Your Thoughts/Prayers/Voodoo Needed

[glenn514]

I highly recommend the 16th - happy to share my birthday with your newest grandbaby!

Me, too. That is my birthday, as well. My granddaughter's birthday is the 14th...close, but no cigar!

glenn514

 

[glenn514]

Today, during my visit with Marie, I had the opportunity to talk with Karen, the day nurse with a brain. Karen said that yes, the UTI is resistant to cipro, so they have switched her to a different antibiotic. Karen was also concerned about her continued cough. Today it is not sound as loose as it did yesterday. Last week's chest x-ray showed that the stomach was pushing up on the diaphragm, which is why nutrition was stopped for 24 hours. That stoppage did help the cough situation.

Karen said she would discuss all those things with the doctor and seek solutions to them. Marie did complain that "It hurts," I believe in regard to the UTI. The CNA's came in and changed her while I was there. I have not seen either of them before today. And Lisa, the CNA that usually cares for Marie, stopped by and said hello. She was assigned elsewhere in the building, so she was just checking up on how the wedding went.

 

[Yooper]

Thinking of you often- and thank you so much for the photos! Which one of the girls was (is?) the one who lived near me? I only have one daughter, so I don't have so much trouble keeping my own straight.

 

[Temptd2]

Me, too. That is my birthday, as well. My granddaughter's birthday is the 14th...close, but no cigar!

glenn514

For real?! Well happy birthday to us!

 

[glenn514]

Thinking of you often- and thank you so much for the photos! Which one of the girls was (is?) the one who lived near me? I only have one daughter, so I don't have so much trouble keeping my own straight.

The daughter that lives in your neck of the woods is the one in the white "bride" dress in the photo. Her name is Gretchen, and she works the dairy section at the Pick-n-Save in Eagle River. Her husband, Joe, is head bartender at the Gateway Lodge in Land o' Lakes. Currently, they are "living" at the cabin, west of Watersmeet. They are looking to buy a house on the Wisconsin side of the border.

glenn514

 

[glenn514]

As I arrived today, Karen, the usual day nurse, said the CNA's were finishing up changing Marie and moving her to the chair. Karen also mentioned that she felt the cough was much improved.

When I got in the room, Marie was alert and awake, sitting in the chair. And I agree with Karen that the cough is much improved. It's still there...along with a few sneezes...but it is better. I asked her if she was feeling better, and she nodded yes. I also asked if she was in any pain, and she shook her head no. The new antibiotic is working, perhaps??? When I left, she was, once again, in sleepy-time land.

Wendel and Marie, from Saturday morning coffee at Starbuck's, also stopped in to see her and visit with her. I'll try to get to Starbuck's this Saturday and get their thoughts.

gloenn514

 

[soccerdad]

Starbucks? You folks need some good micro roast

 

[glenn514]

When I arrived at Hearthstone for my visit with Marie today, I asked her if she was OK. She shook her head No. Shortly, Lisa and Nick [the HUGE male CNA] came in to change her and get her cleaned up. Then I knew why she was not OK!

The cough is much improved. I mentioned that to the day nurse, Karen, and she agreed. It also seems that the new antibiotic is doing what it is supposed to do with the C-diff and the UTI. Marie was alert and aware for about half of my visit. When I left, she was returning to sleepy-time land.

glenn514

 

[unionrdr]

Well, it sounds like she's a bit more stable than usual. That's always a good sign.:rockin:

 

[glenn514]

I did not get over to see Marie on Monday. I putzed around the house, starting to button it up for winter.

Today during my visit with her, she was mostly awake and seemingly aware, but she was quite UNresponsive to any and all questions. Before I left, her eyelids were starting to get heavy again. As I often so, I spoke to her about a multitude of things...some important and most mundane. There was no response from her to anything I said or asked. Maybe just a bad day??? I'll find out when I visit tomorrow! During my visit, the CNA's came in to clean her up and change her. Following that, the day shift nurse came in to give her a serious "cocktail" of meds! But then, those eyes started to close in sleep, once again, so I left to go grocery shopping!

glenn514

 

[Temptd2]

Try not to take any of that personally, Glenn. She's basically in her own little world now, partially due to what happened to her and also no doubt partially caused by the medications she is on.

Cherish your moments with her, even if it SEEMS she is not present. You never know what they do and do not take in, even if it seems like she is not with you, she may well be able to understand you - she is just not being responsive at that time.

Keep doing what you are doing! Thinking of you both and sending even more positive thoughts.

 

[unionrdr]

My dad was the same way when he had his stroke with that brain tumor. Just keep trying. You never know what the tide will bring...

 

[glenn514]

Our friends Ron and Carol Kamprath arrived shortly before noon, and we had a delicious lunch at Flatlander! Then, we adjourned to home, where I took the time to bring both of them completely "up-to-speed" on what happened to Marie. Then, we drove over to Hearthstone and visited with Marie.

She seemed alert and awake, but you never know. She did respond to me by shaking her head that she did NOT feel good today, but she did not respond to the fact that it was my birthday. Later, Lisa stuck her head in and said that yesterday, Marie threw up. Nurse Karen felt quite strongly that it was due to the increased meds. They shut off her nutrition for an hour or so, and that helped, according to Lisa.

Ron and Carol headed out to go back to Milwaukee, and I left as well. Marie DID respond to Carol's departure words, even though she was half asleep. She still has the cough, and looked kind of "pasty."

That's all for today.

glenn514

 

[Temptd2]

Glenn, I hope you had more good today than bad, and happy birthday, to my newest birthday buddy!

 

[drainbamage]

Happy Birthday nonetheless!

Still keeping both of you in my thoughts.

 

[glenn514]

Glenn, I hope you had more good today than bad, and happy birthday, to my newest birthday buddy!

At first, I thought it would be a rather sucky birthday, but it turned out well. Some longtime friends came to take me to lunch, and then we visited Marie. Three of my four daughters called, giving me birthday wishes. The fourth one was still in France on her honeymoon...I'll forgive her for not calling! And I had a birthday Bombay Sapphire martini to celebrate. Not too bad for turning 69!

glenn514

 

[SupervisingChildren]

Glad to hear you had an enjoyable birthday! Happy belated!

 

[Temptd2]

At first, I thought it would be a rather sucky birthday, but it turned out well. Some longtime friends came to take me to lunch, and then we visited Marie. Three of my four daughters called, giving me birthday wishes. The fourth one was still in France on her honeymoon...I'll forgive her for not calling! And I had a birthday Bombay Sapphire martini to celebrate. Not too bad for turning 69!

glenn514

GOOD for you! I was GONNA have a JW Black Label but I got so dang full at late lunch/early dinner that it didn't even SOUND good to me. Maybe tomorrow. You are allowed to celebrate your birthday AT LEAST a week, LOL!

62 for me, still feel like 30 though.

What's the 4-1-1 on that new grandbaby??

 

[glenn514]

Today, Marie sure did seem to be having a GOOD day! When I arrived, she was sitting in her chair, and was as alert and awake as I have seen in awhile! Although she did not say anything to me, she did nod her head YES when I asked her if she felt OK today! Some of these medications must make her tummy feel bad! Anyway, she was in the chair for my entire visit today. She held her head up, had her eyes open and was gazing all around the room. The last 15-20 minutes, she was returning to sleepy-time land, so I finally left.

We all know that, in all probability, she will not improve...but she sure was having a GOOD day today!!!

glenn514

 

[glenn514]

What's the 4-1-1 on that new grandbaby??

The newest grandchild will be born by planned c-section this Thursday, 22 October. The only reason for the c-section is because of previous c's with the other children.

And YES, the immediate family knows what sex the baby is...Joy and Nathan decided to find out this time, and let Marie know while she was still in the hospital. But we have been sworn to secrecy. I'll let you know on Thursday.

glenn514

 

[Shooter]

The newest grandchild will be born by planned c-section this Thursday, 22 October. The only reason for the c-section is because of previous c's with the other children.

And YES, the immediate family knows what sex the baby is...Joy and Nathan decided to find out this time, and let Marie know while she was still in the hospital. But we have been sworn to secrecy. I'll let you know on Thursday.

glenn514

Congratulations! My youngest turns eight on the 22nd.

 

[Melana]

Still reading the thread and keeping you in my thoughts Glenn. Two more days until the new grandbaby! Oh, and happy Belated Birthday.

 

[glenn514]

Last night, I visited Marie with Amanda, Jim and Liesl. The newlyweds returned on Saturday from their honeymoon in France, and Amanda was in Chicago for a scientific conference. When I arrived at around 530pm, she was in bed, but was awake and aware. She nodded to me that she did not feel good. Later, she spoke to Liesl, again saying she didn't feel good.

Evan, a really cool nurse...learned nursing in the army!!!...came in and brought us up to date. Marie will be treated with another antibiotic for the c-diff. It is an aggressive treatment program, and she will be closely monitored. We asked about the UTI, and basically we determined that the new antibiotic treatment would take care of that, as well, so there was no point in testing for it.

We stayed until 715pm, and Marie was awake and alert the entire time. I would presume she went to sleepy-land shortly after we left. I'm going to head over soon for today's visit.

glenn514

 

[unionrdr]

Sounds like she's fighting it! At least she can tell you when she feels better or worse, etc. That's something to hang on too!

 

[glenn514]

Marie was much less responsive today than she was yesterday. Perhaps I just caught her at her "down" time. While her eyes were opened, I don't know if she realized that I was in the room. The housekeeping lady came in and cleaned the room, and I don't think Marie even noticed her presence.

Once she nodded off back into sleepy-time land, I stuck around a bit, but then headed home.

glenn514

 

[unionrdr]

Keep the faith brother! Ya gotta go through hell before you get to heaven with things that are worth-while.

 

[glenn514]

Stopped in to see Marie after my chiropractic appointment this morning. She was, once again, awake and alert. She did nod off before the CNA's came in to change her. And SHE decided she wanted to stay in bed...not sit in the chair!

The only unusual thing was the fact that the bathroom sink had overflowed, and the housekeeping woman was sopping up copious amounts of water on the floor!

glenn514

 

[DrunkleJon]

Sounds like there are more positive days than negative. And many kudos to you for sticking beside her, supporting and visiting as much as you do. It saddens me to know how often people basically put people in a care facility and then as good as forget that they exist. You and your family are some of the best medicine for her.

 

[glenn514]

Sounds like there are more positive days than negative. And many kudos to you for sticking beside her, supporting and visiting as much as you do. It saddens me to know how often people basically put people in a care facility and then as good as forget that they exist. You and your family are some of the best medicine for her.

I must admit that there are days where I simply cannot...CANNOT...get up the energy to go and visit her. But someone very wise reminded me that I have to take care of ME! If I don't take care of me, I certainly can't very well take care of her! Her condition is not good, and the future offers little in improvement. After 46 years of marriage, she is extremely important to me, but often, the visits become depressing because no one can "fix" her. Her brain has suffered two massive injuries, and she will not recover. Cooking for one and sleeping alone both really suck.

glenn514

 

[gratus fermentatio]

I don't post in this thread much, mostly because I just don't know what to say. I've never been where you are now & I can't possibly know what you & your family are going through, other than what you post here. I don't have any sage advice to give, wish I did. I just want you to know that I feel for you & your family. I've said a few prayers for you & Marie and will say a few more. I wish you both well.
Regards, GF.