Blisters

Grandma has three blisters on her right hip - they look like water blisters.  The hospice nurse said they're from heat and the standard procedure is to exposure them to air.  She sleeps on her right side all the time so they have to keep her off her side. 

I'm working on her Christmas cards so I should be getting those out in a few days.

Grandma's daily routine

Below is Grandma's daily routine.

6am - up for breakfast
7:15 - breakfast served
10am - first activity
10:30 - nap
12:15 - lunch is served
1:30 - nap
5:15 - supper is served

There is also an activity in the afternoon & evening but usually after lunch Grandma is exhausted.  It takes her a good hour & sometimes more to eat.  Grandma goes to bed about 7:30 or 8pm and is more than ready to be in bed.  She can push herself backwards in the wheelchair but can't figure out how to go forward.  If she runs into a wall or something, she is stuck until someone moves her.  The nurse said she doesn't talk much during the day and she isn't talking much with me.  But when I tell her I love her, she'll say - "I love you too".

Tuesday 12/7/10

Last night Grandma's breathing sounded bad but we gave her the breathing treatment and she sounded much better.  She just laid there and stared.  She sure doesn't feel good right now.

Sitting on my lap

Last night when Grandma got out of her wheelchair she stood up, took two steps and then sat on my lap - talk about role reversal!  I think she just wanted to be close to me. 

The antibiotic eye drops are doing wonders for Grandma's eyes, they have cleared up and she's even opening her bad eye now.

After Grandma goes to sleep, I lay the breathing mask under her nose and she gets her treatment without fighting.  It does make her cough though.

One of the nurses told me that when her daughter comes out to visit she always makes sure she finds grandma, she thinks she is so cute and little.  We've heard so many people say that, haven't we?

Grandma's breathing treatments

Rhea and I went to the nursing home last night after work.  The nurse said Grandma fought them yesterday when they tried to do her breathing treatments and asked if we wanted to try to give her a treatment.  After we visited for awhile, we got her ready for bed and then gave her the treatment.  She was so tired that she didn't fight much.

When we first arrived Grandma was still in the dining room and we visited there for awhile.  She kept standing up, I guess because she gets so tired of sitting in the wheelchair.  She'll stand for a minute then sit back down.  She would put her arm around me to hold herself up but I'm pretending that she stood up to hug me.

While we were in the dining room visiting, a gentleman resident came in and rolled up to visit with us.  He began speaking German and we really enjoyed visiting with him for awhile.  He would try to get Grandma's attention by crying like a baby or saying things in German to her and also used the German word for mother when he would talk to her.  Things were going along nicely until his dentures started falling out.  You have to understand that with all the medicine I've been taking over the last two weeks my stomach is raw and on the edge.  So, when he would talk and his dentures would slip out of his mouth - he would use his tongue to put them back in and I started feeling a little queasy.  But the ultimate was when he decided he needed to spit - he hocked and then spit on the floor to the right of Grandma.  It's a miracle that I didn't hurl right there.  I asked Grandma if she was ready to go to bed and we went to her bedroom without "Mr. German".

Grandma was a lot better than I thought I would find her.  Her cough is bad and she had a large black circle around her mouth.  But we got a few smiles out of her even though she wouldn't talk much.  I'll be going back every night to do the treatments with her.

I know y'all miss her but she looks so bad that it would be difficult for most of you to see her this way.  She weighs 79 pounds and can take a few steps but is VERY feeble.  Michael (nurse) said she is still eating most of her meals but not drinking.  We tried to get pictures of her last night but my phone ran out of power, I'll get some tonight.

Prayers Needed

Little Grandma is sick with a chest cold. 

The nurse called me yesterday and said her lungs are congested and she has a cough.  They are going to give her mucinex and breathing treatments twice a day.  I haven't been able to go out to see her for almost two weeks because I have a chest and head cold.  The nursing home asks that family/friends not come while sick plus I didn't want to give this mess to her but she ended up getting it anyway.  Three other residents have it too.

The nursing home calls her the "Comeback Queen" so hopefully this cold won't go badly for her.  They say she is still peddling around in her wheelchair so that's a good sign.

I know Grandma will fight the nurses when they try to do the breathing treatments.  Please pray that she'll be calm and will take the medicine.

November 16, 2010

Rhea and I went out for Grandma's birthday Tuesday night.  As usual Grandma was ready for us to put her to bed.  Momma and Daddy had sent her beautiful flowers and she smiled when she looked at them, she liked smelling the red rose.  We brought her birthday cake with whip cream icing.  Grandma kept eating the icing and saying, yum . . . yum . . . yum . . .  She was so funny and had the icing on her hands and face.  We sang happy birthday to her and she sang a few lines with us.  I think we wore her out, after all that we put her to bed and she was very content to be in her bed - 94 years old.

Thursday, Nov. 11th 2010

I've been gone alot for the last two weekends so I haven't put anything new on.  Grandma was very tired tonight and ready to go to bed.  I was asking her about her birthday tonight and how old she'd be, she said 6 or 8.  She couldn't remember Daddy's name tonight and her little eyes were so red from her rubbing them.  On the way home we passed a coyote and I couldn't help but think about how Grandma would have enjoyed seeing him.

I got two videos of Grandma tonight and as soon as I can figure out how to get them off my phone I will upload them.

I scrolled down through Grandma's pictures of here tonight and was surprised at how she is changing.  Since I see her so often I don't notice it but I can the difference in the pictures.

10/23/10

Grandma was in a talkative mood tonight.  She would respond to questions pretty good!  Especially when Rhea Lynn asked her who her favorite grandchild was and grandma said "Kellie"!!!  All this time I thought it was Jason.  She said her son's name is Bobby King but doesn't know where Elliot is.  One thing I noticed tonight that she hasn't done before is she was taking shallow breaths.

This is such a good picture of grandma, she rarely opens her left eye and I happened to catch her looking with both eyes open and a little smile.  She's so tiny now I think I may have to start buying her little girl's size clothes.

Tuesday night

Just got home from being with grandma, she was restless tonight when we put her to bed.  She kept trying to get up and hold hands.  She would try to lean on her right arm and hold hands.  She also hugged me tonight which hasn't happened since the beginning of summer.  I was afraid to leave her tonight because of the way she was acting.  Since she isn't able to tell me how she's feeling, I didn't know if she was feeling afraid, in pain or just uncomfortable.  She did finally settle down and I came on home.

room change

Grandma is in a different room now, room 12.  She had to be moved because she wouldn't stop being mean to her former roommate.  I realize hatefulness it part of the disease and she has sure had her share of it.  The room she is in now has two other ladies and grandma sleeps in the middle bed.

She has gained weight and now weighs 80lbs.  I believe the reason for this is because of Michael, a CNA that she really likes.  When he is there during meal time she allows him to feed her.  He can get her to drink her ensure and as long as he sits with her she'll eat. 

Last Thursday night when we were cutting her fingernails she knew her birthday - what a shock!  She said she is 84.  Rhea asked her if she remember Brother Sellec and she said, "he sure was a good one".   We no longer have to bribe her with candy to cut her nails, she just sits there.  I asked her if she had children but she said no.

I told her she has a beautiful new great-great-grandson and she said, "sure nuff?  well that's a good one."

Sunday afternoon

Rachel and I went out to see grandma this afternoon.  She was in the recreation room for a pirate party.  We took her back to her room for a visit but she wasn't talking today.  She wants to be in bed all the time.  She can stand up for a short time but she quickly sits back down.  Earlier this week I asked her how old she was and she answered 12.  I was asking her about her son and she didn't know if she had any children.  She has bruises on her legs from bumping into things, she can sure move backwards very fast in her wheelchair.  Her eyes look better and I'm glad of that.  She sure is going downhill though.

Grandma was in the dinning room tonight when I arrived.  She had eaten two bites and then poured her drink on her plate.  When she doesn't want to eat she plays with the food in one way or another, pouring her drink is one way she does that.  It's her way of saying she doesn't want anything to eat. 

One of her shoes were off and I asked her why and she said she didn't want it on.  Her answer really surprised me and made me laugh.  It's been awhile since she has been able to understand what I'm asking and able to answer properly.  I thought it was a great answer.






For some reason Grandma bends over in her wheelchair all the time.  I don't know if it means she's tired and wants to lay down or what.

Grandma has an eye infection right now and I told them to call the doctor and get something for her.  She is so pitiful.  Everytime I  think she can't get any worse, something happens.
Usually grandma rolls back very quickly in her wheelchair so I tried to get a movie of her doing that but she wasn't moving fast tonight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBlw9UHGKN8 - Grandma rolling backwards in her wheelchair.

Friday, Sep. 3, 2010

Grandma has a cut on the back of her calf, I guess from all the rolling around and bumping into things.  Her skin is too thin for stitches so they are using butterflys.

Wednesday 9/1/10

When I arrived tonight, Grandma was in her wheel chair trying to get into her roommates bed.  We got her cleaned and put her to bed, it took about 20 seconds for her to fall asleep.  She didn't know me tonight.

Saturday August 21st, 2010

Grandma wouldn't talk very much to me today  I asked her if she wanted to get up, if she was feeling bad, if she was in pain - all her answers were no, she just stared.  She didn't have any pain medicine today, which makes her sleepy, so her mood confuses me.

The fractures in her pelvis are healing very well so she is wanting to stand up and has even taken some steps (or shuffles would be a better word).  In one way this is a really good thing but otherwise I'm afraid it could be a very bad situation.  She doesn't understand to set her brakes on the wheelchair and I"m afraid she could have a detrimental fall. 

Thursday night the nurse had her sitting at the nurses station with her so she could watch her. Hospice is ordering an alarm for her chair and bed so the nurses and CNA's can be aware when she is trying to stand and can help her. Her bedroom is very close to the front desk but usually when grandma goes to bed she doesn't get up during the night.

8/17/10

I had to buy grandma a new set of shoes.  The nursing home called yesterday and said her shoes were leaving marks on her feet.  Since her feet hang down and she isn't up walking her feet are swelling so I bought her a new pair yesterday.  She also has a large bruise on her upper arm from trying to get out of her chair and falling against something.

Grandma was doing good tonight but the nurse found her today in another bed.  She got out of her wheelchair and got in her roommate's bed.  This concerns me because I"m afraid she will really get hurt from a bad fall now.  They are going to reevaluate her tomorrow.  I think we need a seat belt. 

She also has a bad spot on her toe where her large toenail has worn an opening.  The doctor will evaluate that tomorrow.

She was ready for bed tonight.

Monday 8/9/10

Grandma was crabby tonight.  She was throwing cuss words around quite a bit.  She is rolling backwards in her wheelchair until she reaches the wall or furniture.  Then she lifts her feet and rolls forward, so she has bruises on her legs because she is running into things. 

She ate really well tonight, eating is a hit and miss thing with her.  I don't mind so much when she is crabby, I actually prefer that to her being blank and numb acting.  She even gave us one smile tonight.

Wednesday Night 8/4/10

Grandma was in a real good mood tonight at supper and was talkative.  I brought her a fresh peach but she only ate two bites.  The lady at the table with her ate it all though.  She is so thin now, her body looks so     different. She still weighs 77 lbs. When I was putting her in bed, she stood up from her wheel chair but couldn't move her legs.  It's the first time I've seen her stand up in a month.  I was glad to see her smile & talking alot tonight. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouE-MteCWi0

Update on Grandma

Grandma didn't eat well Saturday and Monday nights but did eat well on Sunday evening.  She was in a bad mood Sunday night and slapped me.  First time in a long time for her to do that but she didn't appreciate me wiping the cherry cobbler off her chin.  I forgot to ask how much she weighs because she's so tiny.

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

Grandma was hurting this afternoon so they gave her morphine.  She slept through the afternoon and they woke her up for supper.  Back to bed after supper for the night.

Long Two Weeks

Grandma sure hasn't been feeling good.  The pain medicine really helps but it also makes her sleep alot too.  One night when I went to see her, she had just finished eating supper in the dining room and had her eyes closed.  She wouldn't open them because she was hurting so much.  The nurse brought her meds, it looks like a tiny syringe and they squirt it in her mouth and it is immediately absorbed into her system.

These days our conversations consist of - "I love you grandma, I love you too hon".  Not much more than that.  She isn't combative like she was except she doesn't want her eye cleaned out, but she doesn't hit when bathing and cleaning her now.  She will let Mary help her with anything though.  She really likes Mary but Grandma's vision is so bad I wonder if she thinks Mary is a man and that's why she likes her so much - she's a Watkins girl.

The nurses get her up for meals and they were trying to keep her up a little bit but I told them to let her sleep if that's what she wants.  The important thing now is no pain.

I did have the - "it's ok to go live with the Lord if you want to"- conversation that hospice suggested.  I don't like having that conversation.

Most nights she is in a good mood and smiling more lately.   Rhea Lynn and I go out after work to put her to bed so we can check for bedsores - I sure don't want that happening.

Grandma is looking at a picture of Robert and I was telling her that he loves her so much and that he is so thankful she told him about Jesus and how to be saved.  (Grandma lead Robert in salvation prayer after church one evening).  When she gets cards I read them to her and we talk about them. 

This is Grandma's favorite place to be, she sleeps alot.  I don't blame her, these last two weeks have been so hard on her.  She is so tiny now, she eats but hospice said it doesn't nurture her body.

Daddy would appreciate your prayers for God's mercy for Grandma.

Grandma's new friend

Mary & Grandma last Monday before her health problems started.  Mary is there for her diabetes problems and she really watches out for Grandma, she is so sweet.

Friday, July 9th, 2010

The x-ray shows two pelvis fractures, probably "spontaneous breaks" from her osteoporosis.  She is able to sit in her wheelchair so the doctor says there isn't bone movement or she wouldn't be able to tolerate sitting.  The only thing they can do is pain medicine.

Tonight she was in a good mood, smiling & talking.  We kissed and talked alot.  She said she wants a two story house.  I asked her what about a mansion and she said "no, that's too much." 

It takes two to lift her now so it isn't so painful for her.  The nurses get her up for meals and let her stay up for a little bit then back to bed for a rest.  Rhea Lynn and I go after work each night to change her clothes, wash her and put her to bed. 

I can't remember the name of her pain meds but it has a low dose of morphine.  As soon as her head hits the pillow she's asleep, so we have to kiss her good-night before we put her to bed.

I don't know how she handles it - she amazes me.

Rough week

Little Grandma has had a rough week.  She doesn't walk now.  She had slowly stopped walking but she hasn't taken any steps since Monday.  When I pick her up out of her wheel chair to put her to bed she doesn't even try to take steps.  She isn't able to stand up & change clothes, she has to be changed while laying in bed.

Tuesday night when I went out to put her to bed, she was sitting in her wheel chair and was hurting.  I asked her where and she said her shoulders and stomach.  It really scared me when she said that because she is never able to answer that question.  She was bent over saying it's terrible, it's terrible.  So I had the ambulance take her to the emergency room.  When we left the nursing home her bp was 80/50.  Upon arrival at the ER, it was 100/35, that really scared me.  We were there till 12:30 that night.  Her enzymes were elevated and there were changes on her EKG but since they didn't have one to compare it to, they didn't know if the changes were new or from her previous heart attack.  So it looked like a mild heart attack.

Last night when we went out, she was in her wheel chair in the living room, smiling and talking.  The nurses were calling her Queen Comeback.  She was fine until we tried to put her in the bed.  She was crying out in pain because of her leg.  Her left hip is really bothering her.  Hospice will be getting an x-ray done. 

Poor little thing is really hurting right now.  I don't know if she isn't walking because of her leg, or if her leg  caused her heart to act up, or if she hurt it while being transferred into the ambulance.  Hospice did tell me that she is probably getting closer to her time.

Sure is hard to watch her during this time.

Grandma yawning

Wednesday 6/23/10

Aunt Wilma & Uncle Johnny's visit with grandma was great. On Tuesday when they arrived she was sitting in the dining room so they were able to see her sitting up and awake. It took a few minutes for her to understand who Uncle Johnny was but she later called him by name. Aunt Wilma talked to her about recipes and she said, "that was the best of times."

On Wednesday we went to visit twice. Both times Grandma was in bed and wanting to sleep.  This is how she usually is these days - she just wants to stay in bed and sleep.  We took her to the dining room for supper but she just wanted to go back to bed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFqGXLN1gK4 - Uncle Johnny telling Grandma who he is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_YIpBosBYU - Aunt Wilma & Grandma talking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Hb-4dVvF7M - Good stuff

Bonus picture - Aunt Wilma & Uncle Johnny getting their exercise.

Thursday June 17th, 2010

When I arrived today at 10am, the CNA had just finished taking Grandma to the bathroom.  She was anxious to get back to bed.  She was in a sweet mood but ready to sleep again.  I began videoing her getting in the bed and she turned around and saw me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkwauTambes - Grandma was able to talk pretty good today.

Friday, June 11th, 2010

Grandma didn't want to eat today, she kept pushing her plate away.  Finally I was able to get her to eat a few bites.  She just wanted to get in bed.

When we arrived to visit with Grandma, she was still in the dining room and had just finished supper.  Michael was there helping her and he had fed her this evening.  This came as a big blow to me, grandma has never let anyone feed her.  But she allowed him to do the whole meal, I guess I should be grateful that she ate everything.  It's just hard because grandma has always been so independent.

After supper we were sitting in the dining room visiting and grandma was talking about getting in the kitchen and fixin the white potatoes.   I guess supper made her think about cooking.  She doesn't very often talk about cooking, gardening, nursing, or working in the yard - the things she used to love doing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z68KsE7lP78 - grandma talking about fixin white potatoes.

Grandma's cookbook

This is a post from Amy's facebook wall today -

Amy Perkins Warren "is cooking a recipe from one of my great-grandmother's cookbooks.  If I close my eyes and pretend, it's like I'm a little kid back in her kitchen."

Carpet rollover

Apparently Grandma decided she would take a seat on the carpet at the front door and wasn't able to stop herself when she sat down and rolled over onto her back.  She is ok, no injuries but I'm not sure why she thought she should sit on the front door rug.  Since she doesn't have depth perception, maybe she thought it was a table or something.

Memorial Weekend Saturday, May 29th, 2010

Last weekend my two grandbabies spent the weekend with me and they both had colds.  I unfortunately got their colds and have been down all week.  I didn't visit grandma this week, I didn't want to chance giving it to her.

The foot doctor came in for the monthly visit last Tuesday and grandma did not have an ingrown toenail after all.  I was so thankful, I really was dreading her going throw the treatment for one.  The foot doctor thinks grandma is so cute, he said he'd like to put her in his pocket and take her home with him.  She calls him grandpa.

I visited grandma today and she gave me a smile, those don't come very often, it was great.  She was in someone else's bed again so I let her stay since they weren't in the room at the time.  Usually I take her back to her room.  Her bedroom is at the other end of the hall from the dining room.  When we walk down the hall to her room, she needs to stop and rest for awhile before we can make it to her bed.

Grandma has also taken up with one of the male nurses named Michael.  He can get her to eat 75% - 100% of her meal.  He was asking me a few months ago how he could get her to drink and I told him to use a coffee cup.  Michael was telling me today that he can get her to drink her ensure now using the coffee cup.  He works Friday - Monday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs-2j8kZSiQ - Talking about Drumright, OK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igwfBYu1hPk - I asked grandma if she was an okie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZWISQqIen8 - Remember Mr. & Mrs. Selleck?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkvvpLkOKV4 - Memorial weekend

May 21st, 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IbAn5uHB5g - Visiting after supper

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8e6ol_Rut0 - More visiting

Wednesday afternoon 5/19/10

Grandma was sleeping today when I arrived.  I sat and read a magazine while she was sleeping.  The nurse came in to check on her and she woke up for a minute then went back to sleep.  The nurse told me everyone there loves her because "she is so dang cute".  One of the residents in the hallway told me that all the staff there are good to grandma and think she is a "spit-fire".  It feels good to know they all like her.

She has to get her ingrown toenail fixed next Tuesday, I really dread that for her.

She has a new room-mate named Mary Alice.  I haven't met her yet.  Grandma hasn't had a room-mate for the last 4 weeks since her previous room-mate died. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY1EGxAQ6Aw

May 17th, 2010

This is a bad picture but the NH had large snakes as special guests - Yuck!



Grandma was in a CRABby mood tonight!  She didn't want to be touched or bothered.  We got there at the end of supper and then walked her down the hall to her bedroom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jU4O6NBB1Q - after supper in the dining room.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlDPr5tdLIU - stopped for a rest in the hallway

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueXBQZ2Dqs0 - made it to the bedroom to lay down

5/12/10

Grandma wasn't much in the mood for talking today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXNVNdF0mdQ

This video was taken 6 months ago after grandma fell and ended up with 14 staples on her head. I can't get over how different she is now from then.  I miss her smile and laughter so much. 

It's funny how many nurses are saying "good, good, good".  I was walking down the hall to find gma last week and as I passed the nurses station, a few nurses were standing there discussing something and I heard one of them say "good, good, good".    Several have told me how they got into the habit of saying it.  It's like Aunt Wilma says, the Lord is still using her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odoeKs4XjVg

Mother's Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8J_cDSa6h8
Grandma had just seen her flowers and smelled them.  I was telling her that Daddy said Happy Mother's Day.  The lady in the background is Genevieve, they went to Adult Day Care in Alton together and were both feisty.  I wish they could remember each other now.  She is a real sweet lady.  Grandma was in a good mood yesterday and looked cute in her gray warm up suit.  She wears warm clothes since she is cold all the time.  Her hands were dark purple yesterday, usually they are a very cream color.  She talked quite a bit but was sleepy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfqvP2mDjw0
I have to bribe Grandma with chocolate to cut her fingernails.  It's one of the things she really fights, she always liked her nails long but I have to keep them cut short now.

Mother's Day

Gma smelling her flowers from Bobby & Sue.

Looking at the pretty quilt Jackie made for Gma's baby.

Chicken & dumplins, vegetables & jello salad for supper.

Gma said Rhea Lynn can't come back for two days because she didn't appreciate getting her fingernails trimmed.

Joel told me last night that he would like to see more positive stories about gma so this story is for you Son.  When I arrived today after lunch gma was still in the dining room sitting around the table with some other ladies.  I sat down next to her and she smiled and said hello. 

The CNA told me gma had taken someone's Mountain Dew this morning and drank it all.  They said she made some funny faces because the carbonation was tickling her but she hasn't been in bed all day because the drink was keeping her up.  I suggested they give her one every day.

She let me pat on her today, usually she doesn't allow that.  She also let me push her hair back from her face.  I asked her if she'd like to go to Oklahoma or Texas and she declined and said she didn't know where she wanted to go.  I asked how old she is and she responded,  "boys, boys, boys".  Humm, wonder what she's thinking about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4qbAZjM_Bg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc-2Z0RGwzk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozeGwU5osMw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSdyvHpZ4EU

The social worker from Hospice came out today to see gma, she visits every four weeks.  Last month she couldn't get over how much gma had gone down.  She told me that in this last stage of Alzheimer's that there will be a nose dive and then level off for awhile, then another nose dive.  I believe gma has been the same for the last four weeks.

Gma wasn't in the mood for visiting today.  I made an appointment to get her hair cut next week.  It sure grew fast after this last cut.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6049e94Waw - after lunch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs8N_CadObA - ready for a nap

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y8RL5fvCmI - love you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og3SMturlaE - where's Bobby?

Last Saturday I took my grandbabies to see gma, we found her in another ladies bed near the dining room.  She always likes seeing the kids at first but quickly they get on her nerves.  She said "no, no!" alot. 

Gma was also back to the way she has been lately, repeating just a few words and mumbling.  Below are a few videos from last Saturday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=megHOGqCIcQ - Rachel helping gma walk in the hall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdaBAxB9AbU - Sitting & talking in the hallway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADVNB9h42PE - Rhea Lynn & Gma walking to her room.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXG0_1xJoTQ - Telling gma bye.

Today was gma's health care mtg at the NH.  When I walked in and the staff saw me, they began to say - "wait till you see Gma today!"  I asked if she was ok and she was, then I started to wonder what was going on. 

I couldn't believe it when I saw her.  She was smiling and talking like she used to do.  She even did a little jig to the music that was playing.  She was using sentences and laughing.  It was so great to see her like that again and of course today would be the day that I didn't take the camera.  One man kissed her on the forehead and said, "I love you gma" and she replied, "I love you too you little fart".

In the care mtg the nurses reported that she is staying in bed most of the time and is having problems with energy while walking.  I asked them to move her bed near the front door of her bedroom so she doesn't have to walk so far.  I also told them to take her off the sleeping pill unless they are having problems with her wandering at night.  She has gained two pounds so she now weighs 77 lbs.  and they report she eats (on the average) 50% of her meal.

It was such a great day with her today! I hope there are more.

I went out to visit with gma this morning at 8:30.  She is in a crabby mood today and was looking for a bed to get in when I arrived.  She usually gets in the closest bed near the dining room after meals.  One day she was in a man's bed but thank goodness he wasn't in it at the time.  I got a few more videos of her this morning. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQHsxGoflWM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjvTaByC_2c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oyYusIDrE8

4/26/10

I saw gma this morning at 10am.  She had finished breakfast and the nurse brought her back to her room by wheelchair, she didn't feel like walking today.  That's a first. 

Her eyes look SO much better today so the eye medicine is working.  But it takes 3 ladies to give it to her because she fights them so hard. 

She was using more words today so I took a video of her that you can view at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TPKkzEnusU and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc2zveVW6MA.

Hospice is getting medicine for grandma's good eye.  It has been very red and draining terribly for the past several weeks.  It is a 7 day treatment and hopefully it will clear up the problem.

I was sitting on the couch with gma, we used to look at the newspapers together.  This time I had my arm around her and she put her head on my arm and closed her eyes.  The newspapers don't interest her now.

4/21/10

Went out last night to change grandma's clothes and put her to bed.  She was mentally better than she has been in a few weeks.  I asked her if she talked to Bobby today and she said no, he's probably at work.  I asked if she had talked to Zella Lou and she said she didn't even know who that was.  Asked about Nathalee and she said, my sister, my sister.

She was really happy to get in bed, that's where she is the happiest right now.

I had supper with Grandma on Monday night and lunch with her on Tuesday. 

Monday night she ate the egg salad from her sandwich and that really surprised me since she hates eggs.  Then I was able to get her to drink all her ensure by telling her it would help her cough.  She also ate the vegetables from her soup.

Lunch Tuesday they served beef stroganoff, corn, green beans & chocolate pie.  Grandma ate all her corn and drank half her ensure.  She didn't eat any of the other food.

She couldn't wait to get in bed and usually after leaving the dining room she finds the closest bed and gets in it.

The nurses asked her who I was and she looked at me and said she didn't know.  I asked her if she ever had to spank Bobby when he was growing up and she said "little ass" and smiled.