Back to CCU

These pictures were taken the day Mom went into The Lutheran Home two weeks ago. She was doing so well. This past week end she became ill. Yesterday I finally had a discussion with the unit secretary and the charge/head nurse voicing the concerns of my family over her condition. They were all very nice and actually listened to me. Before long the nurse called the doctor and was told to call 911 to have Mom taken to the ER. I met the ambulance at the hospital. Kaden and I stayed with Mom until I had to leave to pick up Ashton from after school play practice and to get Brady from his work out session with a friend. At that point she was still in the ER. Before I had to leave, the doctor told me she is dealing with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. My niece Brooke called me later in the evening while I was at a church function to let me know Mom was placed in the critical care unit.
There's so much more to blog about, just not the time to do it! Each morning I do what chores can't wait around the house, then I'm off to Gettysburg to check on Mom and care for Dad. Some evenings I stay until 5:30, after I've gotten Dad his dinner, other days I have to leave earlier. My evenings at home are a rush with late dinners, clean up, homework, seven lunches to pack for the next day, laundry, etc. I'm grateful that I'm able to serve my parents in their time of need. Although Dad could probably get along without my help each day, I'm glad to be able to ease his burden, and hopefully bring him some comfort and support with my being there. Continued prayers on my parent's behalf are greatly appreciated.

The day has come

Today I am moving my mother into a nursing home... The Lutheran Home in Gettysburg. I'll be doing it myself. I will try to get Dad to go with me, but he is too ill with anxiety. We had him to the ER again yesterday... third time in nine days. We are not leaving him alone. I will be with him most of the day, except when transporting Mom, until my brother Tim arrives in the evening to spend the night at Dad's home. We are taking it day by day, not knowing what tomorrow will bring.

Sweet Sixteen!

Hey, look! I finally got pictures to load onto my blog!! I have been trying to post about Kassie's birthday for nearly a month. Kassie turned sweet sixteen on February 12th. She and Dale share the same birthday.There was no school the day after Kassie's birthday. The perfect day for celebrating with friends! I took Kassie and three of her friends to Brother's Pizza in McSherrystown. Yum! Great pizza!
Afterward they wanted to see Coraline in 3D. We had some time to kill before the movie started, so first we shopped for bargains at Kohl's. I had no desire to see the movie, so I dropped them off and did some more shopping. That's more my thing -- shopping for bargains!

The girls enjoyed their day out!

Kassie has no desire to drive, which I consider a blessing! I'm thinking Brady will be driving long before Kassie does!

Happy sweet sixteen Kassie-girl!

In short...

Mom is still in the hospital. Today is four weeks.
She is getting good at using a walker, but can't be without it.
She is unable to urinate.
Bedsore on her backside and one on the heel of her right foot.
Blood sugars too high one minute, too low the next.
Her hearing is still not what it was.
The swelling of her right leg has gone down!
She eats well, although she doesn't like what she's eating.
Her mind is sharp!
Memory good!
Although she doesn't like having her long hair hang down... she looks good!
They talk now of sending her home, not to a nursery home!

Dad worries that he is now in no condition to care for her.
He is suffering from severe restlessness, can't sleep at night, fatigue, dizziness, lack of concern, hopelessness, depression, anxiety and is having panic attacks.
He feels like he just can't go on.
I hear it in his voice and by the way he breathes when I talk to him.
They made changes to his medications, but it's still not right.
He had to quit his dream job. The job he dearly loved and will greatly miss.
He was to the doctor yesterday. I am taking him back this afternoon.

So many uncertainties.
We meet today with hospital staff.

I appreciate, and am thankful for continued prayers on behalf of my parents.