Tim here.
First of all I want the thank you, thank you, thank you for all the support, both prayer and physically you have given and are presently giving me and my family during this most trying time. The Lord's mercy is great and good and I have known that to the fullest extent from my brothers and sisters in Christ - believe me.
I am now at home now (my mother-in-law's) residence in Texas City which is single story and seems to have just been made for my situation. My brother-in-law build me a fine ramp on the back door which allows me to enter and exit the house in my wheel chair at will. I am able to tool around in the large back yard on the grass (which is taxing in itself) and to do some chores around the house. I've been able to cook some, both in the house and on the electric smoker in the back in order to somewhat help Bonnie with her caring for her mother who is in assisted living and not doing well at all.
This afternoon I have an appointment at TIRR (Texas Institute for Research and Rehabilitation) and am looking forward to that as they specialize in spinal cord and back injuries. My daughter asked me to not be shallow on my first blog and to put the "nitty gritty as to my condition. Well I think it's as good as can be expected under the circumstances under which I find myself here but the nitty gritty is that I realize I am extremely fortunate, blessed would be more accurate to be where I am today. Room does not premit my listing all the circumstances of knowing the Lord's faithfullness in all this.
Like how I obtained the Doctor, I have now to Dan and Kathryn Fischer and on another occasion Hershel Rosser ( a senior pastor at Vineyard in Sugar Land) laying hands on me in prayer and me feeling an improvement in my physical condition the next day.
These and many more are the nitty gritty of my condition.and I suspect will continue to be.
Again thank you, thank you, thank you.
Tim
Monday, June 15, 2009
Dad Now able to Post
Howdy! This is just a short note to let you know that Dad will be able to post on here also. If I post I will state that it is me, otherwise Dad will be updating.
Overall things have been trucking along. Dad found a Dr that he likes there in Texas City and he is able to get his cumiden testing done there also. Starting today he is going to TIRR twice a week for therapy. Please pray for mom's health and that she is able to physically drive especially on those days as they have to come into Houston. I will let dad post more in details as he has now been home for a couple of weeks.
MeeMaw is still not doing well...although, thankfully Mom is now only about 5 minutes away from her with them living in Texas City.
Mom and Dad's house is now posted and up for sale, please pray for God's timing on the sale of the house.
http://search.har.com/engine/doSearch.cfm?QUICKSEARCH=4333%20S%20Jefferson&FOR_SALE=1
Thank you so much for all the continued prayers. This transition that Mom and Dad are going through is not easy for anyone and life as they knew it before is totally different. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to live/adjust in the "craziness" of it all. ~E~
Overall things have been trucking along. Dad found a Dr that he likes there in Texas City and he is able to get his cumiden testing done there also. Starting today he is going to TIRR twice a week for therapy. Please pray for mom's health and that she is able to physically drive especially on those days as they have to come into Houston. I will let dad post more in details as he has now been home for a couple of weeks.
MeeMaw is still not doing well...although, thankfully Mom is now only about 5 minutes away from her with them living in Texas City.
Mom and Dad's house is now posted and up for sale, please pray for God's timing on the sale of the house.
http://search.har.com/engine/doSearch.cfm?QUICKSEARCH=4333%20S%20Jefferson&FOR_SALE=1
Thank you so much for all the continued prayers. This transition that Mom and Dad are going through is not easy for anyone and life as they knew it before is totally different. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to live/adjust in the "craziness" of it all. ~E~
Monday, June 1, 2009
*Singing* Free, Free I'm Free Indeed, Thank God Almighty I'm Free Indeed....
Dad was released from the Nursing Rehab last Thursday, he was out of Medicare days for his therapy. From what I heard people there were sad to see him go and one of the primary nurses cried. Mom and dad are currently staying in Texas City at MeeMaw's house where is it a one story. My uncle (My dad's brother in law) built a ramp in the back yard so dad can get in and out of the house and although I haven't seen it yet, I hear that it is big enough for them to sit out in the mornings and drink coffee on. Friday morning, dad's first morning there, dad got up and made coffee and breakfast...Praise God! A prayer request: Dad still has a lot of blood clots in his legs and he is on the highest dose of Kumedin (sp?) and they are still there. Please pray for these to be dissolved and that if any try to hit his lungs again that his filter will work and protect him from this all happening again.
The plan from now: Dad will be going down to TIRR twice a week for rehab. My understanding is this will be for as long as possible. They have an outpatient rehab location near Reliant Stadium so they won't have to go down into the depths of the medical center. This will help a little bit, although it will still be an hour drive one way.
MeeMaw is not doing well. She has been in and out of the hospital over the last 6 weeks and is currently in a rehab hospital, getting worse. She will be moving to another facility in the next couple of days. They believe she has Alzheimer's and she has started to turn against mom, yelling at her, telling mom she doesn't love her, etc. Example: Friday mom spent 7 hours with her, took her to lunch, tried to get her some fresh air, etc. Sat afternoon MeeMaw called with no memory of the previous day and yelled at mom for not ever being around and leaving her all alone. For obvious reasons this is very hard for mom to hear, yet mom seems to understand that this is the beginning of what could be a long road.
Although dad and mom are back under the same roof (which after 6 months, is an adjustment for any "normal" situation), this journey is far from over. Mom's health is not doing well. More days then not her hips and knees hurt so bad she can not drive and when she is driving she is literally driving into other lanes falling asleep. Although she doesn't have to worry about dad at a facility anymore, she does have to drive him into therapy twice a week on top of still helping MeeMaw in whatever facility she will be living at. MeeMaw is in to bad of shape and needs nursing care, along with her poor mental state to where she can't live with mom and dad....that wouldn't be healthy for any of them.
On top of it all...the Jefferson house is in the process of getting ready to be posted on MLS. We pray that this will all happen quickly and they can sell the house. Mom and dad will be living in Texas City until it does.
Mom and dad don't have a telephone set up yet in Texas City yet, when they do I will let you guys know.
Again thanks for all the prayers and continued support!! Hard to believe it has been half a year already...I wish I could express how much we appreciate your faithfulness! Thank you and God Bless!!!
The plan from now: Dad will be going down to TIRR twice a week for rehab. My understanding is this will be for as long as possible. They have an outpatient rehab location near Reliant Stadium so they won't have to go down into the depths of the medical center. This will help a little bit, although it will still be an hour drive one way.
MeeMaw is not doing well. She has been in and out of the hospital over the last 6 weeks and is currently in a rehab hospital, getting worse. She will be moving to another facility in the next couple of days. They believe she has Alzheimer's and she has started to turn against mom, yelling at her, telling mom she doesn't love her, etc. Example: Friday mom spent 7 hours with her, took her to lunch, tried to get her some fresh air, etc. Sat afternoon MeeMaw called with no memory of the previous day and yelled at mom for not ever being around and leaving her all alone. For obvious reasons this is very hard for mom to hear, yet mom seems to understand that this is the beginning of what could be a long road.
Although dad and mom are back under the same roof (which after 6 months, is an adjustment for any "normal" situation), this journey is far from over. Mom's health is not doing well. More days then not her hips and knees hurt so bad she can not drive and when she is driving she is literally driving into other lanes falling asleep. Although she doesn't have to worry about dad at a facility anymore, she does have to drive him into therapy twice a week on top of still helping MeeMaw in whatever facility she will be living at. MeeMaw is in to bad of shape and needs nursing care, along with her poor mental state to where she can't live with mom and dad....that wouldn't be healthy for any of them.
On top of it all...the Jefferson house is in the process of getting ready to be posted on MLS. We pray that this will all happen quickly and they can sell the house. Mom and dad will be living in Texas City until it does.
Mom and dad don't have a telephone set up yet in Texas City yet, when they do I will let you guys know.
Again thanks for all the prayers and continued support!! Hard to believe it has been half a year already...I wish I could express how much we appreciate your faithfulness! Thank you and God Bless!!!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Walker, Texas Rehab Patient
OK, so the title is super-cheesy. You wanna try and come up with something snappy every couple days for 6 months??? Be our guest!
This weekend, Dad "figured out" how he could walk better, as apparently he was having an issue with dragging one of his feet. So he was excited for Monday to come along and try it out in rehab. The therapist said, "I think we will try with just a walker today," and he said, "YES, that's what I was wanting to do!" Unlike the video previously posted, we are talking about a simple walker like what you see old folks usually using. So, Dad was not only able to do it, but has been walking with that walker during rehab since Monday. He is so motivated to keep his promise of "walking out of here" when he leaves...which is just a few weeks away. So, Praise God for His continual progress! Dad will still have a long way to go, but his attitude, effort, and determination is great.
Mom had four dear friends come in and start packing up some of the house for their eventual sale of the house and move. They say Moving is one of the most stressful events in life. Can you imagine Mom combining this with the other stressors such as her health, Dad's health, loss of employment (while in hospital), figuring out extreme medical bills and insurance, and taking care of an elderly parent who is in extremely poor health? So God Bless all of you who have been helping Mom and the family out this last half-year. We have been blessed by everyone's faithfulness in physical help, emotional support, and prayer. We can't say it enough, so hope you're not tired of reading it. THANK YOU.
This weekend, Dad "figured out" how he could walk better, as apparently he was having an issue with dragging one of his feet. So he was excited for Monday to come along and try it out in rehab. The therapist said, "I think we will try with just a walker today," and he said, "YES, that's what I was wanting to do!" Unlike the video previously posted, we are talking about a simple walker like what you see old folks usually using. So, Dad was not only able to do it, but has been walking with that walker during rehab since Monday. He is so motivated to keep his promise of "walking out of here" when he leaves...which is just a few weeks away. So, Praise God for His continual progress! Dad will still have a long way to go, but his attitude, effort, and determination is great.
Mom had four dear friends come in and start packing up some of the house for their eventual sale of the house and move. They say Moving is one of the most stressful events in life. Can you imagine Mom combining this with the other stressors such as her health, Dad's health, loss of employment (while in hospital), figuring out extreme medical bills and insurance, and taking care of an elderly parent who is in extremely poor health? So God Bless all of you who have been helping Mom and the family out this last half-year. We have been blessed by everyone's faithfulness in physical help, emotional support, and prayer. We can't say it enough, so hope you're not tired of reading it. THANK YOU.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Fitting for his Wheelchair
Not much to really report other then dad is working really hard in his Therapies and has gone over a week now without any bathroom accidents.
Mom and him went to TIRR yesterday and he was fitted for his new wheelchair. It is only 20 lbs which is great for mom...Praise God! It will take about 2 months they said until he gets the wheelchair because apparently different parts are made all around the US. Oh yeah...it's also Red! Dad was excited about it. hehe
MeeMaw has good and not so good moments. She is back at the Hearthstone with AMED Home Health Care and they just started her back on some therapies, monitoring pain still, etc. One minute she can be talking fine, the next unable to understand her. She is with help getting into her chair some, although has fallen out of it. She was able to dial my phone number last night and call...we talked for about 10 minutes and she was able to admit that she is okay some times and not others and she never knows when it is going to be a good moment. She is a fighter that is for sure!
Mom was REALLY sick this past week. Thankfully she was able to get on some antibiotics and after a few days started feeling better. Please keep her in your prayers as her knees and hips are giving her SO!!!!!!!!! much pain. Some days she can hardly take one step in front of the other. We need God's healing touch on her because I am concerned she is going down the road to needing replacements.
Thanks again for keeping the family in your prayers. I know this has been a long road to travel and that faithful support, prayers and God's hand on us has kept us going. God's Blessing!
Mom and him went to TIRR yesterday and he was fitted for his new wheelchair. It is only 20 lbs which is great for mom...Praise God! It will take about 2 months they said until he gets the wheelchair because apparently different parts are made all around the US. Oh yeah...it's also Red! Dad was excited about it. hehe
MeeMaw has good and not so good moments. She is back at the Hearthstone with AMED Home Health Care and they just started her back on some therapies, monitoring pain still, etc. One minute she can be talking fine, the next unable to understand her. She is with help getting into her chair some, although has fallen out of it. She was able to dial my phone number last night and call...we talked for about 10 minutes and she was able to admit that she is okay some times and not others and she never knows when it is going to be a good moment. She is a fighter that is for sure!
Mom was REALLY sick this past week. Thankfully she was able to get on some antibiotics and after a few days started feeling better. Please keep her in your prayers as her knees and hips are giving her SO!!!!!!!!! much pain. Some days she can hardly take one step in front of the other. We need God's healing touch on her because I am concerned she is going down the road to needing replacements.
Thanks again for keeping the family in your prayers. I know this has been a long road to travel and that faithful support, prayers and God's hand on us has kept us going. God's Blessing!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Video of Dad; Update and Prayer Request
Well I was able to go today to dad's rehab and get video of him trying to walk. Sorry its not the most still video, I was trying to keep up with David while video taping.
I also happen to be there when Dad's Doctor came in. This was the first time I had met him, but heard wonderful things about him. He went on and on at how much progress dad has made and was so excited for him. Through us talking dad is able to now fully dress himself and has learned how to do that in his wheelchair. He can even put on and off his chucks (shoes), he is also able to shower himself. Dad has been having severe burning pain in his feet around 10pm at night once he was settled and not moving around anymore. The Dr gave him some medicine that you would give someone with Fibromialga (sp?) and it has taken the pain away. I mentioned how we were told a month into all this that he could have symptoms of that, which from the doctor's response had not been mentioned to him before.
Just from my visit today the main prayer he needs as far as physical therapy goes is continueing the task of learning how to walk again. As you can tell from the video he is making progress and also still has a long ways to go. He has been healthy and continued prayer that he stays healthy also.
In Addition....
Please keep us in your prayers with MeeMaw. Friday night at 10pm I got a call from my mom, saying that we needed to call 911 for MeeMaw (her mom) to be taken from her assisted living home to the ER. When I got to the ER MeeMaw was in so much pain he was gripping the handrails of the stretcher, back arched, clinched teeth/head, rigid body etc. Immediately she was given pain meds and an IV as we soon discovered on top of everything else she had a UTI which was making the back pain worse. She was also 95% of the time spaced out and completely unresponsive. Well here we are Thursday she was returned back to her assisted living home under their care along with Hospice and a group of doctors and nurses that will be going to her to help (last night she went back to the assisted living home). She is unable to get out of bed, she is at times unresponsive, when she is responsive it is mainly with facial expressions and rarely any words spoken. She is unable to feed herself and as of 1pm this afternoon unable to eat at all. She is breathing on her own and is on meds for the pain that are suppose to be closely monitored. It is no quality of life and I personally pray that God takes her home quickly.
It is 3:20pm on Thursday afternoon, I just talked to my sister in law and she just left MeeMaw's place. She said that MeeMaw looked comfortable in her bed, she was given a Boost type of drink and sipped on it and water while they were there. My sister in law mentioned that she had some memory at times and not at other. She smiled a little also. It seems that the afternoon is going better then this morning. My mom will be there around the evening so we will see what mom has to report back tonight.
Please continue to keep all of us in your prayers as we all have alot on our plates right now. We just feel pulled, pushed and knocked down and need the strength physically, emotionally and mentally to keep going. From all of us thank you so much for all the prayers and support!!
P.S. I know that there are way more people following this blog then are actually registered as a follower. If you want to send a message to dad or mom then you can email me at MsDejavu@yahoo.com. Please keep the messages for dad seperate then for mom. With them still not living under the same roof they will be dilevered to seperate places.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Exciting Updates!
Once again I am way late on updating this blog for you guys and I am so sorry. I am going to try to make a point to update it once a week even if it is to post minimal info.
Last Saturday we took dad out to eat!!!! He taught himself how to get in and out of the car with his slide board and was craving a hamburger and onion rings from chili's. We were going to bring it to him but he was determined to get out for a little bit if his nurse would let him. We were able to take him out and it was awesome! His sister was in town also from San Antonio so that made it extra special. Needless to say he was exhausted from the little outing and pretty much slept the next day and a half. Oh, another great accomplishment that happened when we were out.... (again trying to figure out exactly how to word this) dad could tell that he needed to have a bowel movement as we were leaving Chili's. He was able to control his internal body enough that he held it in until he was able to get back to his room and to his bathroom (about 10-12 minutes). This is HUGE!!!!! He is on no official bowel program, this is God's program.
Dad is also back to cathing himself and doing this daily with success. He also told me a couple of days ago that with his bowel movements he is able to successfully make it to the bathroom and is only having an accident in his diaper once every few days.
Things are going good in physical therapy. I walked in there yesterday at the very end of it and I really liked that the therapist was sitting with dad doing the arm strengthening exercises with him. I know when I was a basketball coach I would always run with my girls, do plays with them, etc...and it makes a difference. I felt the same with dad and seeing his therapist....it makes a difference.
Please continue to keep mom in your prayers. She continues to have a lot on her plate and things are not looking good for her mom, MeeMaw. I went Wednesday with mom to visit MeeMaw and she looked horrible. Last week MeeMaw got lost after lunch trying to walk back to her room, and she has a bump on the back of her head but doesn't remember how she got it. We talked with her about moving to a nursing home but she doesn't think she could survive the move. MeeMaw has been in the assisted living home for a year now and has a few workers that really look out for her. They make sure if she doesn't come down at meal time that she gets her food in her room and she even has one that prayers with her every night before MeeMaw goes to bed. MeeMaw continues to be in alot of pain with her back and her body all over feels horrible. Mom is in contact with her doctors to get MeeMaw on some stronger drugs to just keep her comfortable for whatever time she has left. After talking to the nurse of MeeMaw's internist...the nurse said that she is portraying herself like someone that has cancer. We do not know if MeeMaw has cancer, I don't know if something like that would show up on an MRI, but the Doctors have never mentioned anything about cancer. At 87 years old either way, our goal is to keep her as comfortable as possible. She keeps talking about wanting to go "home" and we don't think this is a house here on earth. Needless to say this is very stressful, especially for mom on top of just everything else going on. Mom is an only child and my brother and myself can only do so much as grandchildren.
Please continue to keep all of this in your prayers. Pray for all of our strength and endurance during this time....especially mom's. God Bless!!
Last Saturday we took dad out to eat!!!! He taught himself how to get in and out of the car with his slide board and was craving a hamburger and onion rings from chili's. We were going to bring it to him but he was determined to get out for a little bit if his nurse would let him. We were able to take him out and it was awesome! His sister was in town also from San Antonio so that made it extra special. Needless to say he was exhausted from the little outing and pretty much slept the next day and a half. Oh, another great accomplishment that happened when we were out.... (again trying to figure out exactly how to word this) dad could tell that he needed to have a bowel movement as we were leaving Chili's. He was able to control his internal body enough that he held it in until he was able to get back to his room and to his bathroom (about 10-12 minutes). This is HUGE!!!!! He is on no official bowel program, this is God's program.
Dad is also back to cathing himself and doing this daily with success. He also told me a couple of days ago that with his bowel movements he is able to successfully make it to the bathroom and is only having an accident in his diaper once every few days.
Things are going good in physical therapy. I walked in there yesterday at the very end of it and I really liked that the therapist was sitting with dad doing the arm strengthening exercises with him. I know when I was a basketball coach I would always run with my girls, do plays with them, etc...and it makes a difference. I felt the same with dad and seeing his therapist....it makes a difference.
Please continue to keep mom in your prayers. She continues to have a lot on her plate and things are not looking good for her mom, MeeMaw. I went Wednesday with mom to visit MeeMaw and she looked horrible. Last week MeeMaw got lost after lunch trying to walk back to her room, and she has a bump on the back of her head but doesn't remember how she got it. We talked with her about moving to a nursing home but she doesn't think she could survive the move. MeeMaw has been in the assisted living home for a year now and has a few workers that really look out for her. They make sure if she doesn't come down at meal time that she gets her food in her room and she even has one that prayers with her every night before MeeMaw goes to bed. MeeMaw continues to be in alot of pain with her back and her body all over feels horrible. Mom is in contact with her doctors to get MeeMaw on some stronger drugs to just keep her comfortable for whatever time she has left. After talking to the nurse of MeeMaw's internist...the nurse said that she is portraying herself like someone that has cancer. We do not know if MeeMaw has cancer, I don't know if something like that would show up on an MRI, but the Doctors have never mentioned anything about cancer. At 87 years old either way, our goal is to keep her as comfortable as possible. She keeps talking about wanting to go "home" and we don't think this is a house here on earth. Needless to say this is very stressful, especially for mom on top of just everything else going on. Mom is an only child and my brother and myself can only do so much as grandchildren.
Please continue to keep all of this in your prayers. Pray for all of our strength and endurance during this time....especially mom's. God Bless!!
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