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.