Finally a new post!

Hi dear friends and family! We hope all of you had a safe and happy Thanksgiving! We are so thankful for all of your prayers and well wishes for Dad and Mom!

As you know, Dad has been home since November 2nd. He and Mom are SO HAPPY he is there!!! There is truly no place like home! We are making a caretaker change effective Monday. Sarah will be moving to another assignment and a new person, Kimberly, will start tomorrow at 3:00. Brina will continue to be the weekend caretaker. I pray the transition will be a smooth one. Kimberly's personality is described to be more like Brian's, calm, quiet and caring. That works well for Mom and Dad!

I will be at the house tomorrow when Kimberly arrives to meet her and help her get settled in. My plan is to sit down with Mom and Kimberly and set up a daily schedule of chores to help Mom and activities with Dad. Mom is still adjusting to letting go of some of the house duties, after all, she's been doing it her way the 63 years that she and Dad have been married!!! A schedule will help Kimberly be independent of asking Mom what she wants done, she justs needs to allow Mom to show her how she likes it done! We're all pretty set in our ways!!!

Dad continues to work very hard to get his right leg strong and to regain the use of his right arm and hand. Physical, occupational and speech therapists are still coming three times a week. He does make sounds with his voice, so we are optimistic that one of these days he's going to spontaneously start talking!

It's amazing how much we all miss his words and the sound of his voice. At our family get-togethers Dad always said a prayer and then we all said the blessing before our meal. We were so blessed and grateful that Mom and Dad were with us at Jean and Jimmie's house for Thanksgiving, but it was different not having Dad lead us in prayer. He did enjoy being amidst all the activities of the day and watching all of their kids, grandkids and great-grandkids!

Mom, Dad, Danny and I were out on Jean's front porch talking about Kimberly starting on Monday. Dad pointed to me and wanted me to tell Mom something. I quickly figured out that he wanted me to tell her that she is working too hard and that she must allow the caretakers to take on more of the load. Danny and I did gently talk a lot to Mom about that! And, that is precisely why I will be there Monday when Kimberly arrives!

Later in the day on Thanksgiving, some of the boys took Dad for a ride around the ranch in Jimmie's Kabota. Dad thrives on being outside and feeling independent.

I'll write more soon! My love to all! Sandi

Great Day!

My best friends of over 30 years, Kim and Cindy, went with me to go visit Mom and Dad today! Kim and I have been friends since we were juniors in high school (1972) and Cindy and I worked in the same building in 1975 and have been friends ever since! Mom and Dad have always been kind of like second parents to them! They were thrilled to see them and we laughed and reminisced and told old stories! We girls cooked lunch and that was a treat too!

Dad said another spontaneous "no" this week and, with her coaching, mouthed the word "bye" to the speech therapist before she left just before lunch today! More positive progress! The occupational therapist was there when we left and continues working with Dad's right arm and hand. Dad's strength in his left leg is now strong enough to stand up with very little and sometimes no help and he can finagle his way to the wheel chair from the bed or chair with just a little bit of help. That is very encouraging! Soon Dad will be able to get from the bed or chair into the wheel chair only needing someone there just to ensure he doesn't get off balance.

Kim Stephens popped in after we had left. Dad was watching television and didn't hear her come in. When he saw her, he clearly said "Hi" to her!!! WOW!!! What a gift to her!!! His brain is healing and we are convinced that some day he will be able to speak to us!

Thanks so much to all of you who are visiting Mom and Dad! It sure does brighten their days!

With love, Sandi

2 Weeks!

Good morning! Dad has now been home for two weeks! Actually, I thought it had been 3, but I was wrong...he went home on the 2nd. When I was there last, it just felt like he'd been there longer! I got a call from Mom yesterday which was a treat for me! I used to talk to her almost every day, but it's been a little tough getting her to sit still and talk to me! She is very busy with Dad or cooking most of the time these days! She's going to wear out if we don't get her to change the current routine. It's been tough to get her to let go and allow Sarah to do the laundry, etc. I gently talked to her about that!!!

I am going to visit them tomorrow and take some low-sodium recipes for Sarah to cook for them. I want to encourage Mom and Dad to give her another chance with her cooking. It will also help with making a grocery list directly from the recipes. I want to show them that low-sodium doesn't have to mean low flavor!!! My plan is to make them a tasty lunch...grilled pork tenderloin with lots of seasonings (but no salt), spinach casserole with low-sodium cream of mushroom soup, sliced mushrooms and artichoke hearts in it and some steamed red potatoes. It may not be 100% healthy, but they're not that bad either! All three things are incredibly easy to make and I think they'll see that they also have a lot of flavor! It is important to me to get Mom and Dad to give Sarah another chance to plan the menus and cook for them That will take a LOT of weight off Mom's shoulders!

Mom said Dad and his weekend care taker, Brian, spent a lot of time playing gin. She said Dad beats him a lot, which makes Dad happy!!! It's calmer when Brian is there. I believe a lot of that is because Brian isn't as much of a talker as is Sarah and because it's the weekend. Things just naturally seem calmer on the weekends for Mom and Dad!

Dad had both physical and occupational therapy on Monday. The speech therapist came but Mom sent her home because she told Mom she was nauseated. Mom didn't want to take any chances with getting Dad sick! Way to go Mom!

I'll update after my visit on Wednesday!

Our most gracious and attentive Lord, help us to remember that you move in your time, knowing as only you know the perfect time and the perfect way to answer our prayers. Amen

Things are going well!

I made a quick trip out to see Mom and Dad today! Danny and Ollie came from the deer camp for a little while and visited too! Dad was very happy to see all of us! Dad looked great when I got there...he doesn't look "sick" any more. His color is good and his mood seemed happy and positive.

One thing Dad really likes to do is sit in his wheelchair out on the porches. He loves being home and looking out over their property. Danny and Ollie took Dad out for a ride in the golf cart again. They sat on either side of Dad and he drove them out to the "cow palace" and around the place a bit.

Mom and Sarah seem to have settled into somewhat of a routine, and their days are pretty busy with 3 different therapists there 3 times a week. I tried to call Mom 3 different times during the week and each time she was too busy to talk. I spent a little time today reminding her to let Sarah do as much as possible and encouraged her to set up a schedule of daily chores so Sarah doesn't have to always ask her if there's something she can be doing for her. I plan to go out there again early next week and spend more time with Mom on that. I also want to work with Mom on easy, tasty things that they can fix for lunch and supper. Before Dad's stroke, Mom wasn't cooking very much any more, and now she is having to plan 3 meals a day. It's a pretty big chore for any of us, but especially someone who had kind of given up on cooking and is back in the throws of it full-time! Dad's blood pressure has been a little on the high side, so Mom also has to consider his salt intake, just to make cooking a little tougher!!!

The physical therapist had been at the house earlier this morning (for his 3rd and last visit this week) and is working on Dad's legs...strengthening the left leg in getting up and down, using the walker, etc., and with the right leg rehabilitating those muscles. After lunch, Bill, the occupational therapist came, so I was able to meet him and watch him work with Dad. He explained to me that he does Dad's arm and the physical therapist is in charge of the legs. Bill spent an hour exercising Dad's right arm, shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand. He used a rectangular board, laid a piece of 8 x 10 paper on the board and then laid Dad's forearm and hand on it. The paper is to assist his hand in moving so it doesn't get stuck on the board. He would then have Dad move his arm and hand laterally, forward, backward, etc. There is now some movement in the arm from the shoulder and Dad can very, very slightly slide his hand forward and sideways on the board. Like I keep saying, it's going to be one hurdle at a time, but at least there is positive progress!

Dad's left leg is so much stronger and he sits and stands with much greater ease. HE can lift his right leg about 6 inches. In transporting, Dad is always in the wheelchair. The physical therapist works with the use of the walker, but until Dad gains more control of his right leg, he can't really get around with the walker just yet.

If you think you are beaten, you are. If you think you dare not, you don’t. If you’d like to win but think you can’t it’s almost certain you won’t. Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man, but sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.

My love to all of you! Sandi

Thank you, Leslie and Joaquin!

This from Leslie...Joaquin and I put a deer feeder behind the house so Harvey could see some deer hopefully. Thursday I asked Harv if he was working his leg enough so that he could start walking again soon and he made a face like he was trying really hard and lifted his right foot six inches off the ground!!

What a day!

Mom and Dad had a house-full of family today! Glenda, Clint and Mollie and Austin and I were there from about 10:15 until 3:30. Dad got very amused and laughed out loud because Clint had a few days' growth of beard on his face! Mom had shaved Dad this morning and teased Clint about giving him a shave! About an hour before we left, Dad's cousins Mary and Don Vollette from San Marcos and Barbara and Jim Haley from Lufkin came! Dad loved their company and it was so great seeing all of them! Visitors make his days pass by much more quickly!

Dad was a little quiet this morning but, after a good nap, he perked up a lot! He and Clint watched the UT football game (Hook 'Em!!!) and the rest of the time Dad was out on the porch visiting with all of us and watching Austin! A 3-year old can be pretty entertaining!!! Dad smiled a lot at Austin's antics! Every once in a while Austin would decide to run over and give his Papaw a big hug! Of course, Dad just hated that!!! Right!

Sarah seems to have adjusted well to her position and Brian, who arrived just before Austin and I headed back to town, will just as well I'm sure! Mother is very pleased! Friends of Mom and Dad's, Dorothy and Conway Taylor, gave Dad a big bell to ring when he needs something. For instance, when he woke up from his nap, that bell started ringing! It has really come in handy! Who'd have thought?! I can sure tell you that when Dad rings that bell, Sarah comes running!

Dad is working hard on trying to communicate with us! It's kind of like a game of charrades trying to figure out what he wants to tell us...sometimes we get it and sometimes we don't. We're getting pretty good though! I had forgotten to tell you that Danny and Ollie put Dad in front of his computer Friday and he was able to type his full name! If we can get Dad using the computer it sure will be a huge step in progress and it will give him something to do! He used to love to sit in his office and play Free Cell and Solitaire-type games. He'll get there!!!

Dad does read the newspaper and can read a card or something like that. The speech therapist is very, very pleased and amazed that Dad can read! That is a very good sign! Regarding his speech, she explained to Mom and Sarah that the part of the brain that was affected by the stroke also controls his mouth. When the therapist asks Dad to say a word, he may stick his tongue out instead. She said that Dad may think he's saying the word but his mouth isn't getting the command correctly from his brain. All in due time. It's like a bruise healing...it's just going to take time, patience and prayer!

I hope the rest of your weekend is happy and blessed!

Albert Einstein: Good Life Quotes
There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.

It was a good Friday!

Dad finally had a visit from the speech and occupational therapists today! Hooray! The physical therapist evaluated Dad yesterday and will being working with him next week. He is supposed to see each therapist 3 times per week for at least an hour.

This is opening weekend of deer season and Danny and Ollie's hunting lease is near Marble Falls. After meeting at their deer camp this morning, Danny and Ollie paid Mom and Dad a visit this afternoon! They got to meet the speech therapist and watch her (?) work with Dad. Afterward, the guys helped Dad get into the golf cart and Dad drove it all over their property! Yes, I said DAD DROVE!!! Danny sat on one side of Dad and Ollie on the other and had him steer with his left hand and use his left foot for the gas pedal!!! They said that Dad really loved that! Can you imagine his feeling of independence?! That's the best kind of therapy Dad can get!!!

Dad also tried three different times to say something to Ollie and Danny! He actually tried to use his voice, which is a huge step in progress!!! We have faith that he will regain the use of his right side and his speech!

"...I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

First few days...

Dad seems totally contented to be home! Mother says Sarah is working out great!

We are disappointed in the home health company, Hill Country Health, who is supposed to be providing Dad his therapy. They were supposed to show up Tuesday to evaluate Dad and start therapy on Wednesday. Well...they showed up finally Thursday and are starting therapy today. Grrr...very frustrating. We're keeping a close eye on them and are prepared to move to another company if they don't shape up quickly!

If any readers of the blog live in the Marble Falls area and have had good care from home health therapists, please contact Sandi or Jean. There are several good private therapists in that area, but Mom and Sarah would have to transport Dad there. We are looking for therapists who can go to Dad at the house and who are covered under Medicare.

Have a safe, blessed weekend!

Oh Happy Day!!!

Dad is now home! He, Mother and Danny arrived about noon Monday and Jean, Jimmie and I were there to greet him! As they drove through the gate, Mom said Dad held his fist up in the air in triumph! After we greeted him and went into the house, he wanted to see what the remodeling looked like in the master bathroom. He seemed very pleased. We are all so very grateful to Leslie Stephens and Jimmie for getting the wall removed and finishing the remodeling in record time! We ate lunch and then Dad was ready to test out the new adjustable bed. Apparently, it worked well for him!!! Dad slept about an hour, then we all went outside and soaked up some lovely Vitamin D! It looked to me like he was "absorbing" being home...just soaking it in!

The care team, Sarah and Brian, arrived at 3:00 with Kathleen and her husband Ronnie, their supervisors. We all sat in the living room and went over the care plan, schedule, house rules, etc. Sarah will be at the house from 2 p.m. on Mondays through 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Brian will be there on the opposite shift. Sarah and Brian are both competent care-givers and will be an immense amount of help to Mom and Dad. I'm sure it'll take a few days for them all to adjust to each other. Sarah and Brian have very pleasant, positive attitudes, so they're going to do just fine!

Sarah is a very smiley 27 years old. She has a sociology degree and has worked for a couple of years in elder care. She has lived in every state except Delaware and Alaska!!! She is single and loves to read, sew and bake!

Brian Costello is from Seattle and has only lived in Texas 3 weeks! He and his brand new wife decided they wanted to get away from the rain and overcast skies of Seattle and find some sunshine! I would guess he is about the same age as Sarah, very nice looking and had a quiet, pleasant personality.

So many people ask me if there is something they can do for Mom and Dad. The best thing you can do for them is to visit! Dad is going to get VERY bored very quickly! Knowing him like all of you do, he just doesn't sit around well! The television and computer are good diversions, but he's going to need lots of positive stimulation! It's probably a good idea to call Mom and sort of pre-schedule your visit, if you can!

"A cheerful friend is like a sunny day spreading brightness all around." John Lubcock ( English Astronomer )