Purdue Jazz Band

Last night Deke and I had another opportunity for an evening out so after a great steak meal at Outback, we proceeded to the Purdue campus where, for FREE, we went to a concert of the Purdue Jazz Band. It lasted just over an hour and featured 4 vocalists who sang along with Cole Porter, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller etc. It was great grins.

Just Babying Around

Lori and I had fun shopping for the baby Tuesday. We hit every store with the intention of checking out prices of large items such as strollers, beds, carseats, etc but the clothes deals were so incredible, WE JUST COULDN'T RESIST! Probably the best deals were found at Kohl's with their 90% off sale of baby clothes. No kidding, we bought gorgeous little dresses for $2.30!!!!
Another source was found at our local Goodwill store where we hit the jackpot for good deals. AND had we shopped the following day, I could have helped by getting a 30% reduction of total purchases by being a senior citizen! Didn't find much at Once Upon a Child, nor at Penney's, but we had so much fun just looking.

Mark and Mama Jo tagged along either staying in the car or sitting in chairs where available. When we got to the mall, they retreated to Barnes and Noble while Lori and I hit the stores.

Lori at 5 months

Mark "studying" for one of his master's courses

Another Surprise!

If this continues, I may have a happy breakdown! Two surprise visits by 2 of my kids and a scheduled visit by the 3rd. All three kids coming home in the same month.

Mark and Lori surprised me this morning by walking right into the house as I was just leaving the laundry room! At first I thought Deke had come home and I almost didn't believe my eyes when they walked through the garage door entrance. They returned from their European trip this past Thursday so spent a few days with Lori's parents in KY before heading north. They plan to be with us until Thurs. I am totally speechless.

Lori is so cute with her little pooch (in her 5th month) and reports that she is feeling better than she felt when she wasn't pregnant. Now that's a good pregnancy! Mark looks as handsome as always but is tired and needs some sleep to get his system back on US time.

Don't know what we'll be doing this week, but you'll be one of the first to know!

Emily and Jonny

Surfing the Web for the perfect honeymoon site.

Emily and Jonny came home to Indiana for a weekend visit. We spent Saturday just vegging around the house. It was snowy and very cold so we didn't venture outside at all. Sunday after church we went to Frankfort to visit with Grandma Jones. After lunch and two cups of hot tea, they packed up and took off for Ky.


Goofing around on the piano

Dinner/ Dance

Tonight (Fri) we attended a church dinner/dance. It was put on by the men of the church and was really nice. The meal was catered- prime rib- and was delicious. A wonderful couple from church came to stay with Mom while we were away. Emily and Jonny are coming for the weekend. Update Sunday.

Valentine Happenings

An early Valentine gift from my sweetie.

Saturday morning we went to Delphi to "The Stone House," for breakfast.
Notice Deke is opening the door for Mom but she is completely unaware that he has opened the door for her. She is blind on her left side now.

Friday night Deke's 3 secretaries came to sit with Mom while Deke and I went out for the evening. We ate, went to see a movie, shopped and went home. What we really did was just be together. It was fun. It was wonderful. It was good.

When we returned, everyone was in the basement having just finished watching a movie. The girls had taken care of Mom and seen to her every need. They were reluctant to leave so we all talked for another half hour before the first one got up to leave. I am forever grateful for those 3 angels who gave of their time to come minister to us. What a beautiful example of servant Christians.

Saturday night Deke performed a very simple experiment on Mom to try to understand why she keeps running into doors etc. Her peripheral vision in her left eye is gone. She sees straight ahead but cannot see to her right or left in that eye. Now I understand why she pulls the toilet paper out from under the sink; she can't see it on her left. Now it makes sense that she runs into things on her left side. Now it makes sense why she gets into the first twin bed in her bedroom; it's the first bed she sees on her right. Now it makes sense why she walked right past the opened door at the restaurant Saturday morning; she didn't see Deke open it. No doubt this new malady occurred last week when we took her to emergency.

We ARE in a new normal. She is totally unaware of her surroundings. She asks me every morning where she is. She cannot find any room on her own. She has no recollection that she has lived with us for the past two years. She has never seen this house before. Where is the bathroom? Where is my toothbrush? She cannot find her clothes or dress herself without my picking out and lining up the articles of clothing. Even then she will leave out certain items. After she dresses in the morning, she will crawl back into bed. I go to check that she is dressed and more often than not will find her back in bed.

But you know, she is pleasant and so grateful for everything I do for her. Her most used words are "thank you." She never complains, never gets angry, never retaliates, never gets impatient, never causes any problem. One day this week, I just prayed out loud concerning my poor attitude concerning the care of Mom. I prayed, "Lord, help me. I need help." That morning as I was working around the kitchen while Mom was eating breakfast, Mom said as crystal clear as anything, "Have I told you today that I love you?" I knew immediately in my spirit that it was the Lord who had spoken to me. He reminded me that I was not doing this for her; I was actually ministering to Him. I remembered, "When you do it for the least of these my brothers, you do it for me." That incident, combined with my readings of Rick Warren's 40 Days of Purpose, 2 sermons on servanthood and my time with the Lord have all worked together to change my attitude. At church last week, tears were running down my cheeks when I heard the Lord say to me that your mom doesn't have a problem, you do. Your mom doesn't need healing, you do. Your mom doesn't need to die, you do (die to self). The Lord cares more about my character development than my comfort. He is making me into His likeness. Praise be to God!

Update on Mama Jo

Monday Mom had an appointment with her primary Dr (Dutter) in Flora. He read the hospital report and turned to Mom to ask her some basic questions. Of course she couldn't tell him anything, at least nothing coherent. The rest of the visit, he and I discussed her condition and he made some recommendations.

The number one most important decision was to completely ignore the carotid theory which stated that was probably the culprit that contributed to her "spell." With a 45% blockage, it would be foolish for us to even consider putting her through that operation. In fact, Dr Dutter said she would more than likely die on the table. He surmised that she probably had another stroke (TIA) and of course it affects the weakest area of her body- her brain. He said the next big TIA could be the one to take her life but she's survived at least 4 of them since living with us so you never can count out the come-back-kid.

He noted also that the tests revealed a lesion in her occipital nerve. That makes sense since she has developed a great sensitivity to light and her eyes always look like they are in pain. Often she complains of her eyes hurting.

Her blood pressure is perfect so at least we don't have to change meds again to keep that under control.

She is still terribly confused. Has never been in our house, can't find her bedroom, bathroom or kitchen. Stands still and stares around her in a complete fog. Has no memory of being in the hospital. Has to be helped getting dressed, bathing and walking (very unsteady on her feet). Asks every morning where she is. Difficulty watching TV because of her eyes and I'm sure there is no comprehension at all. Rarely reads. Mostly sits in her rocker in her bedroom for hours at a time. When I suggest something to do she usually replies that she is very happy where she is and she doesn't want to do anything.

Friday night Deke's 3 secretaries from church are all coming here to the house so that we can go out for an evening. It about brought me to tears when they contacted me to volunteer for this special treat. I don't know for sure what we will do but it'll be fun to just be together.

Well, that's about it for now. I'll try to keep you posted.

Unbelievable Surprise!

I have to admit it's not often that I am completely taken unaware. I can usually figure out surprises easily; I have a nose for them. But this time, I was completely and utterly surprised. Erin, Jon and family drove 12 hours to land at our door this past Thursday just around noon. On a whim them decided to come see us for a few days. I just couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing. My babies were here at my house on my porch!

We didn't do anything major but we did pack a lot of activities in one short time span. Jon and the kids went sledding one afternoon and spent some time the next day building a snow fort. Then too Jon managed to combine the visit with some business as he spent a couple of hours with the management of Purdue's facilities. In addition Grandpa took off work Friday afternoon to take the 4 kids "training." One evening we celebrated 3 birthdays- Daniel 2/16, Ryan 2/22 and Hannah 2/24. Gorged ourselves on Pizza King and birthday cake. UGH! The last night we played charades. Nothing major; just lots of love and hugging on one another.

The Varnell clan left this morning. I refuse to dwell on the negative of missing them; I'll just savor the memories and tuck them away in my heart until I can be with them again.

Mystery Solved

The Mystery

Mama Jo much the same. This morning she asked me 14 times where she was. Terribly confused about her surroundings. She was the same in the hospital. Sunday morning, the day after her admittance, Deke and I walked into her room and after some time Deke asked Mom if she knew where she was. She answered, "Why yes, I'm sitting in your house."

So here's the mystery. After work one day, Deke stopped in the hospital room and was recounting his day. He had visited an office where on the white board was written a riddle. He relayed the riddle to me and I was sitting there contemplating the thing when who pipes up but Mom with the correct answer! How can that be? How can she not know where she is and yet be able to solve a riddle?

To help you out of your suspense, here's the riddle. I'll post the answer tomorrow but if you think you've solved it, be sure to let me hear from you.

1) You will find me in a mine
2) I am completely encased in wood forever
3) Most people in the world come in contact with me every day

The New Normal

Well, it's not good news folks. Mom has definitely dropped down another notch since her latest "spell." This morning she came out of her bedroom and said, "Where am I?" That just about sums up her condition. She can no longer do any task on her own initiative. I need to tell her to do everything.

She doesn't seem able to see very well. She has the weirdest wild-eye look, much like the look in Dad's eyes the last year or two of his life. It's a look of complete bewilderment and fright. She says also that her eyes ache. That's always the alarm when she has a stroke; her eyes are affected.

I don't know if this is her new normal. Hopefully, she will bounce back once more but if not, she is now in a deeper never-never land where there is no yesterday and no tomorrow. Just existing.

I am taking her blood pressure at least 2x/day and then report the readings to her Dr in Flora. We see him next Monday, not Saturday as I originally reported. I'm still mostly zeroing in on her new blood pressure medicine as the culprit.

Well, keep praying and we'll keep keeping on. I fall back on the Lord and rely on His wisdom in knowing what Mom's future holds. Pray for me that I will hear His voice to be able to do what needs to be done for Mom.

Home from the Hospital

I brought Mama Jo home from the hospital today. She has a wild look in her eyes and is very confused. She asked me numerous times in the hospital where she was and was always surprised when I told her she was in a hospital. When we drove into the garage today, she said, "I would never have guessed you lived here." I asked her if she remembered that she had lived here for the past 2 years. Surprise again. She walked into the kitchen and looked and looked around saying that she had never been here before. I had to show her where her bedroom is and she spent the next few minutes exploring the house. For the past hour she has been watching a movie in the basement. Just minutes ago she asked me where the bathroom was. This is not good and I'm hoping it's not a new normal for her.

The hospital tests were inconclusive. After consulting with different doctors, nurses and support staff EVERY DAY, I've come to the conclusion that hospitals are equipped to meet their needs, not the needs of the patients. Mom's primary Dr in Flora NEVER does hospital calls on his patients. Hospitals now have Drs on staff whose only job is to see patients in hospitals. They do not have private practices. They are paid by the hospital and have nothing to do with the hospital patients once they are released. These in-house Drs write up the patients using individualized computer centers stationed right outside the hospital room. The info he/she types goes on a network that the primary physician accesses from his office computer to learn about his patient in the hospital. So, the old method where the Dr that knows you sees you, has gone out the door. Each day I had to explain Mom's situation to a new Dr (Mom had 3 different Drs in 3 days). No continuity. Can you imagine what Mom would have told them had I not been there?

Anyway, they couldn't figure out why Mom had this spell. Her blood pressure has been as high as 210/90 in the hospital. When we left today it was 136/60. Very high for Mom. Their best guesses center around her carotid artery being plugged up. At checkout today, I learned from Mom's nurse that the blockage is 45%, hardly enough to put her through another operation. I think the whole thing has come about with the change of Mom's blood pressure medicine 3 weeks ago. Mom does not do well with meds and any new med is suspicious until it has been tested for days and days with her. Saturday we go to Flora to see her primary Dr so all this will be discussed with him.

I think I should have stuck with chemistry; I'd have been a better Dr than any I've seen lately.

Hospital

Mama Jo is in the hospital. Found her Saturday night in the bathroom unresponsive, clammy, with sweat dripping from her nose. We took her to emergency where they hooked her up to an IV, ran tests and came back with nothing conclusive. Sunday was a bust because no Dr will talk to you on that day so I am hoping that I find out something today (Monday).

Will keep you posted.