Mom and Dad

It's not Dad that's driving me crazy, it's Mom. Can we put her in a nursing home, too? I never get to talk to Dad on the phone. I ask Mom how he's doing, and she says "the same". Today she didn't sound so depressed because Reynolds came for dinner last night.

Eldercare is sending someone to interview them tomorrow, and she told me she feels sure they will take them. Well, of course they will. The purpose of the interview is not to decide whether or not they will take them or not, but to assess their needs so they can match the right caregiver with the person. She was going to call Choice today and fire them. I said, "OK, you do whatever you want. But Robin did not tell you she and Lauren will be up this weekend. Robin said she would talk to Lauren about coming up. And Robin, as of last night, had not talked to Lauren." Mom said, "Well, Lauren said she was coming up before Robin even stuck her nose into this mess." I said, "OK Mom, you do whatever you want, I'm going to the lake tomorrow." She told me to have fun and be careful. So if they have no caregiver this weekend, there's not a damn thing I can do about it. If I was Dad, I'd probably want to take a swing at her, too. After talking to her this week, I want to take a swing at her.

There is not a waiting list for the good nursing homes. You literally have to call them every single day. But once we get Dad into one, what are we going to do with Mom? Right now, I would love to look her in the face and say, "I don't know how much longer I can take this." O.K., she's pushed my buttons 3 days in a row this week and I need to calm down.

Someone please talk to Chantal if you can. See what she thinks. If she thinks the nursing home, then o.k. Someone needs to call the good homes every day. And Mom will have to agree to it. On their health power of attorney, Mom is first in line to make a decision. So I would love to know what Chantal's thoughts are about Dad but also about Mom. She's there with them every day so she knows what's going on. And Reynolds said Chantal doesn't talk much to Mom anymore; that makes me wonder why? If any of us are there when we can talk to Chantal privately for a minute, I would love to know what's really going on.

And I always wonder, what will happen to Mom? This string of thoughts runs through my mind like the weekend Caitlin was there and said all there was to eat was cheese, Jeremy asking Mom at 2:30 in the afternoon if they were going to eat lunch, yesterday Mom needed to run to Costco because Chantal had made a long list of stuff for her to get. (Chantal made the list, not Mom.)

And as for the invoice from Choice, I had Deborah fax me a copy. It was mailed to Mom on July 11th and was due on the 23rd. I find it interesting that Mom was searching for it, since she always swears up and down to me that she never got one.

How did I begin this blog? Oh yeah, it's not Dad that's driving me crazy, it's Mom!

Dad - Nursing Home

I will second the motion to have Dad put on a list. Wesley Woods, AG Rhodes, W. Breman Jewish Home, etc. are all good facilities for Dad, but it will probably take several weeks or even months to get him in one.

Thursday, July 31

I s/w mom this morning and she told me "I have really pissed off your big sister" (meaning Kathy) - I acted like I didn't know anything and asked "why?". She said she has not gotten any bill from Choice (not sure I believe that seeing all the paper clutter in the house) and that she has another agency, recommended by Chantal, coming tomorrow morning at 10am to interview them. She also said Robin and Lauren will be there tomorrow. I told her I know Robin went back to work last Monday so it probably wouldn't be until tomorrow night that they would get there. I haven't talked to Robin so I don't know if that is accurate or not. She also told me about dad swinging at her and said "but I am faster than he is". If this is true, then this is just awful. Robert talked to her later today and she told him the same thing and that she doesn't know how much longer she can take this.

Kathy, enjoy your weekend at the lake and forget about this nightmare for at least a little while (plus Robin and Lauren will be there according to mom - I think I'll call Robin to verify). Me, Robert, Trey and Conner will also be down either Saturday or Sunday.

As far as the nursing home - I HATE TO EVEN THINK ABOUT IT - but maybe we should get him on some lists since we found out this past March how difficult it is and how LONG the waiting lists are. Just in case. Any thoughts on this?

Mom & Dad

Mom was looking for the Choice invoices last night and swears that they did not send her one. Dad was furious at her (again) last night and reached over to grab her with his left hand. Mom told me that she will not walk around on the left side of Dad and uses the table as a buffer, so that he cannot grab her. Chantal does not talk to mom very much anymore and stayed in the bedroom most of last night. I can tell that Chantal is getting tired of Dad's ranting and yelling. We're coming to a crisis point real soon. Let's regroup next week and start looking at a Nursing home. The 'Health Advocate' service is still available for us to use and it will take several weeks or longer to get Dad in a decent facility, anyway.

Mom

So yesterday Mom calls me and wants me to fire Choice immediately. I said, "O.K., but tomorrow is the last day of the month. What are you going to do this weekend?" She said, "Robin and Lauren will be here." Only that's not exactly what Robin had said to Mom. So Choice will continue through August, and Mom and Chantal are going to check out another agency.
I won't be down there again this weekend. Cathy Holcombe and I are going with Sue, Rick's sister, Linda, Gina, and Tootsie to Sue's lake house over in Alabama.

Mom

I made the mistake of asking, "How was your weekend?" Even though she said she didn't hear from anybody, she did know about Fran's procedure and that Robert and the boys had gone to Wilmington.
Deborah from Choice called me yesterday. Mom didn't pay their bill AGAIN! It's due by the 23rd each month. Mom always claims she didn't get the bill. But Deborah faxed it to me and it has her address on their plain as day. Mom says, "I would know if I got a bill and I didn't." I said, "Well, I know how you pay them late sometimes. You're always remarking that they're about to cut your utilities off if you don't pay." She told me that was a joke. I wasn't laughing!

Mom

I don't know why she said she didn't talk to anyone this weekend, because I talked to her on Saturday around 11am!!!!!!!!!! I was doing laundry and waiting for Robert and the boys to get home from Wilmington and I told her about my female "procedure" I am having done on August 13th. I guess she doesn't remember talking to me. Ughhhhhhhhhhh.

Just talked to Mom

I just talked to Mom and now I'm feeling guilty. I usually try to make it down there every weekend. I didn't this weekend because my college friend Linda came up to visit. I just called her and asked her how her weekend was and she said it was the most miserable weekend ever. I asked Why? She said because she didn't see or hear from anybody. Oops! She always was good at that guilt factor.

Trip to AL

I would definitely love to go back to AL and have as many of us as possible go. I think Mary also really enjoyed the company. I know Harriett is right there by her but stays busy working 3 days/week and with her "man," Bill. I knew it was good for Mom...I could hear it in her voice even a week later...she didn't seem as depressed.
I kept hoping I'd make it to Atlanta this week, but things are really tight financially right now getting KK and Brandon ready to go off to school (and having had them home all summer). Caitlin and I finished painting my kitchen today...it looks so good!
Eddie and I are leaving for Charleston, SC tomorrow morning at 10:00 (just for the weekend), and then I start back teaching on Monday; I ran into an old RAFB friend this week and she said another one of our mutual friends had left the base Child Development Center and they are interviewing. I went online to USAJobs.com and filled out a resume so we'll see what happens...the pay would be more than double what I make now so we'll see what happens. It would be NICE to actually be paid for my experience and Master's degree! In January, I'll begin being paid for my Specialist degree (6-year level). That will help things considerably!
I've been to the doctor twice this week for an echocardiogram and sonogram (today) of my coratid arteries; the sonogram tech is now married to Eddie's ex-wife (I realized when I heard his name, but I don't think he made a connection and I sure as heck wasn't gonna tell him who I was). This town is tooooooooo small! :oP Apparently the chest and back pains (and nausea) I've had are actually reflux! Thank God!
Love to all,
Robin

Thursday July 24

S/W Mimi today - she said she and Sara had gone up to Wendy's yesterday for lunch. I am so glad when she gets out of the house for a least a little while. Then she said they had a nice visit w/ Reynolds last night for supper, and told me (again) about the pot pies she loves (I had a flashback of Lola w/ the "turkey rolls"!). She said Papa was being nasty to Chantal today and that Chantal said to him that she isn't married to him and she doesn't have to put up w/ that (I think she tells me that every time I talk to her...ugh). At the time I called she said Papa was sitting outside getting some fresh air. I reminded her I am going to the gyno for a sonogram in the morning and told her I'll call back later tomorrow to let her know how it went.
Not much to report, but wanted to post!

Wednesday

I had a nice visit with Dad & Mom tonight. Dad was in a good mood and was being nice to Mom and Chantal. He even saw Chantal sneaking some milk & cookies to the computer and started laughing and asking her, politely, for some cookies. His speech was much better. Mom was really enjoying looking at her pictures of the house in Oneonta and sharing some memories from her childhood. It was a nice ride back to my house tonight.

Yard Man

I do happen to know one in your area that's currently unemployed. His name is Brandon. lol I would say, "Hey Bro, get over here and help your big sis out while you got the time." :)

It is pretty funny that he tried to get by with just giving you one hearing aid back. I'm sure that at some point, you tried to do the same thing to him when you were a kid. Hmm...It's funny how the roles reverse sometimes. Makes you wonder when exactly that happened.

I think that if you smiled just right, you could talk Fred into anything. He's such a good sport. I guess you'd have to be to roll with the punches with our crew.

As far as the yard man...I don't have one. Let me know if you know any good ones. lol...We're doing good to have the grass cut so it's not like a safari trying to get to our cars in the morning.

Hope everyone has had a good day!
-lauren

Lauren, You brought up some very good points. I think I'll call the Hamm's and ask them to invite Mimi to go to church with them this Sunday. And I'm definitely up for a road trip to AL in the fall. That trip did her a world of good! Last Sunday I noticed Papa winking, just like you said. I don't remember what I said when he winked. Maybe it was over the hearing aids. Fred is still laughing about me asking him if he's going to grow 2 more ears and how he gave me back only one and I had to cajole him for the other.
Fred and I are currently catsitting for Rach while she's in Charlotte with her Dad. Granny and Grandpa are even older than Mimi and Papa, so I'm always so glad when she has one more chance to see them. And I have fallen in love with Cali (the cat). Think Fred will agree to just one more pet? lol :)
Lauren, I know you're busy. Just knowing that you come when you can means a lot. And about those weeds Sweet Thing - where's your yard man???
Love you!
Kathy

AL weekend

I've been meaning to look at this blog for months...I finally did it. It took me an hour to read it all so that I was caught up. There's a few little things that I want to say before I get into the weekend we stayed with Papa while Mom and Gerry went to Alabama.

I think Papa may have had a TIA ("mini-stroke"). His speech is worse, he is definately more agitated than he was just a short while ago, I've seen some of the staring y'all have described. But I try to remember that he is 80 years old and his brain has not gotten the work-out it's used to. He used to check his e-mail, read, lots of things other than watch TV. Although he DID watch a fair amount of TV. But his brain isn't getting the stimulation it's used to. It's also not getting the oxygen it should and you'd be amazed at the things that happen when a brain is deprived of oxygen. He's probably depressed too. He's probably sick to death of his "situation" and the only person he can really take it out on is Gama. You know that old saying "You always hurt the one's you love the most"? Same thing. He fools with his hearing aids because it's something to do. I have racked my brain to think of things for him to do. I've tried to get him to play Scrabble or a card game with me but he wasn't interested. He can't see well enough to read or work a crossword puzzle. Even WITH the mega-glasses I got him. So alot of times I just sit with him. We won't necessarily talk, although sometimes he does get chatty. But I'll sit on the love seat and every now and then he'll just look over at me and smile. That's how I know that even if he's not always the big teddy bear he was when I was growing up, at that moment...when he winks at me with both eyes (you know, the big blink he does) or smiles at me or calls my name and doesn't say anything or my personal favorite, calls me Princess...I know he's still Papa and my heart just smiles. Or breaks into a thousand pieces. Or both.

And Gama. What's there to say? We all know her memory is not what it used to be. And that she wanders around the house or lays on the couch and reads the paper all day. But I have to remind myself that she's 80 years old too. That's why I really wanted her to get out of town for the weekend. And I think she needs to do that once a month or every other month or whatever. Like when we went to eat at Rio Bravo (isn't that where we went) while Papa was still in the hospice. I think she liked being with everybody and kind of forgetting all the other that's going on. Even though you never really "forget" it. She won't stay gone for long...no matter how they might fuss, she won't leave Papa for very long. But she needs a break too. As far as her dementia, I've heard of Aricept although I can't remember if it's a med for dementia or full blown alzheimers. Maybe I need Aricept! I think it would be a good idea if someone took over or at least helped her with the finances. She may be resistive to it, but let's assure her we're not trying to take over, but just help her because she's got a lot on her plate. Maybe she'd be more receptive to it when put that way to her.

My plan is, now that things seem to kind of routine and gas is $4 a gallon, to come up for the weekend or a long weekend every month. I wish I could be there more, but don't we all. My house is a wreck...I have weeds as tall as my house. I have to work one weekend a month, which means I don't really have a weekend. And like everybody else, I'm tired. I'd feel compelled to come more often if it weren't for Chantal being there. Good grief, where would we be without her? And now that we've handpicked our weekend crew, who could ask for more?

I meant for this to be a post about staying with Papa while Mom and Gama went on their roadtrip, but it's getting late and this post took on a life of its own. Well, I promise to write about it this week. I've waited over a week to do it at this point, what's a few more days?

Hope everyone is doing well. Miss and love you all!
-lauren

MARTA

I filled out the MARTA paperwork and mailed it to MARTA today. Once they receive it, they will mail another set of paperwork to Dr. Wilkes. Once they receive the paperwork from Dr. Wilkes, they have 21 days to approve or disapprove. So I think Mom needs to go ahead and ask Dr. Wilkes to refill his pulmonary meds. Yesterday I could hear congestion in his chest.
Frannie - So glad you're seeing the dr. on Friday. Let us know what happens.
Love you,
Kathy

Monday, July 21

Just s/w Mimi - she said Chantal is back and, as always, she is glad to see her. She said Jeremy was good though this weekend. She said after Kathy "handled" Choice (you go girl), she will now only have Jeremy or Joseph on the weekends and Chantal during the week which she is glad about. She canceled Papa's appointment w/ Dr. Sheinberg (spelling?) for tomorrow b/c after Chantal got there today, Chatal was saying they can't physically do it. Now I REALLY feel awful that I kept forgetting about the MARTA paperwork! Mimi said once the MARTA is approved then she will reschedule w/ Sheinberg and felt pretty sure they will work him in. I asked if the visiting doctor - Dr. Wilkes - could prescribe the pulmonary meds he needs instead of trying to get him to Sheinburg and Mimi said "I don't know".
Just an FYI - I have an appointment this Friday morning at 9am for a vaginal ultrasound and then the doctor will see me right after.
Got to run take the boys for their physicals and Trey has to get three shots so he can start Middle School....this should be fun!!!!!!
Love y'all.

Sunday

Fred and I went to see Mom and Dad yesterday. Noticed a decline in Dad, just like you described Fran. Not as conversive, more staring, not so with it. First thing Dad did was ask me about his hearing aids. I told him I got them fixed and brought them back to him. I had to get them out and let him hold them before he was satisfied. I finally asked, "You've already got 2 in your ears. Are you going to grow 2 more ears?" He said, "No" I said, "So give me those back so I can put them up." He gave me one. I said, "I gave you 2. Now you give me 2." He smiled as he gave me the 2nd one. At that moment he knew exactly what he was doing! :) He didn't get agitated with Mom while we were there. Jeremy is very nice; I really like him. He takes good care of Dad. Mom told me Lyn and the boys came by Sat. and brought her all kinds of stuff from the Farmer's Market.
Mom told me she and Chantal are taking Dad to see Dr. Scheinberg on Tuesday. She said, "It's right around the corner." I asked if they had practiced getting Dad in and out of the car and they have not. So I got the MARTA paperwork and brought it home with me.

book and camera - Kathy

Kathy,
When I left Atlanta last weekend, both the camera AND your book were on the buffet. Fran, thanks for bringing the boys down for Dylan's birthday...he had a great time and we loved having y'all visit. Tomorrow, Dylan goes to Charlie's for the week....it's always lonely for me...the house is too quiet...but it will give me an opportunity to finish painting my kitchen and get ready for Charleston next weekend (Eddie and I are going). I start back to school (job) on July 28th...where has the summer gone???
Fran, I hope your boys don't hate me after this weekend...I know I sounded "mean" to them but I wanted them to help you out in any way they could...Family, Fran is having a difficult time - my guess is that she might have an ovarian cyst that's rupturing (or trying to); she is in extreme pain and passed out this morning. I'm going to nag her about seeing/calling her doc to see what can be done (and what the problem is). Kathy, I hope you are feeling better - I can't believe you had another stomach virus....I think you need to see a gastro doctor. Reynold, any complaints? :o)
I talked to Mom tonight while I sat by the pool watching Dylan swim. Mom sounded better than I've heard her sound since Dad's stroke. We talked about the AL trip and agreed we needed to go back this fall; she kept talking about how much she enjoyed it. She asked me whether or not I took a picture of the "pink" house she grew up in (newborn to age 7ish?)....I did not because the current owners acted so funny about us gawking at the house BUT the biggest reason was because there was so much JUNK in front of the house. The owner (his mother was Dixie - related to Mom somehow) said the house/fireplace had caught on fire at one point and he knocked the fireplace OFF the house to put the fire out. He also knocked the front porch off of the house because it was in such disrepair....see a trend here? :oP

Sunday, continued

Oh yeah, Kathy, your camera was there as of Thursday and I pulled up the pictures and showed them to both Papa and Mimi. It was on the kitchen table. Not sure about a book.....

Sunday, July 20

Trey, Conner and I just got home from Warner Robins for Dylan's b-day party at Eagle Springs pool. We went down Thursday and stopped by to visit Mimi and Papa on our way down. It was very, very difficult to understand Papa's speech, and he stared a lot and didn't seem as "with it" as he had been...I am really thinking he has had another stroke - maybe a "mini" one. He also really struggled more w/ eating his ice cream - it was pitiful - it breaks my heart (big breath so I don't cry). As we were leaving he started getting REALLY agitated w/ mom. So much so that I started telling the boys "get in the car". I do feel bad for her w/ he gets like that which I have a feeling is more and more. When he wasn't in the same room, Mimi told me he had gotten ugly w/ Chantal that morning and that if Chantal leaves, then she is leaving (not that I believe that). After that, on my drive to WR, I started thinking about the way he was in Hospice compared to now. I don't know what the "answer" is as far as nursing homes, MARTA, etc. Robin gave me some t-shirts for Papa and I will be taking them down to him this week. I can pick up the MARTA paperwork but the idea of getting him away from home does make me nervous.

This weekend

Anyone going to see Mom and Dad this weekend? Just wondering because I don't know if I'll be able to. The migraine that started Wed. turned into a stomach virus yesterday afternoon. I'm home sick today. UGH! If you go, please make sure my book and camera are still on the buffet and that Mom hasn't moved/lost them.
Did anyone get the MARTA papers?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZACH!

Happy Birthday Zach! Sorry for being a day late. The migraine affected my memory. :)

Dad & Mom

Yes, I agree that dad's disposition has not been good since around the first of July. He started playing mental games with mom again (i.e., put the cookie 'here' pointing to a spot on the table. "No I said here" where is finger is pointing and then proceeds to have an anger fit.) Mom can't take much more of his tantrums. This is why I am suggesting that we place Dad in AG Rhodes or Wesley Woods.

I am still learning how to use my new camera that Lyn gave me for our 25th Wedding Anniversary and will send you a copy of the pictures after I read the chapter on 'downloading'.
I have to share this bit of humor with all of you. We had dinner at Panos & Paul's for our anniverary and another couple sitting close to us was celebrating their 65th anniversay. The waiter asked the old man what his secret was for making it 65 years and he replied "don't remember the first 30 years". :-)

Migraine

Today. For me. Don't y'all just love the allergies and smog in Atlanta??? I told Fred I want to retire to St. George Island.

So sad about Betty Ivey! Remember that shipping net in their back yard for us kids to climb on? I loved that net! And just being a kid on that net, with other kids. Dad has been mad at Mom since the first of the month. Mom asked last Monday if I knew that Dad was mad at her. I said Yes. She asked, "Do you know why?" I said, "Well, a week ago he told Fran you were mean. Last Friday, all you had to do was say "hearing aid" and that set him off. I told Mom that I think Dad's had another stroke(s) and this is just another symptom. She agreed. I think he started to really decline on July 1st. Or maybe when we got back from the beach. With those 2 blocked carotid arteries, he's a ticking time bomb. I reminded her of that and she agreed. She can't take much more; but neither can he.

Hey Reynolds, do you have pictures of your Colorado trip? I would love to see them!

Monday Night

Mom really enjoyed her trip to see Aunt Mary and the detour via Oneonta to see the house. Robin, Thanks for taking mom! She needed a break from Lorell Terrace. Chantal's husband (Orlando) came to eat with her Monday night...very nice guy. Dad was very hateful to mom Monday night kept telling me about how mean she is to him. When I asked dad what mom was doing to him, he would not talk to me and just stared at the TV.
Also, Lee Ivey called Monday night to say that Betty had passed away.

Reynolds

Saturday Night's Sleepover

Robin, Lauren, Caitlin and Rach - Y'all have no idea how much that thrilled Mimi and Papa. I think they're hearts are still singing! I would say you made their day, but I think you made their year!!!

Talked to Mom yesterday. Lauren - Mom said the Dr. and the visiting nurse both said "NO" about Papa going anywhere for rehab. He doesn't have the strength and is not a candidate. I also talke to CHOICE. Jeremy will be there the rest of the month on weekends. He's o.k. I was a little bitchy - but I told them that we would renew with them for August only if they sent Jeremy or James, Jonathan, Johnson (that's not his name. What is his name???) on weekends. I took the hospital bed table down there on Friday. Guess who put it together? Chantal!!! Who else? She is truly Wonderwoman! Dad had visitors from church yesterday. Glad that he's still getting visitors!

Trip to Bama

I took Mom to Hayden, AL to see Aunt Mary this weekend. She wasn't sure of the route via Birmingham so we went thru Oneonta first. I couldn't believe my eyes when we drove up and saw Mom's old homestead....it had a beautifully manicured lawn, flower-boxes and white ceiling fans on the front porch, and the screened porch had been enclosed (now a sunroom). I got out of the car to take a picture and a young woman (early 30s) came out of the house. We explained to her that Mom had grown up in that house and Mom began giving her a history lesson of the house. Kelli (Wadsworth), the new owner of about 18 months, said that she was restoring the house and it would be listed with the historical society. You could tell that she LOVED the house! The back of the house was really overgrown with weeds/vines and she said they were tackling that next! They had found a lot of the old stone walls and concrete pads where buildings were but had no idea there was actually an old tennis court on the property. I took a bunch of pictures so look for Kathy to post them on shutterfly (I used her camera - my kids had confiscated mine). We left Oneonta with happy hearts, knowing that 222 State Road was in loving hands.

When I heard and saw Aunt Mary, I couldn't believe the resemblence between she and Lola. They could have been twins! Mary is still sharp as a tack mentally - I guess all those years of working on a farm kept her mind sharp! Harriett came down to visit on Sat. morning before her morning walk; she is retired after teaching for 30 years, but works 3 days a week in Birmingham with a math program. We had a wonderful visit - there's just something about being in the country that makes you feel and sleep better! Oh! We also drove around and saw where Mom spent the first years of her life - the "pink" house (the house with the fireplace she fell into), where Lola and Francis' store was (houses & trailers there now), and where all the relatives lived. Aunt Mary wants everyone to come over to visit - I could tell that she was a little lonely!

this weekend

I went down during lunch Friday and took Dad his hearing aids. He is really mad at Mom right now! Saw Robin, Lauren, and Caitlin. Robin took Mom to Alabama Friday and Saturday. Hopefully they will let us know all about this weekend. Robin said they are turning Grandmother's house into a historical sight. Cool!

Wed. July 9

Robert went down today and cut Mimi and Papa's grass. Mimi told him Dennis (the one who was there Monday when the boys and I went to visit) was drinking wine Monday night and was in and out of the house all night.(??????) I s/w Kathy this afternoon and she said she had already called the agency about this and they told her it would be "reviewed". Robert noticed Papa's speech was significantly worse, which I noticed on Monday. Chantal told Robert that Papa has been severely agitated for about a week and a half. I am wondering if maybe he has had another smaller stroke.

nursing home

The only problem with that is that the CNA takes care of Mom in addition to Dad. If she were alone in that house, I'm afraid she might just wander off or set the house on fire or who know what. In a nursing home I'm afraid they would keep him sedated all the time. I'm working on getting that done at night. And he might fool me, but I think it's only a matter of time before another stroke gets him.

Monday, July 7th

Went over to see Dad & Mom after work. Dennis was busy on the computer and did not seem like he wanted to do much else. Dad said he had a 'good' day (Rodney+Fran & boys) and a 'bad' day (Dennis). I hate to bring up the subject, but should we start looking at AG Rhodes or Wesley Woods again? They are 24/7 operations and staffed to take good care of Dad, even at 3 am in the morning.

Rodney

Mom and Dad just LOVE the new p.t., Rodney. The boys across the street (ages 2 & 6) just wander into Mom's house if the door isn't locked. They did it the other day when he was in the middle of making a point to Dad, and Rodney took off after those kids and read them the riot act. :)
Yesterday Rodney brought some kind of brace for Dad's right leg that has a rod for support in it. He said Dad could break his right arm or right leg and not even know it. So he had Mom find some shorts for Dad, and some rubber soled shoes, put the brace on his leg, and Dad actually stood up and took a step! Mom said you would have thought he had flown to the moon he was so happy!
I bought Dad some shorts with an elacticized waist yesterday at Target. I'll take them down there Sat. and see how they do. If they're good, I'll get him some more. I have to take his hearing aids down there, too, and his hospital bed table.
Mom said Robin and Lauren are coming up this weekend, and that Robin is going to take her to Alabama to see Mary.

Monday, July 7

Trey, Conner and I went to see Mimi and Papa today. The CNA was Dennis and he seemed to be doing fine w/ them and vice versa. Chantal will be back tomorrow morning. Robert says he will be down there at some point later this week to cut their grass, and I will have him pick up the MARTA paperwork and I'll fill it out for them.

Just wondering. Am I blogging to myself or is anybody out there???

Dad's medicine for anxiety is working so well I think it put him into a coma. Slept all day yesterday. I suggested to Mom she cut the pills in half. Found out something interesting yesterday. LeToya requested not to come back. Remember her from Easter? Jeremy is there today and tomorrow and Dennis will be there Monday. Mom gave up on the idea of the P'tree Road Race. She said she and Dad could watch it together on t.v. I'll say this much for her - we all know her faults. But she won't leave him. She's always there. She got the paperwork from MARTA. If anyone gets there before me, help her fill it out. I got all his hearing aids fixed and will take them to him later.

Monday & Tuesday

Deborah from Choice called me on Monday. Mom did not pay their bill. I called Mom and she denied ever getting one. I said, "It's there somewhere. If you want someone there to relieve Chantal on Saturday, I suggest you pay it." She started yelling in the phone at me. Sara was there to take her to lunch. Mom was insisting they send her a bill. I said they already had. Thus, the yelling. Today she told me she mailed them a check. I hope so. Because Saturday morning I'm going to be in Dawsonville and if nobody comes, frankly, right now I just don't care.

I got Dr. Wilkes to call Dad in a prescription to Costco for agitation. (Mom should take a couple herself.)

Went to an audiologist today and got Dad's hearing aids fixed. He's been jamming the batteries in backwards. Did the same thing with the remote control batteries at 3 a.m. this morning. I will give the hearing aids to Chantal and explain to her and Dad that Chantal will be in charge of the hearing aids from now on.

Tuesday

Stopped by to see Dad & Mom tonight. Dad seemed very agitated and kept asking mom what she did with his hearing aides/batteries. He seemed very pleased with his speech therapy today and is looking forward to more physical therapy tomorrow morning. I went home when Chantel gave Dad his new prescription tonight to help him sleep. Mom said that Dad had them up last night around 3am screaming to have fresh batteries put into the remote. Also, there seems to be a problem with the 8-year-old boy across the street continually coming over. Today, Andre(?) used his 2-year-old brother to enter the house. Mom thought the door was locked, but it was luck that the physical therapist escorted the boys out of the house. The Florida pictures of everyone looked great and I'm glad you guys had a good time. We had a great time in Colorado. The Rocky Mountains are beautiful!