Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
11/27/08 Thursday Thanksgiving
Slept many hours last night beginning around 7pm. Took a sleeping pill at midnight. Feels good this morning. Put up Christmas Trees (3) ! Heated up left over BBQ from last night for lunch
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
11/26/08
Good visit with Dr Bullock and various issues addressed as well as tests asked for by surgeon. Will start taking B12 to address energy level. Out to Sonny's BBQ after I85 backed up for miles with an electronic sign saying "slow traffic for next 20 miles" discouraged us from Lexington BBQ. She felt fine all day, but was very tired all of a sudden as we left the restaurant.
11/26/08 Wed
After visit with Dr Bullock, decided to go to Lexington BBQ but traffic backup changed our mind and went to Sonny's BBQ on Tyvola. Had a good time but Linda got stuck in the bathroom. Click here for a funny description of the event.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
11/25/2008
Good day, best since birthday. Took extra sleeping medicine last night and woke feeling fine and in very good mood. Had PT at 8 Am and did well there. Seems stronger. Temperature ok. By 8:44 pm still doing well.
Monday, November 24, 2008
11/24/08
Had visit with Dr Asher today and he said Linda was doing ok or words to that effect. This was good news, although she has not felt good the last few days with several issues. Ooooops, Dr. Asher found a STAPLE that had not been removed and removed it today, that makes 53. Linda has complained about the right side of her head hurting, and no wonder, my goodness. Went out for lunch and enjoyed it. Does not feel well tonight. Temperature back to normal. Will see regular doctor Wednesday.
MRI (11:00)am and next visit with Dr. Asher (1:30pm) is Wednesday January 28, 2009
MRI (11:00)am and next visit with Dr. Asher (1:30pm) is Wednesday January 28, 2009
Saturday, November 22, 2008
2008.11.22
Temperature ok and around 99 tonight. Taking medicine still. Appetite so much less with no more steroids after 11/18/08. Did her exercises this morning. Slept a lot today.
Friday, November 21, 2008
2008.11.21
Linda had a temperature of 102 this morning. We talked with doctors. By afternoon at 100.5 and received medicine. By 5 pm down to 99.1 . Will see surgeon , Dr. Asher, on Monday 11:15 am. Will see regular doctor , Dr. Bullock, on Wednesday ay 1:30 I think.
Since we learned the Dewey book ends sadly, we read the epilogue to get the sad part over. We learn after Dewy died, the Librarian eventually retires with 25 years at the Library. The point of the book is about loving and caring, both ways. She thought she had just helped Dewey at first, and of course realizes that Dewey helped her and many people even more. We go back to Chapter 12 on Christmas next time.
Since we learned the Dewey book ends sadly, we read the epilogue to get the sad part over. We learn after Dewy died, the Librarian eventually retires with 25 years at the Library. The point of the book is about loving and caring, both ways. She thought she had just helped Dewey at first, and of course realizes that Dewey helped her and many people even more. We go back to Chapter 12 on Christmas next time.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
2008.11.20
2008.11.20 Thursday
I have noticed an increase in strength in last couple of days. Today she came up the stairs without my help except I promised I would help on last two (of the 14). It was so hard on her and she was almost crying and breaking my heart but she did it.
Today was hard for several reasons. She did not take sleeping medication last night and did not wake as refreshed as yesterday. Her eyesight was back to pre birthday status so I know there will be ups and downs. We had Occupational Therapy at 9 am and Physical Therapy at 10. The OT concentrated on memory things and she was having a hard time seeing so that made it hard to do well on the visual memory things. Performed better at remembering verbal commands.
We set up a schedule for three more weeks of PT and 2 of OT. We hope to have someone in OT next time with visual expertise.
Schedule: CMS Therapy Department 1100 Blythe
I have noticed an increase in strength in last couple of days. Today she came up the stairs without my help except I promised I would help on last two (of the 14). It was so hard on her and she was almost crying and breaking my heart but she did it.
Today was hard for several reasons. She did not take sleeping medication last night and did not wake as refreshed as yesterday. Her eyesight was back to pre birthday status so I know there will be ups and downs. We had Occupational Therapy at 9 am and Physical Therapy at 10. The OT concentrated on memory things and she was having a hard time seeing so that made it hard to do well on the visual memory things. Performed better at remembering verbal commands.
We set up a schedule for three more weeks of PT and 2 of OT. We hope to have someone in OT next time with visual expertise.
Schedule: CMS Therapy Department 1100 Blythe
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
2008.11.19
2008.11.19 Wednesday
Halleluiah, Linda woke on her birthday today, and for first time since operation ,could read the newspaper. Maybe the doctor was right, with "give it time." Vision not perfect of course but enough to get her excited. She did take a sleeping pill Tuesday night and one of best nights yet. (10am)
She spent most of the day in living room in and around the new lift chair. She thinks that is the best thing ever. A "funny" thing happened today as the neighbor in the condo below Linda called to ask if she had a lion in her condo. Linda said no, just two little cats. Don pointed to the chair control and Linda told the neighbor about the chair. ooops. It growls when it goes up and down. The neighbor said that it was ok. Nevertheless we will stop playing with the chair as much and be more careful about the sound. Don has been know to use it late at night . .
Vision stayed pretty good all day and she could read some of the captions on TV and tried the Computer with large fonts for a few minutes. Not ready yet for emailing.
Tonight we had a great birthday dinner at OutBack. She had been wanting steak for days and we got some good ones plus a fabulous blooming onion. We had told our waitress it was her birthday and we got the singing waiters routine which pleased her no end. She was in a great mood all day. Marlene is buying Linda a new wardrobe as the days pass and that is fun for her. She had several calls today and enjoyed the talks. Received birthday and get well cards today and enjoyed them. Thanks.
We did not get to reading Dewey today, but we learned it will have a sad ending. We agreed we wanted to keep going any way because there is so much joy along the way.
Today was last day on steroids. Monday she sees her surgeon for her one month follow up visit. She seemed twice as strong today as yesterday.
A very good birthday for Linda. Your prayers and support are working.
Halleluiah, Linda woke on her birthday today, and for first time since operation ,could read the newspaper. Maybe the doctor was right, with "give it time." Vision not perfect of course but enough to get her excited. She did take a sleeping pill Tuesday night and one of best nights yet. (10am)
She spent most of the day in living room in and around the new lift chair. She thinks that is the best thing ever. A "funny" thing happened today as the neighbor in the condo below Linda called to ask if she had a lion in her condo. Linda said no, just two little cats. Don pointed to the chair control and Linda told the neighbor about the chair. ooops. It growls when it goes up and down. The neighbor said that it was ok. Nevertheless we will stop playing with the chair as much and be more careful about the sound. Don has been know to use it late at night . .
Vision stayed pretty good all day and she could read some of the captions on TV and tried the Computer with large fonts for a few minutes. Not ready yet for emailing.
Tonight we had a great birthday dinner at OutBack. She had been wanting steak for days and we got some good ones plus a fabulous blooming onion. We had told our waitress it was her birthday and we got the singing waiters routine which pleased her no end. She was in a great mood all day. Marlene is buying Linda a new wardrobe as the days pass and that is fun for her. She had several calls today and enjoyed the talks. Received birthday and get well cards today and enjoyed them. Thanks.
We did not get to reading Dewey today, but we learned it will have a sad ending. We agreed we wanted to keep going any way because there is so much joy along the way.
Today was last day on steroids. Monday she sees her surgeon for her one month follow up visit. She seemed twice as strong today as yesterday.
A very good birthday for Linda. Your prayers and support are working.
Monday, November 17, 2008
2008.11.17
2008.11.17 Monday
Last week Linda enjoyed a visit by Susan Mobley (MPUMC Parish Nurse). Susan told Linda of a lounge chair the church had to loan and it was delivered Monday. Linda is so excited with it as her living room chairs were the wrong size for her needs. This one is automatic. Thanks Susan and Myers Park Methodist Church . .
The Dewy cat book, which I am reading to Linda, all of a sudden turned serious as we learned of the background and difficult life of the librarian. In high school she had aspirations of being a doctor and was told by the high school advisor she did not need to think about that and going to college, that she would just get married and raise a family. So she did. She married a wonderful young man who himself was not interested in college, but had a job with his father's construction company. He had a great personality and could charm anyone, including cudstomers. The Librarian began to notice, however, that any thing the husband did involed drinking. Watching football and drinking, hunting and dring, fishing and drinking, golf and drinking, eating and drinking, driving and drinking. He came home less and less. By then they had a child and another pregnancy which had complications and 6 surgeries. The husband seldom was home or helping with bills, lost his job, continued to drink. The marriage ended. She discovered their modest home and car were past due payments and there were debts all around.She eventually pulled herself together with the help of fasmily and frineds and earned a degree with high honors at age 32. Chaper 11 is next . .
Last week Linda enjoyed a visit by Susan Mobley (MPUMC Parish Nurse). Susan told Linda of a lounge chair the church had to loan and it was delivered Monday. Linda is so excited with it as her living room chairs were the wrong size for her needs. This one is automatic. Thanks Susan and Myers Park Methodist Church . .
The Dewy cat book, which I am reading to Linda, all of a sudden turned serious as we learned of the background and difficult life of the librarian. In high school she had aspirations of being a doctor and was told by the high school advisor she did not need to think about that and going to college, that she would just get married and raise a family. So she did. She married a wonderful young man who himself was not interested in college, but had a job with his father's construction company. He had a great personality and could charm anyone, including cudstomers. The Librarian began to notice, however, that any thing the husband did involed drinking. Watching football and drinking, hunting and dring, fishing and drinking, golf and drinking, eating and drinking, driving and drinking. He came home less and less. By then they had a child and another pregnancy which had complications and 6 surgeries. The husband seldom was home or helping with bills, lost his job, continued to drink. The marriage ended. She discovered their modest home and car were past due payments and there were debts all around.She eventually pulled herself together with the help of fasmily and frineds and earned a degree with high honors at age 32. Chaper 11 is next . .
Sunday, November 16, 2008
2008.11.16
2008.11.16 Sunday
Linda stayed by herself while don went to Church and Panther game and she did ok. The doctors/nurses said she needed 24 hour supervision origianlly but said ok now for her to stay alone some nights and day time. She is very weak and at PT today tested at 26 out of 52 which is low. Her knee is ok. Her eyesight is about the same, ie.,cloudy on sides and distorted. Some double vision remains.
Thanks to some friends who surprised her with a super mini birthday party tonight, bless you.
Linda slept well Sunday night with no sleeping pill. Needed a pill Monday night and slept well.
Linda stayed by herself while don went to Church and Panther game and she did ok. The doctors/nurses said she needed 24 hour supervision origianlly but said ok now for her to stay alone some nights and day time. She is very weak and at PT today tested at 26 out of 52 which is low. Her knee is ok. Her eyesight is about the same, ie.,cloudy on sides and distorted. Some double vision remains.
Thanks to some friends who surprised her with a super mini birthday party tonight, bless you.
Linda slept well Sunday night with no sleeping pill. Needed a pill Monday night and slept well.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
2008.11.15
2008.11.15 Saturday
Did her exercises at 9:30 to 10 and ok. Seems to feel better today as slept ok with sleeping pill.
We are reading a neat book called Dewey, about a cat, given to Linda by a librarian friend (called Kitty)who loves cats just as Linda. The cat looks like Milo and he lives in a library in the midwest. He charms the town - and Linda and me as I read the book to her. We are on chapter 9 of 34 . (dsr 11Am)
Did her exercises at 9:30 to 10 and ok. Seems to feel better today as slept ok with sleeping pill.
We are reading a neat book called Dewey, about a cat, given to Linda by a librarian friend (called Kitty)who loves cats just as Linda. The cat looks like Milo and he lives in a library in the midwest. He charms the town - and Linda and me as I read the book to her. We are on chapter 9 of 34 . (dsr 11Am)
Friday, November 14, 2008
2008.11.14
2008.11.14 Friday
Salmon dinner at Shomars
Last night was first night by herself and she made it though I think it was hard. She probably should have taken a sleeping pill, but fortunately she did not. I had given her what I thought was a sleeping medication to put near her bed in case she needed it, but I had given her another steroid pill by mistake thinking it was the sleeping pill - my bad. Any way, for some reason, she did not take the pill, or get much sleep.
She has cut the steroid dosage back and will be off it by 11/19/08. It has turned some muscle to fat and that has contributed to her being tired and weak I think. She has done well but she and we are concerned at the lack of energy, though we are told that is natural. Still eyesight issue. The exercises at the PT hospital, and at home when we get them in, are hard for her.
We ate out tonight this was the first outing, other than to hospitals, since the operation 10/24. Had Salmon and went in Shomar's without the walked. Still she is a trooper.
She appreciates your cards and they brighten her day. Thank you
Salmon dinner at Shomars
Last night was first night by herself and she made it though I think it was hard. She probably should have taken a sleeping pill, but fortunately she did not. I had given her what I thought was a sleeping medication to put near her bed in case she needed it, but I had given her another steroid pill by mistake thinking it was the sleeping pill - my bad. Any way, for some reason, she did not take the pill, or get much sleep.
She has cut the steroid dosage back and will be off it by 11/19/08. It has turned some muscle to fat and that has contributed to her being tired and weak I think. She has done well but she and we are concerned at the lack of energy, though we are told that is natural. Still eyesight issue. The exercises at the PT hospital, and at home when we get them in, are hard for her.
We ate out tonight this was the first outing, other than to hospitals, since the operation 10/24. Had Salmon and went in Shomar's without the walked. Still she is a trooper.
She appreciates your cards and they brighten her day. Thank you
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
2008.11.12
2008.11.12 Wednesday.
Sleep is hard , probably from steroids. As prescribed, gradually cutting down steroids and will be off by her birthday on 11/19/08. Very tired and PT exercises are tiring which she does days between PT appointments on Tuesday and Thursdays.
Staying in bed is tiring. Getting up is tiring. Slept from about 9:30pm to midnight last night and then awake til breakfast at 7:00am. Needs more sleep but can't. Knee is about ok with lots of ice. She probably strained it getting out of chairs the wrong way as that is hard for her if low.
Thanks for all the wonderful cards, calss, and visits - and food, what a blessing.
Sleep is hard , probably from steroids. As prescribed, gradually cutting down steroids and will be off by her birthday on 11/19/08. Very tired and PT exercises are tiring which she does days between PT appointments on Tuesday and Thursdays.
Staying in bed is tiring. Getting up is tiring. Slept from about 9:30pm to midnight last night and then awake til breakfast at 7:00am. Needs more sleep but can't. Knee is about ok with lots of ice. She probably strained it getting out of chairs the wrong way as that is hard for her if low.
Thanks for all the wonderful cards, calss, and visits - and food, what a blessing.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
2008.11.11
2008.11.11 Tuesday.
Second PT session today. Knee is better. Vison still an issue and left eye worse than right.
(Bertha's husband, John Gerald Jr, passed away peacefully around 5:30 pm Thursday November 06. Bertha's address is Bertha Gerald 3400 Crenshaw St Charlotte NC 28216. Their son is minister of the church she attends. His information is JOHN GLENN GERALD, III PASTOR, GETHSEMANE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 2670 DR. CARVER ROAD, CHARLOTTE NC 28207 (704) 376-4797. The funeral is Wednesday Novembber 11, 2008 at 1pm at the church. Visatation is at the church from 12 to 1. Online condolences may be sent to the funeral home at www.aljinwrightfuneralservice.com.
Here is a link to the article in Tuesday's 11/11/ paper
http://www.legacy.com/Charlotte/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=120045477 )
Second PT session today. Knee is better. Vison still an issue and left eye worse than right.
(Bertha's husband, John Gerald Jr, passed away peacefully around 5:30 pm Thursday November 06. Bertha's address is Bertha Gerald 3400 Crenshaw St Charlotte NC 28216. Their son is minister of the church she attends. His information is JOHN GLENN GERALD, III PASTOR, GETHSEMANE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 2670 DR. CARVER ROAD, CHARLOTTE NC 28207 (704) 376-4797. The funeral is Wednesday Novembber 11, 2008 at 1pm at the church. Visatation is at the church from 12 to 1. Online condolences may be sent to the funeral home at www.aljinwrightfuneralservice.com.
Here is a link to the article in Tuesday's 11/11/ paper
http://www.legacy.com/Charlotte/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=120045477 )
Sunday, November 9, 2008
2008.11.09
2008.11.09 Sunday
Linda ok/about same, except had a bad knee problem for 24 hours that is now much better. Walking some without walker in house.
Linda ok/about same, except had a bad knee problem for 24 hours that is now much better. Walking some without walker in house.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
2008.11.06
2008.11.06 Thursday
Linda is doing well, went to first of 6 weeks of therapy today, but her eyesight is still an issue. They say give it a couple of weeks so we are hopeful.
Linda is doing well, went to first of 6 weeks of therapy today, but her eyesight is still an issue. They say give it a couple of weeks so we are hopeful.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
2008.11.05
2008.11.05 Wednesday(50) Staples removed. What a trooper Linda is as she breezed through it.
2008.11.05
2008.11.05 Wednesday
(50) Staples removed. What a trooper Linda is as she breezed through it.
(50) Staples removed. What a trooper Linda is as she breezed through it.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
2008.11.01
2008.11.01
This is probably the last daily update in this series, though I will add brief notes as days go by
Linda is home, doing well (except for eyes), resting, walking a little, happy, thankful, tired.
Sad news> Our friend Bertha's husband is on life support and tough decision to be made Monday. Bertha has been my friend and helper for 30 years and I am so sorry. Bertha has helped Linda for about 10 years, and she even came today to Linda's to help her some. Bless her. Bertha was so thankful for the card sent by one of you dear folks.
This is probably the last daily update in this series, though I will add brief notes as days go by
Linda is home, doing well (except for eyes), resting, walking a little, happy, thankful, tired.
Sad news> Our friend Bertha's husband is on life support and tough decision to be made Monday. Bertha has been my friend and helper for 30 years and I am so sorry. Bertha has helped Linda for about 10 years, and she even came today to Linda's to help her some. Bless her. Bertha was so thankful for the card sent by one of you dear folks.
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