update

FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012

update

Dear Friends,

I have turned a corner, health-wise. I am feeling more energetic. I am doing outpatient physical therapy and that is helping me with balance, stamina, and walking. I may walk funny for the rest of my life because of neuropathy in my feet, but so be it.

I have interviewed at two retirement/long-term care places. I am trying to be upbeat, but the thought of moving is daunting. I hate to leave the home that I love. I feel too young to be housed with the old people (everyone says this, no matter their age), But as I have heard "moving to a retirement/care facility is a gift you give to your children." In my case it would be a gift to friends as well. How many times can you bring me meals? I think I have worn out my recovery welcome card. I will keep you posted.

Kate and family left on Sunday. The house is so quiet. I love having my grandchildren in my home and I miss them. I plan to go to Australia again at Christmas time, but that seems so far away.

Here are pictures of Kate and Meg as well as Olive, Keela, Hugh and Murray on the day they departed. Oh, Meg is still here.  

Love to all,

Diane

update

FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012

update

Dear Friends,
I have turned a corner, health-wise. I am feeling more energetic. I am doing outpatient physical therapy and that is helping me with balance, stamina, and walking. I may walk funny for the rest of my life because of neuropathy in my feet, but so be it.

I have interviewed at two retirement/long-term care places. I am trying to be upbeat, but the thought of moving is daunting. I hate to leave the home that I love. I feel too young to be housed with the old people (everyone says this, no matter their age), But as I have heard "moving to a retirement/care facility is a gift you give to your children." In my case it would be a gift to friends as well. How many times can you bring me meals? I think I have worn out my recovery welcome card. I will keep you posted.

Kate and family left on Sunday. The house is so quiet. I love having my grandchildren in my home and I miss them. I plan to go to Australia again at Christmas time, but that seems so far away.

Here are pictures of Kate and Meg as well as Olive, Keela, Hugh and Murray on the day they departed. Oh, Meg is still here. The photos are out of order, but that is the best that I can do!

Love to all,
Diane

Dear Friends,
Sorry that I left you hanging after my hospitalization and release 24 hours after admission. I have been recovering well since then, but as you all must know recovery is not 100% in the positive direction. I have good days and not so good days, but in general the direction is positive. I have been occupied with Kate and her family since they arrived on March 16. She and Murray have 3 wonderful children. Olive, age 6, and Keela, age 3, are easy to be with. They communicate well. They love to do art projects. They are fun. Hugh, age 1, is everywhere at once. He is walking at a rapid clip. He is into everything. Everything. If it is not nailed down, it is on the floor or placed in some mystery spot for us to find. He is adorable, but a handful.

Kate and Murray have been cleaning my garage and my storage areas. I have learned to say, "give it to Goodwill," without thinking twice. Amazing how much we accumulate and how much we do not need in the long run. I am thinking of moving to a retirement home/long-term care facility. Problem is - they are expensive and there are waiting lists.

Since I have been largely bedridden, I do not have a lot of outside news to report. In the last two weeks I have been able to get around better and am allowed to drive. I don't go far, but being able to drive makes me less dependent. I am blessed that so many friends have brought me meals and visited with me. And having Kate's family has been a joy. I am lonesome with an empty house. Meg is still here, but is wearying of the job of caregiver. Both girls are spending some time with their father and he is able to enjoy the little ones.

Here is a photo of Kate and family... all blonds with blue eyes.

That is about it for now. Wishing you all the best.
Love,
Diane

Hello all,
Diane here. For about 4 days I had been weak and dizzy. On Wednesday afternoon (3/7) I could barely get out of bed. Meg took my temperature which was about 100.9 degrees and called the clinic. The doctors advised her to bring me in to Urgent Care. I did not want anything to be wrong with me and hesitated for a short time. Both Meg and Vicky (by phone) convinced me not to be so stupid. Meg drove me to Urgent Care where the doctor found that my blood pressure was dangerously low. Actually that may have been a false reading, but I was definitely in trouble. He called the paramedics who came rushing in in their great uniforms. They transferred me to the gurney and rushed me to the hospital emergency room. I spent the next 24 hours in the hospital. The doctors found that I had a urinary tract infection and that I was dehydrated. They took care of both problems and sent me home. I might say that I have lost my enthusiasm for being ill, but I will not be foolish. I am drinking lots of water and taking the antibiotics. Soon I will be well.

Kate's sister in law knitted me a cute scarf and I am enjoying its coziness and warmth. I am often colder than others in my household. All for now. I know that my next writings will be full of great health news.

Mom is home!!!Vicky and I went against medical advice to bring her home from the nursing home where she was not getting better. You can see that she is still getting oxygen, but that's not a worry. She was able to walk into the house from the back door after Vicky and I pushed her up the hill in a wheel chair. On a sidenote, Vicky is actually stronger than I am : ( .
      We have a CNA spending full days with her at the house while I'm at work, as well as physical therapist visits.
      She had a wonderful picnic with her old friend Judy today. Bruce is here now : ) I've rented some movies. It's a happy day for the cats.
     xoxoxo, meg

phew. Meg here. It's quite a relief to have mom in a rehab nursing facility and out of the hospital. It also means that she can have visitors now! You can call her directly in her private room at 408 524 5661 and she will let you know if it is a good time to visit. Her spirits are so up thanks to the pain control. I'm back at work teaching, which is just a little exhausting but a nice distraction. Thanks for all your supportive words : ) Picture soon!

Big improvement

Big improvement in Diane's condition today!  Her pain is under control, which allowed for a good session with the physical therapist.  She'll probably be going to a rehab center from the hospital. We're waiting to hear from the doctors when she will be discharged from the hospital.