Your Thoughts/Prayers/Voodoo Needed

[DrunkleJon]

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

Do not be disheartened. Hang in there and celebrate the little victories and accept the losses as they come.

That is definitely good advice. She has to appreciate the visits and updates of what is going on in the family and you know that she loves you and wants you to be well.

 

[Melana]

Never stop doing what you feel is right for you. If that is going to visit Marie or going for a ride on the bike through the countryside do it. I've been watching my dad create his new reality now that my mom passed and it's heartbreaking. He has been putting one foot in front of the other and is focusing on the good things and it's keeping him going. I suppose that's what i'm trying to say. Keep focusing on the good. Maybe find an old friend to eat with once a week?

 

[glenn514]

NEWS FLASH.....

Our newest grandson, Abel Bishop Frieling, was born at 748am this morning. He is 20.5 inches long and weighed in at 8 lb 12 oz! Hoohaa!!!

glenn514

 

[Melana]

Yippee! Congrats! WOOHOO! Hope mom and baby are doing well.

 

[SharonaZamboni]

Congratulations!

 

[glenn514]

And, through the use of modern technology, here is a photo of newborn grandson!

 

[Melana]

Oh my gosh he is adorable!

 

[unionrdr]

Congrats! wish we had some grand babies...

 

[Shooter]

Uh, they are going to want to latch that diaper down!!!!

 

[Temptd2]

Congrats, Grandpa! Wow, look at those LONG fingers and perfect little fingernails. What a miracle.

 

[Inkleg]

Congratulations grandpa, looks like a future brewer to me!

 

[TexasDroughtBrewery]

My prayers for your family, and what a beautiful baby grandpa!

 

[LAHammer]

Congratulations!!! What great news. He looks great!!!
More prayers on the way...

 

[SupervisingChildren]

Congrats!

 

[petey_c]

Congrats Glenn!

 

[passedpawn]

NEWS FLASH.....

Our newest grandson, Abel Bishop Frieling, was born at 748am this morning. He is 20.5 inches long and weighed in at 8 lb 12 oz! Hoohaa!!!

glenn514

Congrats. No doubt, the universe is unfolding as it should.

 

[gratus fermentatio]

Congratulations!
Regards, GF.

 

[unionrdr]

The boy looks like he's gonna have big hands! Or long fingers like Hendrix?...

 

[glenn514]

To add even more insanity to my life right now, I was robbed the night before last. This is a two-storey house, and my bedroom is upstairs. I had the door closed and a box fan running in front of the open window to keep the room cool. Well, some person or persons unknown found my spare key in my "hiding place" [won't use that place again!!!], and simply entered my house through the locked back door. They stole my laptop computer, charger and wireless mouse, Marie's purse and credit card purse, my wallet [with almost $300 in cash], my wedding ring [I took it off some time ago, because the gold split at the soldered seam], another stainless steel ring, and two watches...one of which worked just fine!

So, I spent most of yesterday chasing after credit cards, driver's licenses, and so on and so forth.

I can now breathe a breath of relief. A few minutes ago, I finished changing the lockset on the back door of the house.

Last night, it suddenly dawned on me that Marie's keys were clipped inside her purse. So, if the thief/thieves wanted to strike again, they would have had ready access. Thus, I left some lights on downstairs overnight.

Now, however, the key that used to work...no longer does! And I must admit that I awoke at a bit after 300am and walked downstairs, just to make sure everything was still here and no one had entered.

Now, I'll head up to shower and drive over to Hearthstone and check up on Marie.

glenn514

 

[Temptd2]

Ah man - I'm so sorry Glenn! That's a horrible thing at any time and especially to have piled on your plate with everything else you're dealing with.

Scary too, to realize someone was IN YOUR HOUSE while you were sleeping upstairs. Eeek.

 

[SharonaZamboni]

Sorry to hear about your stuff, and very glad that you weren't injured.

 

[glenn514]

Just came home a few minutes ago from a visit with Marie. She was awake and alert for my entire visit today, even though she was in bed. I spoke with day nurse Karen and with CNA Lisa, and nothing has changed much. I talked to Marie as much as I could, about both vitally important and not so important stuff!

Tomorrow, my intention is to attend early service at our church, visit with Marie after church and then head home. Hopefully, tomorrow I won't roll over one more time like I did last Sunday!

glenn514

 

[soccerdad]

Sorry to hear about the robbery. That sux.

 

[petey_c]

Sorry to hear you were robbed. Maybe you'll get lucky and your wedding ring will turn up at a local pawn shop.

 

[glenn514]

The replacement Chase credit and debit cards arrived this morning. So, new watch bought. New wallet bought. New laptop computer ordered. Credit reporting agencies contacted and a "fraud flag" has been placed on both my and Marie's social security numbers, which are used by the credit lending companies. Tomorrow, I will be off to get a replacement driver's license. Then, I can get a new Social Security card. For Marie, I will have to get a letter from her doctor declaring her unable to function and care for her own affairs. I can then apply for a new Social Security card as her "representative." I will bring that issue up in the meeting I have with staff on Thursday.

I did stop in and visit with Marie for about 30 minutes. She wanted to hold my hand almost the entire visit. I did read the devotion from the book Joy gave to her, and then I held her hand in both of mine and simply talked about my love for her. I miss her dearly.

glenn514

 

[beernbourbon]

that was awesome, though, that she wanted to hold your hand. That's a huge positive, amidst all the negative going on. She must have sensed you needed her presence.
Keep fighting the good fight. Prayers are still heading your way.

 

[Melana]

I did stop in and visit with Marie for about 30 minutes. She wanted to hold my hand almost the entire visit. I did read the devotion from the book Joy gave to her, and then I held her hand in both of mine and simply talked about my love for her. I miss her dearly.

glenn514

This made my eyes mist over. You're a fine man Glenn.

I know you miss her, she's the love of your life and it shows. It seems almost stupid now but I read this story on the FB and it made me think of you.
http://likes.com/g/13376515?utm_cam...=16kwqT5sgZpB6nN1dhy53RN41zR7930fOwamr&page=1

Nurse: "It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, when an elderly gentleman, in his 80's, presented to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I (nurse) took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

On exam it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation.

I Asked him if he had a doctor's appointment this morning somewhere else, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.

I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer Disease. As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound, I asked if she would be worried if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him. "And you are still going every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?" He smiled as he patted my hand and said. "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."

I had to hold back my tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life."

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will always be. No matter what the situation is, true love remains.

TRUE LOVE is forever, faithful & loyal.

 

[glenn514]

So, I got my replacement driver's license today. After gathering up a bunch of documents, and even stopping at the bank to retrieve my birth certificate from the safe deposit box, all I needed was a signed credit card! And when the clerk pulled up my information, and she saw that I did, indeed, resemble that dude in that photo...presto, I was in and out in under ten minutes, at NO charge!!!

Then, I went over to visit with Marie. The CNA's were just putting her back to bed after spending some time sitting in her chair. Karen, the day nurse, did mention that Marie had had too much "residual" which refers to the amount of nutrition remaining in her stomach. When she checked it while I was there, it was just fine. I'm sure they will keep an eye on it. I did read another devotion, and talked with Marie for a bit, but then she started going back to sleepy-land, so I headed down the road.

glenn514

 

[GHBWNY]

Glenn, I'm sorry for your circumstances. If it helps any, I was in a similar boat nearly 18 years ago after my late wife had gone into the hospital for the last time, the glioblastoma in her brain no longer treatable. By then, she wasn't responsive and was, for all practical purposes, on life support. We hoped and prayed for a miracle. At least a 'miracle' according to our limited knowledge of how, when and why God works the way He does. On the chalkboard across from the foot of her bed, I had written a saying I am sure you have heard: "Joy is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of God." Even in the midst of this, the greatest trial of my life, I had a peace in knowing that my wife, even though unresponsive and dying, also had a peace in knowing where she was headed. After being in the hospital for two and a half weeks, the door to eternity presented itself to her one night, and she stepped through.

I am so glad for you that for now, you and Marie can actually hold each other's hand and communicate to some extent. We didn't have that opportunity, but we didn't need it; everything we had needed to say, even though unspoken, was understood. I pray that Marie improves, but meanwhile, I am sure you are looking for and finding the daily blessings and miracles as they present themselves. We are all here only temporarily, and I hope your time together continues. As we both know, it's in God's hands.

Be blessed, brother, as you BOTH continue to bless us with reports of how God is working in both of your lives and those around you through --- and in spite of --- this set of unfortunate circumstances.

 

[glenn514]

At my meeting with two administrators of the skilled care facility Marie is currently in, I was not surprised. Medicare pays for 100 days of skilled care. Period. After 14 November 2015, when she will be discharged from Hearthstone Manor, my choices are limited. I cannot afford to have her become a "private pay" patient, so she will be coming home. Medicare DOES pay for the various furniture and items related to her care at home, along with payment for home health care visits. However, I do not feel comfortable leaving the house without someone else being here. That will be the trick...to find people to offer assistance so I can go grocery shop, or whatever else I need to do.

So, in a little over two weeks, Marie will be returned home [by ambulance, which I have to pay for] and the journey continues.

glenn514