action today. I came down here to check on something but had to see what comments had been posted, so late I am even more........LOL
hooverchild wrote on Jan 24, '08
Sweetie,
Like the others have said, please get some rest and do not worry about the Home Visit. They will come and tell you what needs to be done. It may not need to be as much as you think. But either way, just deal with it one day at a time, and get the rest that you need. I know that it will be so wonderful to have Tony back home, even if it is just for a weekend. It will still be so fantastic for you both, and for Tara, too.
mistyshadows2u wrote on Jan 24, '08
Naturally you will have to wait and see what the home visit will tell but if lacking space on main floor you might want to consider putting some furniture in storage.
Are there any funding out there to help with costs? There is also a lift that slides up the wall of your stairway that could take Tony between floors that's if the stairway is wide enough. Not cheap.
We've had specialists in at Tracy's (my old house) looking at ways to make it easier for Kris to get him from main floor to basement plus ramps out front etc. A dinky elevator between main floor and basement is like 15 thousand...which here they expect you can afford on your own. Crossing fingers you won't have to alter to much.
mkinwa wrote on Jan 24, '08
Oh my gosh! Do you know a handyman? A good one? Might be a thought to have him be there when the people come to look you over.
Are you taking a good multi-vitamin? You need all the strength you can garner. Eat regular meals and get your rest.
Now then, I'm not always a mother, sometimes I'm a friend...
I love you much, and would like to be able to give you ((((((HUGS))))))) and sit down with you over a nice coffee or tea, maybe some cookies.
kandaphati wrote on Jan 23, '08
Yes, you will have a lot to do! But first of all, REST. What must be done will be told by them. Clearly. So,... REST. Stop thinking. (As if it is possible)
barbarab1313 wrote on Jan 23, '08
It will be so nice to have Tony home, if only for the week end, is it for the whole week end or just Friday? Just reread your blog and I realize it will be just the Friday till they assess the situation and then he may be able to come home for a week end.
We don't realize all the obstacles that people in wheel chairs or walkers face do we? Hope your getting rest and eating properly.
I can imagine that there all kinds of thoughts running through your mind
HUGS
Just doing a very short blog tonight. I found out this afternoon that the home visit would be done this Friday afternoon, so I have to make sure everything is clean and presentable.......lol.
The idea is that they will assess what needs to be done and if I can get it all done next week, then Tony might be able to come home for the week-end, wouldn't that be heaven!!!!
BUT, I have big reservations because we have very little space for him to move around with a hemi walker, a wheelchair is totally out of the question. I don't know if he will be able to make it up the stairs to go to our own bed and I doubt that he would be able to sleep in the living room, so there are a thousand questions to be answered this Friday. Hopefully I'll be able to blog about it soon. Thinking about all this, I hope I'll be able to sleep tonight, me thinks all these questions will keep me awake for some time!!!
Goodnight/good morning to everyone and thanks so much for all the support and prayers. We sure need them!
moscreations wrote on Jan 24, '08
Well If found out that the visit will be on Monday instead, because one of the therapist's child is sick and she has to stay home to take care of her. So we'll see on Monday what they suggest needs to be addressed, I know that we will have to install another railing to stairway that goes up to the bedrooms, but we'll have to wait and see. I can't really put anything in storage, because what we have on the first floor is a galley kitchen, so no kitchen table or chairs, we have an adjoining dining room with 4 chairs and 2 armchairs, he needs to use armchairs at all times right now, it has a china cabinet too, and it is a tight fit, but we can remove some chairs and move the table around a bit, the living room is long and narrow, I'll have to remove the coffee table, that is a given, it's in the way, but I don't know if he'll even be able to sit on the couch or chair, might have to bring an armchair we have in the office upstairs, it's a thought and we'll have to wait and see, the powder room is not very big either, it will require railings for him to hang on to, and likely a raised seat, same as the upstairs bathrooms. A lot to see about and to think about.
MK I do take vitamins - all kinds of them, all the time :)I eat a fairly big breakfast, light lunch and not a huge supper, but none are home cooked.......lol.......hope I haven't forgotten how to cook, haven't done any since October......lol
Misty, can't afford those elevator, nor do we have room anyway, he will be able to take stairs, he's working on that now, slow going!!
Thank you all for the comments and sorry if I haven't responded to each of them respectively, but tried to answer all questions :) I should have been at the rehab right now, his occupational therapy is starting right now. But I was so tired that I fell asleep watching something on TV and then had a phone call from a neighbour who wanted news, and Tony called to let me know about the change in visit, and I had been washing the sheets and wanted to make the bed before leaving, because I'd be too tired tonight, so it made me late, so I won't be there to see him in action today. I came down here to check on something but had to see what comments had been posted, so late I am even more........LOL
hooverchild wrote on Jan 24, '08
Sweetie,
Like the others have said, please get some rest and do not worry about the Home Visit. They will come and tell you what needs to be done. It may not need to be as much as you think. But either way, just deal with it one day at a time, and get the rest that you need. I know that it will be so wonderful to have Tony back home, even if it is just for a weekend. It will still be so fantastic for you both, and for Tara, too.
mistyshadows2u wrote on Jan 24, '08
Naturally you will have to wait and see what the home visit will tell but if lacking space on main floor you might want to consider putting some furniture in storage.
Are there any funding out there to help with costs? There is also a lift that slides up the wall of your stairway that could take Tony between floors that's if the stairway is wide enough. Not cheap.
We've had specialists in at Tracy's (my old house) looking at ways to make it easier for Kris to get him from main floor to basement plus ramps out front etc. A dinky elevator between main floor and basement is like 15 thousand...which here they expect you can afford on your own. Crossing fingers you won't have to alter to much.
mkinwa wrote on Jan 24, '08
Oh my gosh! Do you know a handyman? A good one? Might be a thought to have him be there when the people come to look you over.
Are you taking a good multi-vitamin? You need all the strength you can garner. Eat regular meals and get your rest.
Now then, I'm not always a mother, sometimes I'm a friend...
I love you much, and would like to be able to give you ((((((HUGS))))))) and sit down with you over a nice coffee or tea, maybe some cookies.
kandaphati wrote on Jan 23, '08
Yes, you will have a lot to do! But first of all, REST. What must be done will be told by them. Clearly. So,... REST. Stop thinking. (As if it is possible)
barbarab1313 wrote on Jan 23, '08
It will be so nice to have Tony home, if only for the week end, is it for the whole week end or just Friday? Just reread your blog and I realize it will be just the Friday till they assess the situation and then he may be able to come home for a week end.
We don't realize all the obstacles that people in wheel chairs or walkers face do we? Hope your getting rest and eating properly.
I can imagine that there all kinds of thoughts running through your mind
HUGS
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