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.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
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.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
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
Monday, February 23, 2009
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!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
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
Goofing around on the piano
Friday, February 20, 2009
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.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
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!
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!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
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.
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.
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