Well, hopefully this will be my last post from Mayo Clinic. We are "busting" Mom out of here tomorrow (Thursday.) She will be transferred by ambulance to Manistique Hospital in the swing bed program.
She is more alert today, but is very, very weak. For those of you who plan to visit, please be aware that Mom CANNOT have any thing to drink or eat--it could result in aspirating her food. Hopefully, as she becomes stronger, this may change.
Ron and I had a long talk with the doctor this afternoon. It's hard to believe that in this huge, busy hospital, a doctor would take time just to "talk." He is also the doctor that came up and sat with me the day mom had such a time after the feeding tube was inserted. Uncle Ron ended by inviting him and his wife to visit and stay in one of his cabins!
Hopefully, in a few weeks (months?) Mom will be strong enough to come back and have the surgery to repair the Zenker's pouch in her throat. Until that time, she will require 24-hour care.
So family, I am going to need you more than ever now. Mom/Grandma has ALWAYS been there for us. Now is the time she needs us. One or two people cannot handle this. I need everyone to give up a few days and stay with her--24 hours a day. She will only be able to stay in the swing bed for a few weeks--if that. As some of you know, the swing bed unit DOES NOT provide total care. It is a transition to home. We have to assist. She must get dressed each day, and into a nightgown each night. Physical and occupational therapy will be provided. If the family cannot - or will not - help, then she will have to go to a nursing home. You decide.
It would be great if one of you would volunteer to make a schedule for the rest of us. Someone who can keep track of who is going to visit. She could use someone to visit her in the hospital at least twice a day. You grandkids--I need you, too. A day or a weekend spent with Grandma would ease some of the rest of us. The doctor just said that the key to Mom getting stronger is to have family around. At this time, she can barely lift her arm. I'm confident that by the time she goes home, she will be much stronger.
I guess I'm being rather blunt. But, I know you all want facts--not fluff. I do need to go back to work. I'm sure my kids miss me (not...!)
The paper work is a nightmare, but Mom has always been there for me, also. I appreciate all your kind words of encouragement, and your appreciative notes; however, I love Mom as much as you do, so this has not been a burden at all. It is the least I can do. No, I have not been put out--although I must admit, I do miss my hubby...
Questions? Please call, e-mail, squirrel mail. I love my big family, and I am so proud of each and every one of you. Mom and Dad did a super job--and I think all 8 of us did a super job. Take a look at this next generation--they are also doing a tremendous job of raising this new "batch" of kids.
Many of the grandkids have e-mailed me and called Grandma. I will close with a copy of an e-mail I just got from Mark and Lisa's daughter, Jessica, to Grandma.
"Hi aunt Jane this is Jessica. I just wanted you to tell great Grandma that I hope she gets feeling better and that today I had a cross country meet and I got 7th place out of the girls and over all I got 17th. Tell her that I got those places for her and that I was thinking of her. I love her and you bye.
Love,
Jessica"
Love,
Mom/Aunt/Sister/Niece
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3 comments:
I just talked to my mom. They're on their way home. The ambulance is ahead of mom and Uncle Ron. Pray for G'ma's long, safe trip.
I just wanted everyone to know I seen mom yesterday (Sunday, Oct. 8). It was very hard to see mom in this condition! She was in a chair with her feet up, her eyes was closed, but she knew we were there. About the time I thought she was sleeping, she would crack a little comment. There is nothing wrong with her mind!!! The nurse got her up, to move her back to her bed, mom stood up, but she wouldn't move her feet, I had to tell her to try, since she's much shorter then me, I leaned over to look at her, her eyes was open, but when I asked her if she was scard of falling, she said yes. I let her know no one was going to let her fall, she was hanging onto her walker and there were two nurses and myself there. I finely had to tell her "come on mom, you can do it, move your feet" and she did. She made it to her bed, only 4 feet away. She didn't look comfortable, but wouldn't tell the nurse she was uncomfortable. Finely I just told her she needed to tell us, before the nurse left and she quietly said, "I can't be put on my left side", this was per the dr. orders and she knew that. So, like I said, her mind is great!! Her small body, is just not working well right now.
Prayers are needed to get her better. She could really use cards and pictures from all her kids, grandkids, and other family and friends!
If you visit mom, please talk to her, even if her eyes are closed. She CAN hear you and she will say something.
She CANNOT have anything to eat or drink, she knows this, but this is FYI (For Your Information).
If you have any questions, you can call me, I don't know lots, other then what I seen yesterday and I do have to say, it is sad.
I don't want to make anyone cry, because she wouldn't want that. Mom is a very strong person, she is our inspiration!!
If any of the "young grandkids" are reading this or for those who are, they can pass the word.
Every year grandmas yard has lots of leaves in the fall, this year maybe several of the young ones, who have good backs, unlike your old Aunts and Uncles, you can get together. Us old folks can cook and you'se young folks can rake.
You'se young folks can plan a day or a week end. (YES, you can even have fun and jump in the piles of leaves). We can take pictures and bring them to grandma, this would make her very happy, seeing her family all getting together to rake her yard. If just a couple Uncles can do this in a day or two, just think what the whole clan can do. :)
PLUS: We'll feed ya! Hee Hee!!
Well, I better go, I'm gonna see grandma tomorrow, hopefully she's a little (or a lot) stronger.
PRAYERS DO HELP! So please send as many as possible!
Our church had a special prayer for her yesterday, grandma likes the little Presbyterian Church in Gould City!
I believe this is the church she went to when she was younger.
Take care everyone, send me emails:
julie@mymidwestweb.com
JULIE
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