Memories

The outpouring of condolences and sympathy has been greatly appreciated over the past few days, thank you. Many have asked if there is something that can be done to help or if there is anything we need, and the offer is greatly appreciated, but I have had a difficult time coming up with anything in reply. However, I think I've finally come up with something: if you have any pictures of Mom or stories to share about interactions with her over the years (I only just learned, for instance, that Mom was a deft skier and actually taught Dad how to ski), please send them my way and I'll make sure to get them included in the memory book that is being put together.

Scanning and emailing are the best and simplest ways to get these materials to us, but if those means are unavailable, please feel free to send hard copies to us by mail. If you need the address, please call or email (I don't want to post it here for fear of it being captured by junkmail impresarios).

The Inevitable

We did our best to inform people as quickly as possible today, but chances are we didn't get to everyone, so for those who were not aware, Mom passed away today around 1 PM. She went quietly in her sleep, and as Dick and Beth could attest (they visited her a couple hours before it happened), she was looking more peaceful than she has in months.

There are no services planned (at Mom and Dad's request) and Mom will be cremated, but the sisters are putting together a photo and memory book that will presented at some point down the road. For those interested in attending, I will let you know as soon as something is planned.

This is hardly the way I wanted things to go for Mom, but at least she's no longer in pain and can finally rest.

Holding

Having checked in with Mom on a daily basis over the past week, it's clear that she's not improving very much. Her food intake was down to about 10% as of last weekend, and in the past few days that amount has decreased to practically nothing. She appears to be unable to swallow (food, water or medication), so she's losing weight and her left side seems to be seizing periodically, either due to restlessness or lack of anti-seizure meds. Fortunately, her morphine drop is still going so she's not in any residual pain from her operation or anything else.

Neither the hospital nor the hospice staff are sure, but it appears that Mom may have had another stroke during surgery on her arm, so there has been almost no movement on her right side. Her ability to communicate is severely diminished, and during our visits she fades in and out of consciousness, only able to say a few words. The rest of what she is able to say is unintelligible, but the look in her eyes and her facial expressions during those brief lucid moments show that she is connected, if only for a few minutes at a time. Our visits thus have been mostly composed of holding her hand, talking to her, telling her about our adventures, telling her how much we love her.

For anyone considering a visit (and you're welcome to do so), please be aware that the sight of her in this condition is a bit of shock, so be prepared.

Far From Great News

Mom has been moved up to the 7th floor at St. Vincent's to free her room up for a cardiac patient, but her condition is not getting a whole lot better. She was a little more lucid when working with an orthopedist today, and they are going to take her off one of her pain meds so they can try and localize the origin of her continuing pain (the orthopedist said the arm looks great and the stitches can come out, but she continues to moan occasionally in pain).

Dr. Unger was also up there yesterday morning, and at the time she was running a low-grade fever and she is beginning to show some fluid in her lungs. The cause of the pneumonia is unclear, and there are also some kidney function issues that, while not currently threatening, show that her kidneys are not performing as well as they could. She is not eating very much, even though Kathleen, Janet and Bev have all been up to visit and help feed her, and there is some concern that she is not able to keep taking all her necessary medication.

Given all this, Dr. Unger has made a recommendation that Mom be moved to hospice care at Maryville. It's probably the hardest decision Dad's ever had to make, but in the interest of her comfort and knowing full well that she is miserable at St. Vincent's in her current state, Dad and I agreed that this was the best move. The word "hospice" of course carries a lot of baggage with it, but there is always a chance that Mom could recover. The most important thing at this point is to keep Mom as comfortable as possible so her body can do its best to fight its way back to health.

Mom is probably going to be moved to Maryville tomorrow, and once she is, I'll let you know where she is located. Flowers, cards and visits will be most welcome.

Just a Little More Info

Dad talked to the ER doctor, and there's indeed a clot in her leg, and there was 2.5L of urine being retained. They're moving her up to room 644 for tests and observation. She's pretty out of it and they're giving her more pain medication, and they are still concerned as to why she's feeling pain in her arm, as they were thinking it should be subsiding by now...might be circulation-related, but who knows. She also had a slight fever earlier in the week, but that seems to have backed off.

So that was a curveball

I've seen Mom the past few evenings and though she's been groggy from the meds, she's been relatively cheerful and seemed to be getting better. But Dad told me today that Maryville called to inform him that she was complaining of pain in spite of her oxycontin and that she was feeling pain in her leg.

His first thought (and theirs) was blood clots, so they took her to the ER for a sonogram and to monitor her status. We haven't heard much since, but my understanding is that she's still at St. V's.

More as I find it out.

Settled In

I've been to visit Mom twice now, and I've already seen a marked improvement in her condition just in those two short visits. We've arrived in the evening both times, and just about dinner time, so she has been receiving her meds just prior to our visit. This means we generally have about 15 minutes before the fog really begins to set in and she's off to loopy land (which, we have to remind her, is much better than being in pain from her recovering arm), but she's taking her meals in the group room now (which she wasn't before) and she's looking awake and aware and even talkative when we've met.

The staff still don't know how long she'll be there (since it all depends on the arm), but we should know more next week when she's on the last leg of recovery. Things though are looking good, and we're able to frequently visit and see for sure that she's being treated well.

She's back in room 214 if you want to drop by and say hello.

On the Road Again

Got word from Dad that Mom is on her way to Maryville and should be just about settled in as I write this.

In Limbo

Well, Dad and I got a chance to get up to the hospital yesterday and see Mom, but she was quite out of sorts due to all the painkillers she is on at the moment (morphine is in the mix for sure). As a result, it was something of a scattered visit, but it was good to see her and know that's she's all right. Groggy and spacey, but all right.

Dad has some information from Beth (thanks Beth!) about state-funded home care assistance that can be used when Mom gets home finally, but there is some time to deal with that since she's bound for Maryville when they release her today or tomorrow (the day was still uncertain when we checked in last night). And Mom's doc is retiring so we're sort of between primaries at the moment, but he pokes his head in now and then to let us know what's happening. Unfortunately, it's been a while since he's done that, so we're sort of in the dark right now.

We should know more later today.

Temporary Success

Mom was in surgery for about 7 hours last night (noon to almost 8 PM), and she was in recovery for a couple hours after that so we didn't get a chance to see her, but Dad called today and she is groggy yet doing all right. Now begins the rough part, and it sounds like she will be discharged tomorrow or Thursday and then sent to Maryville for skilled therapy.

This of course is not going to be good news to Mom, but it's the option that makes the most logistical sense and keeps her safest until she can heal.

Wish I Had Good News

Mom and Dad came down to our place for a lovely Thanksgiving dinner, but early Friday morning, during a groggy trip to the bathroom, Mom fell and broke her right arm just above the elbow. She was taken to the E.R. and after an x-ray it was determined that the break required surgery, so she has been in the hospital all weekend.

She is in surgery at St. Vincent's as I write this, and should be out around 4 PM. The doc said that the surgery would be low-risk, but she'll need about two weeks of recovery before her arm can begin physical therapy without a cast or splint of some sort. This is going to make it difficult for Dad to help Mom around the house, but the splint they are going to use is designed to be rugged and used as a place to grip someone. She has been doing well getting around her hospital room so hopefully that will translate well when she is released to go home.

More as I learn it.

Update: Smooth Sailing

Well, Mom has been home for two weeks now, and her strength is not only still intact, but she's getting around beautifully, and the string of home care professionals that have been stopping by for therapy and whatnot seem to really be making a difference.

Everyone...breathe a BIG sigh of relief. :-)

Third Time's (Hopefully) a Charm

Mom is home, safe and sound as of yesterday afternoon. I was able to take the afternoon off work and help her get home via MetroWest, and after a couple bathroom visits, Dad's estimate was that she is stronger than ever before and more likely to be able to handle her new level of mobility. The new dilantin dosage must really be helping, but to be sure, a nurse will be by today to take levels and make sure that she's on track medication-wise. There are also some home care and therapy visits scheduled today and through the next several weeks, all of which should really help Mom handle her surroundings.

All I know is she is thrilled to be out of Maryville, and the morale boost alone has helped tremendously.

Once More...WITH FEELING!

Just got word that Mom will be getting out of Maryville tomorrow (10/17) at 2 PM. I will be leaving work at noon to go up and help with the transfer, and she should be well settled in by dinnertime if you'd like to stop by.

More Of The Same

Mom is still at Maryville but spirits are gradually improving, especially since her roommate, who's on a respirator, will be moving out in the next day or so. She fell a little recently and bumped her head so she has a small bandage on her right temple, but the physical therapy is doing her some good and Dad's seeing her just about every day at around lunchtime.

It's Beginning To And Back Again

Mom was released from St. Vincent's today around noon and is now at Maryville at the request of her doctor and the staff therapists. The prevailing opinion is that she needs more rehabilitation if she is going to stick it out for the long haul at home, but it's unclear how long she will be expected to stay at Maryville.

As soon as I have any more information, I will post it here.

EDIT: Mom is in room 215 (just one room over from where she was before). She'll be there at least a few days at Dr. Unger's request.

Setbacks Galore

Dad called me on Friday around noon saying that Mom was on her way to St. Vincent's Hospital. Seems she had been getting increasingly weaker over the previous two days, which culminated in her falling in the bathroom and being unable to get back up. The paramedics were called when she was too weak to sand again and she was taken to room 923.

The doctor observed her and seemed to give her clearance to go home Sunday morning, and she looked good when we saw her on Saturday (if a little tired and spacey), but when I called today to find out what arrangements had been made for her release, Dad said the doctor asked for her to stay another three days. Seems she actually chose to get up and go to the bathroom unaided in the night and fell. Details are unclear, but the doctor feels that this continuing impulsive behavior is going to lead to more injury if it continues, so he wants to do more observation and testing to see what the recommended next steps will be.

Quiet But Eventful

Been laying low trying to get back to the rigor of life so sorry for the lack of updates. Mom is doing well at home, though she actually HAS fallen a couple of times. The good news is that she's been able to get herself back up (with and without Dad's assistance) so the outlook is pretty favorable at the moment. Physical therapists have been coming to the house to work with Mom and Dad and the neighbors have been bringing them all kinds of delicious food. Between that, Netflix and the coffees I bring them after work, they are looking and doing great.

Quick Update

Over 12 hours and nearly as many potty visits later, we are at ZERO falls! So far, this time home is a rousing success!!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

It's been a long couple of days and I'm pretty worn out, but the picture above says it all. Mom is home once again and thrilled to be there...and based on her strength and perseverance just in the time she's been home so far, I think it's going to stick this time.

Some highlights of the past 48 hours:

* Phim from Maryville has agreed to take care of Mom from midnight to 7 AM for the first month of being home, assisting with bathroom visits and whatever else is needed. This is a huge weight off Dad's shoulders and once we arrange for some day visits from home care staff, Mom will have the coverage she needs and Dad will be able to get out and about for errands when needed.

* We took the door off the bathroom and knocked out both door frames to make it easier to get in and out with Mom's wheelchair, a change that has already made a difference in two bathroom visits.

* We removed the bed frame which brings the bed lower and makes it more manageable for Mom (i.e., closer to the height she's been used to for the past 25 years).

* Mom's visit to the audiology doc at Costco went off without a hitch, but Mom needs to go back in two weeks once the molds are done to get fitted and have it tuned. This took them both by surprise, but I think it's going to be ok. But in the meantime...

* At Ed the Renter's suggestion, we picked up a sound amplification device that Mom can wear around her check and use with headphones. It's a little conspicuous but Mom really doesn't care, and at $25 (vs. the $899 for the hearing aid), it's a steal...she can hear better with it that she did with her previous hearing aid (which went missing over a month ago), and it's stereo to boot! She seems absolutely thrilled.

* Guy graveled the driveway and it looks flat and terrific. We've also got all the cars out of the way so even before we get a nice concrete landing pad installed, it's great for picking up and dropping off at the end of the ramp:


(Please ignore the cat in the picture...we try to.)

There's of course lots still to do and we're all a little nervous about this second try, but all things are looking really positive. Thank you all for your continued support, and thank you Eydie, Chris and Kathy for your continued culinary contributions!

Take Two

We're rounding out the week in a positive way, but with a few changes.

First, some good news: Mom's visit with Dr. Unger went well and he said she looked just great. Not bad for a follow-up! He feels she is ready to be home but is deferring to the Maryville staff for their assessment.

Now, Monday is the day Mom goes in for audiology appointment and to be fitted for a new hearing aid (for those who don't know, hers mysteriously disappeared when she was staying at Maryville last), and we had it set up for her to come home that same day. But it turns out there is an odd regulation whereby a patient at Maryville can't be released on the same day as their final assessment with the physical therapist, and the final assessment can't happen until Monday (for reasons I'm not entirely understanding other than I guess scheduling).

SO

Mom will have her assessment at 9 on Monday, then go to the audiology appointment at 11:15. Then rather than be released, she'll stay overnight and be released on Tuesday.

Dates to Remember

TOMORROW: Gary and Dad take Mom to Dr. Unger's office for a checkup.

MONDAY: Dad and I take Mom to Costco for an audiology appointment and to get her a new hearing aid.

ALSO MONDAY: Mom comes home!

Mom and Dad had a dual session of therapy today and they went over techniques for helping Mom get back on her feet if she falls. Based on their accounts and on glowing praise from the staff, Mom and Dad both passed with flying colors and with one more session on Friday, Mom will be cleared to come home after the weekend!

Prepping the House

We are calling around to Home Care Agencies to give Mom some assistance options when she comes home next, and we've installed a number of bars around the house (around the toilet, the walls, etc.) that will help support Mom as she gets around. Mom is looking well but clearly not wanting to be back at Maryville (as you might expect). She did however make a new mealtime friend named Irene, and she's great company for Mom.

If you have any helpful hints about searching for Home Care staff, please let me know.

Back to the Drawing Board

Mom's back in room 214, but in a different bed. Still, that change isn't enough to make her stay there any more interesting, and she wants to be home just as badly as she did the first time. Still, there is a lot to do at the house to make the inside more safe--namely, grips, bars and handles everywhere we can put them--and we will be focusing on that over the next week.

Things Move Fast - Mom's Already Back at Maryville

Just got word from Dad that Mom was discharged and transported to Maryville within the last hour. So she's likely getting settled there and we'll just bring the boxes of clothes and such that were packed out of Maryville back to her tonight or tomorrow. Not sure what room she's in, but I'll post that as soon as I find out.

Going With the Flow

Dad and I stopped by Tuality to see Mom this morning, not knowing what to expect as far as her condition or her prospects for discharge. Fortunately the former was good--she was not injured seriously by either fall and she was in pretty good spirits, all things considered--but unfortunately, they would not let her out today, and in fact are recommending that she return to Maryville for a two week stay.

This came as a shock to Mom and she is understandably upset, but we recognize the need for more rehabilitation. However, two weeks is more than she can stand (especially since "two weeks" in Maryville terms is well over a month), so we have offered the compromise of one week at Maryville, then a transfer home with in-home staff ready and waiting.

So now begins the process of finding and interviewing home care personnel. We got a pretty decent list from Tuality and I'm going to go through and try to whittle the list down to something more manageable. In the meantime, Mom is still at Tuality, room 504 for tonight at the very least, so if you'd like to stop by and visit, please do; I know she would appreciate the company.

A Bump In the Road

Mom fell twice last night, and the second time she was taken to Tuality Hospital. She was taken by paramedics at 3:00 AM and was checked into room 504 at around 6.

We are looking to hire some in-home assistance for coverage evening through the morning. If you have any information, please email or call me ASAP.

The Day Has Finally Come

Mom and Dad, home at last.

It's been a long long day, but as of about 3:00 PM, Mom is officially home.

I got up to the Homestead around 9:30 this morning, unsure of how the day would unfold. Ron, Janet, Kathleen and Beverly stopped by yesterday and did an amazing job of cleaning, organizing and moving things around inside the house, and out of all the activity came the idea to replace the aged king-size bed with something newer and more rational like a queen-size Posturepedic. So a few afternoon phone calls later and the deal was made...but delivery was not going to happen until this morning.

This made for some drama since Mom was set to come home at 11 AM and as of a phone call from Mattress World (where it really ISN'T too late to sleep like a baby) last night at around 9:05 PM, the delivery folk would be at the house in the morning between--you guessed it--10:30 and 12:30.

So I planned to spend the morning finishing the railing, cleaning the path, putting in mini-ramps around thresholds and basically busying myself until the mattress had been delivered and we could go get Mom. Well, time passed, around 11:30 we got a call saying that the delivery would happen close to 1 PM.

This made for a tighter and tougher pick up window, and there was no time to run down and get Mom in between, but long story short, it all worked out in the end (and with some delicious cheeseburgers for lunch to boot!). The mattress guys came and dropped off the fancy new bed, but best of all, they took away the old one, making for a clean swap.

With the house ready we scampered to Maryville, got Mom's stuff together, signed some paperwork and headed for door. Mom seemed so surprised that so many people came up to hug her and say goodbye, but I reminded her that she's a pretty neat lady, the kind of person you miss.


It was kinda rough getting Mom from the car to the ramp (since it's still rocky and we need to level that area a lot), but once on the ramp and the chair, it was smooth sailing. She was amazed at all the changes around the house and kept thanking us for getting her home (as if we were just going to leave her there...come on, Mom! :) ), and after making the bed and vacuuming and picking up a little, I bid them adieu for the afternoon to let them settle in.

If you get a chance, call or stop by and say hi.

And, apropos of nothing, some final pictures of the end of the ramp and the new parking place for the Chevy Celebrity:

We're Through the Looking Glass, People

Ramp: DONE*
Driveway: DONE**

BRING ON THE NEXT CHALLENGE!

Seriously though, we are practically done. The end result is a sturdy, wheelchair-ready platform that is level as can be, and a driveway that will allow full motion up and around the property. Just as Paul and I were finishing up the plywood portions and bracing at the bends, Guy arrived on the scene with his giant tractor, ready to tear into the long-forgotten circular driveway. A quick move to clear the path of wood and he was off, scraping and digging and moving earth far swifter than it seems God should allow.


HUGE thanks to Paul and Guy for powering through the end of what has been a loooooooooooong project.

Stopped by and saw Mom before hitting the Homestead and gave her a squeeze, reminding that she had just two more days at Maryville. She keeps saying "now I just need to make sure I don't screw it up," but I reassured her that there is NO way she is NOT coming home on Wednesday. After she scolded me for the double negative, she seemed to be at ease about the whole thing. There was talk at one time of having her come home for a few hours on Tuesday in advance of the return on Wednesday, but everyone agreed that was sort of an unnecessary tease, so she will just be coming home on Wednesday.

Janet, Ron and Kathleen are coming by today to help Dad get the house ready for Mom, and I'll check in with them this evening. Hoping to move the dresser and maybe get the Queen boxspring downstairs, but I'm sure I'll be involved in at least the latter.

* "DONE" in this case means walkable and solid, but lacking "pretty" elements like a railing. Beginning that effort today.

** "DONE" in this case means flat and lacking obstruction, but still just dirt and miscellaneous gravel. Our plan is to get it graveled before the rains come (i.e. within the next week or two).

So Close You Can Taste It...

If Dad can walk on it, you know it's almost done. AND IT IS!

One more afternoon's effort to lay down some plywood here and there and the "ramp" will be done. I can't express what a weight off it will be to finally be done, and Paul's assistance today was absolutely critical. Dad meanwhile was cutting some supports that we later screwed beneath the 2x6 rails, and later with Tasha's assistance he trimmed out the ramp inside the front door to make for smooth wheel transport into the house.

Guy came by and offered to finish out the circular driveway, and half was done earlier this week when he pulled the Polara and Ford flatbed down the hill to the meadow by the shed. Once we move the lumber out of the way (tomorrow evening), he'll be able to smooth out the rest of the circle and the approach will be completely ready for Mom's Wednesday homecoming. There is talk of having her come home for a couple hours on Tuesday for a "test visit", but we talked about it and it seems silly to go to all that trouble just to have her go back to Maryville for another night. Thus, Dad's going to call and ask that she either be able to come home for good on Tuesday or skip the Tuesday visit and just come home for good on Wednesday. At this rate all will be ready for her tomorrow night so either option should work from our end.

Days Away From Freedom

The final two posts went up last night and we took measurements for trimming out the tricky bends in the platform. Laid down the plywood sheets and prepped the final rails. And I tried firing up the Celebrity, which has a dead battery, but with the power of gravity and the gear of neutral, I was able to ease it down to the flat portion of the drive, freeing up space behind the Polara and Ford. Guy will be dragging those to the lower area (by the shed) and flattening the circular drive to make for a clear path for Mom's dropoff.

Mom is still set to come home next Wednesday, and provided we can get the ramp and driveway done (which I think we can on Sunday), she will come home for a few hours on Tuesday as a "test run" with her therapists.

Dad is still looking well and keeping busy around the house. He's as anxious to get Mom home as she is to get out of Maryville.

If you're available on Sunday, I'd appreciate the help to close the ramp up completely.

Thanks!

Getting Ever So Close!

Another two posts are poured and secured as of last night, making the footing of the frame 90% complete. Once the final two posts are set on Thursday, we'll be able to knock together the rest of the skeleton on Sunday in just a few hours, then we can lay down the platform and put up the railing.

Saw Mom last night and she's looking terrific. Told her the ramp is still going well and that she's well on track for coming home, which is a big relief for her. Can't wait until she finally comes through that door! Dad's also doing some great work on mini=ramps between rooms to ease the passage of wheels over the various thresholds. Between that and replacing the now-broken front door lock, he's got plenty to do around the house...probably more than he should, as I reminded him last night.

If you're up for Sunday, please let me know ASAP. Need at least a couple folks to help finish 'er up.

Regulators...Ramp Up!

Work's gonna resume on Tuesday night. I'll be there...WILL YOU?

Dad's got a broken lock so I'm going to try and pick up a Schlage lockset with interior latch and exterior deadbolt. And preparations are still underway to get Mom home, hopefully this week for at least a partial day visit.

Breaking News!

Word has it that Mom will be released on August 29th, though we're going to try and push hard on the driveway to get our out sooner.

This is 95% certain (word from a physical thereapist) and will be confirmed tomorrow. Sound the trumpets!

Connect the Dots

As of last night, thanks to the help of Pat and David (thanks, guys!), the frame for the first two sections and the holes for the rest of the posts are all set and ready. At this point it's just a matter of settings more posts, building more frames as have been built up to this point, tacking down plywood and then throwing up and trimming the railing. It sounds like a lot (and might take a while), but there is actually an end in sight, and I could see the whole project being completed with about two days of concentrated effort.

Who's game? There's a ghost monkey skull in it for you...


In other news, I'm trying to nail down Mr. Halvorson at Maryville to find out when Mom is going to be relased, whether temporarily (on furlough) or permanently. Rumors have her out for a half day on Monday and for good on Friday of next week, but I have yet to have those things confirmed, and Maryville rumors have had a way of being exactly that. Still, Mom is in good spirits and aside from wanting to come home, she's chippr and cooperative, participating fully in her therapy and having a good time doing it.

It's Getting Better All the Time

As the saying goes: another day, another section of ramp done. A later day at work and a long commute conspired against me such that the light disappeared before I could get too terribly far, but progress is progress. And with a slightly earlier start tomorrow, we should have the next section primed and ready for completion over the weekend.

Mom looks great but is extremely eager to get home. Hoping to hear more about a release date tomorrow.

How are YOU?

I Need Some Help

Dad and I managed to get a board patched on the main deck and some other sundry cutting, lining and marking done, but between the weather and small crew size, not as much got done as needs to. Mom may be cut loose for a furlough as early as next Monday, so it's important the ramp get done this week (or on the weekend, but I'm going to be out of town at that time), so Tony, David, anyone who's available evenings this week (starting tomorrow night - Tuesday), please give me a call if you can lend a hand, even if only for an hour or two.

Going to see Mom shortly and will say hi for you all!

Back From the Wilderness

Here's a snapshot (post-packup) of where our tent was located for nearly a week in the wilderness east of Sweet Home. I didn't get a lot of pictures, but they would be useless in conveying the beauty of the surroundings anyway, so suffice to say that the time spent away was a much-needed restful respite.

Upon our return, my first day back was spent in an all-day offsite meeting, so the first chance I had to check in with Mom and Dad was yesterday evening. Happily, I found both in fine spirits; Mom was watching TV with Gary when I showed up, coffee in hand, and she was happy and talkative about her renewed physical therapy sessions. Apparently they were having her do an exercise with picking up clothespins and putting them in a jar (with her weaker hand), which was frustrating but successful nonetheless.

We visited for a while and I told them about camping, then I checked in with Dad, who was recovering from his amped-up level of physical activity throughout the week. As he describes it, his stay at Maryville used to be composed of about 45-90 minutes of physical activity, and now that's about how much rest he's getting throughout the day, as he's busying himself with arranging things throughout the house and trimming ramp material to smooth the thresholds between rooms so that wheelchairs can more easily move throughout the house.

His legs had been aching for a few days and were just getting better yesterday, but his new walker had arrived the day before and it was really helping him get around. He has been out and about to visit Mom pretty much every day (thanks to Bill and Grace), and he has partaken of coffee directly from New Seasons, so before we know it he'll be running errands and back to his routine. He's also been receiving delicious homecooked food (thanks Kathy and Chris!) so he has not been for want of nourishment.

This weekend (Sunday) I'm planning to continue work on the ramp, and I could sure use a hand. If you're free, give me a call or drop me an email and let me know.

A Homecoming Story Told in Pictures

Dad's home and happy, but a little disoriented with all the changes. If you get a chance to say hi, try to call and check first as I'm sure he needs some time to get his bearings. We're leaving town through Wednesday, so until then, thanks for all your love and support...and keep next weekend free if you're up for some back-breaking labor on the ramp.

In the Clear

The story remains the same, and Dad will be home as of around 10 AM tomorrow. Mom's release is still to be confirmed, but the nurses sound like they might want to keep her for up to four weeks. This is probably not going to work, as her morale will certainly decline even if Dad visits her at Maryville daily, so we're going to ask for two weeks and then two weeks or more of supplementary in-home care. Hopefully this will be agreeable to the staff as well as Mom.

I also connected with Bronson today, who will indeed be taking possession of the Dodge truck tomorrow at around the same time Dad is brought home.

Feel free to stop by and visit Dad on Sunday...but keep in mind that he might have found his way back to Maryville to visit Mom, as is his plan at this time.

Not Quite Rolling

Bronson stopped by last night and inflated the Dodge tires. They held the air just fine and for giggles he tried popping it in neutral and rolling it downhill, but it wouldn't budge. Seems the axles might be frozen, which isn't surprising, but it definitely makes towing it a challenge.

We also talked to Guy and he volunteered to drag it up to his place so that Bronson could get to it easier with his trailer. What a Guy.

Still aiming for a Saturday pickup, but that might be kinda dicey depending on when Dad is getting home, etc. Going to take some very careful planning to make sure the timing is right.

Got a text from Dad a short while ago, and it seems he's out of his migraine haze. I'll stop by tonight and brief them on what's happening before heading up to the house and doing some more construction on the ramp.

A Mix of News Good and Bad

The good news is too good not to share up front, so I'm not even giving you a choice.

DAD GETS OUT THIS FRIDAY!!!

Our requests have finally been answered and at today's staff meeting, all involved agreed that Dad is ready to be released, so Friday will be his last day. This means there is a lot still to do, and I'm going to be stepping up the effort as the week wears on, but the news is excellent indeed. And in talking last night, we decided that the best way to solve the ramp problem I was facing was to keep it flat and jog the platform uphill after the first bend. It's simple and it's perfect...and now it's my job to make it a reality.

The bad news is that Dad has one of his wicked migraines today, so he's down for the count and I won't be stopping in to see the folks until tomorrow, which is just as well because I'm meeting Bronson to inflate the Dodge tires and look inside the truck now that the doors are open. Bronson said he might be able to take her away this Saturday morning, but I'm sure he'll have more info on that this evening.

Sounds too like they are gearing up to provide more skilled care for Mom on Medicare's dime since she has a renewed capacity post-ablation. So it's likely that Mom will be at Maryville another two weeks, which gives us more time to get the house ready for wheelchair access. Dad can get up and into the house via walker, so he won't need the ramp right away.

Now, I'm going to be leaving town on Saturday and we will be gone through Wednesday, so I'm going to need some people to stop by and be readily available. Jenna (and Eydie, though she doesn't quite know it yet) has volunteered to make some hot meals for Dad to eat during his first nights at home, but he'll likely need some assistance getting to and from the store before too long. So if you're available, please keep in touch and call the house to let Dad know.

The View From Up Here

The shot above was taken whilst standing atop the newly-formed (but not yet secured) platform extending off the deck. All is level and sound, and the concrete is nearly completely set...now I'm at a crossroads.


As you can see here, the ramp/platform is going to veer off the current direction at 30 degrees or so...but the question is, keep it flat and extend it until it meets the ground (which will be nice and level but will likely run into the actual driveway), or start a declination of 1 inch per foot where the ramp changes direction (which will make for a looooong incline)?

There's also the potential option of keeping things flat but building a wider platform to the left of the far end, a sort of landing or deck from which one can board or disembark from a car. This option would require more foundation building, groundscaping and materials, and if time is of the essence (as Dad's release may be imminent), it may be moot, but I'll probably decide today how to proceed and continue construction. If you have any ideas either way, HIT ME.

Thanks to Chris Cotton, got the Dodge Pickup opened yesterday, but we still can't find any keys that fit the ignition or the door (and believe me, we've tried probably 437). And thanks to John, the shop is pretty durned clean and the piano is completely unearthed.

Should have a Maryville end date for Mom and Dad after tomorrow's meeting. Steve is supposed to call me so I'll let you know as soon as I have info.

Progress

Just taking a break, but here's where we are at this very moment. Gonna start putting up the 2x6 rails in a bit here and I hope to have all the skeletal bits on the two main sections up in the next few hours.

In other news, we're going to blitzkrieg the staff this week and tell THEM when Dad is getting out, with Mom close behind. Stay tuned as details develop...

Time Flies

Has it been a week already? Sorry to keep anyone in the dark...here's the quick lowdown:

* Mom's visit with Dr. Unger went very well. He dropped her evening course of furosimide and recommended therapy with a walker since she has had increased vitality in the wake of the ablation. He also asked to see her in 6 weeks, which is about the longest stretch requested in a long time.

* With help from Pat yesterday, four more posts are framed up, and two have been poured. We of course did a lot of back and forth on the measurements to make sure everything is square off the deck, but it's looking good going into the weekend. I'm going to pour the other two holes Saturday afternoon and be ready for Sunday.

* Ginger did a great job last night of vacuuming the bedroom floor. I had forgotten what color it was! She also ran the Kirby through the rest of the house and it's looking wonderful inside. Thank you!

* Got all bills paid (again, time seems to fly...)

* No news yet on a release date, but I'm thinking we're at a point where WE are going to tell the staff when Mom and Dad are coming home. I think we'll set that up face to face early next week so there is a target in sight.

Work party this Sunday, 10 AM. Let me know if you are interested...more fun to be had with the ramp, clearing debris, cleaning the piano in the shop and moving a bed from upstairs down to its new home. I could sure use some help, so let me know if you are able to attend, even for a little bit.

Back to Normal

Mom's appointment was a no-frills affair today, and the report was very positive: her heartrate is down to a steady 72 (though it does dip into the 60s) and, most importantly, is nice and regular: no more arrythmia or flutter. This has led to reduced swelling and increased energy, and it's good to hear that the changes are staying in place.

Got her back to Maryville just in time for dinner, and lined up a Thursday appointment with Dr. Unger to see if we can't reduce the prescribed diuretics since those seem to be keeping her up most of the night (she finds herself getting up 4-6 times a nice on her current dosage). More on that as it develops.

I'll probably also take some of Thursday to continue work on the ramp, so if anyone would like to lend a hand and has the time, please let me know.

Also, if anyone is swinging by a Walgreen's, Mom needs some of those disposable floss holders that look sorta like this:


I was going to grab some but didn't get a chance today, so if you have a moment and can grab a pack, let me know and I'll get you some cash (I'm looking at you, Gary/Bill/Grace). :)

Bravo, Team!

As you can see above, the ramp isn't QUITE done. Plans are plans, but when Paul and I were there in person, it was clear some things weren't completely thought through...something about measurements and angles and I'm sure I was supposed to pay attention in geometry but it just didn't sink in.

Long story short, it took us a long while and much digging before we were even ready to set up the posts properly and pour the concrete. With four setting up and the afternoon well underway, it seemed best to let the ramp be until the concrete completely dried.

While this was going on, a lot of debris and junk was being pulled from around the property and taken to the dump (two loads!), the buffet and dogfoot table were being swapped to make more room in the hallway, Kathryn built a pedestal for Dad's chair, Ginger vacuumed and cleaned their bedroom, and the piano in the shop was unearthed after many years of neglect. There's of course a lot more to do this week, but it's a huge start. I'll be there toward the end of the week to continue the ramp construction, with the (more reasonable aim) of having the skeleton in place by the weekend and the plywood put down before the following week.

Big thanks to all who were there to help out: Kathryn, Herr Sherzinger, Paul and Johnny Huck, Kathleen, Ginger, David and Steve. Couldn't have done it all without you, guys!

This Thing Is Indeed Still On

Contrary to rumor, the work party is STILL ON, rain or shine.

Well, a torrential downpour may derail the efforts...but if that happens, there is still plenty to do inside.

10 AM, Sunday, see you there!

Gangway!

See anything in the big empty space above (aside from Spot the Wonder Cat)? No? GOOD! That's because it's proof positive that the Isuzu is out of the way and the driveway is clear for Dodge removal.

This will also make it easier for the myriad cars to park on Sunday, as I understand at least 8 people will be coming, if not more. The more the merrier for sure, just please let me know if you're coming using the number and/or email on the right side of this page. Got to have enough beer and other provisions on hand, you know?

In other news, stopped by the folks' and gave them the lowdown on the place as well as divulging my concerns about Gizmo's health. They agreed her behavior sounded weird, and I said that if she was in a similar funk, I might take her to the vet. I braced myself for the worst when I drop up to the house, but when I got to the door, she was talkative and active as ever and as soon as I put her food down she started eating. Guess I'll chalk it up to her disliking Friskies' "Salmon Dinner" and preferring turkey instead.

Finally, I have scheduled Mom's ablation followup for Monday at 3 PM. It should be a quick trip but I'm taking the afternoon off to make sure she gets situated and transported smoothly.

So at this time I have for Sunday:
* Tasha
* Mark and Kathleen
* Bev and Jim
* Janet and Ron
* Paul H
* John H
* Paul S
* Ginger B
* Kathryn H
* David P

And among the work to be done:
* build the ramp
* take a number of specific items (water heaters, weed eaters, couche, dead blinds) to the dump
* clean off and free up the piano in the shop for removal
* vacuum and clean a few of the rooms indoors
* swap the dogfoot table and buffet in the main hall
* move the dresser/bureau in the bedroom to another location and scout a suitable replacement with a smaller footprint

I'm going up the day before to do some prep work (pour some concrete footing, etc.), so you're welcome to join me then as well. But anyone else on board?

One Down...

The Isuzu is GONE! Seems the wheel attachment worked like a charm and everything was in order...that or bandits came and took 'er away in the night. Either way, the driveway is free and clear and the Dodge has a path to freedom.

I'm getting worried about little Gizmo...she has been getting skinnier and skinnier it seems every day, and tonight I had to call her and find her whereas she has been waiting at the door for me every other day. And she just stood in front of her food tonight, seemingly disinterested. Going to see if some high-calorie food does the trick, but she was so social and animated last night I really wonder what might have happened.

Talked to Mom and Dad and realized that we need to get Mom in for her checkup with the heart doc, so I'm going to set that up for Monday or Tuesday of next week.

So far I have 3 people in for Sunday. Anyone else?

A Clear Path for a New Day

Thanks to a surprisingly large number of friends and coworkers who dropped by to assist last night (and some wee ones who cheered us on), we made short work of the delivered lumber and Isuzu wheel. As of about 7:30 last night, the Isuzu was prepped for towing and the ramp lumber was moved to higher ground out of the way of the tow truck...and the crew even moved the scrap lumber to a better more organized location to boot.

All who attended seemed to marvel (as one would expect) at the homestead's character and charm, and even raspy little Gizmo entertained in her own weird way. The car will be towed sometime today between 8 AM and 6 PM, so there should be a clear path to remove the Dodge when Bronson is ready to take 'er away.

Many thanks to Seth, Ericka, Jonathan, Brian, Pat and Spirit for dropping by to help. And special thanks to little Jenna and Ember for cheering us on!

Partial Success

The plan above is what I'm using as a construction schematic for the ramp. As of yesterday evening, the 10 postholes are dug and ready, and the line of the ramp has been lined out so we know for sure that it will clear both the lower deck railing and the trees up the hill. I had to cut back some of the mock orange to make it work, but at a reduction of less than 10%, it could be much worse.

Most of the morning was taken up with clearning and cleaning the ramp landing on the upper deck and lining up the materials for pacing out the ramp itself. The sun cooperated for the most part and Mr. Bill Burt dropped by to lend a hand with measurements, clearing dirt and hacking away underbrush (thanks Bill!). There's lots to do still and I'll be going up with some friends on Tusday night to put on the Isuzu wheel and move the lumber, which I realized on Sunday is now in the way of the tow truck that will be coming on Wednesday.

Dad found the keys to the Dodge pickup (we think) so I'll test those tonight and if they are indeed the ones, then all I need is final word from Bronson the buyer and that baby will be on its way next week or thereabouts.

This coming Sunday will be another work party, and cousins and aunts will be in to build, clean, and organize. A specific set of tasks is still to come, but if you're interested in helping out, be at the Homestead on SUNDAY, JULY 22 at 10 AM. There will be plenty to do.

More on the ramp progress (including pictures) later this week!

A New Day

Mom hasn't been resting as much as she should (which is a lot given her recent adventures), but her swelling is getting much better and her energy is already higher since the operation. It's terrific to see her so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and it can only help her physical therapy and overall recovery.

TOMORROW AT 10 AM...are YOU ready??

I Hear the Jury's Still Out on Science

Medicine prevails! The ablation procedure was a complete success and as I type this, Mom is resting in her room on the 6th floor at St. Vincent's hospital. The day was off to a rocky start (I managed to get to Maryville too late to catch the speedy transport driver and had to meet them at St. Vincent's), but all in all, things went fairly smoothly.

Spoke to the Doc after her procedure was done and before they moved her upstairs, and her heartrate is down to around 60 now, whereas it was in the mid-90s when we brought her in today (and it's been even higher in the past). Apparently her upper chamber was beating at nearly 200 bpm, but the ablation has cleared a lot of the debris and eliminated the flutter, making her circulation more efficient and hopefully her energy much higher.

Of course, in typical fashion, Mom was moved upstairs post-procedure while I was in the waiting room and no one told me...I just sort of got a gut feeling that things were taking longer than they should, so I went upstairs to the room where we checked her in and sure enough, she was fast asleep. Not big on communication, these medical professionals...but as long as they get the job done, I'm okay with that.

Still need to make arrangements around Mom's discharge and return to Maryville tomorrow, but I'll call in the morning about that to get an idea since the nurses tonight had no information.

Checked in with Dad after getting Mom squared away and went over the schematic for the ramp. He had a few mods and comments but gave it the greenlight thumbsup and we made a list of materials that we swiftly called into the lumber yard. Everything should be delivered tomorrow for assembly on Sunday, so we are good to go in that department.

Then I met a potential Dodge buyer at the Homestead and after a quick inspection, he's thrilled. Sounds like he's going to take it at full price but won't be able to remove it until week after next...but that should be fine since it's not in our way for ramp construction and the Mazda needs to move first anyway (which as of this afternoon is scheduled for removal next Wednesday between 8 AM and 6 PM).

Whew!

After all that, I officially need a beer, so until my next post, adieu.

PS: Anyone interested in building a ramp, cleaning a house or just hanging out, I'll see you at 10 AM on Sunday.

An End in Sight?

Word has it from Stephen's lips that Dad will be set for release in 2-3 weeks, based on his current performance in physical therapy sessions and his ability to assist with the care of Mom while at home.

This was of course dismaying news to the pair, and to complicate matters, Mom's Medicare coverage will cease this Friday. We decided that it makes most sense to have her stay at Maryville on private pay, and she can then come home when Dad does. This buys more time for the completion of the driveway and ramp renovations, and for the cars to be removed.

Speaking of: meeting someone to look at the Dodge on Thursday night and hope to have it moved by the weekend. Also working on having the Isuzu removed by the weekend as well, but I need to get up there and attach a wheel before they will tow it. Any volunteers?

Work will be on Sunday this week, and it will start early-ish. Who's in?

Is This Thing On?

Had a good time camping at the beach and relaxing, but now it's back to work! Gotta get cars moved and a ramp built since it sounds like the parents' arrival back at the homestead may be imminent (though the story varies depending on who you talk to).

Here is what we know:
* Mom's ablation is set for Thursday.
* I have made all transportation and scheduling arrangements.
* Doctors do not talk to eachother, even when they work on the same patient or when they work in the same building.
* Mom's ablation is an overnight procedure, so she will return to Maryville on Friday to rest and will likely be there through the weekend.
* Stephen the social worker is allegedly coordinating all efforts on Mom's and Dad's behalf, but I have yet to see results or get a set date on when they may be released. Gonna have to hassle him about that.
* Mom's sprained ankle from her fall last week (well, the week before, now) is apparently OK under the x-ray, but still swollen and sore, which keeps her from effective physical therapy. This is obviously a troubling setback that the nurses are watching closely
* If you visit, you may notice Mom's fashionable, Avril-esque arm bandages. These were put on because her skin is very delicate and when she lets her arm drop, it sometimes gets nicked by the wheelchair, creating a small cut that won't stop bleeding. So far, the bandages are helping that tremendously...plus they look cool.
* I have tons of nibbles on the Dodge Pickup, one on the Polara, but no one wants the Ford pickup. Anyone know any Ford-heads? I'd hate to see it just get hauled away for scrap...
* Gizmo misses her parents and is getting very very skinny
* Dad is spry but there is still no word on when he gets out. Hopefully, we'll know more this Tuesday when Stephen and the Maryville crew have their weekly meeting. If not, heads will roll...or something.

Look for details on work to come this weekend...

Out of Step

Sorry for the brevity, but we're heading out of town for the 4th of July and will be back on Saturday with more news and excitement.

Highlights!

* Mom and Dad are doing well but aren't getting out this week for sure
* Venka still doesn't have the notes for us as they were more extensive than she had planned
* The Dodge Truck is getting a lot of interest but so far only one email has come in about the Polara and nothing about the Ford. I'm going to show the cars to folks this coming weekend, and hopefully on Sunday we can get some work done.

Our neighbor Chris Cotton is going to take care of Gizmo whilst I'm away, so all should be well. Bring my parents lots of decaf mochas and give them all the love I can't while I'm away!

Visitation Day

Today was the first time that Dad has seen the house for over a month, and it was a surprising visit in many ways; on the one hand, Venka gave us a few suggestions that were pretty much expected, but on the other, she brought up some issues we hadn't considered (emergency exit access) and confronted the tough issue of how to address Mom's round the clock needs once she's released.


We went from room to room and Venka wasn't nearly as shocked at the conditions as I had figured (she used to serve rural Idaho), but Dad was definitely taken aback at first by the changes we made to the living room. I know it must be hard to see such a difference when you've been gone so long, and to consider that everyone had to go through your stuff in order to get in that state. But it seemed by the end that he was glad to have the work done, and he loved the railings and path (nice work, guys).

Venka is compiling an extensive list of recommended changes that I'll get on Monday, and that with my notes and my measurements will make for quite a load of work in the weeks to come. But I know one thing; Gizmo was beside herself to see Dad again and spent as much time as possible on his lap.

WORK PARTY CANCELED

My body is giving up and I'm not going to be able to physically handle Sunday after all. We'll figure out a another way with the ramp (I may take days off work mid-week after next to get it sorted and built), but no work this weekend.

Thanks everyone for your willingness to help and your patient flexibility.

More news about yesterday's home visit will go up later today.

Good News is Good News

Dad's feeling infinitely better and we are on track for a home visit at 9 AM on Friday. I'll be picking up and using their car for transport (at Venka's direction so we can get a good indicator of their everyday conditions), so I'll be at Maryville before 9 to get Dad up there with Venka, walk around the place, make a list of infractions and things to remedy, then get him back to Maryville, hopefully in time for lunch.

Stay tuned on the results!

Anyone up for a work party on Sunday? I realized that since we'll be out of town next weekend and one or both parents will likely be home the week after that, it leaves us pretty much this weekend to get the ramp done. If you're game, please let me know by email or phone. Looking to get started in the 9 or 10 AM timeframe. Otherwise, I may need to enlist a deputy foreman to lead the charge in my absence next weekend (July 6-8).

Cars and Spirits: UP

The cars are on Craigslist as of last night.

1949 Dodge
1946 Ford
1969 Dodge

Pass 'em on as you see fit.

So far the Dodge Pickup is getting the most attention (4 offers so far, one for full price and moving before the weekend), but hopefully they'll all move within the prescribed Craigslist 7-day window.

Checked in with both Mom and Dad yesterday. Mom is doing well and though she's not thrilled to hear her ablation will be over two weeks away, I reminded her that at least we have a firm date now, which gives us some sense of a light at the end of the tunnel. Dad was horizontal when I saw him but was talkative, and most of the nausea had gone away. When I called him today he was in the midst of therapy so it sounds like he is back from whatever illness laid him up...but it's still unclear whether we'll be visiting the house with Venka tomorrow or whether that will be moved to next week.

Small Breakthrough

Connected with Dr. Jones' office and we have Mom's ablation tentatively scheduled for Thursday, July 12th. They want her there at 8:30 AM for monitoring and prep, though the procedure will likely not be done until 1 PM or so. They will be watching her coumadin levels closely between now and then with luck she'll still be on track for the procedure. They're not planning to deviate from her intake, but depending on the protime measurements, that could change.

Also, I have some excellent hi-res photos (thanks to Kathryn and Sam) of the cars to be sold/moved up on my Flickr account. If you know anyone interested in restoring old cars, have them get in touch with me ASAP; otherwise, I'll be putting these babies on craigslist this week. I'd like to get them moved by the weekend or before July 4th at the VERY latest, but I tend to get kinda hopeful about things.

Bump in the Road

Dad's feeling quite ill so Venka called to put off tomorrow's home visit. He was coming down with a cold of some sort when we saw him on Saturday, and it sounds like it took a turn yesterday and he's not yet out of the woods, so we're tentatively planning for a Thursday visit instead. I'll let everyone know if that doesn't end up happening.

Also called Dr. Jones' office and the scheduler should be calling me soon to set up Mom's ablation procedure. I'm stopping by Maryville this evening to visit Mom, check on her ankle and bring her coffee, and I'll let her know then about the potential ablation.

Mission Accomplished, Vol. 1

Well the gang came through and when the day was done we had two solid railings, an organized living room, lots of brush cleared, a wider smoother path to the deck, materials gathered and a good plan for the ramp (provided my folks are okay with losing either the rhododendron or the lower deck railing).

Many thanks to Kathryn, Sam, Pat, John, Ed, Rose, Ginger and Tasha for all their help and patience with all manner of dust, cat excrement and debris. It's a daunting task tackling the Homestead, but we may one helluva dent, as seen below.







Also, found a message from Dr. Jones' office on the Homestead voicemail saying they are ready to schedule the ablation pending a conversation with me about the details. Wish they'd called my cell or home numbers (as provided), but what can you do? So, I'll have that scheduled on Monday and by the time Dad and Venka come up on Tuesday things should be looking good...or we'll have a lot more work to do before either of them come home.

Stopped by Maryville yesterday and apparently Mom fell on her way to the loo. Her ankle may be sprained from the fall, and they are going to get her an x-ray today to see what damage was done, but she needs to keep her right leg elevated to keep the swelling down. Definitely complicates the physical therapy progression to say the least.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Here are the final candidates for the ramp plan.

Option A (PDF)
Option B (PDF)

It all depends on time, space and materials, but we'll map each potential plan out for sure on Saturday.

What Lies Ahead

For those who haven't seen the Homestead recently, here's what's in store.

The view from below the lower deck (and the railing I'd like to build on Saturday):


and the view leading up to the lower deck, with the other railing I'd like to have built on Saturday:


and finally, the general vision for the ramp, viewed from the front door, though the exact shape is not ideal and is up for debate depending on a number of factors, including measurements and clearance:


I am putting together a list of materials and tools we'll need for Saturday...I don't anticipate much construction aside from the railings, but we'll be drawing up plans for the ramp on that day.

Saw Mom and Dad again yesterday, and gave them the good news that Dr. Jones got back to me, and once he takes a look at Mom's charts, he'll likely give the ablation a green light and get it scheduled.

A Change in Plans

Okay...apparently, due to the uncertainty around the physical therapist's readiness for my parents' house and my Dad's difficulty in getting around and up to the house, he and Venka agreed to put off the home visit for a week. We'll have more news next Tuesday.

However, I'd like to put a work party together this Saturday afternoon around 1 PM at the Homestead. The purpose would be to visit the house, survey the plans for the ramp, build some temporary railings to make it easier to get up to the house "the old way", and to begin some organization on the interior of the house so that some of the clutter can be arranged in a more orderly fashion.

If you are interested in coming up and participating, please call my folks or me (I'd rather not give the numbers online) or email me at jedgilchrist@gmail.com.

Dad likes the plans I drew up, and I'm going up today to get some more measurements and to take some better pictures of the cars to get them moved off the lot. More to come as I know it!

Father's Day and More

Tomorrow is the big day at the Homestead, so I have drafted three plans for the ramp in ArcView and will pace out exact dimensions while at the house with Venka and my Dad. After some discussion, Dad and I really don't think Venka is ready for or aware of the "uniqueness" of the Gilchrist Homestead, so I've put a call into her to talk a bit about it and what she should be ready for. I also have a call into Dr. Walsh, one of Mom's cardiologists, to see if he is aware of her status and/or if he has any advice.

I called Dr. Jones last week but he is out on vacation through tomorrow, and the scheduler would not talk to me unless Dr. Jones was involved, so I'll follow up with him tomorrow about recheduling Mom's ablation.

Stopped by Maryville on Saturday for a Father's Day brunch, which was really nice and allowed to have a nice extended chat and some good food too. Saw them both as well yesterday (with coffee in hand) and they're both in fine spirits but quite ready to leave.

Dad and I discussed moving the cars to the lower landing below the driveway until the ramp construction is complete just so they're out of the way and we can get working while people come by and look at what's there before deciding if they want to take them off our hands. I think it's a pretty good idea so I'm going to be talking to the neighbor (Guy) about using his equipment for the move, though locked wheels and flat tires could pose a problem. I would like to have them out of the way this week so we can get a work party going this weekend, but I'll have more info on that as the week progresses.

More tomorrow after the visit!

Lights and Tunnels

The meeting today was, by all rights, a roaring success. Stephen (social worker), Eddie and Darlene (nurses), Bree and Venka (physical therapists) and my folks and myself all gathered and discussed the many issues at hand...namely, what it will take to get my folks out of Maryville and how long it's going to take.

Both therapists had good things to say about Mom's and Dad's respective progress, and the nurses chimed in to say that Mom's UTI is cleared up. Her coumadin level is still considered stable even though the doses change every few days, so I will call Dr. Jones tomorrow to schedule her ablation procedure, and while Mom had plateaued previously in terms of her physical therapy, Venka recently found some new interesting breakthroughs for her in terms of day to day occupational activities so there is more work to be done for sure.

The short answer as far as length of stay: 2-3 weeks for both Mom and Dad. If they don't get out at the same time, Mom will likely be the first to be released, and we discussed options for her if that is the case since the staff agrees that Mom needs to have someone around 24 hours a day to make sure she has the help and care she needs.

We also discussed the preparations necessary to ensure that the Gilchrist home is ready for either or both of them to return. The staff is very positive about the ramp project, and I explained how Paul and I spoke yesterday both about the ramp and the doors to the bathroom and bedroom so that wheelchair access is ensured, but Venka was wanting to follow up on the home visit so she can see the situation and make suggestions as needed. We scheduled a visit for next Tuesday morning, and we're bringing Dad and an extra wheelchair to run through the house so I'm sure I'll have a long list of things to clean up and modify before Mom and Dad come home.

After the meeting, I sat in on and helped with one of Mom and Dad's joint physical therapy sessions, and it was encouraging to see them doing so well. I helped at one point with transferring Mom from the wheelchair to the bed, and she does really well as long as she has the help she needs when she needs it. I spoke with Venka and Bree briefly after the session and prepped Venka for the visit by showing her a few pictures I had taken, including the one above. It may not be a live grenade (as Dad explained), but its presence is definitely an indication of things to come.

What's New?

Been a while, and not a whole lot has happened, but thought I'd let everyone know: Mom and Dad are doing well and looking great, but both are getting antsy to get out. They've explored pretty much every nook and cranny of the facility (even "Felix's Corner", whatever that is) and the bordeom of routine is setting in, so we're all looking forward to the outcome of tomorrow's meeting.

Paul S and I will be at the house tonight pacing out the ramp and deck renovations. Chris has done some phenomenal work uncovering the Dodge truck in front of the house and I'm hoping they'll all be clear for removal this week. It's just a matter of getting the right buyers lined up.

Addendum

Stephen and I finally connected, and we'll all be sitting down Tuesday at 2 PM to sort out the timelines for Mom's and Dad's release. Stay tuned!

We're Only Making Plans...for Jeanne (and Bill)

(click picture to enlarge)

If you haven't been to the Gilchrist homestead in a while, the sight above may be a bit shocking. The picture here (compliments of GoogleEarth) was taken sometime last year, after the Great Felling of 2005, and shows the area that used to be covered by lush forest is now open to the elements, thanks to pressures from Metro and Measure 37. But, soapbox sermons aside, the reason I bring this up is that I want everyone to get a visual idea of the work ahead.

The picture below is a close-up of the house itself and the area directly in front that needs the most work.

(click picture to enlarge)

The crudely-drawn red loop is what was intended to be a circular driveway, but thanks to the mustard-colored shapes (which represent cars in various states of decomposition), that dream has never quite come to be. So my vision in the weeks ahead is to get those mustard shapes removed, pave at least half the red loop, and construct the lengthy ramp (depicted here in lime green).

Hopefully this gives everyone a good idea of the work that lies ahead, and thanks to input from friends, neighbors and family (thanks Gary, John and Chris), a murky work plan and timeline is forming in my brain. I hope to call a meeting soon somewhere relatively central to everyone so we can meet in person and draw up some plans, then I'll run them by the 'rents before we break ground. But ideas are still most welcome, so by all means share your wisdom.

Still waiting for a call back from Stephen to arrange that face to face meeting, as it's still anyone's guess when Mom and Dad will be sprung free. That meeting will be key in arranging the whole thing, but next week for either of them appears optimistic. Mom and Dad both looked well but tired from therapy when I saw them yesterday; Mom is dressing herself and performing other Occupational Therapy tests in record time, which is impressing the staff to no end, and Dad's right foot is now making him fully capable of using a walker and standing while washing dishes (who knew they'd put them to work while at Maryville?). Dad's scheduled to cook a dinner for one of the staff members as a sort of test of skills (though it sounds like a scam to me), and based on how that goes, he may be released earlier than originally projected. But like I said, it's anyone's guess.


Also, Chris went to town on the Hawthorne tree in front of the house (see above...thanks, Chris!), and it is now no longer laying on and obscuring the Dodge truck. Should make it a more attractive commodity to potential buyers, though the raccooons living in it might be a hard bonus to sell.

Doctor Unger's Good Word

Yesterday was very successful, as I was able to get Mom to and from St. Vincent's for her doctor appointment without any major difficulties (with thanks to Metro West and the Maryville staff). The Doc had some very good general things to say about Mom, including improved heartrate, coumadin level stabilization, reduced fluid retention and excellent responsiveness. He agrees that we should proceed with the ablation and a CT scan to make sure that future complications can be monitored and minimized.

Other highlighted outcomes:

* She's likely ready for the ablation procedure within 7-10 days
* Her heart rhythm and rate are both very good (well below 100 and steady), which is encouraging.
* I will call Dr. Jones to schedule the ablation procedure, and Dr. Unger will schedule the CT scan
* UTI status is known, but a UA was processed during our visit and pending the results, she should be in the clear
* She will stay on diuretics for the near term to keep fluid retention low
* It was advised that I consult cardiologist Dr. Walsh for information before the ablation

All in all, it was pretty good news.

Mom also mentioned that since Dad and I have brought it up to the staff, everyone is responding much more quickly when she calls for assistance, which in turn makes her much more apt to use the help. I was relieved to hear that to say the least, as it means fewer chances she might fall and injure herself, though the therapists are all thrilled with her progress in terms of both steadiness and strength.

I am trying to nail down Stephen to get another face to face later this week, and once that's in place, I should have a more definite timeline regarding both parents will be released. It still sounds like Mom will be cleared before Dad, but Dad's pretty adamant that he needs to be out at least the same time as Mom so we'll have to see.

A Pivotal Week Ahead

Been a little while since the last update, but everything is generally A-OK. Mom continues to try and get to the restroom without assistance, but after talking to her and getting a gauge for the general response time, it's because calling the nursing staff takes about 20 minutes to get a response and Mom needs assistance much sooner than that. I am hoping to meet with the head nurse this week to get some special arrangements made or to at least get an idea of what options we have, since she's likely to continue getting up and endangering herself if no accommodations are made. She managed to hurt her right hand on her wheelchair and it's been bandaged up, but it's something I will be talking to her doctor about this Tuesday when she goes in.

Speaking of, there are a number of questions I have put together with Dad and with assistance from his physical therapist regarding Mom's status and the timeline for further treatments/therapy. Pending the results of this Tuesday afternoon office visit (for which I will be accompanying Mom), I should have a better idea of when her ablation procedure is supposed to take place, when she will next get a CT scan, and when she might be released from Maryville. If she's scheduled to be released before Dad, we will either pay to have her stay longer or work out an alternative home-care situation. Lots of options are still on the table, but without the information we will get on Tuesday, it's all guesswork for now.

Dad's recovery is humming along, and he is able to use his right foot to take steps and manage the walker much better than before. We dropped off some Hood strawberries with him yesterday and I understand they were passed around at dinner so their healing effects could be felt by all. He's got plenty to do around the place and plenty to entertain him in his downtime, and as he passes the staff in the halls I can see by the banter that he's well-liked and well-known by just about everyone there. Hardly shocking, I must say. I'm planning to talk to Stephen tomorrow about scheduling another sit-down so we can see where he stands (no pun intended), and I hope to get that in place before the end of the week so we can synchronize homecomings.

Meanwhile, at the Gilchrist Homestead, neighbor Chris was kind enough to take his weed wacker to the greenery that has sprung up around the various automobiles 'round the place, thereby uncovering two that are on the docket to be sold/donated/removed in some fashion. I've taken crude pictures for Craigslist and managed with Dad's help to find the titles for the various machines, and I'm going to be looking up potential values later this evening (though they'll of course be sold as-is with a "you tow it" clause). Anything that isn't/can't be sold on Craigslist will likely be donated through the "Autos for Animals" program, and now that I have the titles, I hope to have those arrangements wrapped up this week as well. I've been tidying up around the house here and there and getting things ready for their return home, and I will be stepping that up throughout the week, as I expect one or both to be ready to come home next week or soon thereafter.

On the exterior, plans for the paving and smoothing of the circular driveway are on deck post-auto removal, and Dad and I are talking about a ramp that would actually extend up the hill and wind more toward the flat bed truck than originally designed (with the general of 1 inch down, 1 foot out, we're looking at about 50 feet out or so). I am sketching this out and will need help from construction geniuses to put a plan and list of materials to accomplish this task. If you have the know-how, please email me and we can talk about what I have in mind.