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!