Where to start. I had a great visit with Mom yesterday and plan to go visit her tomorrow (Sunday) again when Karen and I go shop for a new refrigerator.
Back to our favorite girl. She was doing some wailing when I got there and seemed focused on being sad, so I took her for a walk and helped her focus on sights and sounds around her. The littlest of whimpers required focusing on a new object or person. After a slow and tactical walk her mood improved tremendously and we had a nice visit. This was followed by her telling me her butt hurt from sitting too long. A simple request for a transfer to her bed relieved the pain. I changed her radio to some soft country music relaxed her even more and she slipped off into a quick nap. I always knew she was a country girl. This gave me an opportunity to run to Safeway for supplies. Some pop, beer (for Pat’s visit), M&Ms, nuts, an orange and olives for lunch, and a chocolate milk for mom. Upon return I was delighted to have been joined by Dick and birthday girl Jolene. Mom was awake and smiling. Jolene, what is your secret? Jolene took her to lunch which was followed by some enjoyable conversation. Lyn already shared the Queen story, which Mom really enjoyed. A great day and wonderful visit. On your next visit use the distraction technique to get her thinking about the beauty life has to offer. Don’t let a few tears get you down.
February 11th 2011 Announcement: Mom's the Queen of Everything!
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Fairway Springs
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No pictures to include but I received two texts from Jolene and Jim just minutes apart... Jolene: Had a wonderful visit with Gma. She was very communicative and happy. Jim had her in a good mood before we got there. :) She was snoozing when we walked in... then she opened her eyes and said, "Jolene!" She ate lunch pretty well. I told her she was the queen and she said, "WEll, we better make an announcement." HaHa. We played the messages on the answering machine from Pat and Bill.
Jimmy: Everything in the frig is fresh at Mom's place. Help yourself! She stopped crying when I took her for a walk and made her look at things. Also candy is in the night stand. Olives are tasty and from Safeway.
Jimmy: Everything in the frig is fresh at Mom's place. Help yourself! She stopped crying when I took her for a walk and made her look at things. Also candy is in the night stand. Olives are tasty and from Safeway.
WEEK IN REVIEW... Jan 12th - 20th Winks and other Wonderful Things...
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Fairway Springs
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It sounds like this has for the most part been a good week for Mom. She greeted Ryan one day this week with "Hello, Ryan." She also asked about Pat... and Greg, one of the aides who is taking pictures of her, said that she winked at him one evening and it has been a while since that has happened. He sent me a 30 second video that is linked below... It is so precious - be sure and open it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vld_gkpQz4
and this is a picture taken the same evening:
In other happenings, Mary is filling out papers for Hospice so Mom will be able to get some extra services, Barb and Ryan are visiting at least 5 times a week between them and Kirsten is getting there a couple more times. Barb has been so good at calling from Moms and this last week it has been pretty special as she has been more verbal or 'with it.' Barb mentioned that she happened to call Bill the night before he left and he said it was the best present he could ever had have... The messages left on her phone and the precious letters are so appreciated. Thank you all from Grandma!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vld_gkpQz4
and this is a picture taken the same evening:
In other happenings, Mary is filling out papers for Hospice so Mom will be able to get some extra services, Barb and Ryan are visiting at least 5 times a week between them and Kirsten is getting there a couple more times. Barb has been so good at calling from Moms and this last week it has been pretty special as she has been more verbal or 'with it.' Barb mentioned that she happened to call Bill the night before he left and he said it was the best present he could ever had have... The messages left on her phone and the precious letters are so appreciated. Thank you all from Grandma!
Phone Conference with Dr. Dentler
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Fairway Springs
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Pat and I talked with Dr. Dentler last week to just do an update on Mom. He said that she is doing o.k. but there is definitely a change in the lady that he could converse with a few months ago. He said now he is not sure she knows who he is when he goes in to talk with her... but she has seemed happy and somewhat content the last few days. We asked about the request for Hospice additional services. (mentioned in previous post). He and Pat talked about what might be appropriate...Dr. Dentler stated that there is no need for help with medication or bathing etc., as those services are provided at Riverview... Pat mentioned that Hospice had suggested that college intern/aides and some additional nursing care might be beneficial as Mom seems to do best when someone is around...when she has company. Dr. Dentler agreed and said he would start the referral process. He said that while death is not imminent, Mom is definitely showing signs of moving through the stages of dying, i.e., refusing food, losing weight.
The last few days have seen some great times... Barb called once and both myself and Pat talked to Mom separately and she somewhat conversed... I said, "Hello, Ann, How are you? I love you so much!" She responded with "I also smell really good." :) Barb and I both laughed...but it was so very nice to hear her talking! Tonight Kirsten called and Pat talked a bit but her responses were not really intelligible. She was a bit teary.
When I talked to Barb that day she said that Mom really has had some good times. She really responded to letters from Susie and Terry that Barb read to her. Susie and Terry both talked about memories of doing things with Grandma on the farm... Thank you so much for sending those letters!
Just fyi...Pat just booked a ticket to come home to visit Mom in later February...
The last few days have seen some great times... Barb called once and both myself and Pat talked to Mom separately and she somewhat conversed... I said, "Hello, Ann, How are you? I love you so much!" She responded with "I also smell really good." :) Barb and I both laughed...but it was so very nice to hear her talking! Tonight Kirsten called and Pat talked a bit but her responses were not really intelligible. She was a bit teary.
When I talked to Barb that day she said that Mom really has had some good times. She really responded to letters from Susie and Terry that Barb read to her. Susie and Terry both talked about memories of doing things with Grandma on the farm... Thank you so much for sending those letters!
Just fyi...Pat just booked a ticket to come home to visit Mom in later February...
GRANDMA USHERS IN THE NEW YEAR PEACEFULLY... and with her favorite bear...
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Fairway Springs
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Before we left Spokane, I asked Greg, one of favorite aides at Riverview, to send a pic of Grandma whenever it was convenient. (I noticed he had an Iphone and so I knew he could do it easily.) He just sent the first picture and it is so precious of Grandma - especially with his comment which I pasted below the pic:
"I checked on her for last rounds and this the way I found her....she loves that bear.." Greg
So this meant that right before midnight Grandma was sleeping peacefully even though she knew that many of her children and most of her grandchildren were out rollicking and partying to bring in the New Year. This is probably a first New Year where Grandma was not worrying about her family. Hopefully this will be a pattern - of Mom becoming more and more peaceful.
Barb and Kirsten and the Cerrillos have been keeping Mom company (and very well other Ericksons - ) She seems to be holding her own. We have a conference call with Dr. Dentler this coming week to discuss Hospice. From an earlier conversation he had with Barb, we are guessing he is saying that he does not think that she is eligible for services from Hospice at this time. We were hoping that we could access some of the visits to just help lessen the time she is alone. We will learn more this Wednesday and update all. God Bless and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
"I checked on her for last rounds and this the way I found her....she loves that bear.." Greg
So this meant that right before midnight Grandma was sleeping peacefully even though she knew that many of her children and most of her grandchildren were out rollicking and partying to bring in the New Year. This is probably a first New Year where Grandma was not worrying about her family. Hopefully this will be a pattern - of Mom becoming more and more peaceful.
Barb and Kirsten and the Cerrillos have been keeping Mom company (and very well other Ericksons - ) She seems to be holding her own. We have a conference call with Dr. Dentler this coming week to discuss Hospice. From an earlier conversation he had with Barb, we are guessing he is saying that he does not think that she is eligible for services from Hospice at this time. We were hoping that we could access some of the visits to just help lessen the time she is alone. We will learn more this Wednesday and update all. God Bless and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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