Mildred

Mom and I went back to her doctor in Marble Falls on Wednesday, June 20, anxious to find out the results of the CT scan.  It was so frustrating because the cat scan report sounded almost like a repeat of the chest x-ray reeport.  She either has fluid on her right lung or part of it has collapsed.  Well, we already knew that after the x-ray!  Still nothing was conclusive.  Mom's pain, thankfully, has abated, but she is more short of breath, is coughing a little more and has become quite lethargic. Her doctor did recommend that she see a pulmonary specialist, and she is scheduled with Dr Erica Hughes in Burnet next Wednesday, June 27th.  I pray that she will be able to make some sense of all of this.  I thought it would be a good idea to take those, ahead of time, to the pulmonary specialist's office in hopes that she would have time to go over them before Mom's Wednesday appointment. 

Jean and I have been keeping with our usual routine of spending a full day each with Mom and Dad each wee4k.  However, I am back at their house now.  I called Mom yesterday (Friday) morning, as I always do, and she sounded so tired and so short of breath.  I couldn't bear to have her feeling so badly and not having someone to help her with Dad.  Jerry is out this week and next week.  I packed up my suitcase and came out!  Praise God for blessing me with a self-sufficient and understanding husband! 

When I arrived, Mom and Dad were in their chairs watching television.  Mom hadn't slept well Thursday night and looked like she needed a good nap and Dad was asleep in  his chair.  Mom was definitely more short of breath than when I was with her on Wednesday. She said that she just coudln't get comfortable during the night and that she was really tired.  I told her that I was going to run to Burnet and that she should nap while I was gone.  Dad was awake by now so I asked him if he'd like to ride with me to Burnet.  He grinned real big and said he would!  He went to the restroom, I got his shoes on him and we left.  Meanwhile, Mom turned off the TV, pulled up the foot rest on her recliner and got in nap-mode.  I was so glad that Dad wanted to go with me so Mom could have the house to herself and have a good nap!

On Wednesday, I had asked the doctor's office to give Mom a CD of the chest x-ray and the CT scan and copies of those reports.  Before I left my house to go to Mom and Dad's, I called the pulmonary specialist's office and asked if it would be beneficial for me to bring by the CD's and the reports prior to Mom's appointment (in hopes that might allow for more to be accomplished on the first appointment).  The staff member I spoke to said it was possible that the doctor might have time to look over them, but there was no guarantee.  I decided it was worth trying.  So the errand I wanted to run in Burnet was to take the CD's and reports by Dr Hughes' office.  I left the A/C running and Dad in the car while I ran those in.  I also picked up the paperwork that Mom would have to fill out as a new patient.  I can fill those out for her (with her input, of course) and then all she has to do is sign them and take them with her on Wednesday!  Otherwise, it would have taken her at least 30 minutes to complete those forms in the doctor's recetion room.  After our trip to Burnet, I asked Dad if he minded going to the grocery store in Marble Falls with me.  He pointed that direction and waved for me to go.  I had brought some venison fajita meat and planned on making them supper, but I needed avocados and sour cream!  Can't have naked fajitas!  Again, Dad waited in the car and I set a record getting in and out of the grocery store!!  

When we got back to the house, Mom was awake and said she had rested well in her chair!  She was a LOT perkier and seemed to be breathing easier.  I cooked the fajitas while we watched Wheel of Fortune, one of their favorite shows!  Both Mom and Dad ate well, she and I cleaned up the kitchen and then we watched western movies until 11:00!  Jenny, one of the night-time caretakers arrived at 11:00, so she and Mom took Dad back to the bedroom, prepped him for bed, and then it was lights out for all of us!  

I had planned to stay only one night, but Mom mentioned that her cousins, Jonell and Verlin Callahan, had invited her and Dad to their 50th wedding celebration.  I offered to take them and she took me up on my offer.  The party is from 5:00 tp 9:00 tonight, so I'll go with them and stay one more night.  I am thrilled that they want to go and I don't want Mom driving when she doesn't feel well, especially since it will be dark by the time they would head home.  Besides, as you all know, I love a good family party!!!  

Wednesday is my birthday and Ollie, Whitney and Austin had planned to take me to lunch, so Jean is taking Mom to her appointment with Dr Hughes, the pulmonary specialist.  Jean and I feel so blessed that our schedules allow us the flexibility of going with Mom to her apointments and spending time with Mom and Dad each week.  Danny and Glenda are so envious of that, and see Mom and Dad as often as they possibly can.  I just can't imagine what we would all do without each other and I pray for and feel so sad for families who do not have the kind of love that we share. 

I will report back to you after Mom's Wednesday appointment!  Thank you for keeping Mom and Dad in your prayers! 

Precious Lord, thank you for Mildred and Harvey Smith.  They are two of the most wonderful people we know, and they are in their senioir years.  We can see their health declining and their needs increasing.  Please give us the wisdom, strength and patience to lovingly ensure that their every day needs are being met.  Lord, when decisions are being made regarding their health or what their future holds, please be ever-present with us.  We know that through You, all things are possible, and You are our refuge.  Grant Mildred and Harvey peace and comfort,  Amen.