A Celebration, Fifty Years in the Making!

My mother passed away 13 days before her fiftieth wedding anniversary. Oh, so close. Even without Mom being there, we decided there was still much to celebrate. My parents were together more than fifty years, have four children and fourteen grandchildren. We gathered on the day of their anniversary, August 2nd, at my brother Dave's house. We were each to bring some of our favorite recipes that had been handed down from Mom. She was known among family, extended family, church family and friends as being an awesome cook and baker. After the meal we played games, one of them included Mom. I think it was called "Imagine If", or something along those lines. For part of the game we were talking about, "Imagine if Nana..." It was fun reminiscing, laughing, celebrating the union of my parents.Dad with my three brothers. Dave, open your eyes!!
When we attended family reunions, everyone expected Mom's ham potpie. Brenda (Dave's wife) made that and Mom's famous sticky buns.

I just had to make O'Henry bars, a favorite of my children.

Sticky buns... sorry Brenda, not quite like Mom's, but close! No one ever seems to be able to match what Mom could do when it comes to her sticky buns.

Maria (Tim's wife) made Mom's chocolate eclair cake. My nephew CJ calls it "clairity cake", so we now have a new name for an old family favorite.

I also made Mom's zucchini bread recipe.

I can still remember years ago when I asked Mom how she made her cucumber and onion slaw.

When Dale first tasted Mom's pickled red beets, he was hooked. Any time we would see them served at a picnic or in a restaurant Dale would have to have some. He was always disappointed. After tasting someone else's red beets for the last time he declared, "I'm never eating another pickled red beet unless your mother made them!" Dale has eaten other red beets since, ones we made using Mom's recipe!

Ahh... Mom's dill pickles. It doesn't get any better. She gave me that recipe too! Brady loved Mom's pickles so much he used to ask for them for his birthday! One time Mom gave us a jar for no reason. There were only eight people in our family at the time, and there were eight pickles in the jar. After each of us had our pickle the kids started yelling, "I get the garlic! I claim the onion!" Once that was eaten the kids started grabbing for the dill sprig and grape leaf. Finally, there sat the jar completely empty except for the pickle juice. You guessed it... we passed the jar around the table and drank that too!! Now that's a good dill pickle!!

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.

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.

Another update

My mother is still in the hospital with no release date in mind. There is now talk of moving her into a nursing home. She looks good, has good color, has a sound mind, good memory and is eating well. She is still unable to walk and now unable to urinate as well. Kaden and I were with her this past Thursday morning during one of her therapy sessions. She and three other ladies were playing bingo. During the game they were required to stand. Mom stood for six minutes before sitting down to rest, which I thought was remarkable! There were small prizes for the bingo winners. I just knew that if Mom won she would pick something out for Kaden. Sure enough, after calling "bingo!", Mom picked a toy for Kaden. It's a small wind-up stuffed bunny, and Kaden LOVES it! He doesn't like anyone else touching his bunny and often talks to it and handles it as if it were real!

My father is having issues of his own. He hasn't slept well in weeks and is in constant worry over my mother. The anxiety is sometimes overwhelming. He needs prayers as much as Mom does.

We are going day by day, not knowing what lies ahead. We do know that Heavenly Father is with us as our faith is tested and as we try to except His will, whatever that may be.