Our family had so much to be thankful on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2011 (as we do every single day, of course!).
I explained to the doctor on Wednesday that, if at all possible, it was vitally important to have Mom and Dad present when our family gathers. There is no measure of the love and respect we all share, and it starts with the two of them! When I told him that, it was obvious that he understood and respected our wishes. He followed through with his commitment to see Dad at the beginning of his rounds Thursday morning and discharged him in time to have lunch with our family! That, in itself, was amazing! We've been so impressed with this hospital and its staff! The paperwork for the discharge was completed, Mom was packed and a wheelchair was already in the room when Danny and Lisa got there around 10:30. Mom and Dad followed Danny and Lisa and arrived at Jean and Jimmie's house about 11:45! Everyone was overjoyed in greeting them!
Mom and Dad were all smiles and their spirits were high! Dad still looked a little pale, but he did lose a lot of blood during this ordeal. It will take his body a little while to recuperate. We snacked until about 1:30,awaiting Whitney and Austin arrival. Austin had been with his Daddy for a few days until then. We gathered in the kitchen, said our family prayer and dug in to delicious turkey and dressing, so loving prepared by Jean and LaRose, and all the other wonderful foods that the rest of us added to the feast.
We were so fortunate to have a gorgeous day and most of us spent a good portion of it sitting out on the porch and visiting. Once Dad had a full stomach, he took a great nap and then joined us on the porch also!
It was a very laid-back day, full of love and thankfulness and togetherness! Mom and Dad headed home about 4:30. Dad was looking forward to getting in his recliner! Mom told me later that he let out a great big "Ah" when he sat in it! He slept until about 11:00 Friday morning too! There's nothing quite like being in your own bed!
We're all letting them have a nice, quiet weekend, but are checking on them often. Mom had plenty of food in the freezer that only had to be thawed and heated, so she won't have to do any major cooking and they won't have to go out unless that's what they choose to do. I'll bet they won't want to leave the house for a few days! Can't say that I blame them!!
It is with grateful heart that I know you will continue to keep Mom and Dad in your prayers. Know that you are also in mine!
Oh Lord, You are the only source of health and healing, the spirit of calm and the central peace of this universe. Grant to Mildred and Harvey Smith health and strength and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Bad news; Good news
It seems there is never a dull moment with the Smith family lately. As I told you in my last posting, Danny went to stay with Mom and Dad Sunday and I headed home. Just before I left, Mom called Danny and me into their bathroom and showed us that Dad had passed a good bit of blood. She was obviously concerned, but we all decided not to panic but keep a close eye on him. Around 1:10 a.m. Dad woke Mom up and had another "episode" with blood in the toilet (hope this is not too much information!). Mom tried to get Dad to let her call 911 then, but he vehemently refused. The bad news...Monday morning Dad woke with blood in the bed and then conceded to allow Mom to call an ambulance. It was such a blessing that Danny was there to comfort Mom and be an extra set of hands in getting Dad cleaned up and giving Mom time to get dressed. Danny and Mom followed the ambulance to Burnet's Seton Hospital. As soon as I heard that they were taking him to the hospital, I got dressed and drove to Burnet. Dad was in one of the ER rooms when I arrived. The Burnet Hospital does not have a gastroenterologist on staff, so they had to transfer Dad to Seton Williamson in Round Rock. They could not take him to an Austin Seton because they have to transfer to the nearest facility in the Seton family. Danny followed the ambulance to Round Rock and got Dad admitted and Mom and I went back to Marble Falls in my car.
Mom was scheduled at 2:00 for her follow-up appointment with her eye surgeon in Marble Falls. Gratefully, her eye was healing remarkably well and the doctor told her to go back to her normal activities and just finish out the 3 different drops she was using in her eye. Mom was giddy that she didn't have to be worry about stooping and bending any more! She'll need a new prescription for her glasses in about a month, but that's about it! She was so relieved to have that behind her! As soon as we left the eye doctor's office, we went back to their house, packed a suitcase for her, and she followed me in her car to the Round Rock Seton Hospital. I didn't think she would need her car, but I knew there was no point in arguing with her about it!!
We arrived at RR Seton about 5:00. Dad was settled in a room and was already hooked up to IV fluids. That night we were visited by an Internal Medicine specialist. He had already discontinued Dad's Coumadin and Aspirin (both are blood thinners) and ordered Dad to receive plasma so that the effects of the Coumadin would move out of his bloodstream quicker. In doing so, hopefully slowing down and, better yet, stopping the bleeding. At this point, Dad had not eaten since Sunday evening about 6:00. The doctor felt badly, but told Dad that he still could not have anything to eat or drink, but that he could have ice chips. That did not appease my Daddy one bit, but he didn't complain too loudly. But, oh those looks he gave us and the doctor!
Danny headed home about 4:00. Glenda came to see Dad and Mom as soon as she finished work. We are now familiar with the gathering of the troops! I would like to interject that I am self-employed, while Jean works part-time and Glenda and Danny work full-time. So, I am more available to help with Mom and Dad than the rest. Since we has all been at the hospital, Jean decided to wait until Tuesday to visit. She was also in the midst of getting ready for our whole family to converge at her house for Thanksgiving Day! Around 8:00, I decided to head for home. I had no doubt that Mom would want to spend the night at the hospital. There was no sense in trying to talk her out of it, and I really didn't even try. She would not sleep well anywhere else and she is happiest being with him. Dad did make a futile attempt to get her to go home with me, but she wouldn't consider it.
They had an okay night, sleeping a couple of hours at a time as the nurses checked Dad's vital signs and started the plasma. He received two rounds of plasma during the night. By Tuesday morning the bleeding had stopped, praise God. I arrived early so that I could hear what the doctor had to say when he made his morning rounds. Mom has just gotten up and I witnessed the intimacy of her loving care of Dad. Before she did anything for herself, she got a warm wash cloth and ever so gently and lovingly washed and then dried Dad's face, hands and feet. It wasn't a chore to Mom...it was as if it was a privilege. I believe, to her, it was. I cannot describe how priceless it was to see this. The doctor came in mid-morning and was pleased that the bleeding had stopped and said that the gastroenterologist was going to do a colonoscopy on Wednesday to see if they could determine the origin of the bleeding. He did at least allow Dad to have clear liquids until it was time to do the colonoscopy prep.
Around noon, Mom and I left to get some lunch and, when we got back, Jean and Danny were both there! By mid-afternoon, we all left so that Mom and Dad would both nap. Also, we didn't need to be there while Dad did his prep.
The prep kept Mom, Dad and the nurses busy until about midnight. Needless to say, they didn't have a good nice's rest Tuesday night either. On Wednesday, since no one could tell us what time they would do the test, I arrived at the hospital at 7:45 because I was hoping ask the doctor some questions prior to the test. I also wanted to be sure someone was with Mom while Dad had the colonoscopy and then hear what the doctor had to say afterwards. It's a good thing I got there early because they came to get Dad right at 8:00! Mom hadn't been up but a few minutes when the nurse alerted her that they were on their way up to get Daddy! Bless her heart, she dressed in record time!
The staff in the GI department did a great job of explaining the procedure to us. First they did an endoscopy (placed a probe down Dad's throat and looked at his stomach to check for bleeding ulcers). Then, they did the colonoscopy. The test took about 40 minutes. The doctor found no lesions in Dad's stomach, but did find one polyp in his colon that he believed was the origin of the bleeding. He said that, every time a stool passed by the polyp (sorry, again, too much information?!), that it would get irritated and bleed. It happened for a long enough period of time that it finally bled a lot. He biopsied the polyp and clipped it off. That darn polyp won't cause any more trouble...that's the good news!!! It will take 3-5 days to get back the results of the biopsy. Once he got back to his hospital room, Dad received one last unit of plasma and the doctor signed orders allowing him to have a soft diet. As soon as Dad was totally awake from the sedation, we ordered just about one of each item on the soft foods menu! The doctors also gave Dad the good news that, as long as his blood count stays good, he would be discharged tomorrow! That means that our family will be blessed to have both him and Mom at our Thanksgiving Day family prayer and meal! I made a plea to the doctor to come in early tomorrow and get the discharge papers done so that Mom and Dad would be ready to leave the hospital by 10:30. He said Dad would be the first patient he checked when he started rounds in the morning! HOORAY!!!
Mom and I had a late lunch and I decided to leave the hospital around 4:00 so they could have a nice, quiet evening. I'm betting that they go to bed pretty early tonight! Since Mom is not familiar with the area around Seton Williamson, Danny and Lisa are going to go by there in the morning so that Mom and Dad can follow them to Jean and Jimmies for our family's gathering. I can well imagine that they will eat lunch with all of us, visit a little while and head home to their comfy chairs! Their bed is sure going to feel good to them tomorrow night also! I won't go back out there until one day next week. I think they'll relish having the house to themselves and for their lives to get back to "normal"!
We have already had so many blessings for which to sing praises to God, and now, we have even more! Mom's eye is healing beautifully and Dad is back to status quo!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah! He has blessed us in the Messiah with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm... (AMEN!!!)
Ephesians 1:3
From our family to yours,
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Mom was scheduled at 2:00 for her follow-up appointment with her eye surgeon in Marble Falls. Gratefully, her eye was healing remarkably well and the doctor told her to go back to her normal activities and just finish out the 3 different drops she was using in her eye. Mom was giddy that she didn't have to be worry about stooping and bending any more! She'll need a new prescription for her glasses in about a month, but that's about it! She was so relieved to have that behind her! As soon as we left the eye doctor's office, we went back to their house, packed a suitcase for her, and she followed me in her car to the Round Rock Seton Hospital. I didn't think she would need her car, but I knew there was no point in arguing with her about it!!
We arrived at RR Seton about 5:00. Dad was settled in a room and was already hooked up to IV fluids. That night we were visited by an Internal Medicine specialist. He had already discontinued Dad's Coumadin and Aspirin (both are blood thinners) and ordered Dad to receive plasma so that the effects of the Coumadin would move out of his bloodstream quicker. In doing so, hopefully slowing down and, better yet, stopping the bleeding. At this point, Dad had not eaten since Sunday evening about 6:00. The doctor felt badly, but told Dad that he still could not have anything to eat or drink, but that he could have ice chips. That did not appease my Daddy one bit, but he didn't complain too loudly. But, oh those looks he gave us and the doctor!
Danny headed home about 4:00. Glenda came to see Dad and Mom as soon as she finished work. We are now familiar with the gathering of the troops! I would like to interject that I am self-employed, while Jean works part-time and Glenda and Danny work full-time. So, I am more available to help with Mom and Dad than the rest. Since we has all been at the hospital, Jean decided to wait until Tuesday to visit. She was also in the midst of getting ready for our whole family to converge at her house for Thanksgiving Day! Around 8:00, I decided to head for home. I had no doubt that Mom would want to spend the night at the hospital. There was no sense in trying to talk her out of it, and I really didn't even try. She would not sleep well anywhere else and she is happiest being with him. Dad did make a futile attempt to get her to go home with me, but she wouldn't consider it.
They had an okay night, sleeping a couple of hours at a time as the nurses checked Dad's vital signs and started the plasma. He received two rounds of plasma during the night. By Tuesday morning the bleeding had stopped, praise God. I arrived early so that I could hear what the doctor had to say when he made his morning rounds. Mom has just gotten up and I witnessed the intimacy of her loving care of Dad. Before she did anything for herself, she got a warm wash cloth and ever so gently and lovingly washed and then dried Dad's face, hands and feet. It wasn't a chore to Mom...it was as if it was a privilege. I believe, to her, it was. I cannot describe how priceless it was to see this. The doctor came in mid-morning and was pleased that the bleeding had stopped and said that the gastroenterologist was going to do a colonoscopy on Wednesday to see if they could determine the origin of the bleeding. He did at least allow Dad to have clear liquids until it was time to do the colonoscopy prep.
Around noon, Mom and I left to get some lunch and, when we got back, Jean and Danny were both there! By mid-afternoon, we all left so that Mom and Dad would both nap. Also, we didn't need to be there while Dad did his prep.
The prep kept Mom, Dad and the nurses busy until about midnight. Needless to say, they didn't have a good nice's rest Tuesday night either. On Wednesday, since no one could tell us what time they would do the test, I arrived at the hospital at 7:45 because I was hoping ask the doctor some questions prior to the test. I also wanted to be sure someone was with Mom while Dad had the colonoscopy and then hear what the doctor had to say afterwards. It's a good thing I got there early because they came to get Dad right at 8:00! Mom hadn't been up but a few minutes when the nurse alerted her that they were on their way up to get Daddy! Bless her heart, she dressed in record time!
The staff in the GI department did a great job of explaining the procedure to us. First they did an endoscopy (placed a probe down Dad's throat and looked at his stomach to check for bleeding ulcers). Then, they did the colonoscopy. The test took about 40 minutes. The doctor found no lesions in Dad's stomach, but did find one polyp in his colon that he believed was the origin of the bleeding. He said that, every time a stool passed by the polyp (sorry, again, too much information?!), that it would get irritated and bleed. It happened for a long enough period of time that it finally bled a lot. He biopsied the polyp and clipped it off. That darn polyp won't cause any more trouble...that's the good news!!! It will take 3-5 days to get back the results of the biopsy. Once he got back to his hospital room, Dad received one last unit of plasma and the doctor signed orders allowing him to have a soft diet. As soon as Dad was totally awake from the sedation, we ordered just about one of each item on the soft foods menu! The doctors also gave Dad the good news that, as long as his blood count stays good, he would be discharged tomorrow! That means that our family will be blessed to have both him and Mom at our Thanksgiving Day family prayer and meal! I made a plea to the doctor to come in early tomorrow and get the discharge papers done so that Mom and Dad would be ready to leave the hospital by 10:30. He said Dad would be the first patient he checked when he started rounds in the morning! HOORAY!!!
Mom and I had a late lunch and I decided to leave the hospital around 4:00 so they could have a nice, quiet evening. I'm betting that they go to bed pretty early tonight! Since Mom is not familiar with the area around Seton Williamson, Danny and Lisa are going to go by there in the morning so that Mom and Dad can follow them to Jean and Jimmies for our family's gathering. I can well imagine that they will eat lunch with all of us, visit a little while and head home to their comfy chairs! Their bed is sure going to feel good to them tomorrow night also! I won't go back out there until one day next week. I think they'll relish having the house to themselves and for their lives to get back to "normal"!
We have already had so many blessings for which to sing praises to God, and now, we have even more! Mom's eye is healing beautifully and Dad is back to status quo!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah! He has blessed us in the Messiah with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm... (AMEN!!!)
Ephesians 1:3
From our family to yours,
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
There's No Place Like Home!
I posted this on my facebook page last night. I was laying on the couch at Mom and Dad's and was so contented. Our cousin, Ollie Siegeler, responded to my post, "Sandi, it isn't the house , it is mom and dad that make a house HOME. Enjoy it while u can because life is short and after they are gone, u will always miss the security parents give." I agree with her 100%!! I intend to continue spending as much time with them as I can!
Mom is doing great! She is even behaving herself and asking for help with lifting things or reaching for things that would require her to stoop or bend! That's a stretch for her, but she's doing well with it! No doubt, she is ready to have things back to normal and have the house to herself and Dad! They are so wonderful together and love to live their lives according to their own rules! I absolutely do not fault them for that! After all, when you spend 65.5 years together, you do get into your own routine and like to do things your way!!Jean left Mom and Dad's Saturday and Glenda was there until about 4:30. I had arrived at 3:30 and spent the night. Danny came today, Sunday, about noon, and we all went into Marble falls and had lunch at the Ricer City Grill. It's one of Mom and Dad's favorite restaurants.
Dad didn't have a very restful night, so we went straight home after lunch and he went immediately into nap-mode! In fact, I think everyone but me went into nap-mode! I loaded up and headed home!
Mom goes back to the eye doctor tomorrow in Marble Falls for a follow-up. I am certain that she is healing well and the doctor will tell her to keep doing her drops and taking it easy for a few more days. I will, however, report back to you with the official news!
Thank you, sweet Lord, for my parents, my siblings, our loving family and our extended family and friends! We do need each other in so many ways! Erma Bombeck said, "The family... We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together."
It seems so simple to me...no mystery whatsoever...the common thread that binds our family together is our faith in God and our respect and love for each other. Amen!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Mom and I arrived at the doctor's office Thursday right at 11:30 for her first surgery follow-up. The technician had Mom do an eye-chart test and she did very well. The doctor came in and checked Mom's lens and it was intact. So, all is well! Mom and I left the doctor's office and had lunch at one of the places we used to go when I was a kid - The Frisco on Burnet Rd. The food was great and we even splurged and split a piece of their "famous"chocolate icebox pie! We went from there back to Mom and Dad's house. It was so priceless...when we got home, Jerry had wheeled Dad out to the garage before Mom had even gotten out of the car! Dad was grinning so big and was so, so happy to have Mom back home! Once we all got in the house, Dad kept looking at Mom so lovingly! She asked him if he missed her and he shook his head real big! She told me she thought he had been worried about her and, again, he shook his head real big! It was so sweet!
From that moment on, any time Mom tried to get out of her chair, Dad would say, "Ah, ah" at her because he didn't want her to do anything but relax! We were pretty persistent about keeping her in her chair and she did have a nice nap!
Jean came to Mom and Dad's Thursday evening in time to serve us home-made chicken and dumplings for an early supper! They were the perfect comfort food for Mom. and Jean, Dad and I enjoyed them also! That night we watched television and found a program that absolutely had the four of us cracking up laughing! It was so much fun!
Jean and I helped get Dad ready for bed, brushed his teeth and helped to lift his legs to get him in bed. We had cackled laughing the whole time because Mom absolutely could not keep from telling us how to do everything. She started it by getting tickled at herself, and it ended up with all four us laughing so hard our stomachs were hurting! It was such a great night together!
We all had a quiet night. Mom woke up this morning feeling well rested and in no pain or discomfort whatsoever! She said her vision was clear and she could see very well out of her new lens! She was such a good sport and headed from the bed to her chair in the living room! Dad got up earlier than usual, so we all had breakfast together! Jerry came at 10:00 and shaved Dad and helped with a few things around the house. Mom had been wanting to rearrange her living room a little bit, so Jean, Jerry and I told her to take advantage of us while we were all there! We also turned her mattress and put on her new dust ruffle. It felt so good to be able to do those things for her and see her pleasure in the results! Jean and I teamed up and cooked them pork chops, macaroni and cheese, green beans and biscuits and gravy for lunch! Dad's eyes lit up when he came to the table! I haven't seen him eat like that in a while!! Granted, it wasn't the healthiest meal we could have cooked, but we decided this week was about comfort foods!!!
I left about 2:00 and Jean is staying until tomorrow morning when Glenda will arrive and take over. I'll go back and spend Saturday night and then Danny is coming Sunday at noon and will stay with them until Monday morning. We arranged for Jerry to come Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings to shave Dad and do housekeeping chores for Mom. Whitney is scheduled to spend Monday night, Glenda on Tuesday night and Ollie and I on Wednesday night. Ollie will shave Dad Thanksgiving morning and, after breakfast, we'll all head to Jean and Jimmie's house for our traditional blessing of Thanksgiving with our whole family!
Mom's next eye doctor's appointment is Monday at 2:00. I will post afterwards and give you an updated report!
Have a fabulous weekend!
Love, Sandi
From that moment on, any time Mom tried to get out of her chair, Dad would say, "Ah, ah" at her because he didn't want her to do anything but relax! We were pretty persistent about keeping her in her chair and she did have a nice nap!
Jean came to Mom and Dad's Thursday evening in time to serve us home-made chicken and dumplings for an early supper! They were the perfect comfort food for Mom. and Jean, Dad and I enjoyed them also! That night we watched television and found a program that absolutely had the four of us cracking up laughing! It was so much fun!
Jean and I helped get Dad ready for bed, brushed his teeth and helped to lift his legs to get him in bed. We had cackled laughing the whole time because Mom absolutely could not keep from telling us how to do everything. She started it by getting tickled at herself, and it ended up with all four us laughing so hard our stomachs were hurting! It was such a great night together!
We all had a quiet night. Mom woke up this morning feeling well rested and in no pain or discomfort whatsoever! She said her vision was clear and she could see very well out of her new lens! She was such a good sport and headed from the bed to her chair in the living room! Dad got up earlier than usual, so we all had breakfast together! Jerry came at 10:00 and shaved Dad and helped with a few things around the house. Mom had been wanting to rearrange her living room a little bit, so Jean, Jerry and I told her to take advantage of us while we were all there! We also turned her mattress and put on her new dust ruffle. It felt so good to be able to do those things for her and see her pleasure in the results! Jean and I teamed up and cooked them pork chops, macaroni and cheese, green beans and biscuits and gravy for lunch! Dad's eyes lit up when he came to the table! I haven't seen him eat like that in a while!! Granted, it wasn't the healthiest meal we could have cooked, but we decided this week was about comfort foods!!!
I left about 2:00 and Jean is staying until tomorrow morning when Glenda will arrive and take over. I'll go back and spend Saturday night and then Danny is coming Sunday at noon and will stay with them until Monday morning. We arranged for Jerry to come Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings to shave Dad and do housekeeping chores for Mom. Whitney is scheduled to spend Monday night, Glenda on Tuesday night and Ollie and I on Wednesday night. Ollie will shave Dad Thanksgiving morning and, after breakfast, we'll all head to Jean and Jimmie's house for our traditional blessing of Thanksgiving with our whole family!
Mom's next eye doctor's appointment is Monday at 2:00. I will post afterwards and give you an updated report!
Have a fabulous weekend!
Love, Sandi
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Medical Miracles!
Good morning! Mom and I had a very early start to our day. We left their house at 4:35 and headed to Austin's Bailey Square Surgical Center. We arrived at 5:45, and they had requested we check in at 6:00...perfect! The light traffic and blinking signals aided our trip in! Once we checked in, they did all the usual stuff, went over her medical history, had her sign all the "don't sue us" paperwork, had her change into the attractive paper clothing and non-slip socks, checked her vital signs, put numbing and dilating drops in her eye and wheeled her back at 7:35. Prior to the surgery, Mom's only complaint was when the nurse asked when was the last time she had eaten or had anything to drink! Mom couldn't eat after 10 p.m., so she smilingly complained about being hungry! I promised her that we'd go eat breakfast immediately after they dismissed her!
She was out of surgery and back to the little cubicle at 8:05!! She returned with the cataract in her left eye removed and a brand new lens in place! Amazing!!! Before the surgery, in the operating room, the nurse anesthetist noticed that Mom's teeth were chattering. She asked Mom if she was cold and Mom replied, "No. I'm nervous!" So, they gave Mom a little happy juice, the equivalent of half a margarita! That did the trick! Mom said there was no pain, but she could simply feel the pressure of the doctor working on her eye. She was also experiencing some burning in the eye, which is perfectly normal.
As soon as she was dressed, the doctor peeked back in and moved her follow-up visit from 1 p.m. to 11:30! That pleased Mom because she could get home sooner! The nurse wheeled Mom downstairs and we headed straight for migas at Waterloo Ice House! Mom's first experience with migas was a really good one!!! She ate every morsel!!!
Like I said, she's napping now...sleeping off her margarita!!! It's a little after 11:00, so I'd better go wake her and get her to the doctor's office. I'll report back once I get her home and settled!
Thank you for your prayers! Her surgery went so well because our precious Lord was there holding her hand and guiding the doctor! Sing praise to Him! Amen!
She was out of surgery and back to the little cubicle at 8:05!! She returned with the cataract in her left eye removed and a brand new lens in place! Amazing!!! Before the surgery, in the operating room, the nurse anesthetist noticed that Mom's teeth were chattering. She asked Mom if she was cold and Mom replied, "No. I'm nervous!" So, they gave Mom a little happy juice, the equivalent of half a margarita! That did the trick! Mom said there was no pain, but she could simply feel the pressure of the doctor working on her eye. She was also experiencing some burning in the eye, which is perfectly normal.
As soon as she was dressed, the doctor peeked back in and moved her follow-up visit from 1 p.m. to 11:30! That pleased Mom because she could get home sooner! The nurse wheeled Mom downstairs and we headed straight for migas at Waterloo Ice House! Mom's first experience with migas was a really good one!!! She ate every morsel!!!
Like I said, she's napping now...sleeping off her margarita!!! It's a little after 11:00, so I'd better go wake her and get her to the doctor's office. I'll report back once I get her home and settled!
Thank you for your prayers! Her surgery went so well because our precious Lord was there holding her hand and guiding the doctor! Sing praise to Him! Amen!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Dont' say the "m" word!
Just so you know, Mom and Dad are NOT talking about the "m" word (move) for a while, and maybe never! They are so happy to have that subject off their minds! Truthfully, for now, we are too! Sure, it would be great for them to be closer to all of us, but they aren't ready to leave their place, and they may never be. They have so much pride in knowing that they cleared that property and built their beautiful home! You may not know that Dad was their own General Contractor! He takes a lot of pride in that!
I spent the day with Mom and Dad Monday, Jean and Jimmie went Tuesday, Danny picked Dad up Friday and took him to the deer lease and Saturday they came to town for birthday lunch for Glenda at her house! They had plenty of family-time this week! On Monday I took lunch and served them chicken/sausage gumbo, Jean took them pot roast with veggie, the boys fixed steaks for Dad Friday night and we had home-made bean soup Saturday! Hopefully Mom didn't have to do much cooking this week! We girls have decided to take food often to help relieve Mom of that burden! So far, they seem to have enjoyed it!
In addition to helping with food, I encouraged Mom to schedule a housekeeper to come twice a month and to have Jerry come two to three days a week rather than just a few hours here and there. Remarkably she agreed to both! I think that his her concession to being able to stay there rather than move! She is also recognizing that she needs the help.
Mom is having a cataract on her left eye removed this Thursday morning. I am going to spend the night with her Wednesday and drive her into Austin early Thursday morning for the surgery. She has to be there at 6 a.m.! I'll take her to my house after the surgery because she has a follow-up visit the same day at 1 p.m. After the follow-up visit, I will take her home and Jean will take over and stay with her Thursday night and during most of the day on Friday. Danny will be there Friday night and Saturday and Glenda has Saturday night and Sunday! From what I hear and read, she may not need anyone after that, but we'll work out a schedule for the week of Thanksgiving if so! It's the least we can do! Even though several friends of hers have told her about how easy their cataract surgery was, Mom is still a little apprehensive about the surgery, so please keep her in your prayers.
On Saturday Mom, Dad, Ollie, Clint, Austin and I gathered at Glenda's for her birthday. Mollie was playing soccer and the rest of the gang had other obligations. Mom and Dad drove in about 1:00 and we had a late lunch around 2:00. Glenda had played soccer that morning, so we got a little later start. It worked out well since Mom didn't have to get up earlier than usual or have to rush. After a nice lunch we all were drawn outdoors by the beautiful weather. We tossed around Austin's little football and played "Monster in the Middle!" We even got Mom involved! She's such a good sport and got some good chuckles out of it! Dad "supervised"! During the midst of our game, Austin decided to take a time-out and go give his Papaw some hugs! It was so sweet! Dad ate it up! Everyone headed home about 4:00 because Glenda had another soccer game at 5:00. The team she and Mollie play on was in an all-day tournament and they won it! It amazes me that Glenda who is OLDER THAN I, can run and play soccer like she does! It makes me, her YOUNGER sister, look pretty out of shape!!! I bought new running shoes Friday, so I plan on remedying that situation!!!
Thanksgiving will be spent at Jean and Jimmie's house again this year. That is our family's tradition since Mom's last knee surgery, which was about 6 or 7 years ago, I think! It seems like we've been doing it forever! Jean and Jimmie's sister, La Rose, spend Wednesday together preparing the turkey and making the dressing. The rest of us girls make the appetizers, the side dishes and the desserts. It works out great! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's a low-stress, good food, happy family kind of holiday!! I pray that yours will be just as wonderful! I am thankful to be part of a loving, respectful Christian family and extended family, which includes all of you! I also pray that you will have safe travels and a blessed day with your loved ones! I will leave you today with a Thanksgiving prayer that our family will say together...
I spent the day with Mom and Dad Monday, Jean and Jimmie went Tuesday, Danny picked Dad up Friday and took him to the deer lease and Saturday they came to town for birthday lunch for Glenda at her house! They had plenty of family-time this week! On Monday I took lunch and served them chicken/sausage gumbo, Jean took them pot roast with veggie, the boys fixed steaks for Dad Friday night and we had home-made bean soup Saturday! Hopefully Mom didn't have to do much cooking this week! We girls have decided to take food often to help relieve Mom of that burden! So far, they seem to have enjoyed it!
In addition to helping with food, I encouraged Mom to schedule a housekeeper to come twice a month and to have Jerry come two to three days a week rather than just a few hours here and there. Remarkably she agreed to both! I think that his her concession to being able to stay there rather than move! She is also recognizing that she needs the help.
Mom is having a cataract on her left eye removed this Thursday morning. I am going to spend the night with her Wednesday and drive her into Austin early Thursday morning for the surgery. She has to be there at 6 a.m.! I'll take her to my house after the surgery because she has a follow-up visit the same day at 1 p.m. After the follow-up visit, I will take her home and Jean will take over and stay with her Thursday night and during most of the day on Friday. Danny will be there Friday night and Saturday and Glenda has Saturday night and Sunday! From what I hear and read, she may not need anyone after that, but we'll work out a schedule for the week of Thanksgiving if so! It's the least we can do! Even though several friends of hers have told her about how easy their cataract surgery was, Mom is still a little apprehensive about the surgery, so please keep her in your prayers.
On Saturday Mom, Dad, Ollie, Clint, Austin and I gathered at Glenda's for her birthday. Mollie was playing soccer and the rest of the gang had other obligations. Mom and Dad drove in about 1:00 and we had a late lunch around 2:00. Glenda had played soccer that morning, so we got a little later start. It worked out well since Mom didn't have to get up earlier than usual or have to rush. After a nice lunch we all were drawn outdoors by the beautiful weather. We tossed around Austin's little football and played "Monster in the Middle!" We even got Mom involved! She's such a good sport and got some good chuckles out of it! Dad "supervised"! During the midst of our game, Austin decided to take a time-out and go give his Papaw some hugs! It was so sweet! Dad ate it up! Everyone headed home about 4:00 because Glenda had another soccer game at 5:00. The team she and Mollie play on was in an all-day tournament and they won it! It amazes me that Glenda who is OLDER THAN I, can run and play soccer like she does! It makes me, her YOUNGER sister, look pretty out of shape!!! I bought new running shoes Friday, so I plan on remedying that situation!!!
Thanksgiving will be spent at Jean and Jimmie's house again this year. That is our family's tradition since Mom's last knee surgery, which was about 6 or 7 years ago, I think! It seems like we've been doing it forever! Jean and Jimmie's sister, La Rose, spend Wednesday together preparing the turkey and making the dressing. The rest of us girls make the appetizers, the side dishes and the desserts. It works out great! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's a low-stress, good food, happy family kind of holiday!! I pray that yours will be just as wonderful! I am thankful to be part of a loving, respectful Christian family and extended family, which includes all of you! I also pray that you will have safe travels and a blessed day with your loved ones! I will leave you today with a Thanksgiving prayer that our family will say together...
Dear Lord, Our Father in Heaven, we give thanks for the pleasure and privilege
of gathering together on this Thanksgiving day. We give thanks for the freedom to enjoy our lives, and for the men and women of the military services who protect our freedom. Thank you, Lord, for all of the blessings that You so generously shower upon us. We give thanks for this food prepared by loving hands. As we partake of this food, we pray for health and strength to live as examples of Your love. This we ask in Jesus' holy name.
Amen.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Not quite ready!
Well...Mom and Dad came to town Wednesday and looked at 2 garden homes and a house in my neighborhood. The house was about as perfect as they could get, if they were certain they wanted to make this move. That's the big "IF". Mom and Dad love their home and their property so much that this decision is being put on hold for a while. They are still considering putting their place on the market and then moving, but they are not certain that's what they want to do either. We kids are being 100% supportive and telling them that we want them to do exactly what makes them happy. Truthfully, they vacillate almost on a daily basis, but we are patient and do what they ask when they ask. I cannot imagine having to make this decision. It's heart wrenching to know how much they want to stay in their home. It would be easier if Mom would accept help in the form of a caretaker for Dad, a housekeeper, etc. They do allow Jerry to come one to two times per week, so we are grateful for that. Again, they are getting supportive input from their kids and that's enough for now! We're not saying much, just listening to their wants, needs and desires and doing everything in our power to be sure they are happy and well taken care of!
Thank you for all your prayers and your loving support! God bless you all!
Lord, throughout our lives you partnered with our parents in loving and caring for us. Now they are in their golden years and I ask that you partner with us in giving them the same tender loving care. Give us the strength to be fully present for our parents and lovingly tend to their needs. Amen.
Thank you for all your prayers and your loving support! God bless you all!
Lord, throughout our lives you partnered with our parents in loving and caring for us. Now they are in their golden years and I ask that you partner with us in giving them the same tender loving care. Give us the strength to be fully present for our parents and lovingly tend to their needs. Amen.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Is It Time For a Change?
Decisions, decisions! Mom and Dad are facing one of the toughest decisions of their lives. I am sharing this with you, but respectfully request no input because they have enough from their 4 kids!!! Dad is concerned, as we all are, about Mom having the weight of taking care of their property on her shoulders. They are vacillating about putting their place on the market and moving to Austin, or staying where they are and remaining status quo. We all want what's "best" for them, but are on the fence as to what that is! They love it out in the country and they love their home. After all, Mom and Dad designed it to their specifications and Dad was the general contractor. Their blood, sweat and tears are in that place. I was going to say that their heart and soul are in that place, but I don't believe that to be true. Yes, they love it, but their heart and soul are in their togetherness! In May they will have been married 66 years...there in-lies their heart and soul!
I took them yesterday to see two garden homes and one house in my neighborhood in North Austin. That is the area they think they would like to be if they move. The garden homes were in a gated community on Anderson Mill Rd, about 7 minutes from Ollie and me, and the house is about a block south of Anderson Mill Rd, about 5 minutes from us. Dad liked the largest of the garden homes and Mom loved the house! The garden home is 1512 sq. ft. and is a very nice home in a well-maintained community - but it means downsizing a LOT. The home is 2345 sq ft, much more space for Mom's antiques and much less confining. Coincidentally, or a God-thing, which-ever way you choose to look at it, the house was built to accommodate a wheelchair-bound person! It has a very roomy kitchen and ample living space. The shower was built for a person to wheel right in! Not that we are encouraging Dad to use his wheelchair, but he could roll right in! Mom also loved the back yard! She walked out and immediately said, "Oh, I could piddle around out here!"
Much of the family was together last night at my house for grandson Austin's 5th birthday. That gave Mom and Dad the opportunity to talk to each of us kids about moving. We all want them to make the decision of what makes them the happiest. Obviously, they don't WANT to move, but they both realize they need to be closer to their kids and, most importantly, that Mom needs to have her load lightened. Their decision changes from one conversation to the next, so we know it's a very, very tough one. When they left last night, they were still undecided. But, as I already said, it needs to be their decision with as little input as possible. I am not sure that all four of us kids are really on the same page, so we don't want to add to their confusion or make this more difficult for them.
I will ask that you pray with me while they make this decision. Lord God, King of Heaven and Earth,Mildred and Harvey Smith are facing a difficult decision in their lives. Inspire them to make the right decision, no matter what it may be. We are all relying on Your grace for divine help. Help us, their children, to know when to give them our input and when to keep our mouths shut! Help them to make a joint decision so there is no regret. If the decision is made for them to move to Austin, please give them peace. We ask this in Your holy name. Amen.
I will be surprised if I don't get a call from Mom today with a decision, one way or another. I will keep all of you posted.
Meanwhile, we were blessed to have so many of our family members together last night to celebrate Austin's birthday! Our house was full of laughter and love, not to mention a huge pile of gifts! Kids do really have too much stuff, but don't we all?! Fortunately we look as forward to seeing each other as we do to the gifts! It's a good balance! It's hard to believe that we are in November and headed toward the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons! Every single one of us, from the oldest in our clan to the youngest, looks forward to being together, praying together and appreciating each other.
God is great!
I took them yesterday to see two garden homes and one house in my neighborhood in North Austin. That is the area they think they would like to be if they move. The garden homes were in a gated community on Anderson Mill Rd, about 7 minutes from Ollie and me, and the house is about a block south of Anderson Mill Rd, about 5 minutes from us. Dad liked the largest of the garden homes and Mom loved the house! The garden home is 1512 sq. ft. and is a very nice home in a well-maintained community - but it means downsizing a LOT. The home is 2345 sq ft, much more space for Mom's antiques and much less confining. Coincidentally, or a God-thing, which-ever way you choose to look at it, the house was built to accommodate a wheelchair-bound person! It has a very roomy kitchen and ample living space. The shower was built for a person to wheel right in! Not that we are encouraging Dad to use his wheelchair, but he could roll right in! Mom also loved the back yard! She walked out and immediately said, "Oh, I could piddle around out here!"
Much of the family was together last night at my house for grandson Austin's 5th birthday. That gave Mom and Dad the opportunity to talk to each of us kids about moving. We all want them to make the decision of what makes them the happiest. Obviously, they don't WANT to move, but they both realize they need to be closer to their kids and, most importantly, that Mom needs to have her load lightened. Their decision changes from one conversation to the next, so we know it's a very, very tough one. When they left last night, they were still undecided. But, as I already said, it needs to be their decision with as little input as possible. I am not sure that all four of us kids are really on the same page, so we don't want to add to their confusion or make this more difficult for them.
I will ask that you pray with me while they make this decision. Lord God, King of Heaven and Earth,Mildred and Harvey Smith are facing a difficult decision in their lives. Inspire them to make the right decision, no matter what it may be. We are all relying on Your grace for divine help. Help us, their children, to know when to give them our input and when to keep our mouths shut! Help them to make a joint decision so there is no regret. If the decision is made for them to move to Austin, please give them peace. We ask this in Your holy name. Amen.
I will be surprised if I don't get a call from Mom today with a decision, one way or another. I will keep all of you posted.
Meanwhile, we were blessed to have so many of our family members together last night to celebrate Austin's birthday! Our house was full of laughter and love, not to mention a huge pile of gifts! Kids do really have too much stuff, but don't we all?! Fortunately we look as forward to seeing each other as we do to the gifts! It's a good balance! It's hard to believe that we are in November and headed toward the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons! Every single one of us, from the oldest in our clan to the youngest, looks forward to being together, praying together and appreciating each other.
God is great!
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