Day August 25-Birthday Wishes and Miracles

                                        


Happy Birthday Sis! Loving the new hairstyle, but this could be the sign of a midlife crisis. 

I am so glad to have such an amazing sister in my life. I have learned to identify any miracle that life throws our way.  Miracles are like a cup of coffee, the perfect "pick me up" when we feel like there is no hope. Miracles are amazing.  One of the best miracles is having my sister through this difficult journey to talk to, make decisions, and laugh with.

      


Other miracles of the week....

Dad gets to take a break from his neck collar for a few hours a day and while eating.  What a relief!!


Mom and Dad got approved for Medicaid.  This means mom will get home health care 37 hours a week (7 days a week) in addition to 10 hours of hospice care.  The program through Medicaid is called Passport and it all starts tomorrow.  It looks like dad will have an aid to help start his day, an aid from noon-4:00, and an aid return to get dad to bed.  I am so thankful for Medicaid to help out and not let us down.  It only took 7 weeks of endless documents faxed to the office, but hey, it worked!!

August 24th-Commander Justin-Night Ops

                                      

Last night, dad took a sleeping pill and within a few hours of "sleep", the army showed up to take his neck brace.  If you know dad, he's the type of guy who would give you his right arm if you asked.

Well, the army wasn't going to get away with it that easily. He warded them off by fighting them for several hours. Sometime in the middle of the night, he called for mom to tell her the army was there and not to worry because he was going to keep them safe.  Groggy and confused, mom returned to bed and dad continued his noble duty. The army even came after dad's sippy cup!

When mom woke again, she witnessed just how hard dad had to fight! Somehow, he had managed to knock everything off the bedside table, flaying his arms, just to protect himself.  

I hope the army learned a lesson and doesn't return anytime soon demanding more from dad because...Commander Justin-Night Ops Special Duty Division will be reporting for duty.

 

   

August 20th-Sticker Chart

Boy, if only dad had a sticker chart, he would have definitely earned some stickers for having the best day EVER! He slept through the entire night-a first since July 4. He woke up with an appetite, ready to eat small meals throughout the day. His stomach pain was minimal (unless he was lying), and he drank lots of fluids. Oh the joy to see my dad looking healthy is priceless!

Dad also went to his Dr appt for his neck xray. It was our first time traveling w dad in the van-he did well earning another sticker for the chart. It was also our first time using the hoyer lift without an aide to help. Quite an adventure. Dad got to play peek-a-boo in the hoyer mesh pad...operating the machine sure takes skill. I'm giving myself a sticker for not dropping him.

Since it was only an xray, we couldn't see how the healing is coming along, however we were assured dad has not gotten worse-sigh of relief. In 6 weeks, he gets a cat scan to check bone growth. His first scan is attached from 7-4-12. Notice the three breaks making his injury an unstable neck fracture.

And in true sister style, no Dr appt is complete unless we made it fun! After the Dr left the room, we stole the skeleton off its hanger for a photo shoot. Dad nicknamed him Chip-N- Bones- he could have been a male stripper in his former life, just like dad thinks he was too...I didn't want to burst dads bubble, but with his physique, he had better odds at being a WWF wrestler.

We had dad crying from laughing so hard. It was one of those moments you really had to be there to truly get, but we've got pictures of it. Erica and I earned a sticker for creating a good time, but lost it for stealing and being too loud. Thank goodness no one walked in on and busted us. I was ready to blame it all on dad.

Thank you Todd & Erica for taking time out of your busy day to help... a sticker for each of you! I love you guys.



Gearing up for car ride to the Dr. -1st time on our own transporting dad




Smile Chip-N-Bones!



Cracking up!

Hold that pose!

Chip-N-Bones Photo Shoot Session

  

C1 Neck Fracture-3 breaks about 5-6 mm each (7-4-12)



August 19th-Wanted: Happiness

It's been one of the worst weekends. I am usually positive about dad's recovery, but he is quite ill and doing the best he can-a phrase that puts it all into perspective, thanks to Helene, -a dear family friend who helped me sum up his latest condition. This damn ALS is making the finer things in life we take for granted like eating, swallowing, and talking a struggle. He has lost weight and the stomach pain is relentless. 

To make the situation worse, he was placed in a long term nursing home unit at Heritage for 2 days. No one knew how to care for dad and all of his needs. I am sure its a great facility, it's just not for dad who needs a low nurse/aid ratio. Very upsetting.

So on a positive note, we are desperately seeking happiness. Any amount will do.

Happiness this weekend was...

1. A surprise visit from George while at Herirage -an aid who helped dad when he was in the rehab unit for 6 weeks. They have such a great bond that he calls mom and dad "uncle justin and aunt marcia" as he is their newly added nephew! My dad lit up the room when George strolled in. I can't thank him enough for the happiness he brings with him.

2. Eating spaghetti o's

3. Hanging out w dad and watching The Three Stooges movie and laughing until he cries.

4. Getting his teeth brushed

5. Enjoying a Wendys Frosty :)

6. Sleeping through the night-first full nights sleep since July 4th

7. Jello

8. Yogurt

9. Spending time with his daughters...lol

10. Being home again!

Aug. 17 -Return to Sender

Well after being home for two days, dad is heading back to Heritage for the weekend. He's been feeling sick, vomiting, and has intense stomach pain. I'm hoping he will feel better by late tomorrow or Sunday. He's in a room w no tv or clock! Poor dad, can't catch a break.

Day 42-Home Sweet Home

Dad finally is home today. It's August 15th. The medical supplies were delivered early this morning so he has a hospital bed, hoyer lift, and other needed supplies. Right now, mom only gets a home health aid for an hour in the morning and at bedtime. It's going to be a challenge!

Check our dad's balloon in the pic. The other pic shows dad arriving home in style...via ambulance.

Day 38- That's how we roll!

My birthday was August 8th and Erica's is August 24th- celebrating a birthday just isn't the same without dad.  So, my sis and I brought the party to him.  We surprised him with one of his favorite dishes (spaghetti) and desserts! Good times! Thanks Mary, Danny, Kent, Shay, and Sarah for joining us.  Dad loved it!

Erica's homemade meatballs

   

A dinner feast-sure beats nursing home food!



One proud Papa



Gangster in a neck brace?

Never a dull moment!

Sorry, not a good look dad...

I love you two!

Papa's Girls :)

Shay and Kent (expecting a baby girl any day now!)



Kent ate too much